bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Trophodynamics and stability of regional scale ecosystems in the Northeast Atlantic
Authors: McGinty Niall , Power Anne Marie , Johnson Mark P.
Published: February 2012

McGinty, N., Power, A. M., and Johnson, M. P. 2012. Trophodynamics and stability of regional scale ecosystems in the Northeast Atlantic. – ICES Journal of Marine Science, 69: 764–775. This study addresses the long-term stability of three trophic groupings in the Northeast Atlantic at regional scales. The most abundant taxa representing phytoplankton, herbivorous copepods, and carnivorous zooplankton were examined from the Continuous Plankton Recorder database. Multivariate control charts using a Bray–Curtis similarity metric were used to assess whether fluctuations within trophic groupings were within or beyond the expected variability. Two evaluation periods were examined: annual changes between 1960 and 1999 (2000–2009 baseline) and recent changes between 2000 and 2009 (1960–1999 baseline). The trends over time in abundance/biomass of trophic levels were region-specific, especially in carnivorous copepods, where abundance did not mirror trends in the overall study area. The stability of phytoplankton was within the expected limits, although not in 2008 and 2009. Higher trophic levels were less stable, perhaps reflecting the added complexity of interactions governing their abundance. In addition, some regions were consistently less stable than others. Correlations in stability between adjacent trophic levels were positive at large marine ecosystem scale but generally non-significant at regional scales. The study suggests that certain regions may be particularly vulnerable to periods of instability in community structure. The benefits of using the control chart method rather than other multivariate measures of plankton dynamics are discussed.
Regularity for steady periodic capillary water waves with vorticity
Authors: Henry David
Published: March 2012

In the following, we prove new regularity results for two-dimensional steady periodic capillary water waves with vorticity, in the absence of stagnation points. Firstly, we prove that if the vorticity function has a Hölder-continuous first derivative, then the free surface is a smooth curveand the streamlines beneath the surface will be real analytic. Furthermore, once we assume that the vorticity function is real analytic, it will follow that the wave surface profile is itself also analytic. A particular case of this result includes irrotational fluid flow where the vorticity is zero. The property of the streamlines being analytic allows us to gain physical insight into small-amplitude waves by justifying a power-series approach.
Gordonia phosphorivorans sp. nov., isolated from a wastewater bioreactor with phosphorus removal
Authors: Kämpfer P. , Martin K. , Dott W.
Published: March 2012

Two Gram-stain-positive, non-endospore-forming actinobacteria (Ca8Tand Ca14) were isolated from a bioreactor with extensive phosphorus removal. Based on 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity comparisons, strains Ca8T and Ca14 were shown to belong to the genus

Gordonia

and were most closely related to

Gordonia hirsuta

DSM 44140T (98.0 % sequence similarity) and

Gordonia hydrophobica

DSM 44015T (97.2 %). In comparison with the sequences of the type strains of all other species of the genus

Gordonia

tested, similarities were below 97 %. The quinone systems of the strains were determined to consist predominantly of MK-9H2. The polar lipid profile for both organisms consisted of diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, phospatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylinositol and phosphatidylinositol mannoside. Whole-organism hydrolysates contained meso-diaminopimelic acid as the diamino acid of the peptidoglycan; mycolic acids were detected as well. These chemotaxonomic traits and the major fatty acids, which were C16 : 1
cis-9, C16 : 0 and C18 : 1 and tuberculostearic acid strongly supported the grouping of strains Ca8T and Ca14 into the genus

Gordonia

. The two strains showed a DNA–DNA similarity of 96 %. DNA–DNA hybridizations of strain Ca8T with

G. hirsuta

DSM 44140T and

G. hydrophobica

DSM 44015T resulted in values of 26.3 and 25.0 %, respectively. These results and those of the physiological and biochemical tests allowed a clear phenotypic differentiation of strains Ca8T and Ca14 from the most closely related species of the genus

Gordonia

. It is concluded that strains Ca8T and Ca14 represent a novel species, for which the name Gordonia phosphorivorans sp. nov. is proposed, with the type strain Ca8T ( = DSM 45630T = CCUG 61533T = CCM 7957T = LMG 26648T).
Rhodobacter viridis sp. nov., a phototrophic bacterium isolated from mud of a stream
Authors: Raj P. Shalem , Ramaprasad E. V. V. , Vaseef S. , Sasikala Ch. , Ramana Ch. V.
Published: March 2012

A green phototrophic bacterium (strain JA737T), which was oval- to rod-shaped, Gram-negative and motile, was isolated from mud of a stream in the Western Ghats of India. Strain JA737Tcontained bacteriochlorophylla, and the major carotenoid was neurosporene. The major quinone was Q-10 and the polar lipids were phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylcholine, an unidentified aminolipid, two unidentified phospholipids and five unidentified lipids. Phylogenetic analysis showed that the strain clustered with members of the genusRhodobacterbelonging to the familyRhodobacteraceaeof the classAlphaproteobacteria. Based on 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis, strain JA737Thad highest sequence similarity withRhodobacter capsulatusATCC 11166T(98.8 %),Rhodobacter marisJA276T(97 %),Rhodobacter aestuariiJA296T(96.7 %) and other members of the genusRhodobacter(<96 %). However, strain JA737Tshowed 22–55 % DNA–DNA relatedness with the above type strains. On the basis of phenotypic, chemotaxonomic and molecular genetic evidence, strain JA737Trepresents a novel species of the genusRhodobacter, for which the nameRhodobacter viridissp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is JA737T( = KCTC 15167T = MTCC 11105T = NBRC 108864T).
Demequina

flava sp. nov. and

Demequina

sediminicola sp. nov., isolated from sea sediment
Authors: Hamada Moriyuki , Tamura Tomohiko , Yamamura Hideki , Suzuki Ken-ichiro , Hayakawa Masayuki
Published: March 2012

