bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Travail faiblement rémunéré: perspective mondiale
Authors: LEE Sangheon , SOBECK Kristen
Published: September 2012

Ce numéro spécial – dont le présent article est l'introduction – traite du travail faiblement rémunéré dans plusieurs pays en développement: Afrique du Sud, Brésil, Chine, République de Corée et Inde. Les auteurs font le point sur ce phénomène: définition, mesure, évolution et moyens de l'atténuer. A cet égard, les variations entre pays montrent l'importance de deux instruments politiques: la négociation collective et le salaire minimum, dont l'efficacité dépend d'effets de seuil qui doivent être pris en considération pour l'action des pouvoirs publics. Ce numéro spécial vient en complément de «Travail à bas salaire en Europe et aux Etats‐Unis» (vol. 148 (2009), n° 4).
Les travailleurs faiblement rémunérés en Chine urbaine
Authors: DENG Quheng , LI Shi
Published: September 2012

Les auteurs évaluent le phénomène des bas salaires chez les travailleurs locaux et migrants dans les villes de Chine: avec un seuil de deux tiers du salaire médian, le nombre des travailleurs faiblement rémunérés est important. Si le taux de bas salaires est resté stable parmi les locaux entre 1995 et 2008, il a décliné chez les migrants, même si ces derniers connaissent un plus grand risque d'être mal payés. Après avoir exploré les déterminants et les effets sur le bien‐être du phénomène, les auteurs plaident pour le subventionnement de la formation, une application plus stricte du salaire minimum et la négociation collective d'entreprise.
Faibles rémunérations en République de Corée: les politiques sont‐elles efficaces?
Authors: HWANG Deok Soon , LEE Byung‐Hee
Published: September 2012

Malgré l'institution et le développement de la négociation collective, du salaire minimum ou de prestations liées à l'emploi, les faibles rémunérations sont de plus en plus fréquentes en République de Corée. Cela contredit les prévisions de nombre de publications, dont le Rapport mondial sur les salaires 2010/11 du BIT. Les auteurs se penchent sur ce paradoxe et concluent que, si l'éventail des mesures était approprié, c'est leur efficacité qui est en cause, du fait d'une couverture limitée et des niveaux de prestations insuffisants. Aux défaillances du marché du travail s'est ainsi ajoutée une défaillance des politiques.
Le classement des réglementations du travail à l'épreuve de la diversité des salaires minima
Authors: LEE Sangheon
Published: September 2012

La question de l'incidence des réglementations du travail sur l'emploi a suscité diverses tentatives de quantification des normes du travail aux fins de comparaisons internationales. L'auteur reconnaît l'apport de ces travaux à la recherche empirique, mais critique les indicateurs visant à classer les réglementations. Il examine les indicateurs relatifs au salaire minimum, notamment celui du programme de la Banque mondiale, Doing Business. Il identifie plusieurs lacunes – biais théoriques, erreurs de mesure, non‐prise en compte des particularités institutionnelles et de l'incertitude quant à l'effectivité des réglementations – et met en garde contre l'utilisation de ces classements pour orienter les politiques.
Low‐wage work: A global perspective
Authors: LEE Sangheon , SOBECK Kristen
Published: September 2012

This article provides a global overview of trends in low pay and policies for reducing its incidence. The special issue it introduces follows up on “Low‐wage work in Europe and the United States” (Vol. 148 (2009), No. 4), the focus here being on Brazil, China, India, the Republic of Korea and South Africa. After examining the definition and estimation of low pay, the authors give particular attention to two policies accounting for variations in cross‐country trends: collective bargaining and minimum wages. To address low pay effectively, they argue, minimum wages must be set within a certain range on account of threshold effects.
Trabajadores con baja remuneración en la China urbana
Authors: DENG Quheng , LI Shi
Published: September 2012

Con datos de encuestas CHIP y RUMCI de 1995 a 2008, se analiza cómo afecta el problema de la baja remuneración a los trabajadores de la China urbana, locales y migrantes. La tasa de baja remuneración (inferior a dos tercios del salario horario mediano) es elevada, se mantuvo relativamente estable para los locales entre 1995 y 2008 y disminuyó para los migrantes entre 2002 y 2007, aunque siguió siendo comparativamente muy superior. Tras investigar los determinantes del problema y sus consecuencias en el bienestar, los autores abogan por subvenciones a la formación, reforzar el cumplimiento del salario mínimo y promover la negociación salarial en las empresas.
Incumplimiento de la normativa sobre salario mínimo en Sudáfrica
Authors: BHORAT Haroon , KANBUR Ravi , MAYET Natasha
Published: September 2012

