bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Women in water supply, sanitation and hygiene programmes
Authors: Fisher J.
Published: November 2008

This paper demonstrates the fundamental linkages between the United Nations’ third millennium development goal (MDG) ‘to promote gender equality and to empower women’ and MDG 7 ‘to ensure environmental sustainability’, with target 10 ‘to halve the proportion of people without access to safe drinking water and sanitation by 2015’. A synthesis of the evidence gathered for the Water Supply and Sanitation Collaborative Council (WSSCC) shows the connections between women’s wellbeing and water supply, sanitation facilities and hygiene practice. The paper shows that if women’s interests relating to water and sanitation provision are at the centre of planning and implementation of programmes, this has a direct impact on women’s life experience, their potential and opportunities. This work goes on to provide examples of the benefits to women when they themselves are involved in the planning, implementation and operation of water supply, sanitation and hygiene programmes.
Sewerage: a return to basics to benefit the poor
Authors: Mara D. , Broome J.
Published: November 2008

Around 2·8 billion people, mostly in developing countries, currently lack adequate sanitation. Approximately half live in urban areas, where the most appropriate sanitation solution is commonly simplified sewerage. This paper presents the rigorous hydraulic design basis of simplified sewerage and compares this design approach with that used in the UK for conventional sewerage. It reviews simplified sewerage construction and how this achieves major cost savings and also avoids the problems commonly experienced with manholes.
Better practice in supplying water to the poor in global PPPs
Authors: Jacobs J. , Franceys R.
Published: November 2008

Amidst the general controversy surrounding public— private partnerships (PPPs) in lower-income countries, there has been little consideration of the successes and failures of international private operators in serving the urban poor, a subset of the overall task in any concession contract. This paper reports on research undertaken over a number of years in target communities, completed recently through private operator head office interviews, investigating the techniques and approaches used to serve slums with clean water. Following the demise of the PPP ‘experiment’ and with the present one billion slum dwellers projected to increase to two billion over the next generation, there is a clear need for these ‘better practice’ experiences to be made accessible to, and used by, public sector operators for whom serving the poor is the only real justification for their existence—the rich always find a way to access what they need.
Child’s play and recreation in Dhaka City, Bangladesh
Authors: Ahmed A. , Sohail M.
Published: November 2008

This paper is an attempt to take into account children’s views and perceptions about their playing spaces, as a result of a study of playgrounds, parks and amusement parks in Dhaka City. It is quite evident that the so-called ‘play and recreation facilities’ provided by the authorities cater for only a fraction of the children in Dhaka City. Girls are almost totally excluded from using these facilities, while boys from high-income families and street children seldom use them. The main reasons for their inaccessibility to most children in Dhaka City are lack of security, poor maintenance and inadequate play facilities and accessories. It is recommended that further studies are undertaken on the existing provision of play spaces for children in order to understand better the impact of such spaces on their well being.
Shear response of elliptical hollow sections
Authors: Gardner L. , Chan T. M. , Wadee M. A.
Published: November 2008

Following the introduction of hot-finished elliptical hollow sections to the construction industry, recent research has been performed to develop supporting structural design guidance. This paper focuses on shear resistance. Twenty-four shear tests were performed on hot-finished steel elliptical hollow section members. The shear tests were arranged in a three-point bending configuration with span-to-depth ratios ranging from 1 to 8. This enabled the study of cross-section resistance in shear and the interaction between shear and bending. Measurements were taken of cross-section geometry, local initial geometric imperfections and material properties in tension. Test results, including moment– rotation histories, are presented. Additional results were generated numerically. These results have been used to verify proposed design expressions for shear resistance and resistance to combined shear and bending. Further investigations into design criteria for shear buckling are currently under way.
Boundary Organizations: Enabling Collaboration among Unexpected Allies
Authors: O'Mahony Siobhán , Bechky Beth A.
Published: November 2008

Our research examines how parties challenging established social systems collaborate with defenders of those systems to achieve mutual goals. With field interviews and observations from four community projects in the open-source movement, we examine how these projects collaborated with firms defending proprietary approaches to software development. Drawing on social movement and organizational theory, we explain how challenging parties not only mobilize to achieve their goals but how they are able to transform contestation into collaboration. Open-source projects and firms held divergent interests but discovered areas of convergent interest and were able to adapt their organizing practices to collaborate through the creation of a boundary organization. By showing how boundary organizations help challengers and defenders manage four critical domains of organizing practices—governance, membership, ownership, and control over production—we provide analytic levers for determining when boundary organizations work. At the same time, we reveal the subsequent triadic role structure that unfolded among communities, the boundary organizations they designed, and firms.
The Nixon-in-China Effect: Activism, Imitation, and the Institutionalization of Contentious Practices
Authors: Briscoe Forrest , Safford Sean
Published: November 2008

