bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Regional development models using cultural heritage resources
Authors: Abankina Tatiana
Published: March 2013

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to introduce findings of comparative analysis and various models based on cultural heritage resources to foster regional development.

Design/methodology/approach

Comparison of operational schemes, market positions and branding of three successful cultural heritage centers in Germany, Great Britain and Russia demonstrates a variety of regional development models based on cultural resources and tourism development, and reveals their advantages and disadvantages.

Findings

The paper evidences the potential of cultural resources and the tourism sector as drivers for regional development, and helps formulate basic recommendations for the Russian situation requiring elaboration of adequate financial and social instruments.

Originality/value

The paper provides a complex analysis of different operational models in three European countries with regard to specific national situations and specificity of heritage operational management.
Antecedents of local demand for domestic tourism in Jordan
Authors: Khaled Magableh Ihab , Kharabsheh Radwan
Published: March 2013

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate antecedents of households' local demand for domestic tourism in Jordan.

Design/methodology/approach

A sample of 600 households is surveyed and a two‐stage demand model is estimated. Stage 1 identifies the antecedents of the probability of entering the domestic tourism market. Stage 2 identifies the antecedents of households' expenditures on domestic tourism. The Heckit method is used to estimate the first stage and the OLS is used to estimate the second stage.

Findings

Certain socio‐economic factors (household characteristics, individual characteristics and ability variables) impact the local demand for domestic tourism, as do price and income variables.

Research limitations/implications

The generalizability of results to other countries is limited.

Practical implications

Identification of antecedents of local demand for domestic tourism helps governments to formulate and modify future tourism strategies.

Originality/value

This paper contributes to the literature by including socio‐economic variables in the domestic tourism demand model. Further, there is a dearth of studies in Jordan in general and regarding domestic tourism in particular.
Negotiating entertainment and education: a zoo in Japan
Authors: Yasuda Hiroko
Published: March 2013

Purpose

Controversy occurs among professionals, such as veterinarians and zookeepers in Japan, as to whether a zoo should be educational or recreational. The purpose of this paper is to examine how a zoo's culturally crafted entertainment value conflicts with educational value. Using a front/back framework of the zoo, both entertainment and educational values are negotiated.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper conceptualizes differences between a zoo's front and back regions to examine operations and visitor behavior. Observing and interpreting visitor and zoo employee interactions provide rich data about the educational versus recreational dynamic. The author observes visitor behavior in both zoo regions and interprets their cognitive schema.

Findings

Animal representation in mass media reinforces the zoo animal's amusement value to visitors, leading to the construction of tourist texts. Tourist text images affect the viewer's perception of reality, sometimes conflicting with the animal's reality. The zoo's back region helps alleviate this paradox. In this process, tour guides play a mediatory role between entertainment and educational values.

Originality/value

The author argues about zoos and zoo animals from the Cartesian dualism view of “culture/nature”. A zoo represents culture's triumph over nature. This paper develops this idea and discusses how entertainment and educational values conflict, and are reconciled, from the perspective of symbolic and pragmatic dimensions.
Building synergies between EU and GCC on energy efficiency
Authors: Papadopoulou Alexandra G. , Al Hosany Nawal , Karakosta Charikleia , Psarras John
Published: March 2013

Purpose

The aim of this paper is to analyse the state of play on energy efficiency with regards to policy, legislation and technological issues in the European Union (EU) and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries. Moreover, specific collaboration proposals between the two regions, with respect to the aforementioned, are elaborated on.

Design/methodology/approach

The approach of this paper utilizes and integrates the input from a large number of experts through excerpts from extensive international literature, dedicated meetings, bilateral interviews with experts and questionnaires regarding specific proposals for further collaboration.

Findings

Collaboration on energy efficiency between the two regions focuses mainly on three directions: policy, technologies and research. Specific collaboration proposals identified relate among others to the establishment of energy agencies and synergies at the policy level, building retrofitting technologies, labels and standards especially for air conditioning and exchange of know‐how on demand side management and third party financing.

Originality/value

Information on the state of play of energy efficiency in the GCC is, for the most part, scattered and fragmented. This paper is the first integrated analysis on the GCC status. Moreover, this paper provides solid collaboration modules between the EU and GCC, through an active participation of experts from both sides.
Supply chain configuration for biomass‐to‐energy: the case of torrefaction
Authors: Svanberg Martin , Halldórsson Árni
Published: March 2013

Purpose

One way of overcoming logistics barriers (poor transportation, handling and storage properties) towards increased utilisation of biomass is to introduce a pre‐treatment process such as torrefaction early in the biomass‐to‐energy supply chain. Torrefaction offers a range of potentially beneficial logistics properties but the actual benefits depend upon how the supply chain is configured to address various elements of customer demand. Hence, the aim of this paper is to develop a framework for torrefaction configuration in a supply chain perspective for different types of customers.

Design/methodology/approach

Sophisticated pre‐treatment processes are yet to reach the commercialisation phase. Identification of possible supply chain configurations is in this paper done through a conceptual approach by bringing together knowledge from related research fields such as unrefined forest fuel, pellets and coal logistics with prescriptions for configuration derived from the subject area of supply chain management (SCM).