Two novel Gram-stain-positive bacteria, designated HR08-7T and HR08-43T, were isolated from a sea sediment sample from Rishiri Island, Hokkaido, Japan, and their taxonomic positions were investigated by a polyphasic approach. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequence comparisons revealed that strains HR08-7T and HR08-43T and the members of the genus

Demequina

formed a monophyletic cluster with similarity range of 95.5–99.0 %. The peptidoglycan type of strains HR08-7T and HR08-43T was A4β. The predominant menaquinone of both strains was demethylmenaquinone DMK-9(H4) and the major fatty acid was anteiso-C15 : 0. The DNA G+C contents of strains HR08-7T and HR08-43T were 64.5 and 62.4 mol%, respectively. The results of phylogenetic analysis and DNA–DNA hybridization, along with differences of strains HR08-7T and HR08-43T from the recognized

Demequina

species in phenotypic characteristics, indicate that the two strains merit classification as representatives of two novel species of the genus

Demequina

, for which the names

Demequina

flava sp. nov. and

Demequina

sediminicola sp. nov. are proposed; the type strains are HR08-7T ( = NBRC 105854T = DSM 24865T) and HR08-43T ( = NBRC 105855T = DSM 24867T), respectively.
Resource allocation for strategic quality management: a goal programming approach
Authors: Alidrisi Hisham , Mohamed Sherif
Published: March 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to assist organizations in understanding the nature of quality management from a resource‐based perspective by investigating the relationship between strategies needed to drive quality enhancement, and resources being allocated to support effective strategy implementation. The resource‐based view of TQM elements led this case study research to deal with quality management from a strategic viewpoint, or what is known as Strategic Quality Management (SQM).

Design/methodology/approach

The paper employs the analytic network process (ANP) to model the interactions between eight SQM strategies and the three types of resources (human, organisational and technological) needed for effective strategy implementation. The paper then formulates a goal programming (GP) model in order to identify the extent to which each single strategy is inhibited by a lack of (or overloaded by) resources. Using a case study approach, the hybrid ANP‐GP methodology is employed to illustrate the application in the context of enhancing quality in the food‐processing industry.

Findings

The ANP analysis quantitatively differentiates between the amount of resource support each strategy receives and the support it needs. The GP model offers insight on how to re‐allocate resources to minimize identified discrepancies related to how the company utilizes their resources.

Originality/value

This paper argued that practicing QM with the consideration of the firm's strategic need for resources provides better understanding of why quality gurus still disagree on whether soft or hard TQM is more connected to organizational performance. Therefore, rather than focusing on “generalizing” the TQM model, as has traditionally been done in previous attempts, the main contribution of this paper is to propose a methodology that assesses a firm's utilization of resources considering its strategic need for these resources.
Additions to S&P 500 Index: not so informative any more
Authors: Kamal Rashiqa , Lawrence Edward R. , McCabe George , Prakash Arun J.
Published: March 2012

Purpose

There is empirical evidence that a firm's addition to S&P 500 results in significant abnormal returns and an increase in a stock's liquidity. The purpose of this paper is to argue that changes in the information environment after the year 2000 due to the implementation of Regulation Fair Disclosure (FD), decimalization and Sarbanes Oxley Act, should result in reduced abnormal returns in the post‐2000 period.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors compare the abnormal returns and liquidity changes around the announcement day of firm's addition to S&P 500 in the pre‐ and post‐2000 periods. Univariate and multivariate tests are used to control for factors that research shows affect the abnormal returns around additions to S&P 500.

Findings

It is found that the reduction in informational asymmetry in the post‐2000 period has resulted in a significant decrease in the abnormal return on the announcement day of additions to S&P 500 index and changes in the stock's liquidity in the post announcement period are now marginal.

Originality/value

Existing literature related to changes in the abnormal returns around additions to S&P 500 does not account for changes in the information environment in the two sub periods, pre‐ and post‐2000. The results may have implications for studies related to additions to S&P 500 where the sample period spans over the two sub periods.
Evaluating value‐at‐risk models before and after the financial crisis of 2008
Authors: Degiannakis Stavros , Floros Christos , Livada Alexandra
Published: March 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to focus on the performance of three alternative value‐at‐risk (VaR) models to provide suitable estimates for measuring and forecasting market risk. The data sample consists of five international developed and emerging stock market indices over the time period from 2004 to 2008. The main research question is related to the performance of widely‐accepted and simplified approaches to estimate VaR before and after the financial crisis.