This paper seeks to understand how contentious practices spread from initial targets of activism to become accepted by organizations in the mainstream. Using a dataset on the diffusion of domestic partner benefits in the Fortune 500 from 1990 to 2005, we show that widespread adoption among mainstream firms was triggered by the prior adoptions of companies known to resist activism. We also find that employee activist groups within firms played a different role depending on the company's orientation toward activism. Employee groups increased the likelihood of adoption in activism-prone firms, but in mainstream firms, they increased the susceptibility of the firm to prior adoptions by others. These findings support a view of institutionalization as a contested process and suggest an alternative mechanism through which social networks influence that process. Like the effect of Cold-War President Richard Nixon's surprising visit to the People's Republic of China in 1972, which led other countries to open relations with China, adoption of a practice by activism-resistant firms signaled to mainstream firms that an advocated practice had lost its contentiousness. Rather than providing pressure toward conformity, adoption events in a firm's environment can be seen as a cultural resource that supports or undermines the arguments made by proponents of change inside organizations.
Forage for Thought: Mobilizing Codes in the Movement for Grass-fed Meat and Dairy Products
Authors: Weber Klaus , Heinze Kathryn L , DeSoucey Michaela
Published: November 2008

This study illuminates how new markets emerge and how social movements can effect cultural change through market creation. We suggest that social movements can fuel solutions to three challenges in creating new market segments: entrepreneurial production, the creation of collective producer identities, and the establishment of regular exchange between producers and consumers. We use qualitative data on the grassroots coalition movement that has spurred a market for grass-fed meat and dairy products in the United States since the early 1990s. Our analysis shows that the movement's participants mobilized broad cultural codes and that these codes motivated producers to enter and persist in a nascent market, shaped their choices about production and exchange technologies, enabled a collective identity, and formed the basis of the products' exchange value.
THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN LOCUS OF CONTROL AND MENTAL HEALTH STATUS AMONG BACCALAUREATE NURSING STUDENTS IN TURKEY
Authors: Karayurt Özgül , Dicle Aklime
Published: November 2008

In this descriptive cross-sectional study we explored the relationship between locus of control (LOC) and mental health status of students enrolled in a four year Bachelor of Science in Nursing program that uses problem-based learning. There was a significant, positive, moderate relationship
between the general health and LOC scores. First- and second-year students had lower internal LOC and were at higher risk of mental health problems, compared to third- and fourth-year students, suggesting that they require increased support from faculty staff as they make the transition from
school to university and a new style of learning. The nursing faculty needs to use strategies to enhance internal LOC in students.
PSYCHOMETRIC PROPERTIES OF THE TURKISH VERSION OF THE CHILDREN'S SELF-REPORT SOCIAL SKILLS SCALE
Authors: Gençdoğan Başaran
Published: November 2008

The factor structure, psychometric properties, and utility of the Children's Self-Report Social Skills Scale (CS4) developed by Danielson and Phelps (2003) was investigated for the first time with a Turkish sample. Translation and back-translation did not reveal any specific problems. Results suggested that the Turkish translation of the CS4is a reliable instrument for the assessment of children's social skills.
PASSIVE EVENT-RELATED POTENTIALS BY A SINGLE TONE IN PERSONALITY DISORDERS
Authors: Shen Yuedi , Zhu Meifang , Wang Dianchun , Hao Chundong , Ma Jinyao , Cao Yongfu , Cao Ming , Livesley W. John , Jang Kerry L. , Chen Wei , Shen Mowei , Xu Baihua , Wang Wei
Published: November 2008

A cerebral P3 potential (passive P3) in response to a single tone shares similar morphology to the classical P3 elicited in the active “oddball” paradigm, but reflects passive attention. As patients with schizotypal, antisocial, and borderline personality disorders show
reduced amplitude and prolonged latency of classical P3, it is reasonable to expect that these patients might show an abnormal passive P3. We tested whether the single tone elicited event-related potentials (ERPs) in 205 patients with personality disorders and in 30 healthy volunteers. Their
Axis I symptoms of depression and anxiety were measured by Zung's Self-rating Depression Scale and Self-rating Anxiety Scale (1965, 1971). Both schizoid and paranoid groups showed significantly reduced P3 amplitude. In addition, the schizoid group showed significantly shortened N1 latency
and enhanced N2 amplitude. Most patient groups except schizoids scored higher on the Depression or Anxiety scales, or both, but the ERP findings were not correlated with the Axis I symptoms in any given group alone. The abnormal negative components implied a higher vigilance or cortical arousal
level in the schizoid patients, while the reduced P3 amplitude indicated a poorer passive attention in both schizoid and paranoid patients.
Quality of Life with Diabetes-associated Foot Complications: Comparison Between Lower-limb Amputation and Chronic Foot Ulceration
Authors: Boutoille David , Féraille Alexis , Maulaz Dominique , Krempf Michel
Published: November 2008

