bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Quality control analysis of downtime and time to repair for water supply pipes
Authors: Singh Amarjit , Adachi Stacy , Inouye Megan
Published: July 2011

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate performance times from a quality engineering perspective for response and repair of pipes at a public utility. The objective is to scientifically determine the pipe that offers the most desirable downtime (DT) and time to repair (TTR).

Design/methodology/approach

Four types of water supply pipes – concrete cylinder (CC), cast iron (CI), ductile iron (DI), and polyvinyl chloride (PVC) – in prevalent use at the City and County of Honolulu Board of Water Supply were analyzed to determine the pipe type that is most consistently repaired to desired performance specifications. Data for mean downtime (MDT) and mean time to repair (MTTR) were used to evaluate the stability and capability of the repair processes for each pipe type. The analysis was completed through the use of control charts, operating characteristic (OC) curves, and process capability indices.

Findings

The results of the analysis indicated that CI pipes were the worst material in terms of DT and TTR. The control charts for MDT for all pipe types, and the MTTR for CI and CC pipes, were found to be out of statistical control, but the control charts for the MTTR of DI and PVC pipes were discovered to be in control. According to the OC curves, in which the hypothesis stated that the average MDT or MTTR was between the specification limits, there was a high tendency in all pipe types to accept the hypothesis when it was true. However, the probability of type I errors was high from operational standards at the USL level. Process capability analyses found that only CC pipes were able to meet performance design specifications; however, repair times are extremely large for CC pipes. Overall, it is recommended that CI pipes be replaced when the opportunity arises.

Practical implications

This investigation serves to address a major query in asset management at the public utility, that of which pipes should be selected during design and procurement from a maintenance perspective. In addition, the study helps to understand the trend of DT and TTR for the various pipes.

Social implications

Quality water supply is of paramount social importance in modern cities.

Originality/value

A quality engineering approach to asset management for pipe systems at public utilities that serves to add a new dimension to asset performance analysis is adopted.
Ethical views of micro‐enterprises delivering project and asset management services in west‐central Scotland
Authors: Sommerville James
Published: July 2011

Purpose

There is little in the way of research on ethical views on the project and asset management sides of the construction industry, and an absence of work on micro‐enterprises. This paper seeks to build material in this area aimed at establishing micro‐enterprise views on ethical issues.

Design/methodology/approach

Micro‐enterprises, operating in west‐central Scotland, engaged in a series of questionnaires and case studies. The questionnaires, issued to 300 businesses, sought views on four main thrusts within the ethics arena and responses received were expanded through case studies on three businesses.

Findings

The research findings indicate that a range of ethical considerations are important to micro‐construction enterprises. However, no one single ethical viewpoint was found to be dominant and variation was evident in management attitudes based on age, experience and education. The wider business community may take heart from the view that the micro‐enterprises were law abiding, and so reinforce in the publics' view that they are sound businesses to deal with.

Research limitations/implications

The research was limited to a single geographic region, within one country: expansion to cover the full country and at the same time replication in other countries would provide a broader and more wide ranging view of the underlying stance on ethical issues.

Originality/value

This paper is the first that specifically targets micro‐enterprises in the project and asset management spheres and sets out findings that are useful to practitioners and researchers who are trying to evaluate the underlying premise by which micro‐enterprises operate.
Editorial: bridging cultural heritage and sustainable development
Authors: Pereira Roders Ana , van Oers Ron
Published: July 2011

Purpose

The paper aims to provide an introduction to the new journal, its scope and papers in the inaugural issue.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper introduces the new journal by exploring the normative foundations of cultural heritage management and how this can be used to construct a bridge to processes of sustainable development. In doing so, the rationale is explained for a journal with this specialism, like JCHMSD, including potential areas for research. All this then is linked to the theme and respective papers especially selected for the inaugural issue.

Findings

Increasingly the role of cultural heritage in processes of regeneration and sustainable development of cities and regions is being explored, while at the same time the international debate is intensifying as regards a re‐orientation of the concept of sustainability and to re‐emphasize its meaning in clear and unambiguous terms. In the build‐up to the review of the Millennium Development Goals in 2015, the international community by way of UNESCO is promoting the inclusion of culture in the development paradigm.