Design/methodology/approach

VaR is estimated using daily data from the UK (FTSE 100), Germany (DAX30), the USA (S&P500), Turkey (ISE National 100) and Greece (GRAGENL). Methods adopted to calculate VaR are: EWMA of Riskmetrics; classic GARCH(1,1) model of conditional variance assuming a conditional normally distributed returns; and asymmetric GARCH with skewed Student‐t distributed standardized innovations.

Findings

The paper provides evidence that the tools of quantitative finance may achieve their objective. The results indicate that the widely accepted and simplified ARCH framework seems to provide satisfactory forecasts of VaR, not only for the pre‐2008 period of the financial crisis but also for the period of high volatility of stock market returns. Thus, the blame for financial crisis should not be cast upon quantitative techniques, used to measure and forecast market risk, alone.

Practical implications

Knowledge of modern risk management techniques is required to resolve the next financial crisis. The next crisis can be avoided only when financial risk managers acquire the necessary quantitative skills to measure uncertainty and understand risk.

Originality/value

The main contribution of this paper is that it provides evidence that widely accepted/used methods give reliable VaR estimates and forecasts for periods of financial turbulence (financial crises).
Chatbots in the library: is it time?
Authors: Allison DeeAnn
Published: March 2012

Purpose

This paper aims to describe a pilot at the University of Nebraska‐Lincoln for a chatbot that answers questions about the library and library resources.

Design/methodology/approach

The chatbot was developed using a SQL database to store the question and answers using artificial intelligence mark‐up language metadata. The user interface was built using PHP, adapted from Program‐O. The open source PHP program was modified to support better display and the launching of URLs within the chatbot screen. Database content was created by “mining” library websites for information, and analyzing chat logs.

Findings

The chatbot answers questions from a variety of users from around the world. It has attracted an unexpected number of social chatters, which required some additional metadata to accommodate personal chatting and to guide questions back to the intent of the project. The majority of questions are directional or factual questions that Pixel can handle. The database proved to be practical to build and revise as library resources and personnel changed.

Practical implications

The chatbot provides a 24 hour, seven day a week service that is consistent, can be enhanced as resources, services, or staff change, and provides a playful interface that engages users. It replaces complicated navigation systems and scrolling through search results with more targeted answers, and has the ability to refer questions to librarians.

Originality/value

Although chatbots have been around for several decades, there is a scarcity of reports in published library literature about their use in libraries.
eBook readers: user satisfaction and usability issues
Authors: Richardson John V. , Mahmood Khalid
Published: March 2012

Purpose

This article aims to present a comprehensive evaluation of user satisfaction and usability concerns related to five of the leading eBook readers including: the Amazon Kindle; the Apple iPad MB292LL/A; Barnes & Noble's Nook BNRV100; Borders' kobo reader N647‐BUS‐S; and the Sony Digital Reader PRs‐950.

Design/methodology/approach

This study is based on a survey of 81 information studies graduate students, who responded about their ownership of specific readers, their likes and dislikes as well as perceived issues. Additionally, interested respondents were asked to volunteer for an ethnographic journaling study which allowed eight prospective users to live with each of the five eBook readers for a weekend or longer.

Findings

The authors found that the Kindle is the most popular, but regardless of reader the respondents disliked the poor navigation and inability to loan titles in their collection. In addition, the respondents also liked the portability of the readers as well as the ability to have multiple books on a single reader. However, they also identified a major issue: notably, the licensing of titles versus outright ownership. In contrast to some other published reports, the respondents did not value non‐Roman script support or color display.

Originality/value

One of the first comprehensive surveys to analyze the top five eBook readers for user satisfaction and to identify usability concerns.
Metallic part fabrication using selective inhibition sintering (SIS)
Authors: Khoshnevis Behrokh , Yoozbashizadeh Mahdi , Chen Yong
Published: March 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the fundamentals of the selective inhibition sintering (SIS) process for fabricating dense metallic parts.

Design/methodology/approach

A SIS‐Metal process based on the microscopic mechanical inhibition is developed. In the process, salt solution is printed in the selected area of each powder layer; the salt re‐crystallizes when water evaporates; salt crystals decompose and grow rapidly prior to sintering; the generated salt particles spread between metal powder particles and prevent the fusing of these particles together, hence inhibiting the sintering process in the affected regions.

Findings

The SIS‐Metal process has numerous advantages. An inhibition of sintering mechanism is established for the future development of the technology. Through chemical and visual analysis using STM the mechanism for the inhibition phenomenon has been identified.

Research limitations/implications

Only bronze powder has been used in the research. Accordingly, the inhibition chemical has been engineered for this material choice. The approach should be feasible for other metals but a proper inhibitor would need to be found for each material choice.

Practical implications

The only limitation envisioned for the process may be the removal after sintering of inhibited sections in hard‐to reach areas using physical means such as scraping or vibration. Chemical removal of such sections should be possible, however.

Originality/value

The paper illustrates a new additive manufacturing technology for metallic parts fabrication.
Design of a class‐E transcutaneous energy transmitter for an implantable system
Authors: Chaoui Mondher , Perdriau Richard , Ghariani Hamadi , Lahiani Mongi
Published: March 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to develop a model of the inductive link for implantable systems. The model is suitable for a cochlear implant in which a lateral misalignment and distance coil can be up to 16 mm.