Findings

A framework that explicates different elements of supply and demand of torrefaction is proposed, and exemplified by three distinct supply chains. Depending on demand, torrefaction serves different purposes, bridging gaps in place, time, quality and ownership. Furthermore, different supply chain configurations will pose different requirements on torrefaction in terms of producing different product quality, durability, energy density and hydrophobicity of the pellets.

Research limitations/implications

The proposed framework entails a set of propositions, but requires further development through empirical studies using complementary research methods such as interviews or surveys and quantification through techno‐economical or optimisation from a supply chain perspective.

Practical implications

This paper provides a framework that can inform decisions makers in biomass‐to‐energy supply chains, in particular at torrefaction plants, on upstream and downstream implications of their decisions.

Originality/value

The findings have implications for biomass‐to‐energy supply chains in general, and in particular, the paper provides a supply chain perspective of pre‐treatment processes, where previous research has focused primarily on technical aspects of torrefaction.
Conceptualising the nature of work: revisiting Luther Gulick's theories of organisation
Authors: Breese Richard
Published: March 2013

Purpose

The aim of this paper is to evaluate the coherence of Gulick's ideas on the nature of work roles and the implications for organisational theory.

Design/methodology/approach

An analysis is undertaken of Gulick's writings in the “Papers on the Science of Administration”, on different ways of organising (for which the author has used the term “systems of organisation”) and similar work by his contemporaries, including Chester Barnard. The subsequent critique of Gulick's ideas by Herbert Simon is evaluated. Gulick's ideas are then compared with a theoretical framework developed by the author, which covers similar ground to the systems of organisation.

Findings

The paper argues that Gulick's ideas on the nature of work roles in his systems of organisation were an important, but flawed contribution to organisational theory. Shortcomings in Gulick's theories on systems of organisation are identified, which, when rectified, improve the coherence of the theories and address legitimate criticisms made by Herbert Simon.

Research limitations/implications

The article has important implications for contemporary interpretations of the intellectual clash between Gulick and Simon, and the relevance of Gulick's ideas for contemporary management research.

Practical implications

The article has implications for the theoretical perspectives which are brought to bear on how organisations conceptualise their work tasks and organise themselves accordingly.

Originality/value

The paper subjects one of the central elements of Gulick's principles of administration to in‐depth critique at a conceptual level in order to re‐evaluate its worth and contemporary relevance.
The Canadian hotel industry: a roundtable discussion on challenges and trends
Authors: Jayawardena Chandana (Chandi) , Pollard Anthony , Caira Rosanna , Sovani Altaf , Willie Paul
Published: March 2013

Purpose

This paper aims to provide a relevant backdrop for the Worldwide Hospitality and Tourism Themes (WHATT) theme issue on the hotel industry of Canada, and to describe how the 2012 WHATT roundtable in Canada was organised.

Design/methodology/approach

The foundation for this paper was laid during a well attended Worldwide Hospitality and Tourism Themes (WHATT) roundtable discussion between industry leaders and hospitality educators in May 2012. The paper is written in the context of the theme and strategic question for the 2012 Canadian WHATT roundtable: “What innovations are needed in the Canadian hotel industry and how might they be implemented to secure the industry's future?”.

Findings

This paper provides key information on Canada, its economic conditions, the tourism industry and the hotel industry. It also explains the origins of WHATT and its scholarly journey over the last 19 years. In capturing the essence of the 2012 WHATT roundtable discussion in Canada, the paper provides a strong foundation for the other seven papers that follow in this WHATT theme issue.

Practical implications

The paper looks at key challenges of the hotel industry in Canada and provides thought‐provoking viewpoints from experts.

Originality/value

Readers who are interested in the Canadian hotel industry would benefit from this paper. Authors include the president of the umbrella trade association for the hotel industry, the Hotel Association of Canada, and the editor and publisher of the leading trade magazine for the hotel industry of Canada, Hotelier.
Challenges and innovations in hotel operations in Canada
Authors: Jayawardena Chandana (Chandi) , Lawlor Fred , Grieco J. Charles , Savard Michel , Tarnowski Michael
Published: March 2013

Purpose

This paper aims to analyse key challenges Canadian hotels are facing, and to suggest innovative steps to make hotel operations in Canada more successful.

Design/methodology/approach

The foundation for this paper was laid during a well attended Worldwide Hospitality and Tourism Themes (WHATT) roundtable discussion between industry leaders and hospitality educators in May 2012. The subject of hotel operations is discussed in the context of the theme for the 2012 Canadian WHATT roundtable and the strategic question: “What innovations are needed in the Canadian hotel industry and how might they be implemented to secure the industry's future?”

Findings

The paper provides valuable information on hotel management and operations, and outlines innovative solutions to key challenges Canadian hotels are facing.

Practical implications

The paper highlights effective approaches to managing hotel operations. The authors propose segment‐specific, tailor‐made training sessions for the diverse workforce of today.