Originality/value

In providing an overview of the state of debate in the fields of cultural heritage management and sustainable development, the paper is useful to the readers of the journal who are interested but have limited knowledge in these fields. It clarifies the focus to those who wish to submit articles to the journal, as well as highlights some potential areas for research.
Why development needs culture
Authors: Bandarin Francesco , Hosagrahar Jyoti , Sailer Albernaz Frances
Published: July 2011

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to account for and to justify the UN's recent appeal to “all Member States, intergovernmental bodies, organizations of the United Nations system and relevant non‐governmental organizations […] to ensure a more visible and effective integration and mainstreaming of culture in development policies and strategies at all levels”.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper delves into the history of ideas leading up to the UN's belated recognition of culture's influence (a full ten years into the implementation of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs)). It shows how the post‐Second World War intuitions embraced in UNESCO's Constitution matured in the course of the nation‐building and decolonization processes that have given way to today's context of advanced globalization.

Findings

Against that background, rising international awareness of the issues involved in the environment‐development nexus conspired with growing concern for the safeguarding of world heritage and cultural diversity, finally culminating in the establishment of specific international standards that call for sustainable, integrated approaches to development.

Originality/value

Drawing from UNESCO's experience, the paper provides compelling evidence in support of the idea that culture, creative industries and cultural heritage contribute a great deal to development, in terms not only of quantitative economic growth (income, employment), but also of qualitative standards of equity and well‐being. In light of such criteria, examples are offered and plans are laid out for concerted action in view of attaining the Millennium Development Goals in 2015 and of building on from there.
Voices of the pioneers: UNESCO's World Heritage Convention 1972‐2000
Authors: Cameron Christina , Rössler Mechtild
Published: July 2011

Purpose

In partnership with UNESCO's Oral Archives Initiative, the authors have set out to capture the voices of those who have played a significant role in the creation and early development of the World Heritage Convention. The recorded interviews with the men and women who were active participants in this early period are designed to supplement the existing literature and voluminous documentation from the statutory and expert meetings. The uniqueness of this World Heritage research project is the important role that the voices of the pioneers will play in illuminating the successes and failures, the struggles and triumphs of the early years. This paper aims to share some of the findings.

Design/methodology/approach

The selection of the first group of interviewees has been made on the basis of the importance of the person's involvement in World Heritage matters, age, diversity of interests and geographical distribution. The interviews are structured with specific questions to identify key issues and cases that have affected the development of the World Heritage system. Topics are explored and teased out, adapting to the experience of each interviewee.

Findings

To date, the authors have interviewed 31 participants from all geographical regions of UNESCO. The interviews have created a rich and diverse tapestry of information, concepts and opinions on the early days of the World Heritage Convention. Participants in the project have been generous with their time and passionately candid in their views. In this paper, the authors offer a glimpse into the results of this research by presenting some samples from three interviews.

Originality/value

The interviews provide a unique and original viewpoint on the creation and early implementation of the World Heritage Convention. Preliminary results point to a deeper understanding of the forces that led to the creation of the convention and the leadership role played by certain individuals in transforming these ideas for international cooperation into reality. At the completion of the project, this data set of interviews will be deposited in the UNESCO Archives for consultation by future generations of researchers.
World heritage: observations on decisions related to cultural heritage
Authors: Jokilehto Jukka
Published: July 2011

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the decision‐making process related to the inscription of properties on the World Heritage List.

Design/methodology/approach

Consideration is given to the general framework provided by the 1972 World Heritage Convention, and elaborated by the World Heritage Committee in the Operational Guidelines for the Implementation of the Convention.

Findings

The paper examines the tasks and responsibilities of each partner to the World Heritage process, from the State Party to UNESCO and the Advisory Bodies. There is a panorama offered from the changes and trends that have impacted the decisions, including a number of cases as examples. Finally, the paper proposes some improvements to the system, taking into account the role of each stakeholder.

Originality/value

This is the first paper examining the theme concerned.
Trading duration, mutual funds behavior and stock market shock
Authors: Zongxin Zhang , Xiao Zhang
Published: July 2011

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explain what information is contained in mutual funds' trading behaviors and to try to further assess the impact on the stock market.

Design/methodology/approach

The objective is achieved by an empirical examination using the high‐frequency intraday data. The main methods used for the research are the autoregressive conditional duration model and the UHF‐GARCH model.