Design/methodology/approach

The description of the generation of implantable systems' high‐power, such as a cochlear implant, are powered by transcutaneous inductive power links formed by two coils: the first is a printed spiral coil used in the receiver device and the second is a solenoid coil used in the emitter device. Optimizing the power efficiency of the wireless link is imperative to minimize the size of the external energy source, heating dissipation in the tissue, and interference with other devices. The authors have outlined the theoretical foundation of optimal power transmission efficiency in an inductive link, and combined it with semi‐empirical models to predict parasitic components. The power amplifier itself is a class‐E amplifier optimized in both output voltage and efficiency, and bears an excellent tolerance to misalignments.

Findings

Two Spice‐based electrical models of the coils are achieved. The technique employed during the work is based on polynomial interpolation of the mutual inductance in which coil misalignments are considered as variables. On the other hand, a voltage regulator is studied and simulated by Cadence Analog Artist in the AMS 0.35 μm CMOS technology.

Originality/value

This paper provides a novel and useful method for transmitting power for an implantable system via an inductive link. The procedure of the authors' design is achieved at 10 MHz and the power transmission efficiency is 35 percent, whatever the longitudinal misalignment (up to 16 mm) between both coils.
Export participation and productivity performance of firms in the Indian transport manufacturing
Authors: Sharma Chandan , Mishra Ritesh Kumar
Published: March 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the nexus between export participation and productivity performance of transport manufacturing firms in India, for the period 1994‐2006.

Design/methodology/approach

The relative performance of exporting vis‐à‐vis non‐exporting firms in the industry is examined by utilizing a semi‐parametric test based on the principle of first order stochastic dominance. Subsequently, the causal relation between export and productivity is tested by mainly focusing on learning‐by‐exporting and self‐selection hypotheses.

Findings

The authors' results suggest that productivity performance of firms does not directly affect the probability of exporting. However, the results do provide some evidence which indicates that good firms self‐select into the export market. Furthermore, it was also found that sunk costs of exporting are the key determinants of probability of exporting in the industry. Finally, the authors tested the effect of exporting on productivity and found that past exporting experience or history has a significant and positive impact on firms' productivity.

Practical implications

In the light of the findings of this study, it can be suggested that the trade policy in India should focus on encouraging firms to increase export participation. At the same time, the authors' evidence also advocates that the economic policies should also aim on technology enhancement (i.e. more incentive for R&D activities and training) of firms, to help them achieve higher levels of productivity and efficiency, which in turn will increase the probability of their survival in the highly‐competitive international export market.

Originality/value

The paper provides new evidence on the export‐productivity nexus from the Indian manufacturing industry by testing the empirical validity of the learning‐by‐exporting and self‐selection hypotheses, along with the role of sunk costs in export decisions of firms.
Career advancement and gender equity in healthcare management
Authors: LaPierre Tracey A. , Zimmerman Mary K.
Published: March 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to analyze the conditions for career advancement in healthcare management and examine factors that may be impeding gender equity.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors assess gender differences in the odds of being promoted to senior management by: analyzing the relative impact of individual, organizational and family level variables in accounting for gender inequity; examining gender differences in experiences of perceived gender discrimination and sexual harassment, as well as attitudes regarding gender equity in senior management; and by exploring gender differences in aspirations for senior management. ANOVA, χ2 and logistic regression were used to analyze data from 685 respondents to the 2006 Gender and Careers in Healthcare Management Survey.

Findings

Women were significantly less likely to be promoted to senior management, even after controlling for individual, organizational and family level characteristics. One third of women healthcare managers in our study reported perceived gender discrimination in the past five years. Less than half of male healthcare managers were supportive of increasing the proportion of women in senior management positions, while over 80 percent of women were. Among those not yet promoted women were significantly less likely than their male peers to aspire to senior management positions.

Research limitations/implications

The cross‐sectional nature of the data do not allow for the precise testing of the causal direction of observed relationships.

Originality/value

Objective and subjective measures of gender equity were evaluated. The authors' broad approach demonstrated that factors restraining gender equity operate on multiple levels and highlights the relative importance of family factors.
Paradigm “wars” as methodenstreit
Authors: Klaes Matthias
Published: March 2012

Purpose

This paper is concerned with the quantitative/qualitative divide as a particular feature of recent methodological debate in organization research. While substantively this divide is questionable and problematic, it has figured prominently in the so‐called “paradigm wars”. The purpose of this paper is to relate these controversies to a similar debate in economics and draw out the implications of this comparison for the methodological practice of organization research.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper takes the form of a conceptual critique.

Findings

The paradigms debate can be interpreted as a twentieth‐century instance of the methodenstreit in nineteenth‐century social science, and is argued to resolve along the faultlines of mainline organizational analysis and its periphery. Further methodological progress in the field requires the abandoning of paradigmatic duality in recognition of methodological plurality as a defining feature of organization research.