Este artículo trata de proporcionar datos cuantitativos para fundamentar mejor el debate sobre políticas de salario mínimo y su observancia en Sudáfrica y en otros países en desarrollo. Cotejando datos de la Encuesta de Población Activa de 2007 con los mínimos salariales oficiales establecidos por ocupación y zonas de ingresos, los autores presentan estimaciones del incumplimiento de estas normativas en Sudáfrica. El 44 por ciento de los trabajadores cubiertos percibe salarios inferiores al mínimo estipulado, con una diferencia media del 35 por ciento. El nivel de inobservancia es mayor en los sectores de la seguridad, la silvicultura y la agricultura.
Zeit, Geschichte und Ästhetik im Wallenstein‐Prolog
Authors: Wagner Martin
Published: September 2012

Dieser Aufsatz liest den Prolog zu Schillers Wallenstein‐Trilogie als eine fundamental neue Reflexion über die Geschichtlichkeit im historischen Drama. Wallenstein ist das erste historische Drama, das sich der geschichtlichen Bedingtheit der dargestellten Handlung bewusst ist und das die zeitliche Distanz der Gegenwart zur historischen Szene problematisiert. Der so entwickelte Geschichtsbegriff koinzidiert im Prolog mit dem Autonomiebegriff der Weimarer Ästhetik. Das Bewusstsein von historischer Distanz und die Berufung auf die ästhetische Distanz zwischen dem Kunstwerk und der von ihm dargestellten wirklichen Welt gehen im Prolog Hand in Hand. Angesichts der entscheidenden Stellung von Schillers Stück in der Geschichte der Weimarer Klassik könnte diese Parallele zwischen Ästhetik und Geschichtsbegriff im Wallenstein‐Prolog richtungsweisend für das Verständnis der Epoche im Allgemeinen sein.
Functional characterization of new allelic polymorphisms identified in the promoter region of the human MxA gene
Authors: Tran Thi Duc T. , Desmecht D. , Cornet A.
Published: September 2012

The Mx proteins are high‐molecular‐weight dynamin‐like proteins whose expression depends strictly on type‐I and type‐III interferons (IFN). Some isoforms are able to inhibit the life cycle of one or several viruses and are thus components of innate immune response. The human MxA protein displays the broadest antiviral spectrum which makes it appear as a key antiviral effector of innate immunity. Allelic polymorphisms located in the MxA gene promoter can be expected to affect the magnitude of MxA mRNA transcription in response to IFNs and therefore to alter the severity of viral diseases in humans. Here, three single nucleotide polymorphism sites (−309, −101 and +20) were examined for their ability to alter MxA gene promoter‐driven reporter expression. We show that, besides the previously reported role of −123A and −88T, the presence of ‐101G is equally important. Moreover, when a promoter construct carries these three critical nucleotides, a first additional positive effect is conferred by a C at position −309 and, in this latter case, a second additional effect is produced by a A at position +20. This finding is clinically useful to improve prediction of IFN‐responsiveness in patients not only with viral diseases for which type‐I IFN therapy is used.
Eurozone futures: the Conservatives' dilemma
Authors: Gamble Andrew
Published: September 2012

Andrew Gamble asks if a eurozone recovery could unleash tensions inside the Tory party which threaten its very survival.
Juncture interview: Ngaire Woods
Authors: Woods Ngaire
Published: September 2012

Ngaire Woods talks to Juncture about the ‘new world order’, why predictions of China eclipsing the US are overstated and why the increasing power of emerging nations needn't mean the end for multilateralism.
Preliminary evidence of recovery from Tomato spotted wilt virus infection in Frankliniella occidentalis individuals
Authors: Mautino G.C. , Sacco D. , Ciuffo M. , Turina M. , Tavella L.
Published: September 2012

In this study we analysed the ability of individual thrips to transmit Tomato spotted wilt virus (TSWV) in a population of Frankliniella occidentalis over their lifespan as adults (about 10 days). In three experiments a total of 636 thrips were individually tested for their transmission capacity through leaf disc assays using four inoculation access periods (IAPs). Almost half of the transmitting thrips maintained the capacity to infect leaf discs in each of the four IAPs, confirming the persistent propagative nature of the transmission modality. Nevertheless, a relevant number of thrips (9.25% of transmitter thrips) was able to transmit in the early phases of their adult life (for the first two IAPs), but did not transmit the virus for the remainder of their lifetime. We compared the virus titer of these individuals at the end of the fourth IAP with that of individuals that maintained transmission ability in the four IAPs and showed a statistically significant difference. This difference could be evidence for recovery from TSWV infection in individual thrips.
An Efficiency Balanced Information Criterion for Item Selection in Computerized Adaptive Testing
Authors: Han Kyung T.
Published: September 2012