Background: Diabetic foot complications result in huge costs for both society and individual patients. Because our team performs numerous amputations each year for complicated diabetic foot ulcers, we conducted a study comparing the quality of life of diabetic amputees with a non-amputee group experiencing a diabetic foot ulcer. The aim of this study was to get better comprehension of the influence of amputation on physical and social aspects of our patients' quality of life. Materials and Methods: This study evaluated the influence of amputation for a diabetic foot ulcer on quality of life. We compared patients having experienced an amputation for a diabetic foot ulcer at least 1 year before the study, and outpatients experiencing regular visits for a current foot ulcer with no previous history of amputation. Quality of life was reported using the Medical Outcome Study Short Form 36 item health survey (MOS SF-36). Results: Most of the chronic ulcers were neuroischemic (8/9). Except for the bodily pain, which was significantly higher in the ulcer group, no difference was found between the amputee and the ulceration-group, when considering the different items of the MOS-SF 36 scales. The ulceration-group had significantly more physical limitations and pain than the toe-or-transmetatarsal-amputation-group, whereas physical limitations were identical between the transtibial-amputation-group and the ulceration-group. Median scores were quite low in both groups, reflecting strong social and psychological consequences of diabetic foot ulcers. Global prognosis was bad with 56% of the amputees having experienced another major cardiovascular event within 20 months after amputation. Conclusion: Better understanding of the consequences of diabetic foot complications is important for the general population and especially general practitioners. Psychological evaluation and support is important before and after amputation since it is a traumatic step for patients.

Level of Evidence: III, Retrospective Case Control Study
Shell Brace for Stage II Posterior Tibial Tendon Insufficiency
Authors: Krause Fabian , Bosshard Adrian , Lehmann Oliver , Weber Martin
Published: November 2008

Background: The nonoperative treatment of posterior tibial tendon insufficiency (PTTI) can lead to unsatisfactory functional results. Short-term results are available but the impact on the evolution of the deformity is not known. To address these problems, a new brace for the flexible Stage II deformity was developed, and midterm followup was obtained. Materials and Method: In a prospective case series, eighteen patients (mean age 64.2 years; range, 31 to 82; four male, 14 female) with flexible Stage II PTTI were fitted with the new custom-molded foot orthosis. At latest followup of a mean of 61.4 (range, 20 to 87) months, functional results were assessed with the AOFAS ankle hindfoot score and clinical or radiographic progression was recorded. Results: The score improved significantly from a mean of 56 points (range, 20 to 64) to a mean of 82 points (range, 64 to 100, p < 0.001). Three patients (3/18, 16%) had a clinical progression to a fixed deformity (Stage III) and a radiographic increase of their deformity. All the other patients were satisfied with the brace's comfort and noted an improvement in their mobility. Complications were seen in three patients (3/18, 16%), and consisted of the development of calluses. Conclusion: The “shell brace” is a valuable option for nonoperative treatment of the flexible Stage II PTTI. Hindfoot flexibility was conserved throughout the observation period in all but three patients. Functional outcome and patient acceptance was above average. Problems were few, and closely associated with a progression to a fixed, Stage III deformity.

Level of Evidence: II, Prospective Case Series
Modified Step-Cut Medial Malleolar Osteotomy for Osteochondral Grafting of the Talus
Authors: Lee Keun-Bae , Yang Hyun-Kee , Moon Eun-Sun , Song Eun-Kyoo
Published: November 2008

Background: Osteochondral grafting for the treatment of osteochondral lesions of the talus (OLT) usually requires a medial malleolar osteotomy (MMO) to achieve adequate intraarticular exposure. This study describes the technique used and the results obtained using a modified step-cut MMO for osteochondral grafting of talar dome lesions. Materials and Method: Eleven feet in ten patients underwent modified step-cut MMO prior to osteochondral grafting for OLT. The patients included three women and seven men with a mean age of 40 (range, 20 to 51) years. Modified step-cut MMO consisted of an oblique osteotomy, which was made at approximately 45 degrees to the transverse plane of the proposed traditional step-cut osteotomy, and a vertical osteotomy to the axilla on the medial tibial plafond. Results: In all patients, modified step-cut MMO provided better perpendicular access to lesions than traditional step-cut osteotomy. In all cases, the osteochondral graft plug was accurately set perpendicular to the defect area, and all ten patients experienced uncomplicated osteotomy healing at a mean 8 weeks postoperatively without loss of reduction or malreduction. Conclusion: Modified step-cut MMO is an excellent, reproducible method for perpendicular access to a talar dome lesion.

Level of Evidence: IV, Retrospective Case Study
ATFL Elongation after Brostrom Procedure: A Biomechanical Investigation
Authors: Kirk Kevin L. , Campbell John T. , Guyton Gregory P. , Parks Brent G. , Schon Lew C.
Published: November 2008