Originality/value

Management methodology and economic methodology have largely developed as separate literatures alongside each other, with little cross‐fertilisation. This paper links key issues in management methodology to longstanding debates in economic methodology, thereby making progress towards a shared debate on issues of equal significance to both fields of inquiry.
Deep venous thrombosis and pulmonary embolism secondary to co‐administration of thalidomide and oral corticosteroid in a patient with leprosy
Authors: YAMAGUCHI Sayaka , YAMAMOTO Yuichi , HOSOKAWA Atsushi , HAGIWARA Keisuke , UEZATO Hiroshi , TAKAHASHI Kenzo
Published: February 2012

A 58‐year‐old Japanese man with a 2‐year history of multidrug therapy for borderline lepromatous leprosy presented with skin lesions suggestive of erythema nodosum leprosum (ENL) and was treated with an oral corticosteroid. As attempts to taper the oral corticosteroid resulted in the appearance of new lesions, thalidomide was added along with cyclosporin. Two months after the introduction of thalidomide, deep venous thrombosis (DVT) occurred in both legs and anticoagulant therapy was started without cessation of thalidomide. Pulmonary embolism developed 1 month after the appearance of DVT, and these thromboembolic events were believed to be due to thalidomide. This case highlights the need for vigilance against venous thromboembolism when corticosteroid and thalidomide are co‐administrated for the treatment of ENL.
Regulation of a quorum sensing system by stationary phase sigma factor RpoS and their co‐regulation of target genes  in Burkholderia pseudomallei
Authors: Wongtrakoongate Patompon , Tumapa Sarinna , Tungpradabkul Sumalee
Published: March 2012

Burkholderia pseudomallei is the causative agent of a fatal disease, melioidosis. However, the mechanisms of pathogenesis and genes involved in its virulence are not understood. In the current study, whether stationary phase and stress response sigma factor RpoS and BpsI‐mediated quorum sensing (QS) system co‐regulate its target genes was investigated. Positive regulation of RpoS on bpsI expression and autoinducer production in stationary phase, but not on fliC and ppk expression, was observed. In contrast, expression of rpoS was not affected by deletion of bpsI. The present results also indicate that production of extracellular protease and siderophore, two QS‐controlled exo products, is regulated via RpoS supporting the previously known inhibitory role of QS on those two factors. Proteomic analysis revealed that expression of 74 protein spots representing 60 genes is controlled by QS. Of those, 45 genes are co‐regulated by both RpoS and QS, and regulation of genes involved in transcription and translation is favored by QS. Taken together, our findings indicate major target genes expression in stationary phase that is influenced by hierarchical control of RpoS over QS. We propose that this regulation may play an important role in the pathogenicity of B. pseudomallei.
Prostate cancer chemoprevention by soy isoflavones: Role of intestinal bacteria as the “second human genome”
Authors: Akaza Hideyuki
Published: February 2012

It has been found that the composition of intestinal microbiota can indicate the risk of disease to each individual. The concepts of biodynamics as used by the Benziger Winery in California, which treats every part of an agricultural environment as a living, breathing entity, can be usefully used in the construction of a system for cancer prevention, which seeks to use the relationship of coexistence (symbiosis) shared between people and intestinal symbiosis, that is, microbiota. Changes in the incidence rate of cancer among Japanese emigrants to Hawaii demonstrate the effect of the changes in the living environment. This leads to the hypothesis that an intake of soy‐derived food products and the metabolization of the isoflavones they contain by intestinal microbiota is one of the factors for the significant difference in the incidence rate of prostate cancer among Asian and European/North American populations. It is further hypothesized that isoflavones, particularly equol, are a key factor in the difference in incidence rate between Asia and the West. It is suggested that not having equol converting bacteria in the intestine (non‐equol producers) can be a risk factor for prostate cancer and that one direction for future research will be to examine the possibility of improving the intestinal environment to enable equol production. (Cancer Sci 2012; 103: 969–975)
Involvement of general practitioners in managing alcohol problems: a randomized controlled trial of a tailored improvement programme
Authors: van Beurden Ivonne , Anderson Peter , Akkermans Reinier P. , Grol Richard P. T. M. , Wensing Michel , Laurant Miranda G. H.
Published: February 2012

Aims To assess the effect of a tailored multi‐faceted improvement programme on general practitioners' (GPs') behaviour towards prevention of hazardous and harmful alcohol consumption. The improvement programme consisted of activities aimed at the GP, organization and patient. Educational training sessions and visits by a facilitator were tailored to the GPs' needs and attitudes.

Design Cluster randomized controlled trial.

Setting General practices in the Netherlands.

Participants Seventy‐seven general practices; 119 GPs participated. Data from 6318 patients were available, of whom 765 (12.1%) were at risk. A total of 1502 patients' electronic medical records were reviewed.

Measurements The primary outcome was the number of eligible patients who received screening and advice.

Findings Difficulties in recruiting GPs and in motivating GPs for participation in the tailored parts of the programme impeded optimal implementation of the programme. Although GPs in both groups became more involved after enrolment, this improvement waned during the trial. The quality improvement programme enhanced the initial improvement in behaviour and it tempered waning (intervention group), compared to our control condition, resulting in average improvement rates of 5% (screening) and 2% (advice‐giving) at 12‐month follow‐up (not significant).