Successful administration of computerized adaptive testing (CAT) programs in educational settings requires that test security and item exposure control issues be taken seriously. Developing an item selection algorithm that strikes the right balance between test precision and level of item pool utilization is the key to successful implementation and long‐term quality control of CAT. This study proposed a new item selection method using the “efficiency balanced information” criterion to address issues with the maximum Fisher information method and stratification methods. According to the simulation results, the new efficiency balanced information method had desirable advantages over the other studied item selection methods in terms of improving the optimality of CAT assembly and utilizing items with low a‐values while eliminating the need for item pool stratification.
Assessing Fit of Item Response Models Using the Information Matrix Test
Authors: Ranger Jochen , Kuhn Jörg‐Tobias
Published: September 2012

The information matrix can equivalently be determined via the expectation of the Hessian matrix or the expectation of the outer product of the score vector. The identity of these two matrices, however, is only valid in case of a correctly specified model. Therefore, differences between the two versions of the observed information matrix indicate model misfit. The equality of both matrices can be tested with the so‐called information matrix test as a general test of misspecification. This test can be adapted to item response models in order to evaluate the fit of single items and the fit of the whole scale. The performance of different versions of the test is compared in a simulation study with existing tests of model fit, among them the  test of Orlando and Thissen, the score test of local independence due to Glas and Suarez‐Falcon, and the limited information approach of Maydeu‐Olivares and Joe. In general, the different versions of the information matrix test adhere to the nominal Type I error rate and have high power for detecting misspecified item characteristic curves. Additionally, some versions of the test can be used in order to detect violations of the local independence assumption.
A Comparison Between Linear IRT Observed‐Score Equating and Levine Observed‐Score Equating Under the Generalized Kernel Equating Framework
Authors: Chen Haiwen
Published: September 2012

In this article, linear item response theory (IRT) observed‐score equating is compared under a generalized kernel equating framework with Levine observed‐score equating for nonequivalent groups with anchor test design. Interestingly, these two equating methods are closely related despite being based on different methodologies. Specifically, when using data from IRT models, linear IRT observed‐score equating is virtually identical to Levine observed‐score equating. This leads to the conclusion that poststratification equating based on true anchor scores can be viewed as the curvilinear Levine observed‐score equating.
A Comparison of Item Calibration Procedures in the Presence of Test Speededness
Authors: Suh Youngsuk , Cho Sun‐Joo , Wollack James A.
Published: September 2012

In the presence of test speededness, the parameter estimates of item response theory models can be poorly estimated due to conditional dependencies among items, particularly for end‐of‐test items (i.e., speeded items). This article conducted a systematic comparison of five‐item calibration procedures—a two‐parameter logistic (2PL) model, a one‐dimensional mixture model, a two‐step strategy (a combination of the one‐dimensional mixture and the 2PL), a two‐dimensional mixture model, and a hybrid model‐–by examining how sample size, percentage of speeded examinees, percentage of missing responses, and way of scoring missing responses (incorrect vs. omitted) affect the item parameter estimation in speeded tests. For nonspeeded items, all five procedures showed similar results in recovering item parameters. For speeded items, the one‐dimensional mixture model, the two‐step strategy, and the two‐dimensional mixture model provided largely similar results and performed better than the 2PL model and the hybrid model in calibrating slope parameters. However, those three procedures performed similarly to the hybrid model in estimating intercept parameters. As expected, the 2PL model did not appear to be as accurate as the other models in recovering item parameters, especially when there were large numbers of examinees showing speededness and a high percentage of missing responses with incorrect scoring. Real data analysis further described the similarities and differences between the five procedures.
Nutrition and dietetics in aged care
Authors: CHWANG Leh‐Chii
Published: September 2012

Aim:  The global trends of rapid population ageing and increased risk of malnutrition among older people have a tremendous impact on nutrition care for the elderly. The present paper offers an overview of the challenging nutritional needs and problems of the elderly and explores strategies related to nutrition and dietetics to improve care for this particular segment of the population.

Methods:  A narrative review on monitoring malnutrition and improving food services was undertaken with reference to the literature and drawing on the experience of the author.

Results:  There is a wide range of problems associated with malnutrition in the elderly that have implications on strategies of intervention for addressing these problems.

Conclusions:  The current challenges for dietitians include identifying and monitoring the nutritional needs and malnutrition problems of the elderly, improving the quality of food services in health‐care facilities, and initiating innovative approaches to nutrition and dietetic services in the community.
Food standards, dietary modelling and public health nutrition policy
Authors: MACKERRAS Dorothy
Published: September 2012

Aim:  The review aims to describe how the use of dietary modelling to inform the development of food standards sits within a larger risk analysis framework and to show how the framework has wider applicability.

Method:  A narrative review is produced with reference to key published literature and authoritative sources related to the topic.

Results:  An essential feature of this framework is the separation in thinking between risk assessment and risk management. In risk assessment, dietary modelling assists in characterising the risk of the dietary component of exposure to a given food chemical or nutrient intake for a specific population. Risk management is the process of deciding what, if anything, should be done about the potential risk and analysing what option(s) are available. In risk management, the results of RISK Assessment, other information, such as behavioural science and health economic analysis, and policy considerations, inform the decision about which option should be selected.