Originality/value

The paper draws on the authors' experience and observations to explain how hoteliers can implement innovative change that enables them to achieve greater operational success. As the team of authors represents both academia and the industry, including a former general manager of the largest hotel in Canada, this paper will be of immense value to students, educators, and researchers, as well as industry leaders.
Using interventions to change the quality profile of an organisation
Authors: Johansson Elisabeth , Witell Lars , Rönnbäck Åsa
Published: March 2013

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate how a quality profile can evolve over time and, in particular, how different kinds of interventions can further develop or change an existing quality profile.

Design/methodology/approach

Data was collected over a five‐year period, including a literature review, interviews, a document study and observations to capture the quality profile and associated interventions. The study was carried out in a service organisation in the public sector.

Findings

This study shows that the quality profile can change over time due to the use of specific interventions. If a company wants to emphasise a specific quality principle, it must target the quality principle with one or more interventions. However, even if a quality principle is targeted, there is no guarantee that the quality principle will show improvement in the quality profile. Also, one main finding is that the quality profile becomes more even over time due to the internal consistency of the quality principles.

Research limitations/implications

This paper sheds light on the need to study the adoption of individual quality principles and the evolution of the quality profile of an organisation.

Practical implications

The results can provide insights for organisations aiming to embark on a quality programme, specifically how to design and develop a quality profile.

Originality/value

This research implies that the quality profile is a recurring, general phenomenon in all quality management improvement programmes. In other words, successful implementation of quality management requires a cohesive quality profile.
Mexican journalists and journalists covering war: a comparison of psychological wellbeing
Authors: Feinstein Anthony
Published: March 2013

Purpose

War journalists confront many dangers, leaving them at risk for mental health problems. They are, however, able to take breaks from the hazards of frontline work by periodically leaving conflict zones for the safety of home. This respite is not afforded local journalists who cover conflict situations. An example of this may be found in Mexico where journalists reporting on the drug cartels may under threat. This inability to seek temporary respite from grave danger may theoretically increase levels of psychological distress. The purpose of this paper is to examine this possibility.

Design/methodology/approach

The study sample comprised 104 Mexican journalists and a control group of 104 war journalists (non‐Mexican, demographically matched). Outcome measures included indices of posttraumatic stress disorder (Impact of Event Scale‐Revised)(IES‐R), depression (Beck Depression Inventory‐Revised (BDI‐II) and psychological distress (General Health Questionnaire‐28 (GHQ‐28).

Findings

Mexican journalists had higher scores on the avoidance (p=0.01), arousal (p=0.0001), but not intrusion (p=0.29) scales of the IES‐R. They had higher scores on the BDI‐II (p=0.0001) and anxiety (p=0.0001), somatic (p=0.0001) and social dysfunction (p=0.01) subscales of the GHQ‐28.

Practical implications

Mexican journalists targeted by drug cartels have more psychopathology than journalists who cover war. News organisations that employ journalists in this line of work therefore need to be aware of this and have a mechanism in place to provide treatment, when needed.

Originality/value

This is the first study to directly explore the psychological effects of violence on local journalists who do not cover war, but nevertheless live and work in areas of grave danger.
Factors affecting international doctoral students' academic engagement, satisfaction with their studies, and dropping out
Authors: Sakurai Yusuke , Pyhältö Kirsi , Lindblom‐Ylänne Sari
Published: March 2013

Purpose

This article's purpose is to report the findings and implications of a study that explored factors promoting and hindering international doctoral students' academic engagement.

Design/methodology/approach

An empirical study sought data through a questionnaire from international students registered for doctoral study at the University of Helsinki. Open‐ended and Likert‐scale survey data were qualitatively and quantitatively analysed.

Findings

The students commented most frequently (41 per cent) on the scholarly community as a factor in promoting their studies. Departmental issues had the largest proportion of hindering factors overall (34 per cent). Promoting factors related to the supervision they received and private domain factors were positively related to students' satisfaction with their studies. Considering dropping out was significantly associated with hindering factors related to their supervision and to departmental issues. Also, peers and colleagues were not significantly associated with students' satisfaction with their studies or with their contemplating dropping out.

Practical implications

The article addresses key issues that will be of interest and benefit to universities who wish to retain and attract overseas research students. In particular, it discusses the importance of wider scholarly communities in providing international doctoral students with a favourable study experience which may be enhanced by performing departmental tasks as an important part of enculturation within supportive scholarly communities.

Originality/value

This paper offers a novel way of understanding early career researcher development, as illustrated by doctoral students' academic experiences. It also taps into the under‐ examined area of international doctoral students' study experiences.
Sustainable enhancement in clients who perceive the Tree Theme Method® as a positive intervention in psychosocial occupational therapy
Authors: Gunnarsson A. Birgitta , Björklund Anita
Published: March 2013

Background/aim

The Tree Theme Method® is an intervention based on creative activities and occupational storytelling. The Tree Theme Method® implies that the clients draw and paint trees symbolising various periods in their life. The pictures are then used as a starting point to tell their life story to enhance their wellbeing and management of their everyday life. This study aimed to evaluate if changes observed among clients regarding their wellbeing and everyday occupations, between baseline and the end of their term of the Tree Theme Method® therapy, persisted three years after the completion of the intervention.

Methods

This study had a quantitative design. Thirty‐one former clients were recruited to a follow‐up three years after completing the intervention. Self‐rating questionnaires were used regarding psychological symptoms, self‐mastery, sense of coherence, activity level, occupational performance and satisfaction with occupational performance. Non‐parametric methods were used for the data analysis.