Findings

This paper gives an empirical study of mutual funds' behavior on two aspects. The first aspect is the direct impact on micro variables. The results show that mutual funds changing their positions will have different influences to the spread, adding position broadens the spread, while decreasing position makes the spread narrow; behaviors of funds change the clustering characteristic of the duration. The second aspect is the impact on the relationships among micro variables. The results indicate that trading started by liquidity buyers will make volatility larger.

Research limitations/implications

This paper supposes funds as informed traders and individual investors as liquidity traders in China's stock market. If it is not true, some interpretations of empirical results would be wrong. The authors' results may help researchers to understand the information content of funds' trading behaviors in the microstructure aspect.

Originality/value

The paper is an original work, which will be interesting to scholars in market microstructure and to practitioners in the Chinese stock market. The main contributions of the paper are: the use of high‐frequency data to study funds' behaviors and combine the trading duration and investors' trading behavior to analyze the information content of trading behaviors; second, the use of 14 stock samples in the Shanghai Stock Exchange to do the empirical study, which ensures the reliability of the results.
Why Chinese listed companies frequently switch lead underwriters in seasoned equity offerings
Authors: Jianghui Liu
Published: July 2011

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore the reasons for the high‐frequency switches of lead underwriters by Chinese listed companies in their seasoned equity offerings. It contributes to the literature by filling the gap and providing evidence that institutional and non‐market factors could affect listed companies' decisions to switch their lead underwriters in the Chinese capital market.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper employs a numerical measure of listed companies' loyalty to evaluate their frequency of switching lead underwriters, and employs a Logit model and an OLS model to identify the key determinants of switching lead underwriters by Chinese listed companies.

Findings

It is observed that the frequency of switching lead underwriters is very high among Chinese listed companies for their seasoned offerings. It is also found that underwriters' deficient reputation and the lack of industrial experience, together with the depreciation of relationship‐specific assets, could have important impacts on lead underwriters being frequently switched in China. Besides, the frequent switches of lead underwriters could also be attributable to the non‐market supervision and regulatory influences by Chinese authorities over the security underwriting market.

Originality/value

This paper could help further the understanding of the factors that could explain the listed companies' frequent switches of their lead underwriters for their seasoned offerings in China. In addition, this paper has policy implications on how to improve the listed companies' loyalty for regulators in China. These implications could help improve the regulatory environment and promote the overall performance of the Chinese security underwriting market.
Reporting and evaluation in a data communication firm
Authors: Arunruangsirilert Teerachai
Published: July 2011

Subject area

– It is related to managerial accounting including style of management, evaluation method, risk management, responsibility accounting and reporting.

Student level/applicability

– It is suitable for both Bachelor's degree and Master's degree students to apply their comprehensive knowledge of managerial accounting on the case with relevance for the courses including managerial accounting, cost accounting, cost analysis and managerial accounting seminars.

Case overview

– Information given by the case informs about the decentralized management structure and style of a data communication company, Data Communication Company Limited. The delegation of authorization is used as the main control of the company to monitor the performance of each department. The case study describes the company's specific methods as well as the monitoring procedures and the reports. In addition, it also addresses the management's concerns regarding risks as it relates to the current market situation.

Expected learning outcomes

– To study managerial accounting courses by using this case, it certainly enhances effectiveness and efficiency of accounting curriculum. This case specifically provides a realistic perspective, comprehensive information and solution capability relevant to real world challenges, which can be applied to managerial accounting.

Supplementary materials

– Teaching note.
Advanced Systems, Egypt: IT outsourcing in a highly competitive market
Authors: Youssef Samir M.
Published: July 2011

Subject area

International management strategy.

Study level/applicability

Graduate and upper undergraduate classes.

Case overview

This case deals with an information technology (IT) outsourcing company based in Egypt which has ventured into the international market right from the start without establishing itself first in the local market. Its record of success was due largely to a group of young Egyptian entrepreneurs with an international orientation. Their strongly held values were translated into an organizational culture that was manifested in the company's relationships with its clients, whether multinational companies or regional governments. This mutual trust has generated work through referrals and has saved the company the need, at least initially, to adopt a proactive marketing strategy. In addition to culture the company's structure has shown considerable agility in dealing with the unexpected demands from clients through developing strong functional departments supported by numerous cross-functional teams. The case also presents the development of the human resource function which is considered the backbone of IT outsourcing companies.