To illustrate how the framework can be used in public health, the steps in the framework are compared with the steps for developing food‐based dietary guidelines, an educational tool aimed at the general public.

Conclusion:  The framework can help make sense of the various streams of information used in the wider public health nutrition arena. Depending on the purpose, different types of dietary modelling might be needed in risk assessment and to develop risk management options.
Sediment Source Fingerprinting: Transforming From a Research Tool to a Management Tool1
Authors: Mukundan Rajith , Walling Desmond E. , Gellis Allen C. , Slattery Michael C. , Radcliffe David E.
Published: September 2012

Abstract:  Information on the nature and relative contribution of different watershed sediment sources is recognized as a key requirement in the design and implementation of targeted management strategies for sediment control. A direct method of assessing sediment sources in a watershed that has attracted attention in recent years is sediment fingerprinting. The aim of this article is to describe the development of sediment fingerprinting as a research tool and to consider how the method might be transformed from a research tool to a management tool within a regulatory framework, with special reference to the United States total maximum daily load (TMDL) program. When compared with the current source assessment tools in developing sediment TMDLs, sediment fingerprinting offers considerable improvement as a tool for quantifying sources of sediment in terms of source type (e.g., channel vs. hillslope) as well as spatial location (subwatershed). While developing a conceptual framework for sediment TMDLs, we recognize sediment fingerprinting along with sediment budgeting and modeling as valuable tools in the TMDL process for developing justifiable sediment TMDLs. The discussions presented in this article may be considered as a first step toward streamlining the sediment fingerprinting approach for its wider application in a regulatory framework.
Linking biodiversity conservation and poverty reduction: de‐polarizing the conservation‐poverty debate
Authors: Roe Dilys , Mohammed Essam Yassin , Porras Ina , Giuliani Alessandra
Published: September 2012

The published literature leads the reader to expect polarization between conservation and development communities as to the relationship between biodiversity conservation and poverty alleviation. A survey of over 1,000 conservation and development professionals does not, however, support this depiction. Indeed it reveals a surprising consensus of opinion that there is a positive link between biodiversity conservation and poverty alleviation. Where there is some division, is over the direction of that link—conservation as a means to poverty alleviation, or poverty alleviation as a means to conservation—but again conservation and development organizations appear equally divided in their views. Extreme positions often dominate policy debates, hindering progress towards effective, integrated approaches. Our analysis indicates that this may be true of the conservation‐poverty debate. Debate is needed not on whether conservation and poverty are linked and whose role it is to address each agenda but on how to develop conservation and development programmes that find integrated solutions to shared challenges. This could greatly inform the process of revising national biodiversity strategies that has recently been started by Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and which potentially present a real opportunity for linking conservation and development in policy and practice.
Treatment of iron deficiency anemia in pregnancy and postpartum
Authors: BREYMANN CHRISTIAN , KRAFFT ALEXANDER
Published: September 2012

Iron deficiency (ID), iron deficiency anemia (IDA) and the resulting reduction in blood reserves are one the most common problems in pregnancy. Both oral iron – the traditional treatment – and blood transfusion involve significant drawbacks. High doses of oral iron frequently cause side effects, and noncompliance is common. Therefore, intravenous iron, alone or in association with recombinant human erythropoietin (rHuEPO), has been evaluated as an alternative in the management of ID in this setting. There is increasing evidence that iron sucrose is effective for treating IDA and safe for the mother and the fetus, using the recommended dosages and treatment regimens. In the postpartum period, both iron sucrose and ferric carboxymaltose have been shown to be efficacious, alone or in combination with rHuEPO. In pregnancy and in the postpartum period, the expected hemoglobin increase and treatment times are predictable according to the present data; therefore, in the presence of moderate‐to‐severe anemia, it can be questioned whether it is reasonable to wait for a response to oral iron. Indications for the use of iron sucrose and ferric carboxymaltose are preexisting moderate‐to‐severe anemia, no effect of oral iron, side effects of oral iron, refusal of blood transfusion, limited time until delivery, coexisting risk factors (e.g. inflammatory bowel disease, renal disease), the preoperative and postoperative periods and postpartum anemia. Future fields of research include the impact of intravenous iron therapy on patient satisfaction and quality of life, costs, hospital length of stay, blood transfusion rate, mortality rate, and other outcomes such as breastfeeding behavior and neonatal outcomes (e.g. birth weight, prematurity and neonatal iron stores).
THE EFFECT OF CLIMATE CHANGE ON WETLANDS AND WATERFOWL IN WESTERN CANADA: INCORPORATING CROPPING DECISIONS INTO A BIOECONOMIC MODEL
Authors: WITHEY PATRICK , VAN KOOTEN G. CORNELIS
Published: September 2012