Results

The findings revealed positive significant changes regarding sense of coherence and occupational performance and satisfaction with occupational performance, measured between the end of the intervention and at the time of the three‐year follow‐up. Furthermore, the respondents' ratings regarding psychological symptoms, self‐mastery, activity level and the extent of satisfaction with performed occupations were found to be stable.

Conclusions

The Tree Theme Method® appeared to function well as an intervention in psychosocial occupational therapy, where the aim was that a client would enhance their wellbeing and management of their everyday life. However, there is need for further evaluation to assess the effects of the Tree Theme Method® intervention.
Preferential treatment or unwanted in mainstream schools? The perceptions of parents and teachers with regards to pupils with special educational needs and challenging behaviour
Authors: Broomhead Karen E.
Published: March 2013

This study explored the perceptions of parents and teachers regarding the differential treatment or stigma experienced by pupils with challenging behaviour – more specifically, those with behavioural, emotional and social difficulties (BESD), as well as children with visible special educational needs (Down's syndrome and/or profound and multiple learning difficulties) who frequently displayed challenging behaviour as a characteristic of their SEN. Semi‐structured interviews were conducted with ten parents of children with challenging behaviour, together with 15 educational practitioners employed in mainstream and BESD schools. Findings revealed how several parents, and staff employed in BESD schools, viewed pupils with challenging behaviour as ‘unwanted’ in mainstream schools. The remaining parents, as well as mainstream practitioners, reported the opposite and indicated that these pupils received treatment deemed to be ‘preferential’ in the mainstream. This has direct implications for those concerned with supporting pupils with challenging behaviour in mainstream settings.
Teaching reading through writing
Authors: Takala Marjatta
Published: March 2013

This article discusses a teaching method called reading through writing (RtW), based on the use of computers rather than handwriting. The pupils use the computers in pairs and decide themselves what they will write about. The use of this method is studied via a questionnaire to 22 teachers and via seven Master's and two Bachelor's theses, observing and interviewing all together 21 teachers and 68 pupils. The results show that the method is a good teaching tool; it inspires pupils to write, develops social and communication skills and is in itself creative. It seems to be well suited to pupils with individual needs. However, the information gathered does not clearly demonstrate its effectiveness for teaching pupils to read and write. Hence, more research is required.
The Usefulness of Intermediate Products of Plum Processing for Alcoholic Fermentation and Chemical Composition of the Obtained Distillates
Authors: Balcerek Maria , Pielech‐Przybylska Katarzyna , Patelski Piotr , Sapińska Ewelina , Księżopolska Mirosława
Published: March 2013

In this study, an evaluation of intermediate products of plum processing as potential raw materials for distillates production was performed. Effects of composition of mashes on ethanol yield, chemical composition and taste, and flavor of the obtained spirits were determined. The obtained results showed that spontaneous fermentations of the tested products of plum processing with native microflora of raisins resulted in lower ethanol yields, compared to the ones fermented with wine yeast Saccharomyces bayanus. The supplementation of mashes with 120 g/L of sucrose caused an increase in ethanol contents from 6.2 ± 0.2 ÷ 6.5 ± 0.2% v/v in reference mashes (without sucrose addition, fermented with S. bayanus) to ca. 10.3 ± 0.3% v/v, where its highest yields amounted to 94.7 ± 2.9 ÷ 95.6 ± 2.9% of theoretical capacity, without negative changes in raw material originality of distillates. The concentrations of volatile compounds in the obtained distillates exceeding 2000 mg/L alcohol 100% v/v and low content of methanol and hydrocyanic acid, as well as their good taste and aroma make the examined products of plum processing be very attractive raw materials for the plum distillates production.
An Applicable Strategy for Improvement Recovery in Simultaneous Analysis of 20 Pesticides Residue in Tea
Authors: Shoeibi Shahram , Amirahmadi Maryam , Rastegar Hossein , Khosrokhavar Roya , Khaneghah Amin Mousavi
Published: March 2013

It is important to have a reliable method to analyze pesticides in tea, a beverage commonly consumed in Iran. A validated method was developed for the determination of 20 pesticides in tea based on QuEChERS sample preparation and capillary gas chromatography‐quadrupole mass spectrometry in selective ion monitoring mode (GC‐MS/SIM) using triphenyl methane (TPM) solution as an internal standard. We used fortified, extracted, and cleaned‐up tea samples instead of calibration standards for quantitation, which substantially reduced adverse matrix‐related effects and negative recovery affected by graphite carbon black (GCB) on pesticide analysis. The recovery of pesticides at 3 concentration (40, 60, and 240 ng/g) ranged from 79.5% to 111.4% (n = 3). The method had acceptable repeatability with RSDr < 20%. The limits of quantification (LOQ) for all pesticides were ≤20 ng/g. The analytical results of the proposed method were in good agreement with proficiency test results (FAPAS, 19116). The recoveries and repeatabilities were in accordance with the criteria set by SANCO Guideline. The validated method was suitable for the analysis of pesticides in tea.
Examining the sensitivity of ultrasound‐guided large core biopsy for invasive breast carcinoma in a population screening programme
Authors: Rouse Hannah C. , Ussher Simon , Kavanagh Anne M. , Cawson Jennifer N.
Published: March 2013

Introduction

To evaluate the sensitivity of ultrasound‐guided core‐needle biopsy (UCB) in invasive breast carcinoma and to establish causes of false‐negative biopsy in a population screening programme.