Background: Elongation of ligaments during early mobilization after reconstruction may be associated with decreased stability. We evaluated elongation of the anterior talofibular ligament (ATFL) before and after lateral ligament reconstruction within a physiologic range of motion with protected and unprotected, isolated dorsiflexion/plantarflexion range of motion. Materials and Methods: Six fresh frozen cadaver legs were used with the ATFL meticulously dissected. A differential variable reluctance transducer (DVRT) was spaced to span the course of the ATFL using consistent placement points based on previous reports. Elongation was measured in a load frame with protected motion of 30 degrees plantarflexion and 10 degrees dorsiflexion for the intact and sectioned ATFL and for the repaired specimen with and without protected motion. The proximal DVRT anchor point was detached for sectioning and repair of the ATFL and replaced at the same position. Testing was 1000 cycles at 1 Hz for the repaired protected specimen and 10 cycles at 1 Hz for all other stages. Results: Initial elongation in the unprotected, repaired group was significantly higher than initial elongation in the intact ( p < 0.01), sectioned ( p = 0.02), and repaired, protected ( p < 0.01) groups. Final elongation in the unprotected repaired group was also higher than final elongation in all other groups ( p < 0.01 for all comparisons). Conclusion: The use of protected range of motion of the ankle after lateral ankle ligament reconstruction was not associated with elongation of the ATFL. The ATFL elongated significantly by comparison without protected dorsiflexion/plantarflexion. Clinical Relevance: The study provides biomechanical support for the safety of early protected dorsiflexion/plantarflexion range of motion after Broström reconstruction.
Geological Interpretation of PSInSAR Data at Regional Scale
Authors: Meisina Claudia , Zucca Francesco , Notti Davide , Colombo Alessio , Cucchi Anselmo , Savio Giuliano , Giannico Chiara , Bianchi Marco
Published: November 2008

Results of a PSInSAR™ project carried out by the Regional Agency for Environmental Protection (ARPA) in Piemonte Region (Northern Italy) are presented and discussed. A methodology is proposed for the interpretation of the PSInSARTM data at the regional scale, easy to use by the public administrations and by civil protection authorities. Potential and limitations of the PSInSARTM technique for ground movement detection on a regional scale and monitoring are then estimated in relationship with different geological processes and various geological environments.
Large Scale Environmental Monitoring through Integration of Sensor and Mesh Networks
Authors: Jurdak Raja , Nafaa Abdelhamid , Barbirato Alessio
Published: November 2008

Monitoring outdoor environments through networks of wireless sensors has received interest for collecting physical and chemical samples at high spatial and temporal scales. A central challenge to environmental monitoring applications of sensor networks is the short communication range of the sensor nodes, which increases the complexity and cost of monitoring commodities that are located in geographically spread areas. To address this issue, we propose a new communication architecture that integrates sensor networks with medium range wireless mesh networks, and provides users with an advanced web portal for managing sensed information in an integrated manner. Our architecture adopts a holistic approach targeted at improving the user experience by optimizing the system performance for handling data that originates at the sensors, traverses the mesh network, and resides at the server for user consumption. This holistic approach enables users to set high level policies that can adapt the resolution of information collected at the sensors, set the preferred performance targets for their application, and run a wide range of queries and analysis on both real-time and historical data. All system components and processes will be described in this paper.
Health and Safety Needs of Older Farmers
Authors: Lizer Shannon K. , Petrea Robert E.
Published: November 2008

A random sample ( N = 87) of older Illinois farmers was surveyed to assess their experiences with traumatic injuries and the relationship between injury rate and age, type of farm activities, amount of stress, and hours of work per week. Farmers' knowledge of safety was assessed. Findings revealed that the number of hours worked, age, and type of farm activities were not significantly related to the number of injuries reported. However, self-reported stress, when stratified by age, was found to be related to injury among farmers aged 55 to 59 years. Also, scores on a farm safety quiz were found to be higher (less knowledge) among farmers who reported more injuries. Items in the safety quiz frequently missed by farmers included falls as a source of injury (29.2%), children being commonly injured on farms (19%), the cause of farmers' lung disease (46.9%), and animals as a cause of injury on farms (12.9%).
Effects of ethyl benzoate on performance, morphology, and erosion of PLGA implants formed in situ
Authors: Astaneh R. , Erfan M. , Barzin J. , Mobedi H. , Moghimi HR.
Published: November 2008

An in situ forming implant (ISFI) is a novel drug delivery system used for protein and peptide delivery, especially for cancer treatment. An ISFI based on 33% (w/w) poly(D,L‐lactide‐co‐glycolide)(PLGA; 50:50)/3% (w/w) leuprolide acetate (LA)/64% (w/w) N‐methyl‐2‐pyrrolidone (NMP) was prepared for this study. After injection of the final formulation, which is a viscous liquid to an aqueous medium, it deforms to become a semisolid or solid matrix. The performance of this matrix was investigated on the basis of peptide release from it. Erosion and morphology of ISFI were also studied. The effects of adding 12.8% (w/w) ethyl benzoate (EB) as a rate‐modifying agent on performance, erosion, and morphology of ISFI were assessed. The implant containing EB showed very low burst release (5.53% ± 0.82%) and the morphology turns to closed pore‐like structures. After adding EB, the morphology turns to closed pore‐like structures. This type of morphology has very close relation to the performance of the implant as well. Finally, the effect of EB on performance, erosion, and morphology is explained by means of solvent–nonsolvent affinity, water permeation, and the rate of phase inversion. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Adv Polym Techn 27:17–26, 2008; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/adv.20114
Integration of methanation into the hydrogenation process of benzoic acid
Authors: Zong Baoning , Zhang Xiaoxin , Qiao Minghua
Published: November 2008