Abstract We extend an earlier bioeconomic model of optimal duck harvest and wetland retention in the Prairie Pothole Region of Western Canada to include cropping decisions. Instead of a single state equation, the model has two state equations representing the population dynamics of ducks and the amount of wetlands. We use the model to estimate the impact of climate change on wetlands and waterfowl, including direct climate effects as well as land use change due to biofuel policies aimed at mitigating climate change. The model predicts that climate change will reduce wetlands by 37–56% from historic levels. Land use change due to biofuel policies is expected to reduce wetlands by between 35% and 45% from historic levels, whereas direct climate effects will range from a reduction of 2–11%, depending on the future climate scenario. This result indicates that models that neglect the effect of land use changes underestimate the effect of climate change on wetlands. Further, wetlands loss is geographically heterogeneous, with losses being the largest in Saskatchewan.
Lymphangiogenesis in chronic inflammation in the testis
Authors: Hirai Shuichi , Naito Munekazu , Terayama Hayato , Qu Ning , Kuerban Maimaiti , Musha Muhetaerjiang , Itoh Masahiro
Published: September 2012

Lymphangiogenesis occurs in various organs under inflammatory conditions. Recently, it was demonstrated that activated macrophages play an important role in the process of lymphangiogenesis. However, lymphangiogenesis during testicular inflammation has not yet been studied. Here, we investigated lymphangiogenesis in experimental autoimmune orchitis, a immunologic male infertility model, in mice. Histological changes were observed using immunohistochemical staining with the monoclonal antibodies against F4/80 (mature macrophage marker), lymph vessel endothelium HA‐receptor 1 (LYVE‐1) (lymphatic endothelial cells marker) and CD31 (endothelial cells marker). The expression of angiogenesis and lymphangiogenesis factors, such as vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)‐A, VEGF‐C, VEGF‐D and TNF‐α, which are secreted by activated macrophages, were examined using real‐time RT‐PCR. The results showed that lymphangiogenesis occurred along the undersurface of the tunica albuginea but not into the interstitium proper between the seminiferous tubules (STs) during the orchitis. It was noted that some F4/80‐positive macrophages expressed LYVE‐1 at the undersurface of the tunica albuginea and also in the testicular interstitium proper. RT‐PCR analysis revealed that the expressions of VEGF‐A, VEGF‐D and TNF‐α were significantly increased but that of VEGF‐C remained unchanged in the inflammatory testes. This study suggests that testicular macrophages are involved in the specific lymphangiogenesis in the chronic inflammation.
Phosphorus Fertilization and Fungal Inoculations Affected the Physiology, Phosphorus Uptake and Growth of Spring Wheat Under Rainfed Conditions on the Canadian Prairies
Authors: Zhang B. B. , Liu W. Z. , Chang S. X. , Anyia A. O.
Published: September 2012

Some fungal species have been shown to improve plant growth under drought conditions and to increase plant phosphorus (P) uptake from the soil. How moisture limitation, P availability and fungal inoculation interact to affect plant physiology and growth is, however, poorly understood. Here, we studied the combined effects of fungal (arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) or Penicillium spp.) inoculations and phosphorus (P) fertilization (0, 45 and 90 kg ha−1) on the net rate of photosynthesis, water‐use efficiency, P uptake and growth of spring wheat (Triticum aestivum var. Superb) under field conditions at two locations (Castor and Vegreville) in Alberta, Canada. Both fungal inoculation and P application increased the rate of photosynthesis. Under the same P level, AMF inoculation had a greater positive effect on the rate of photosynthesis than Penicillium inoculation. The AMF inoculation increased the instantaneous water‐use efficiency (WUEi) of plants at Castor, but not at Vegreville. Leaf carbon isotope discrimination (CID, Δ13C) increased with the rate of P application but was not affected by fungal inoculations. Phosphorus concentrations of stem and seed increased with both fungal inoculation and P application irrespective of location, with AMF inoculation showing the largest effects. The interaction between P addition and fungal inoculation was significant for stem P concentration in Vegreville. Both fungal inoculation and P application increased the leaf area index (LAI), biomass production and grain yield at both locations. Under the same P level, AMF inoculation had a greater positive effect on LAI, biomass production and grain yields than Penicillium inoculation. Morphological characters such as spike length and kernels/spike were also improved by fungal inoculation and P application at both locations. We conclude that the studied sites were deficient in P availability, and both fungal inoculation and P application improved P uptake and crop productivity, while the effect of fungal inoculation on water‐use efficiency was site specific.
Simplified Equation to Extract Diffusion Coefficients from Confocal FRAP Data
Authors: Kang Minchul , Day Charles A. , Kenworthy Anne K. , DiBenedetto Emmanuele
Published: September 2012