Method

We identified 571 consecutive women diagnosed with surgically proven invasive breast cancer. Histology from 14‐gauge UCB was compared with surgical histology to identify true‐positive and false‐negative ultrasound core biopsies. True‐positive and false‐negative groups were compared for tumour size and histology. On blinded review of UCB images and pathology reports from false negative (n = 20) and a random sample of true‐positive cases (n = 80), we compared core sample number and needle visualisation in the lesion.

Results

Of 571 carcinomas sampled with UCB, 551 (96.5%) were true positive and 20 (3.5%) were false negative. The mean core number was 2.0 (range 1–3) for false negatives and 2.25 (range 1–4) for true positives (P = 0.27). Mean tumour sizes were 13.3 and 16.2 mm for the false‐negative and true‐positive groups, respectively (P = 0.25). Tubular carcinomas represented 30% (6/20) of false‐negative cases compared with 5.1% (28/551) of the true‐positive cases (P < 0.001). On blinded review, needle visualisation within the lesion was demonstrated in 47.4% (9/19) of false‐negative cases and 76.3% (61/80) of true‐positive cases (P = 0.02).

Conclusion

We demonstrated a sensitivity of 96.5% with a mean of 2.21 cores. False‐negative results were more likely in the absence of post‐fire needle position verification and with tubular carcinomas. Neither tumour size nor core number predicted diagnostic accuracy.
TLR2 down‐regulates FcεRI and its transcription factor PU.1 in human Langerhans cells
Authors: Herrmann N. , Koch S. , Leib N. , Bedorf J. , Wilms H. , Schnautz S. , Fimmers R. , Bieber T.
Published: March 2013

Background

Epidermal Langerhans cells (LC) expressing the high‐affinity receptor for IgE (FcεRI) play a key role in atopic dermatitis (AD). AD skin is highly colonized with Staphylococcus aureus (S.a.), which are sensed by Toll‐like receptor 2 (TLR2). We hypothesized that TLR2 may impact on the expression of FcεRI on LC.

Objectives

To study a putative impact of TLR2 signaling on FcεRI, we analyzed FcεRI and known transcription factors of the receptor after ligand binding to TLR2.

Methods

We generated LC from CD34+ progenitors in vitro (CD34LC) expressing FcεRI and TLR2 as well as its partners TLR1 and TLR6. The expression of FcεRI and known transcription factors of the receptor was analyzed on the protein and RNA level by flow cytometry, Western blotting, and real‐time PCR.

Results

For CD34LC from 123 donors, we observed a high heterogeneity in FcεRI surface expression correlating with mRNA level of its α‐chain. Stimulation of TLR1/2 or TLR2/6 dramatically down‐regulated FcεRI on protein and mRNA level of both α‐ and γ‐chain. Further analysis of putative transcription factors for FCER1A revealed the lack of GATA1 in CD34LC, weak expression of ELF1 and YY1, and high expression of PU.1. While ELF1 and YY1 appeared to be little affected by TLR2 engagement, PU.1 was significantly down‐regulated.

Conclusions

Taken together, our findings show that in human, LC ligation of TLR2 by S.a.‐derived products down‐regulates FcεRI and its transcription factor PU.1, thus suggesting that FcεRI is controlled by PU.1 in these cells.
Consumption of unpasteurized milk and its effects on atopy and asthma in children and adult inhabitants in rural Poland
Authors: Sozańska B. , Pearce N. , Dudek K. , Cullinan P.
Published: March 2013

Background

Consumption of unpasteurized cow's milk has been identified as a possible protective factor for atopy and asthma. Most studies have been conducted among children and in farming populations. We investigated the effects of consumption of unpasteurized milk in early life on atopy, asthma, and rhinitis in village and town inhabitants in a region of Poland and assessed whether any protective effects of milk consumption differed according to place of residence and farming status.

Methods

We surveyed the inhabitants (aged >5 years) of a small town and seven nearby villages in southwest Poland (n = 1700, response rate 88%). Participants (or their parents for those <16 years of age) completed a questionnaire on farm exposures and symptoms of asthma and rhinitis. In particular, information was collected on unpasteurized milk consumption in early life. Atopy was assessed using skin prick tests.

Results

Consumption of unpasteurized milk in the first year of life was inversely associated with atopy and asthma both among town and village inhabitants – town: adjusted odds ratio (aOR) for atopy 0.46 [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.37–0.52] asthma 0.51 (0.32–0.74); villages: atopy 0.59 (0.44–0.70) and asthma 0.59 (0.42–0.74). For atopy, the protective effect was more clearly seen among nonfarmers (0.42; 0.34–0.46) than in farmers (0.82; 0.54–1.11). For doctor‐diagnosed hay fever and current rhinitis symptoms, the protective effect was only observed among town inhabitants and/or nonfarmers.