The traditional industrial process for hydrogenation of benzoic acid to cyclohexanecarboxylic acid (CCA) has drawbacks of low‐activity and fast deactivation of the Pd/C catalyst due to the poisoning of CO arising from the decarboxylation of CCA. A novel rapidly quenched skeletal NiCrFe promoter (RQ NiCrFe) is developed for the methanation of CO to harmless CH4. Evaluations in bench‐scale autoclave and in traditional industrial equipment verified that RQ NiCrFe was very effective in promoting the activity of the Pd/C catalyst in the hydrogenation of benzoic acid. In order to solve the catalyst recycle and separation problem introduced by RQ NiCrFe, the industrial process was modified by incorporating a hydraulic cyclone and a magnetic separator to the separation unit. The modified process showed merits of lower costs of catalyst and operation, higher productivity, and better product purity than the traditional process. © 2008 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 2009
An ecosystem modelling approach to deriving viable harvest strategies for multispecies management of the Northern Gulf of California
Authors: Lercari Diego , Arreguín‐Sánchez Francisco
Published: November 2008

An ecosystem analysis was developed focusing on resource exploitation and biodiversity conservation for the Northern Gulf of California. The main tools employed were a trophic ecosystem model and time dynamic simulations.

The ecosystem was represented by an Ecopath model that included 34 functional groups, from primary producers to top predators. It included relevant species in the area such as commercially important shrimp (e.g. Litopenaeus stylirostris) and highly endangered species (Phocoena sinus and Totoaba macdonaldi).

Temporal simulations of changing fishing effort allowed the evaluation of fishing impact on the ecosystem components and, particularly, on protected species. Formal optimization methods were applied with the purpose of searching viable temporal patterns of fishing effort that might minimize social, economic and conservationist conflicts in the area.

The results of those simulations showed the capability of the model to represent reference temporal series of relative biomass. The search for viable fishing strategies resulted in effort allocation consistent with those proposed by other studies; that is, a decrease in the industrial shrimp fleet (35–65%), a decrease in the gillnet fishing fleet (52–57%), and an increase of the artisanal shrimp fishery (63–222%).

The main conflicts in the Northern Gulf of California seem to take place between social and conservation interests, while the economic and ecological benefits seem to be relatively independent. The next steps towards conflict resolution and ecosystem management should consider the design and operation of MPAs already established in the region.

Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Domestic abuse experienced by young people living in families with alcohol problems: results from a cross‐european study
Authors: Velleman Richard , Templeton Lorna , Reuber Danielle , Klein Michael , Moesgen Diana
Published: November 2008

This paper presents findings from the European Union (EU) DAPHNE project ALC‐VIOL (2005–07). The project involved ten EU states (Germany, Austria, England, Finland, Hungary, Ireland, Malta, Netherlands, Poland and Spain). The research involved interviews with young people aged 12–18 from Germany, Poland, Spain, England and Malta on their experiences of living with parental alcohol misuse and parental violence. The children all had parents involved in treatment for alcohol problems. The study highlights the stressful experiences these children underwent, the effects on them, their coping strategies, and the support that they received and/or wished for, and underlines the need for a more coherent approach to help these children. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Evaluation of an intensive family preservation service for families affected by parental substance misuse
Authors: Forrester Donald , Copello Alex , Waissbein Clara , Pokhrel Subhash
Published: November 2008

Parental misuse of drugs or alcohol is recognised to be an issue for a high proportion of families to known social services, and for many children who enter care. However, there is limited research on what is effective in working with such families. This article reports on an evaluation of an Intensive Family Preservation Service (named ‘Option 2’) aimed at families in which parents misuse substances and children are considered at risk of entering care. The study used mixed methods. A quasi‐experimental element compared solely data relating to care entry (e.g. how long children spent in care and its cost) for Option 2 children (n = 279) and a comparison group of referrals not provided with the service (n = 89) on average 3.5 years after referral. It found that about 40 per cent of children in both groups entered care, however Option 2 children took longer to enter, spent less time in care and were more likely to be at home at follow‐up. As a result, Option 2 produced significant cost savings. A small‐scale qualitative element of the study involved interviews with 11 parents and seven children in eight families. The findings suggested that Option 2 was a highly professional and appreciated service. For some families it achieved permanent change. For others, particularly those with complex and long‐standing problems, significant positive changes were not sustained. The implications for services designed to prevent public care, particularly where there are substance misuse issues, are discussed and recommendations for policy and evaluation made. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Analysis of Specific Mutants in the Lasalocid Gene Cluster: Evidence for Enzymatic Catalysis of a Disfavoured Polyether Ring Closure
Authors: Smith Luke , Hong Hui , Spencer Jonathan B. , Leadlay Peter F.
Published: November 2008