Quantitative measurements of diffusion can provide important information about how proteins and lipids interact with their environment within the cell and the effective size of the diffusing species. Confocal fluorescence recovery after photobleaching (FRAP) is one of the most widely accessible approaches to measure protein and lipid diffusion in living cells. However, straightforward approaches to quantify confocal FRAP measurements in terms of absolute diffusion coefficients are currently lacking. Here, we report a simplified equation that can be used to extract diffusion coefficients from confocal FRAP data using the half time of recovery and effective bleach radius for a circular bleach region, and validate this equation for a series of fluorescently labeled soluble and membrane‐bound proteins and lipids. We show that using this approach, diffusion coefficients ranging over three orders of magnitude can be obtained from confocal FRAP measurements performed under standard imaging conditions, highlighting its broad applicability.
On the Extreme Value Analysis of the Response of a Turret Moored FPSO
Authors: Sagrilo L. V. S. , Naess A. , Gao Z.
Published: September 2012

One of the standardized procedures used in the design of floating systems and their mooring and production lines is the so-called short-term design approach where the system is analyzed for some specific extreme environmental conditions. Along with this procedure, a nonlinear time-domain coupled dynamic analysis, considering the floater and its risers and mooring lines, can nowadays be incorporated as a feasible part of the design practice. One very important and challenging aspect of this process is concerned with the estimation of the characteristic short-term extreme values of the system response parameters based on the sampled time-series. In this paper a common procedure used to establish these extreme values for floater system response parameters, which is based upon a Weibull distribution model for the peaks of the time-series, is reviewed in the light of a recently proposed approach based on a general parametric model for the average conditional exceedance rate of peaks. It is shown that the former model corresponds to a particular case of the latter one. Numerical results are presented for the response parameters of a turret-moored Floating, Production, Storage and Offloading (FPSO) unit considering a short-term coupled analysis of the whole system under an extreme environmental condition of wind, wave, and current. Specifically, the extreme response of surge motion, top tension of the most loaded mooring line, and Det norske Veritas (DnV) codes utilization factor for the most critical section of an 0.20 m outer diameter SLWR (steel lazy wave riser) are investigated.
Mobility and Singularity Analysis of a Class of Two Degrees of Freedom Rotational Parallel Mechanisms Using a Visual Graphic Approach
Authors: Yu Jingjun , Dong Xin , Pei Xu , Kong Xianwen
Published: September 2012

In this paper, a visual graphic approach is presented for the mobility and singularity analysis of mechanisms with no helical pair. The presented method is established upon the reciprocal screw system theory. Using the visual graphic approach, the mobility and singularity analysis mainly requires applying a few simple rules and involves into no formula derivation. As a case study, the mobility and singularity analysis is implemented for a class of two degrees of freedom (DOF) rotational parallel mechanisms (RPMs), including the Omni-Wrist III with four limbs and its two derived architectures with three limbs called the T-type and Δ-type RPMs. The Δ-type one is found to has kinematic properties close to the Omni-Wrist III.
2011: the scurvy Odyssey
Authors: Bernardino V R , Mendes-Bastos Pedro , Noronha Carla , Henriques Celia Coelho
Published: September 2012

The authors report the case of a 50-year-old alcoholic man with chronic hepatitis C virus infection, who presented to the emergency department with fever and exuberant ecchymoses and petechiae on both legs. After a careful examination and laboratory assessment, the not-so-obvious hypothesis of scurvy was disclosed. Simply with vitamin C replacement and nutritional advice, a dramatic improvement in his condition was observed. In modern societies, a generalised access to food renders scurvy as a rare disease, often misdiagnosed. A multidisciplinary approach is emphasised as the key to a more simple differential diagnosis, avoiding unnecessary exams and preventing serious complications, or even death, if left untreated.
Primary total knee arthroplasty infected withSerratia marcescens
Authors: Mahmoud Samer S S , Odak Saurabh , Qazzafi Zaman , McNicholas M J
Published: September 2012

We report an unusual case of aSerratia marcescensinfection of total knee arthroplasty 4 weeks after the procedure following aspiration carried out on the ward (contrary to local protocol). This was successfully treated with thorough wound debridement, irrigation, change of the polyethylene liner and systemic antibiotics using intravenous meropenem for 3 weeks followed by oral ciprofloxacin for another 3 weeks. Our patient made an uneventful recovery and there was no reported recurrence of infection at 8 months of follow-up. We are unsure as to whether the infection was introduced at the time of the joint aspiration or was a complication of the initial procedure despite all the standard aseptic measures taken at the time of surgery.
Penetrating intracranial gunshot wound transecting the right transverse sinus
Authors: Beaty Narlin Bennet , Diaz Cara , Crandall Kenneth , Sansur Charles
Published: September 2012