Conclusions

Early‐life exposure to unpasteurized milk may protect against atopy, asthma, and related conditions, independently of place of residence and farming status, and in both children and adults.
Projected cost‐effectiveness of repeat high‐risk human papillomavirus testing using self‐collected vaginal samples in the Swedish cervical cancer screening program
Authors: Östensson Ellinor , Hellström Ann‐Cathrin , Hellman Kristina , Gustavsson Inger , Gyllensten Ulf , Wilander Erik , Zethraeus Niklas , Andersson Sonia
Published: March 2013

Background

Human papillomavirus (HPV) testing is not currently used in primary cervical cancer screening in Sweden, and corresponding cost‐effectiveness is unclear.

Objective

From a societal perspective, to evaluate the cost‐effectiveness of high‐risk (HR)‐HPV testing using self‐collected vaginal samples.

Design

A cost‐effectiveness analysis.

Setting

The Swedish organized cervical cancer screening program.

Methods

We constructed a model to simulate the natural history of cervical cancer using Swedish data on cervical cancer risk. For the base‐case analysis we evaluated two screening strategies with different screening intervals: (i) cytology screening throughout the woman's lifetime (i.e. “conventional cytology strategy”) and (ii) conventional cytology screening until age 35 years, followed by HR‐HPV testing using self‐collected vaginal samples in women aged ≥35 years (i.e. “combination strategy”). Sensitivity analyses were performed, varying model parameters over a significant range of values to identify cost‐effective screening strategies.

Main outcome measures

Average lifetime cost, discounted and undiscounted life‐years gained, reduction in cervical cancer risk, incremental cost‐effectiveness ratios with and without the cost of added life‐years.

Results

Depending on screening interval, the incremental cost‐effectiveness ratios for the combination strategy ranged from €43 000 to €180 000 per life‐years gained without the cost of added life‐years, and from €74 000 to €206 000 with costs of added life‐years included.

Conclusion

The combination strategy with a 5‐year screening interval is potentially cost‐effective compared with no screening, and with current screening practice when using a threshold value of €80 000 per life‐years gained.
Grazing behavior and performance of beef cattle as a function of sward structure and herbage quality under rotational and continuous stocking on species‐rich upland pasture
Authors: Stejskalová Michaela , Hejcmanová Pavla , Pavlů Vilém , Hejcman Michal
Published: March 2013

An experiment to reveal functional response and heifers' performance to sward characteristics and forage chemical composition was conducted for 5 years in rotational (RSS) and continuous (CSS) stocking systems on native species‐rich upland grassland. We measured sward characteristics, forage chemical composition, heifers' grazing behavior and live‐weight gains from July to September. Mean sward surface height was lower on CSS than on RSS; grass and forb density, and white clover stolon length, were similar. Herbage on CSS had higher crude protein content and lower crude fiber content than on RSS. No difference existed in time budgets of grazing, ruminating and resting between stocking systems and season, while grazing rates were higher on CSS. Stocking rate was 1671 and 1332 kg per ha on CSS and RSS, individual daily live‐weight gain 683 and 652 g on CSS and RSS. Gain per ha was 20 kg higher on CSS. Results suggested stocking systems on native species‐rich grassland had no effect on activity time budgets or animal performance. Both RSS and CSS allow similar outputs for stocking rates in terms of individual daily live‐weight gain. Key parameters determining heifers' behavior and performance were sward height, grass and forb density in the sward, and content of crude fiber and protein in forage.
Laminin binds to myostatin and attenuates its signaling
Authors: Yasaka Naofumi , Suzuki Keisuke , Kishioka Yasuhiro , Wakamatsu Jun‐ichi , Nishimura Takanori
Published: March 2013

Myostatin is a growth and differentiation factor and acts as a negative regulator of skeletal muscle mass. Although the mechanism whereby myostatin controls muscle cell growth is mostly clarified, the regulation of myostatin activity after its secretion into the extracellular matrix (ECM) is still unclear. In the present study, we investigated the interaction between laminin and myostatin and the effect of laminin on myostatin signaling in vitro. The surface plasmon resonance assay showed that laminin bound to mature myostatin and activin receptor type IIB (ActRIIB), but did not bind to latency‐associated protein, which remains non‐covalently linked to mature myostatin. Furthermore, kinetic analysis demonstrated that the affinity of mature myostatin for laminin was similar to that for ActRIIB. Next, we examined the action of laminin on the myostatin signaling pathway using a conventional reporter assay. The luciferase activity of myostatin‐treated cells was repressed significantly (P < 0.05) by coincubation of laminin. These results suggest that laminin has a potential to regulate myostatin activity through binding to mature myostatin and/or its receptor ActRIIB.
Gating of a novel brain potential is associated with perceptual anomalies in bipolar disorder
Authors: Patterson Julie V , Sandman Curt A , Jin Yi , Kemp Aaron S , Potkin Steven G , Bunney William E
Published: March 2013

Patterson JV, Sandman CA, Jin Y, Kemp AS, Potkin SG, Bunney WE Jr. Gating of a novel brain potential is associated with perceptual anomalies in bipolar disorder.  Bipolar Disord 2013: 00: 000–000. © 2013 John Wiley & Sons A/S.Published by Blackwell Publishing Ltd.