Expected learning outcomes

Students are expected to learn the following: internationalization of business start ups in developing nations can take place even in the face of limitations of the local markets; the importance of leadership and culture in fostering trusting relationships with clients; the need to constantly reconfigure resources to meet challenges of competition and the needs of clients; the viability of a defensive strategy for newly established companies if supplemented by trusting relationships with clients; and the role of an evolving structure to fit the growth stages of the company.

Supplementary materials

Teaching note.
Talent management and succession planning in emerging Asia
Authors: Neubronner Marion , Lee Yu Zhen
Published: July 2011

Subject area

Talent management.

Study level/applicability

Management level proposed courses: knowledge management, human resource management, leadership and fundamentals of strategic management.

Case overview

Legacy and succession issues plague rising economies. Attracting the local talent to stay is becoming increasingly difficult. This is especially the case for the family run businesses and also local government lead industries. Many MNCs have to bring in their own qualified staff making that an added cost and a disincentive to work in Malaysia. Thus, Malaysia has been experiencing a brain drain. The case study explores the generational differences in retaining staff and the challenges of a global demand and war for top talent. This affects emerging economies that are competing to keep their top talent from being lured away by their competitors. Brain drain is occurring in almost all sectors, but the Malaysian accountancy sector is the most affected. In view of this issue, this case addresses the common challenges facing accounting firms which is talent management and succession planning. ABC Ltd, a fictional firm is one of the Big Four accounting firms (four largest international accountancy and professional services firms), chosen as the context. Jeremy Tan is a manager of ABC Ltd

Expected learning outcomes

This case is the basis for class discussion and group presentations. Students will be able to understand generational differences, apply strategies to recruit and retain high-potential talent, and develop awareness of issues regarding Generation Y in Asia.

Supplementary materials

Teaching notes.
Leading change: story of Mumbai Rail Vikas Corporation
Authors: Madala Mani , Sumi Jha , Som Sekhar Bhattacharyya
Published: July 2011

Subject area

Organizational behavior, leadership, strategic management.

Study level/applicability

This case can be used at Master's level management students as well as for executive education programmes. The case can be used to teach courses like organizational behavior, leadership and strategic management.

Case overview

Mumbai Rail Vikas Corporation (MRVC) had been established with a purpose of catering the rail transportation requirement of Mumbai, the economic capital of India. After its establishment in the year 1999, commuters were hopeful but very less development and improvement was reported for six years. Mr P.C. Sehgal took over as Managing Director of MRVC in the year 2005. The primary task of Mr P.C. Sehgal was to implement the rail development plan proposed by Mumbai Urban Transport Project within the deadlines. Implementation of the given plan had various challenges and required high degree of coordination with different stakeholders (like Government of Maharashtra, Central Railway, Western Railway, etc.). It also required taking important decisions to move work fast and dealing with media and public pressure.

Expected learning outcomes

The case would instigate students to delve on the aspects of leadership and how the leader brings about change. The students would also get to know the challenges a leader face when he takes charge of an underperforming but critically important organization. Further the students are also exposed to the context of organizational management where the organization is trapped in a web of relations with conflicting stakeholders.

Supplementary materials

Teaching note.
Unique authigenic mineral assemblages reveal different diagenetic histories in two neighbouring cold‐water coral mounds on Pen Duick Escarpment, Gulf of Cadiz
Authors: PIRLET HANS , WEHRMANN LAURA M. , FOUBERT ANNELEEN , BRUNNER BENJAMIN , BLAMART DOMINIQUE , DE MOL LIES , VAN ROOIJ DAVID , DEWANCKELE JAN , CNUDDE VEERLE , SWENNEN RUDY , DUYCK PHILIPPE , HENRIET JEAN‐PIERRE
Published: July 2011