A 23-year-old man sustained a gunshot wound to the posterior head. Imaging demonstrated a transection of the right transverse sinus, a retained bullet fragment and significant cerebellar oedema. The patient emergently underwent suboccipital decompression associated with brisk bleeding from the transverse sinus. Reported examples of surgical management of cerebral venous sinuses include: packing, grafting, patching and ligation. Our patient had a codominant transverse sinus and underwent successful unilateral ligation. His postoperative course was uneventful, however, he did require a ventriculoperitoneal shunt. He was subsequently discharged to rehab with a favourable outcome.
Endometrial stromal sarcoma of uterus with metastasis to the lung and brain
Authors: Akhavan Ali , Shishebor Forozan , Moghimi Mansour , Binesh Fariba
Published: September 2012

Endometrial stromal sarcomas are rare tumours of the uterus and account for 10% of uterine sarcomas. Most of such tumours are low grade, although even these types can spread to the extrauterine areas; however, brain metastasis is very uncommon. This case report presents a 43-year-old Iranian woman with synchronous lung and brain metastases.
OP03 Spatial Segregation and Socioeconomic Inequalities in Health in Brazilian Cities: Combining Spatial and Social Epidemiology
Authors: Chandola T
Published: September 2012

Background

Spatial and socioeconomic inequalities in health are well-documented across the world, with poorer people, areas and regions experiencing poorer health and higher mortality risks than richer people, areas and regions. Furthermore, greater income inequality has also been linked to higher mortality rates. However, there has been less work on the spatial dimension of such socioeconomic inequalities in relation to inequalities in health. The UN-Habitat 2010–11 report on the state of the world’s cities identified the spatial isolation of poor people in cities (the “spatial poverty trap”) as one of the major challenges in developing countries. As people and cities in the developing world get richer, the worry is that the spatial socioeconomic segregation of poor people increases, which in turn may increase their risks of mortality and poor health.

Methods

Data from 15 major Brazilian cities were analysed, with spatial measures of socioeconomic segregation (“isolation of the poor”) estimated for Brazilian districts within cities. The association of the spatial isolation of the poor with district level mortality rates was examined using multiple membership multilevel Poisson regression models to take account of the multilevel (districts within cities) and spatial nature of the data.

Results

Increasing spatial isolation of the poor tends to be associated with higher mortality rates, with an interaction between income and spatial isolation. There is not much difference in mortality rates among the poorest districts in terms of spatial isolation. However in the richest districts, districts where the poor are spatially isolated have the highest mortality rates, whereas districts where the poor are not isolated have the lowest mortality rates.

Conclusion

As cities in the developing world get richer, there is a risk that this leads to increasing spatial socioeconomic segregation of the poor within those cities. The results from this study suggests that the spatial dimension of poverty within cities may be just as important to health as poverty levels.
OP05 From Trial to Population: Effect of a Weight Management Intervention on body Mass Index When Scaled Up
Authors: Fagg J , Cole T , Cummins S , Goldstein H , Roberts H , Law C
Published: September 2012

Background

The evidence base for effective interventions to manage childhood overweight and obesity is growing. However, results from research may not generalise to service delivery settings, and scaled-up interventions may not reduce health inequalities. We examine a scaled–up childhood weight management intervention, examining variations in body mass index by person, family, place and programme.

Methods

MEND 7–13 (Mind, Exercise, Nutrition, Do It!) is a multi-component family-based community weight management intervention shown to be effective in a randomised controlled trial (RCT). We used MEND service data from 10,080 children attending MEND programmes from 2007–10. Outcomes were: Change in Body Mass Index (BMI) change over the programme (10 weeks). Anthropometry is measured by trained staff following standardised procedures. We estimated associations between BMI change and participant, family, neighbourhood and programme factors – including pre-specified interactions and random slopes. Multilevel multivariate regression models were used with multiple imputation for missing values. We described participants by BMI at programme start (pre-BMI), age, sex and ethnicity; families by parent-reported employment, lone parent and housing tenure status; places by residential neighbourhood income deprivation, urbanicity, food and built environments; and programmes by the percentage of sessions attended and variables describing programme composition (e.g. group size).

Results

BMI was reduced by similar amounts in the RCT and service delivery (RCT BMI change = –0.91 [95%CI: –1.13 to –0.68]), service BMI change = –0.75 [–0.78 to –0.73]. Service BMI reductions were clinically significant in all socio-demographic groups analysed. However, in multilevel models, pre-BMI, age, ethnicity, unemployment status and programme attendance were independently associated with BMI change. For example, in comparison to white children, reductions in BMI were statistically significantly smaller for black and minority ethnic group children (Asian b=0.29, p<0.001, Black b=0.20, p<0.001, (positive coefficients indicate smaller BMI reduction)). Similarly, BMI fell less in children whose parents were unemployed (b=0.14, p<0.001, baseline employed parent). There were no significant differences by sex or neighbourhood factors. Tests of interactions and random slopes were non-significant.