Objectives:  Our laboratory recently identified the P85 gating ratio as a candidate biomarker for bipolar disorder. In order to evaluate the phenomenological significance of P85 gating, the current study examined reports of perceptual anomalies and their relationship to the P50 and P85 physiological measures of sensory gating.

Methods:  Reports of perceptual anomalies on the Structured Clinical Interview to Assess Perceptual Anomalies were compared in patients meeting DSM‐IV criteria for paranoid schizophrenia (n = 66), schizoaffective disorder (n = 45), or bipolar I disorder (n = 42), and controls (n = 56), as well as their relationship with P85 and P50 gating.

Results:  The bipolar disorder group reported significantly more auditory, visual, and total anomalies than both the schizophrenia and control groups. The schizophrenia group also had more anomalies than the control group. Comparison of psychiatric subgroups revealed that the bipolar depressed, bipolar disorder with psychosis, and schizoaffective bipolar type groups reported the most anomalies compared to the other patient groups (bipolar disorder without psychosis, schizoaffective, bipolar manic). The total perceptual anomalies score and the P85 ratio significantly differentiated the bipolar disorder, schizoaffective, and paranoid schizophrenia groups from each other.

Conclusions:  These findings provide evidence of the phenomenological significance of P85. The results also yield further support not only for the P85 ratio, but also for increased reports of perceptual anomalies as possible markers for bipolar disorder.
Inhibition of ejaculation by the non‐peptide oxytocin receptor antagonist GSK557296: a multi‐level site of action
Authors: Clément Pierre , Bernabé Jacques , Compagnie Sandrine , Alexandre Laurent , McCallum Stewart , Giuliano François
Published: March 2013

Background and Purpose

Oxytocin (OT) plays a major role in the control of male sexual responses. Notably, blockade of OT receptors has been reported to inhibit ejaculation in animals. The study aimed to investigate the action of a highly selective, non‐peptide OT antagonist GSK557296 in a model of pharmacologically induced ejaculation in anaesthetized rats. The site of action was assessed by investigating different delivery routes for this compound.

Experimental Approach

Urethane‐anaesthetized Wistar rats were implanted with a cerebral ventricle cannula for i.c.v. injections or with a subdural catheter for intrathecal (i.t.) GSK557296 injections. Occurrence of ejaculation was assessed following i.v. 7‐hydroxy‐2‐(di‐N‐propylamino)tetralin (7‐OH‐DPAT), a dopamine D3 receptor agonist. In addition, seminal vesicle pressures (SVP) and bulbospongiosus muscle (BS) EMG were recorded as physiological markers of emission and expulsion phases of ejaculation respectively.

Key Results

Highest i.v. GSK557296 dose reduced occurrence of ejaculation and increases in SVP but had no effect on BS‐EMG. I.c.v. GSK557296 dose dependently inhibited ejaculation, increases in SVP and BS contractions. At spinal thoracic level, GSK557296 dose dependently inhibited ejaculation and increases in SVP but BS‐EMG was impaired only with the highest dose. When delivered at lumbar level, GSK557296 dose dependently inhibited ejaculation, increases in SVP and BS contractions.

Conclusions and Implications

In the 7‐OH‐DPAT‐induced ejaculation model, GSK557296 acts peripherally and centrally to inhibit ejaculation with different modalities. Blockade of brain OT receptors seems to be the most effective mechanism of action. Targeting central OT receptors with highly selective antagonist seems a promising approach for the treatment of premature ejaculation.
Impacts of a Prekindergarten Program on Children's Mathematics, Language, Literacy, Executive Function, and Emotional Skills
Authors: Weiland Christina , Yoshikawa Hirokazu
Published: March 2013

Publicly funded prekindergarten programs have achieved small‐to‐large impacts on children's cognitive outcomes. The current study examined the impact of a prekindergarten program that implemented a coaching system and consistent literacy, language, and mathematics curricula on these and other nontargeted, essential components of school readiness, such as executive functioning. Participants included 2,018 four and five‐year‐old children. Findings indicated that the program had moderate‐to‐large impacts on children's language, literacy, numeracy and mathematics skills, and small impacts on children's executive functioning and a measure of emotion recognition. Some impacts were considerably larger for some subgroups. For urban public school districts, results inform important programmatic decisions. For policy makers, results confirm that prekindergarten programs can improve educationally vital outcomes for children in meaningful, important ways.
The spectrum of histopathologic patterns secondary to the topical application of EMLA® on vulvar epithelium: clinicopathological correlation in three cases
Authors: Lewis Fiona M. , Agarwal Anju , Neill Sallie M. , Calonje J. Eduardo , Stefanato Catherine M.
Published: March 2013