Lasalocid is a highly atypical polyether ionophoric antibiotic, firstly because it contains a type of aromatic ring normally associated with fungal polyketides, and secondly because the formation of its tetrahydropyran ring appears to contravene Baldwin's rules, which predict the kinetically preferred routes for cyclisation reactions in organic chemistry. The lasalocid biosynthetic gene cluster has been cloned from Streptomyces lasaliensis, and the las locus (73 533 bp) was found to contain seven modular polyketide synthase (PKS) genes, including all the activities necessary for the synthesis of the aromatic moiety. Specific deletion from the gene cluster of the flanking lasC gene, which is predicted to encode a flavin‐linked epoxidase, abolished production both of lasalocid and of the minor cometabolite iso‐lasalocid without leading to accumulation of an identifiable intermediate; this suggests that oxidative cyclisation to form the polyether rings takes place on the PKS before release of the full‐length polyketide product. Meanwhile, a mutant in which the adjacent epoxide hydrolase lasB had been deleted produced iso‐lasalocid only. Iso‐lasalocid differs from lasalocid in the replacement of the tetrahydropyran ring by a tetrohydrofuran ring and represents the kinetically favoured product of cyclisation. The LasB epoxide hydrolase is therefore directly implicated in control of the stereochemical course of polyether ring formation during lasalocid biosynthesis.
Major 30‐day complications after radical radiotherapy
Authors: Alibhai Shabbir M. H. , Leach Marc , Warde Padraig
Published: November 2008

BACKGROUND:

Radiotherapy (RT) is used commonly to treat localized prostate cancer, particularly among older men and men with comorbid illnesses. Few population‐based studies have reported on the rates of major short‐term complications that lead to hospitalization after radiotherapy.

METHODS:

In this study, the authors identified all men with nonmetastatic prostate cancer who received RT between 1990 and 1999 in Ontario, Canada. Patients who underwent a prior prostate‐directed surgery were excluded. Mortality and complications after RT were examined by using administrative data. A comprehensive list of 7 categories of complications was developed by combining published lists from radical prostatectomy series with input from experts. Logistic regression was used to analyze the relations between complications (that occurred within 30 days of RT) and clinical factors. A similar analysis was performed among men who underwent radical prostatectomy during the same period.

RESULTS:

There were 7661 men (mean age, 69 years) identified who received RT. Nine patients (0.1%) died within 30 days of RT. Any complication within 30 days of RT was experienced by 6.5% of patients. In analyses that were adjusted for year of treatment, increasing age was associated with any, respiratory, bleeding, genitourinary, and miscellaneous medical complications (P<.02) but not with cardiac, vascular, or bowel complications. Over time, any, cardiac, vascular, and genitourinary complications decreased, but the other 4 categories of complications did not decrease. Despite being older and having more comorbidity, men who received RT had lower complication rates in each category compared with 11,010 men who underwent radical prostatectomy.

CONCLUSIONS:

Short‐term complications that required hospital‐based management were relatively uncommon after RT, commonly increased with patient age, and generally declined over time. Cancer 2009. © 2009 American Cancer Society.
Limited prognostic value of the 2004 International Union Against Cancer staging classification for adrenocortical carcinoma
Authors: Fassnacht Martin , Johanssen Sarah , Quinkler Marcus , Bucsky Peter , Willenberg Holger S. , Beuschlein Felix , Terzolo Massimo , Mueller Hans‐Helge , Hahner Stefanie , Allolio Bruno ,   for the German Adrenocortical Carcinoma Registry Group and the European Network for the Study of Adrenal Tumors
Published: November 2008

BACKGROUND:

Adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC) is a rare malignancy, and it was only in 2004 that the International Union Against Cancer (UICC) defined TNM criteria and published the first staging classification. However, to date, the prognostic value of the proposed classification has not been evaluated.

METHODS:

The German ACC Registry comprising 492 patients was searched for patients who were diagnosed between 1986 and 2007 with detailed information on primary diagnosis and a minimum follow‐up of 6 months. Patients were assigned to UICC tumor stage, and disease‐specific survival (DSS) was assessed. In addition, the contribution of potential risk factors for DSS was evaluated.

RESULTS:

In total, 416 patients with a mean follow‐up of 36 months met the inclusion criteria (stage I, n = 23 patients; stage II, n = 176 patients; stage III, n = 67 patients; stage IV, n = 150 patients). Kaplan‐Meier analysis revealed a stage‐dependent DSS. However, DSS in patients with stage II ACC did not differ significantly from DSS in patients with stage III ACC (hazard ratio, 1.38; 95% confidence interval, 0.89‐2.16). Furthermore, patients who had stage IV ACC without distant metastases had an improved DSS compared with patients who had metastatic disease (P = .004). An analysis of different potential risk factors for defining stage III ACC revealed important roles in DSS for tumor infiltration in surrounding tissue, venous tumor thrombus (VTT), and positive lymph nodes; whereas tumor invasion in adjacent organs carried a prognosis similar to that of infiltration in surrounding tissue only.