Alpha Mound and Beta Mound are two cold‐water coral mounds, located on the Pen Duick Escarpment in the Gulf of Cadiz amidst the El Arraiche mud volcano field where focused fluid seepage occurs. Despite the proximity of Alpha Mound and Beta Mound, both mounds differ in their assemblage of authigenic minerals. Alpha Mound features dolomite, framboidal pyrite and gypsum, whereas Beta Mound contains a barite layer and predominantly euhedral pyrite. The diagenetic alteration of the sedimentary record of both mounds is strongly influenced by biogeochemical processes occurring at shallow sulphate methane transition zones. The combined sedimentological, petrographic and isotopic analyses of early diagenetic features in gravity cores from Alpha Mound and Beta Mound indicate that the contrast in mineral assemblages between these mounds is caused by differences in fluid and methane fluxes. Alpha Mound appears to be affected by strong fluctuations in the fluid flow, causing shifts in redox boundaries, whereas Beta Mound seems to be a less dynamic system. To a large extent, the diagenetic regimes within cold‐water coral mounds on the Pen Duick Escarpment appear to be controlled by fluid and methane fluxes deriving from layers underlying the mounds and forcings like pressure gradients caused by bottom current. However, it also becomes evident that authigenic mineral assemblages are not only very sensitive recorders of the diagenetic history of specific cold‐water coral mounds, but also affect diagenetic processes in turn. Dissolution of aragonite, lithification by precipitation of authigenic minerals and subsequent brecciation of these lithified layers may also exert a control on the advective and diffusive fluid flow within these mounds, providing a feedback mechanism on subsequent diagenetic processes.
Cell autonomous and cell‐type specific circadian rhythms in Arabidopsis
Authors: Yakir Esther , Hassidim Miriam , Melamed‐Book Naomi , Hilman Dror , Kron Ido , Green Rachel M.
Published: July 2011

The circadian system of plants regulates a wide range of rhythmic physiological and cellular output processes with a period of about 24 h. The rhythms are generated by an oscillator mechanism that, in Arabidopsis, consists of interlocking feedback loops of several components including CIRCADIAN CLOCK ASSOCIATED 1 (CCA1), LATE ELONGATED HYPOCOTYL (LHY), TIMING OF CAB EXPRESSION 1 (TOC1) and CCA1 HIKING EXPEDITION (CHE). Over recent years, researchers have gained a detailed picture of the clock mechanism at the resolution of the whole plant and several tissue types, but little information is known about the specificities of the clock mechanism at the level of individual cells. In this paper we have addressed the question of cell‐type‐specific differences in circadian systems. Using transgenic Arabidopsis plants with fluorescence‐tagged CCA1 to measure rhythmicity in individual leaf cells in intact living plants, we showed that stomatal guard cells have a different period from surrounding epidermal and mesophyll leaf cells. By comparing transcript levels in guard cells with whole plants, we identified differences in the expression of some oscillator genes that may underlie cell‐specific differences in clock properties. In addition, we demonstrated that the oscillators of individual cells in the leaf are robust, but become partially desynchronized in constant conditions. Taken together our results suggest that, at the level of individual cells, there are differences in the canonical oscillator mechanism that has been described for plants.
Losartan and amlodipine on myocardial structure and function: a prospective, randomized, clinical trial
Authors: Fogari R. , Mugellini A. , Destro M. , Corradi L. , Lazzari P. , Zoppi A. , Preti P. , Derosa G.
Published: July 2011

Diabet. Med. (2011) 29, 24–31 (2012)

Aims  To compare the effects of losartan and amlodipine on myocardial structure and function in hypertensive patients with Type 2 diabetes and left ventricular hypertrophy.

Methods  After a 4‐week placebo period, patients were randomized to losartan 50 mg (n = 90) or amlodipine 5 mg (n = 91) for 12 months, with a doubling of the dose in patients who did not respond after 4 weeks. Blood pressure was measured in the clinic every month, while conventional echocardiography and acoustic densitometry (integrated backscatter analysis) were performed at the end of the placebo period and after 12 months of treatment.

Results  Both drugs reduced systolic/diastolic blood pressure to a comparable extent. Losartan significantly reduced left ventricular mass index (−19%, P < 0.001), interventricular septal thickness (−16.6%, P < 0.01) and left ventricular posterior wall thickness in diastole (−13.7%, P < 0.01). Amlodipine also decreased such measurements (−10%, P < 0.01 for left ventricular mass index, −9.3%, P < 0.05 for interventricular septal thickness in diastole and −10.1%, P < 0.05 for posterior wall thickness in diastole), but to a lesser extent than losartan. Both drugs significantly increased the ratio of peak filling velocity at early diastole to that at atrial contraction (E/A ratio) and decreased isovolumetric relaxation time: +13.7% and −8.5% with losartan,(both P < 0.01), and +7.9% and −4.9%, with amlopidine (both P < 0.05). Losartan, but not amlodipine, significantly reduced the relative integrated backscatter compared to baseline of the intraventricular septum (−10%, P < 0.01), and of the left ventricular posterior wall (−12%, P < 0.01), while increasing the cyclic variation of integrated backscatter of both the intraventricular septum (+35%, P < 0.001) and the left ventricular posterior wall (+32%, P < 0.001).