EMLA® (eutectic mixture of local anesthetics, 2.5% each of lidocaine and prilocaine in an oil and water emulsion) is used as a topical anesthetic. We report three cases of EMLA®‐induced histopathologic changes on the vulvar epithelium. While there are some similar histopathologic features to those reported in extragenital skin, we describe additional findings on vulvar epithelium, which, to our knowledge, have not been reported previously. The patients presented with clinical signs suggestive of lichen sclerosus or erosive lichen planus (LP), but were all confirmed histopathologically as LP. The biopsy was taken after 15 min of EMLA® application and intradermal injection of 1% lidocaine. Blistering prior to intradermal lidocaine and the biopsy procedure was observed in two patients. The histopathologic changes observed in the epithelium included pallor of the upper epidermis, mild spongiosis, intraepidermal subcorneal and suprabasal acantholysis, congestion of the papillary dermal capillaries and extravasated erythrocytes. Basophilic granules were present, but rare, while the necrosis with multifocal clefting was more marked than in extragenital skin. It is important to be aware of these changes occurring on genital mucosa; these may occur in the absence of clinical signs and may obscure the primary underlying pathology, thus representing a diagnostic pitfall.
Do Entry Regulations Deter Entrepreneurship and Job Creation? Evidence from Recent Reforms in Portugal
Authors: Branstetter Lee , Lima Francisco , Taylor Lowell J. , Venâncio Ana
Published: March 2013

We evaluate the consequences of a recent regulatory reform in Portugal, which substantially reduced the cost of firm entry. Our analysis uses matched employer–employee data, which provide unusually rich information on the characteristics of founders and employees associated with new firms before and after the reform. We find that the short‐term consequences of the reform were as one would predict with a standard economic model of entrepreneurship: the reform resulted in increased firm formation and employment, but mostly among ‘marginal firms’ that would have been most readily deterred by existing heavy entry regulations. These marginal firms were typically small, owned by relatively poorly educated entrepreneurs, and operating in low‐technology sectors (agriculture, construction and retail trade). In comparison to firms that entered in the absence of the reform, these marginal firms were less likely to survive their first two years.
Association between metabolic syndrome and functional outcome in patients with acute ischaemic stroke
Authors: Oh M. Y. , Ko S. B. , Lee S. H. , Kim C. , Ryu W. S. , Kim C. H. , Yoon B. W.
Published: March 2013

Background and purpose

There is a paucity of information on the role of metabolic syndrome (MetS) as a prognosticator after ischaemic stroke. We investigated the association between MetS and functional outcome in patients with acute ischaemic stroke.

Methods

We evaluated 691 consecutive patients with acute stroke who were admitted to a tertiary medical center between January 2007 and June 2011. We defined MetS as having three or more of the five cardinal cardiovascular risk factors. Unfavorable functional outcome was determined using responder analysis, in which the outcome was adjusted by the initial severity of the stroke. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to evaluate the relationship between MetS and unfavorable outcomes (UnFO).

Results

Among 691 patients, 277 patients were classified as having an UnFO. The association between MetS and UnFO remained significant after adjusting for possible confounders; the adjusted odds ratio (95% confidence interval) was 1.57 (1.13–2.19). The risk for UnFO was positively associated with the number of MetS components.

Conclusions

MetS may be a potent predictor of functional outcome after ischaemic stroke.
Predictive value of brain and vascular imaging including intracranial vessels in transient ischaemic attack patients: external validation of the ABCD3‐I score
Authors: Purroy F. , Jiménez‐Caballero P. E. , Mauri‐Capdevila G. , Torres M. J. , Gorospe A. , Ramírez Moreno J. M. , de la Ossa N. P. , Cánovas D. , Arenillas J. , Álvarez‐Sabín J. , Martínez Sánchez P. , Fuentes B. , Delgado‐Mederos R. , Martí‐Fàbregas J. , Rodríguez Campello A. , Masjuán J. ,   from the PROMAPA study: Stroke Project, Cerebrovascular Diseases Study Group, Spanish Neurological Society
Published: March 2013

Background and purpose

Recently, brain and vascular imaging have been added to clinical variables to identify patients with transient ischaemic attack (TIA) with a high risk of stroke recurrence. The aim of our study was to externally validate the ABCD3‐I score and the same score taking into account intracranial circulation.

Methods

We analyzed data from 1137 patients with TIA from the PROMAPA study who underwent diffusion‐weighted magnetic resonance imaging (DWI) within 7 days of symptom onset. Clinical variables and diagnostic work‐up were recorded prospectively. The end‐points were subsequent stroke at 7 and 90 days follow‐up.

Results

A total of 463 (40.7%) subjects fulfilled all inclusion criteria. During follow‐up, eight patients (1.7%) had a stroke within 7 days, and 14 (3.1%) had a stroke within 3 months. In the Cox proportional hazard multivariate analyses, the combination of large‐artery atherosclerosis and positive DWI remained as independent predictors of stroke recurrence at 7‐ and 90‐day follow‐up [HR 8.23, 95% confidence interval (CI) 2.89–23.46, P < 0.001]. The ABCD3‐I score was a powerful predictor of subsequent stroke. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve was 0.83 (95% CI 0.72–0.93) at 7 days and 0.69 (95% CI 0.53–0.85) at 90 days. When we include intracranial vessel disease in the score, the area under the curve increases but the difference observed was non‐significant.

Conclusion

The inclusion of vascular and neuroimaging information to clinical scales (ABCD3‐I score) provides important prognostic information and also helps management decisions, although it cannot give a complete distinction between high‐risk and low‐risk groups.