CONCLUSIONS:

The 2004 UICC staging classification for ACC has significant limitations. On the basis of the current analysis, a revised classification with superior prognostic accuracy is proposed (the European Network for the Study of Adrenal Tumors classification). In this system, stage III ACC is defined by the presence of positive lymph nodes, infiltration of surrounding tissue, or VTT; and stage IV ACC is restricted to patients with distant metastasis. Cancer 2009. © 2009 American Cancer Society.
Dlx1&2 and Mash1 transcription factors control striatal patterning and differentiation through parallel and overlapping pathways
Authors: Long Jason E. , Swan Christo , Liang Winnie S. , Cobos Inma , Potter Gregory B. , Rubenstein John L.R.
Published: November 2008

Here we define the expression of ≈100 transcription factors in progenitors and neurons of the developing basal ganglia. We have begun to elucidate the transcriptional hierarchy of these genes with respect to the Dlx homeodomain genes, which are essential for differentiation of most GABAergic projection neurons of the basal ganglia. This analysis identified Dlx‐dependent and Dlx‐independent pathways. The Dlx‐independent pathway depends in part on the function of the Mash1 b‐HLH transcription factor. These analyses define core transcriptional components that differentially specify the identity and differentiation of the striatum, nucleus accumbens, and septum. J. Comp. Neurol. 512:556–572, 2009. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Tyramine as an independent transmitter and a precursor of octopamine in the locust central nervous system: An immunocytochemical study
Authors: Kononenko Natalia L. , Wolfenberg Heike , Pflüger Hans‐Joachim
Published: November 2008

Octopamine and its precursor tyramine are biogenic amines that are found ubiquitously in insects, playing independent but opposite neuromodulatory roles in a wide spectrum of behaviors, ranging from locomotion and aggression to learning and memory. We used recently available antibodies to octopamine and tyramine to label the distribution of immunoreactive profiles in the brain and ventral nerve cord of the locust. In the brain and all ventral cord ganglia all known octopaminergic neurons were labeled with both the tyramine and octopamine antisera. In the brain the subesophageal ganglion and all fused abdominal ganglia we found somata that were only labeled by the tyramine antibody. Some prominent architectural features of the brain, like the protocerebral bridge, the central body, and associated neuropils, also contain intensely labeled tyramine‐immunoreactive fibers. In addition, tyraminergic fibers occur in all ganglia of the ventral cord. For known octopaminergic neurons of the thoracic ganglia, octopamine‐immunoreactivity was confined to the cell body and to the varicosities or boutons, whereas fiber processes always expressed tyramine‐immunoreactivity. The distribution of the tyramine and octopamine content within these neurons turned out to be dependent on how the animal was handled before fixation for immunocytochemistry. We conclude that tyramine is an independent transmitter in locusts, and that in octopaminergic neurons the ratio between octopamine and its precursor tyramine is highly dynamic. J. Comp. Neurol. 512:433–452, 2009. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Distribution of organic cation transporter 3, a corticosterone‐sensitive monoamine transporter, in the rat brain
Authors: Gasser Paul J. , Orchinik Miles , Raju Ilangovan , Lowry Christopher A.
Published: November 2008

Organic cation transporter 3 (OCT3) is a high‐capacity, low‐affinity transporter that mediates bidirectional, sodium‐independent transport of dopamine, norepinephrine, epinephrine, serotonin, and histamine. OCT3‐mediated transport is directly inhibited by corticosterone, suggesting a potential role for the transporter in mediating some of the effects of stress and glucocorticoids on monoaminergic neurotransmission. To elucidate the importance of OCT3 in clearance of extracellular monoamines in the brain, we used immunohistochemical techniques to describe the distribution of OCT3‐like‐immunoreactive (OCT3‐ir) cells throughout the rostrocaudal extent of adult male rat brains. OCT3‐ir cell bodies were widely distributed throughout the brain, with the highest densities observed in the superior and inferior colliculi, islands of Calleja, subiculum, lateral septum, lateral and dorsomedial hypothalamic nuclei, and granule cell layers of the main and accessory olfactory bulbs, the cerebellum, and the retrosplenial granular cortex. OCT3‐ir cells and/or fibers were also observed in circumventricular organs, and OCT3‐ir ependymal cells were observed in the linings of all cerebral ventricles. The widespread distribution of OCT3‐ir cell bodies, including regions receiving dense monoaminergic projections, suggests an important role for this transporter in regulating extracellular concentrations of monoamines in the rat brain and is consistent with the hypothesis that corticosterone‐induced inhibition of OCT3‐mediated transport may contribute to effects of acute stress or corticosterone on monoaminergic neurotransmission. J. Comp. Neurol. 512:529–555, 2009. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Secondary motoneurons in juvenile and adult zebrafish: Axonal pathfinding errors caused by embryonic nicotine exposure
Authors: Menelaou Evdokia , Svoboda Kurt R.
Published: November 2008