Conclusion

Clinically significant BMI changes, similar to those achieved under research conditions, may be replicable in service delivery settings for children of all socio-demographic groups analysed. However, at the population level, scaled up programmes may work better for some groups than others. Public health implications of these results for health inequalities will be discussed.
OP06 Well London: Results of a Cluster-Randomised Trial of a Community Development Approach to Improving Health Behaviours and Mental Wellbeing in Deprived Inner-City Neighbourhoods
Authors: Phillips G , Hayes R , Bottomley C , Petticrew M , Watts P , Lock K , Clow A , Draper A , Moore D , Schmidt E , Tobi P , Lais S , Yu G , Barrow-Guevara G , Renton A
Published: September 2012

Background

Few public health interventions combining modification of the social and built environment with individual-level health promotion have been robustly evaluated in the UK. Well London is an assets-based community development programme designed to improve physical activity, healthy eating and mental wellbeing in highly deprived inner-city communities. The programme, delivered between 2007 and 2011, comprised a mix of projects delivering traditional health promotion, community development and changes to the physical neighbourhood environment. The objectives of the study are to: (i) determine the effectiveness ofWell Londonfor improving healthy eating, physical activity and mental wellbeing in deprived inner-city communities; (ii) examine the effects in population subgroups linked to health inequalities in the UK.

Methods

We used a pair-matched, cluster-randomised trial with 20 control neighbourhoods matched within London boroughs to 20 programme delivery neighbourhoods. The trial outcomes in adult residents (aged ≥16 years) were collected using a structured electronic household survey, administered by fieldworkers to 100 randomly sampled residents in each intervention and control neighbourhood. The main outcome measures were: physical activity: meeting UK Chief Medical Officer-recommended five sessions of 30 minutes moderate intensity activity per week (self-report International Physical Activity Questionnaire); healthy eating: eating at least five portions of fruit/vegetables per day (food frequency questionnaire from the Health Survey for England); and mental wellbeing: abnormal score on 12-item General Health Questionnaire; Warwick Edinburgh Mental Wellbeing Scale score.

Results

The baseline survey in 2008 showed that the intervention and control populations are comparable on socio-demographic/economic characteristics and primary trial outcomes. At baseline, 37% of adults met the five-a-day (healthy eating), 60% met the five-a-week (physical activity), and 18% reported experiencing anxiety or depression. Results from the follow-up survey will be available in April 2012. We will present the effects of Well London on the primary outcomes and subgroup analyses by gender, age, ethnicity and level of education.

Conclusion

In a health system where less than 1% of the research budget is spent on primary preventive interventions for non-communicable diseases, robust evidence about the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of upstream interventions is essential for action on health inequalities and reductions in healthcare spending recommended by the Marmot Review (2010) and the Wanless report (2004).
OP07 What Shapes Participation in a Community-Based Intervention? Evidence from a Qualitative Evaluation of the Well London Project
Authors: Jain S , Draper A , Clow A , Lynch R , Derges J
Published: September 2012

Background

This paper examines how individual and area-level contextual factors shape participation in a community-based development and health promotion intervention.Well Londonwas a 3-year community development and health promotion programme for improving health behaviours (physical activity and healthy eating) and mental health and wellbeing in areas of high deprivation. The programme aimed to improve individual level health outcomes through a combination of neighbourhood and individual level interventions. Community engagement/participation was a central strategy of these interventions.

Methods

A quantitative cluster randomised trial (CRT) was used to evaluateWell Londonin 20 neighbourhoods defined as Census Lower Super Output Areas (LSOAs). A qualitative study was nested within the trial to examine mechanisms and complexity. This study employed critical case sampling to select three intervention LSOAs that reflected a range of pre-existing community engagement and activities. In-depth semi-structured interviews were conducted with 59 respondents purposively sampled from each of 3 distinct areas. Each area reflected differences in implementation, nature of community life, and pre-existing community activities. Interviews addressed three topics: experiences of area, individual health & well-being, and knowledge of and involvement inWell London. Transcripts were coded and thematic analysis undertaken using NVIVO software.

Results

Analysis found that area level and individual-level characteristics interacted to shape specific models of individual participation in each area. In an area with a ‘dispersed’ community, limited pre-existing activities and implementation through formal institutions, participation was attributed by respondents to self-motivation and responses to deprivation. In contrast, in the 2nd area,Well Londonimplementation centred on an individual community organizer operating in a geographically close-knit area. Strong community interest and participation was shaped by the ability of this individual to inspire a sense of change. Finally, in an area with a ‘saturation’ of pre-existing activities, participation inWell Londonwas part of a socially accepted pattern of community involvement. For new people to the area, involvement was viewed as aiding integration while for long-standing residents this was seen as a strategy to contribute to community life.

Conclusion

Recent reviews on community participation present evidence of a causal link between participation and positive health outcomes. However, the mechanisms underlying this are not clear. The reasons people participate inWell Londonare shaped by interactions between individual and area-level factors. This suggests that understanding the link between community participation and health outcomes requires a contextualized analysis of why people participate and the meanings they associate with this.