Conclusions A tailored, multi‐faceted programme aimed at improving general practitioner management of alcohol consumption in their patients failed to show an effect and proved difficult to implement. There remains little evidence to support the use of such an intensive implementation programme to improve the management of harmful and hazardous alcohol consumption in primary care.
Genetic influences on developmental smoking trajectories
Authors: Lessov‐Schlaggar Christina N. , Kristjansson Sean D. , Bucholz Kathleen K. , Heath Andrew C. , Madden Pamela A. F.
Published: March 2012

Aims  To investigate the relative contribution of genetic and environmental factors on smoking trajectory membership and to test whether individual smoking trajectories represent phenotypical thresholds of increasing genetic risk along a common genetic liability dimension.

Design  Prospective study of a birth cohort of female like‐sex twin pairs.

Setting  Participants completed diagnostic interview surveys four times from adolescence (average age 16) to young adulthood (average age 25).

Participants  Female twins who had smoked ≥100 cigarettes life‐time (n = 1466 regular smokers).

Measurements  Number of cigarettes smoked per day during the heaviest period of smoking (two waves) or during the past 12 months (two waves).

Findings  A four‐trajectory class solution provided the best fit to cigarette consumption data and was characterized by low (n = 564, 38.47%), moderate (n = 366, 24.97%) and high‐level smokers (n = 197, 13.44%), and smokers who increased their smoking from adolescence to young adulthood (n = 339, 23.12%). The best genetic model fit was a three‐category model that comprised the low, a combined increasing + moderate and high trajectories. This trajectory categorization was heritable (72.7%), with no evidence for significant contribution from shared environmental factors.

Conclusions  The way in which smoking patterns develop in adolescence has a high level of heritability.
Review article: the iron overload syndromes
Authors: Siddique A. , Kowdley K. V.
Published: March 2012

Background

Iron overload syndromes encompass a wide range of hereditary and acquired conditions. Major developments in the field of genetics and the discovery of hepcidin as a central regulator of iron homeostasis have greatly increased our understanding of the pathophysiology of iron overload syndromes.

Aim

To review advances in iron regulation and iron overload syndrome with special emphasis on hereditary haemochromatosis, the prototype iron overload syndrome.

Methods

A PubMed search using words such as ‘iron overload’, ‘hemochromatosis’, ‘HFE’, ‘Non‐HFE’, ‘secondary iron overload’ was undertaken.

Results

Iron overload is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Sensitive diagnostic tests and effective therapy are widely available and can prevent complications associated with iron accumulation in end‐ organs. Therapeutic phlebotomy remains the cornerstone of therapy for removal of excess body iron, but novel therapeutic agents including oral iron chelators have been developed for iron overload associated with anaemia.

Conclusions

Iron overload disorders are common. Inexpensive screening tests as well as confirmatory diagnostic tests are widely available. Increased awareness of the causes and importance of early diagnosis and knowledge of the appropriate use of genetic testing are encouraged. The availability of novel treatments should increase therapeutic options for patients with iron overload disorders.
Evaluation of the predictive capabilities of Landsat 7 ETM+ on 50‐cm mean annual soil temperature in the Transylvanian Plain, Romania
Authors: Haggard B. , Weindorf D. C. , Hiscox A. L.
Published: March 2012

Mean annual soil temperature has important implications for crops as well as for soil classification and formation. Landsat 7 Enhanced Thematic Mapper Plus (ETM+) band‐6 was analysed to determine its relationship with mean annual soil temperature (MAST) at 50 cm in the Transylvanian Plain, Romania. Band‐6 is available in both high and low gain formats from the United States Geological Survey; for our study only high gain was evaluated because of the increased resolution that it provides. Both of the gain levels of band‐6 are measured at 10.4–12.5 µm (thermal infrared), at 60‐m spatial resolution. Four different months of Landsat 7 ETM+ data were used to predict MAST and compared with 50‐cm soil temperature data measured on‐site within situsensors and data logging stations. Despite no correction for land cover differences across the plain, strong relationships were found between the Landsat‐predicted and field measured MAST with a coefficient of determination (R2) for July, August, December and February of 0.63. Multiple regression analysis (MASTRegression) provided a weaker relationship, when compared with MASTin situ, with a coefficient of determination (R2) of 0.42. Significant differences existed between urban and agricultural land covers, as identified by Coordination of Information on the Environment (CORINE) data. The use of Landsat 7 ETM+ could reduce the time and expense of large field studies for determining MAST. These data could then be used for temperature models of entire regions, for a range of land management options.
Carbon cycling in eroding landscapes: geomorphic controls on soil organic C pool composition and C stabilization
Authors: Doetterl Sebastian , Six Johan , Van Wesemael Bas , Van Oost Kristof
Published: February 2012