Nicotine is a drug of abuse that has been reported to have many adverse effects on the developing nervous system. We previously demonstrated that embryonic exposure to nicotine alters axonal pathfinding of spinal secondary motoneurons in zebrafish. We hypothesize that these changes will persist into adulthood. The Tg(isl1:GFP) line of zebrafish, which expresses green fluorescent protein (GFP) in a subtype of spinal secondary motoneurons, was used to investigate potential long‐term consequences of nicotine exposure on motoneuron development. Anatomical characterization of Tg(isl1:GFP) zebrafish ranging between 3 and 30 days postfertilization (dpf) was initially performed in fixed tissue to characterize axonal trajectories in larval and juvenile fish. Tg(isl1:GFP) embryos were transiently exposed to 5–30 μM nicotine. They were then rescued from nicotine and raised into later stages of life (3–30 dpf) and fixed for microscopic examination. Morphological analysis revealed that nicotine‐induced abnormalities in secondary motoneuron anatomy were still evident in juvenile fish. Live imaging of Tg(isl1:GFP) zebrafish using fluorescent stereomicroscopy revealed that the nicotine‐induced changes in motoneuron axonal pathfinding persisted into adulthood. We detected abnormalities in 37‐dpf fish that were transiently exposed to nicotine as embryos. These fish were subsequently imaged over a 7‐week period of time until they were ≈3 months of age. These pathfinding errors of spinal secondary motoneuron axons detected at 37 dpf persisted within the same fish until 86 dpf, the latest age analyzed. These findings indicate that exposure to nicotine during embryonic development can have permanent consequences for motoneuron anatomy in zebrafish. J. Comp. Neurol. 512:305–322, 2009. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Corporate social and environmental reporting and the impact of internal environmental policy in South Africa
Authors: Mitchell Clyde Geoffrey , Hill Trevor
Published: November 2008

The paper investigates the development and use of corporate social and environmental reporting by businesses within a large municipality in South Africa. There is a strong call for improved CSR, and a greater degree of accountability and transparency by business. The survey was conducted through the use of interviews following a structured questionnaire with the Global Reporting Initiative used as an appropriate framework. This approach allowed us to determine the challenges businesses face in implementing a comprehensive CSR system in the South African context and why, other than companies which are part of a group, businesses are unable or unwilling to increase external reporting. We suggest that implementation of a comprehensive and externally controlled and certified standard, such as ISO 14001 would not only reduce environmental impacts, but facilitate increased CSR. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment.
Managing stakeholders or the environment? The challenge of relating indicators in practice
Authors: Brunklaus Birgit , Malmqvist Tove , Baumann Henrikke
Published: November 2008

Many organizations present their environmental work in the form of annual reports and use the indicators in them for follow‐up. However, internal communication and management is needed for environmental improvements. The indicators found in reports may be suitable for external communication, but are they also suitable internally and operationally?

This article reviews the existing literature on environmental indicators. With the help of an operational approach, from organisation theory, and a life‐cycle approach, indicators are analysed. The analysis shows that formulating indicators for internal management is not an easy task; available guidelines are of little help. It is concluded that the environment can be managed internally by relating indicators. Therefore, an additional set of indicators for internal management and a wider responsibility for the life cycle are recommended. The analysis and recommendations are illustrated with examples drawn from the field of property management. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment.
Collective ideals and practices in sustainable development: managing corporate identity
Authors: Lauring Jakob , Thomsen Christa
Published: November 2008

When implementing corporate identity initiatives, CSR values are often formally distributed throughout the organization. This is done to coordinate the actions of organizational members to meet demands of social responsibility among stakeholders. However, inconsistencies between ideals and practices can often be observed. Based on an ethnographic study of the implementation of equal opportunity policies in a Danish organization, this article argues that identity making is a socially negotiated process. Consequently, policy interpretations may be guided by different incentives in the different local settings. We suggest that policies should be developed in close interaction with the different organizational members in order to facilitate CSR identity making at a local level. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment.
Brief neonatal maternal separation alters extinction of conditioned fear and corticolimbic glucocorticoid and NMDA receptor expression in adult rats
Authors: Wilber Aaron A. , Southwood Christopher J. , Wellman Cara L.
Published: November 2008

Neonatal maternal separation alters adult HPA axis responsiveness to stress, adult emotionality, and glucocorticoid receptor (GR) concentrations in forebrain regions such as hippocampus. To investigate effects of neonatal maternal separation on emotion regulation and its neural substrates, we assessed acquisition and extinction of conditioned fear in adult rats that underwent neonatal maternal separation. Corticolimbic structures including basolateral amygdala and medial prefrontal cortex are critical for acquisition and extinction of conditioned fear, and such learning is N‐methyl‐D‐aspartic acid (NMDA) receptor‐dependent. Thus, we used immunohistochemistry to assess expression of the GR and the NR1 subunit of the NMDA receptor in basolateral amygdala and medial prefrontal cortex. On postnatal days 2–14, pups underwent control rearing or maternal separation for 15 min per day. Fear conditioning and extinction in adulthood were then assessed in male rats. Rats received five tone‐alone habituation trials, then seven tone/footshock pairings. After 1 h, rats received tone‐alone extinction trials to criterion, and 15 recall of extinction trials the next day. Brains were processed for immunohistochemical labeling of GR and NR1, and staining was quantified. Brief maternal separation did not alter acquisition or initial extinction, but impaired extinction recall. Brief maternal separation did not alter GR or NR1 expression in basolateral amygdala. However, brief maternal separation increased GR and decreased NR1 expression specifically in the infralimbic region of medial prefrontal cortex, consistent with work implicating this area in extinction recall. Thus, brief maternal separation impaired extinction recall and altered GR and NR1 expression in its neural substrate in adults. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Develop Neurobiol, 2009