Recent studies have highlighted the tight coupling between geomorphic processes and soil carbon (C) turnover and suggested that eroding landscapes can stabilize more C than their non‐eroding counterparts. However, large uncertainties remain and a mechanistic understanding of geomorphic effects on C storage in soils is still lacking. Here, we quantified the soil organic carbon (SOC) stock and pool distribution along geomorphic gradients and combined data derived from soil organic matter fractionation and incubation experiments. The size and composition of the SOC pools were strongly related to geomorphic position: 1.6 to 6.2 times more C was stabilized in the subsoils (25–100cm) of depositional profiles than in those of eroding profiles. Subsoil C of depositional profiles is predominantly associated with microaggregates and silt‐sized particles which are associated with pools of intermediate stability. We observed a significantly higher mean residence time for the fast and intermediate turnover pools of buried C at depositional positions, relative to non‐eroding and eroding positions, resulting from the physical protection of C associated with microaggregates and silt particles. Conversely, significant amounts of C were replaced at eroding positions but the lower degree of decomposition and the lack of physically protected C, resulted in higher respiration rates. By considering C cycling at non‐eroding, eroding and depositional positions, we found that the eroding landscapes studied store up to 10% more C due to soil redistribution processes than non‐eroding landscapes. This is the result of the stabilization of C in former subsoil at eroding positions and partial preservation of buried C in pools of intermediate turnover at depositional positions. However, the sink strength was limited by significant losses of buried C as only a small fraction of the C was associated with stable pools.
Inter‐ and intra‐observational variability in immunohistochemistry: a multicentre analysis of diffuse large B‐cell lymphoma staining
Authors: Lawrie Charles H , Ballabio Erica , Soilleux Elizabeth , Sington James , Hatton Christian S R , Dirnhofer Stephan , Tzankov Alexandar
Published: February 2012

Lawrie C H, Ballabio E, Soilleux E, Sington J, Hatton C S R, Dirnhofer S & Tzankov A  (2012) Histopathology 61, 18–25

Inter‐ and intra‐observational variability in immunohistochemistry: a multicentre analysis of diffuse large B‐cell lymphoma staining

Aims:  Although many immunohistochemical (IHC) cancer biomarkers have been identified, very few have translated into routine clinical practice, primarily because of technical and observational inconsistencies between studies. However, despite the obvious need to address such variability, very few studies have done so.

Methods and results:  Using bcl‐6, CD10, MUM1, GCET1 and FOXP1 antibody staining on diffuse large B‐cell lymphoma cases (n = 138) as a model, we employed Cronbach α analysis to quantify interobserver and intraobserver variability between four independent observers (two per institution), scoring two tissue microarrays (TMAs) stained at both institutions using differing staining procedures. The overall concordance between all observations irrespective of staining procedure or TMA source was high (average α = 0.951), with the highest level being reached for CD10 staining (average α = 0.967) and the lowest for bcl‐6 (average α = 0.924). Interslide and interinstitutional reproducibility were similarly high (average α = 0.952 and average α = 0.934, respectively). Interobserver/intrainstitutional and interobserver/interinstitutional comparisons showed lower levels of concordance (average α = 0.870 and average α = 0.877, respectively), and intraobserver/interinstitutional comparisons showed the lowest levels of concordance (average α = 0.810), particularly for bcl‐6 staining (α = 0.658).

Conclusions:  This study suggests that most variability in IHC studies between centres results from inherent limitations of the biomarkers investigated rather than procedural or observational differences.
Push‐out strength of root fillings with or without thermomechanical compaction
Authors: Carneiro S. M. B. S. , Sousa‐Neto M. D. , Rached‐Júnior F. A. , Miranda C. E. S. , Silva S. R. C. , Silva‐Sousa Y. T. C.
Published: March 2012

Carneiro SMBS, Sousa‐Neto MD, Rached‐Júnior FA, Miranda CES, Silva SRC, Silva‐Sousa YTC. Push‐out strength of root fillings with or without thermomechanical compaction. International Endodontic Journal, 45, 821–828, 2012.

Aim  To evaluate the influence of thermomechanical compaction (Tagger’s hybrid technique – THT) on the push‐out strength of several root filling materials to root dentine.

Methodology  Root canals of eighty roots in human canines were prepared with the ProTaper system and filled with one of the following materials, using either lateral compaction (LC) (n = 40) or THT (n = 40): AH Plus/gutta‐percha (GP) (n = 10), Sealer 26/GP (n = 10), Epiphany SE/Resilon (n = 10) and Epiphany SE/GP (n = 10). Three 2‐mm‐thick dentine slices were obtained from each third of each root. The root filling in the first slice was subjected to a push‐out test to evaluate the bond strength of the materials to intraradicular dentine. Data (in MPa) were analysed using anova and post hoc Tukey’s test (P < 0.05). Failure mode was determined at ×25 magnification. The other two slices were prepared for scanning electron microscopy (SEM) to examine the surface of the filling materials.

Results  Lateral compaction (1.34 ± 1.14 MPa) was associated with a significantly higher bond strength (P < 0.05) than the THT (0.97 ± 0.88 MPa). AH Plus/GP (2.23 ± 0.83 MPa) and Sealer 26/GP (1.86 ± 0.50 MPa) had significantly higher bond strengths than the other materials and differed significantly from each other (P < 0.05). There was a significant difference (P < 0.05) between the coronal (1.36 ± 1.15 MPa), middle (1.14 ± 1.05 MPa) and apical thirds (0.95 ± 0.83 MPa). Considering the technique and root filling material interaction, AH Plus/GP‐LC was associated with the highest mean values (2.65 ± 0.66 MPa) (P < 0.05). Sealer 26/GP‐LC (2.10 ± 0.46 MPa), AH Plus/GP‐THT (1.81 ± 0.78 MPa) and Sealer 26/GP‐TH (1.63 ± 0.44 MPa) had intermediate values that were not significantly different from each other (P > 0.05). Epiphany SE was associated with the lowest mean values (3.70 ± 0.86 MPa) (P < 0.05), regardless of the root filling technique and type of solid material (cone). Adhesive failures predominated in the specimens filled with Epiphany SE, whilst mixed and cohesive failures were more frequent in those filled with AH Plus and Sealer 26, regardless of the root filling technique. SEM analysis revealed that LC produced a dense and well‐compacted filling whilst the use of a hybrid thermomechanical technique resulted in the solid material (GP or Resilon) intermingled within sealer to form a nonhomogenous mass.

Conclusion  Lateral compaction was associated with higher bond strengths of the materials to intraradicular dentine than a hybrid technique using thermomechanical compaction. The greatest push‐out strengths were obtained when the canals were filled with LC of AH Plus and GP cones.
Effect of gamma irradiation and frozen storage on chemical and sensory characteristics of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) fillet
Authors: Oraei Marjan , Motallebi Abbasali , Hoseini Ebrahim , Javan Saeed
Published: March 2012

The present study was conducted to evaluate the combined effect of low‐dose gamma irradiation (1, 3 and 5 kGy) and frozen storage (5 months at −20 °C) on chemical and sensory characteristics of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) fillet. Our statistical analysis showed that irradiation process and frozen storage time had a significant effect (P < 0.05) on total volatile nitrogen (TVN), peroxide value (PV), thiobarbituric acid (TBA) and pH. The level of all of these factors increased with increasing frozen storage time. At the end of the fifth month of frozen storage, the lowest and the highest level of TVN, PV and TBA were corresponding to the irradiated samples at 3 and 5 kGy, respectively. In terms of the overall acceptability of their texture, odour, colour and taste, irradiated samples at 3 kGy had the best quality and remained acceptable after 5 months frozen storage. The optimum dose of gamma radiation of rainbow trout fillets according to chemical and sensory analysis was obtained at 3 kGy.
Effect of sucrose‐based polymers on quality of Satsuma mandarin fruit (Citrus unshiu Marc. cv. Miyagawa Wase)
Authors: Tao Neng‐Guo , Ao Ting‐Ting , Liu Yue‐Jin , Huang Shi‐Rong
Published: March 2012

In this study, the effects of an edible coating (sucrose‐based polymers, SBP) on postharvest fruit quality of Satsuma mandarin (Citrus unshiu Marc. cv. Miyagawa Wase) were investigated. All the fruit except the control was sprayed with SBP solution at a concentration of 0.1%, 0.3%, 0.5% and 1.0% (v/v), respectively, and then stored at room temperature (25 °C, 85% relative humidity) for 25 days. Results showed that 0.1%, 0.3% and 0.5% SBP treatment could significantly increase the soluble solids concentrations (SSC), vitamin C (Vc), total sugars, total carotenoids, the ratio of SSC to titratable acidity (TA) (SSC/TA), catalase (CAT), peroxidase (POD) and superoxidase dismutase (SOD) activities, while the decay rate, TA and polyphenol oxidase (PPO) activity were greatly reduced. In contrast, 1.0% SBP treatment resulted in fruit browning, despite maintaining fruit quality. Our present study provided the theoretical data for the practical application of the SBP on the citrus fruit quality of during postharvest storage.
Is there a positive relationship between molar incisor hypomineralisations and the presence of dental caries?
Authors: HEITMÜLLER DANIELA , THIERING ELISABETH , HOFFMANN UTE , HEINRICH JOACHIM , MANTON DAVID , KÜHNISCH JAN , NEUMANN CLAUDIA , BAUER CARL PETER , HEINRICH‐WELTZIEN ROSWITHA , HICKEL REINHARD ,   the GINIplus Study Group
Published: March 2012

International Journal of Paediatric Dentistry 2013; 23: 116–124

Objective  This epidemiological study aimed to compare the caries experience in 10‐year‐olds with and without molar incisor hypomineralisation (MIH).

Methods  About 693 children from an ongoing birth cohort study (GINIplus10) were examined for caries lesions to determine the DMF index. Furthermore, enamel hypomineralisation (EH) was scored on all permanent teeth/surfaces, according to the criteria of the European Academy of Paediatric Dentistry. Children with EH were categorised into those with a minimum of one EH in the permanent dentition (MIH/1), with EH on at least one‐first permanent molar (MIH/1A), on at least one‐first permanent molar and permanent incisor (MIH/1B), and on other permanent teeth (MIH/1C).

Results  The mean caries experience was 0.4 (SD 0.9) DMFT. Existence of MIH/1, MIH/1A, MIH/1B, and MIH/1C was determined in 36.5%, 14.7%, 9.4%, and 21.8% of all children. The corresponding DMFT values were the following: no MIH: 0.3 (SD 0.8); MIH/1: 0.5 (SD 0.9); MIH/1A: 0.5 (SD 0.9); MIH/1B: 0.4 (SD 0.9); and MIH/1C: 0.4 (SD 0.9) DMFT. No significant differences were found between all groups.

Conclusions  There was no relationship between the presence of EH/MIH and caries in 10‐year‐olds. A ratio of one EH‐associated defect to two caries lesions indicates that both conditions are prevalent and influence the oral health status of 10‐year‐old children from Munich, Germany.