Conclusions  Losartan provided a greater attenuation of left ventricular hypertrophy than amlodipine, seemingly as a result of a greater reduction of myocardial fibrosis.
Efficacy and safety of linagliptin in persons with Type 2 diabetes inadequately controlled by a combination of metformin and sulphonylurea: a 24‐week randomized study1
Authors: Owens D. R. , Swallow R. , Dugi K. A. , Woerle H. J.
Published: July 2011

Diabet. Med. 28, 1352–1361 (2011)

Aims  To examine the efficacy and safety of the dipeptidyl peptidase‐4 inhibitor linagliptin in persons with Type 2 diabetes mellitus inadequately controlled [HbA1c 53–86 mmol/mol (7.0–10.0%)] by metformin and sulphonylurea combination treatment.

Methods  A multi‐centre, 24‐week, randomized, double‐blind, parallel‐group study in 1058 patients comparing linagliptin (5 mg once daily) and placebo when added to metformin plus sulphonylurea. The primary endpoint was the change in HbA1c after 24 weeks.

Results  At week 24, the linagliptin placebo‐corrected HbA1c adjusted mean change from baseline was −7 mmol/mol (−0.62%) [95% CI −8 to −6 mmol/mol (−0.73 to −0.50%); P < 0.0001]. More participants with baseline HbA1c≥ 53 mmol/mol (≥ 7.0%) achieved an HbA1c < 53 mmol/mol (< 7.0%) with linagliptin compared with placebo (29.2% vs. 8.1%, P < 0.0001). Fasting plasma glucose was reduced with linagliptin relative to placebo (−0.7 mmol/l, 95% CI −1.0 to −0.4; P < 0.0001). Improvements in homeostasis model assessment of β‐cell function were seen with linagliptin (P < 0.001). The proportion of patients who reported a severe adverse event was low in both groups (linagliptin 2.4%; placebo 1.5%). Symptomatic hypoglycaemia occurred in 16.7 and 10.3% of the linagliptin and placebo groups, respectively. Hypoglycaemia was generally mild or moderate; severe hypoglycaemia was reported in 2.7 and 4.8% of the participants experiencing hypoglycaemic episodes in the linagliptin and placebo groups, respectively. No significant weight changes were noted.

Conclusions  In patients with Type 2 diabetes, adding linagliptin to metformin given in combination with a sulphonylurea significantly improved glycaemic control and this was well tolerated. Linagliptin could provide a valuable treatment option for individuals with inadequate glycaemic control despite ongoing combination therapy with metformin and a sulphonylurea.
Are arterial and venous samples clinically equivalent for the estimation of pH, serum bicarbonate and potassium concentration in critically ill patients?
Authors: Herrington W. G. , Nye H. J. , Hammersley M. S. , Watkinson P. J.
Published: July 2011

Diabet. Med. 29, 32–35 (2012)

Aims  To assess the comparability of venous and arterial samples for pH, bicarbonate and potassium measurements in critically ill patients.

Methods  Simultaneous arterial and venous samples from 206 critically ill patients were analysed in duplicate. Coefficients of variation and 95% limits of agreement were calculated for arterial and venous samples. Bland‐Altman plots were constructed to assess agreement between sampling sites.

Results  The median (range) of arterial pH, bicarbonate concentrations, potassium concentrations and glucose concentrations were 7.40 (7.01–7.56), 25 (9–41) mmol/l, 4.2 (3.1–6.8) mmol/l and 7.4 (3.0–13.5) mmol/l, respectively. Coefficients of variation for arterial and venous pH were both 0.1%, with bias (95% limits of agreement) of –0.01 (–0.03 to 0.01) for arterial and −0.01 (−0.02 to 0.01) for venous samples. The bias (95% limits of agreement) between arterial and venous samples was 0.03 (−0.02 to 0.08). Coefficients of variation for arterial and venous bicarbonate results were 0.8 and 0.7%, respectively, with bias (95% limits of agreement) of 0 (−0.5 to 0.5) mmol/l for both sample types. The bias (95% limits of agreement) between venous and arterial samples was 0 (−1.3 to 1.3) mmol/l. Coefficients of variation for arterial and venous potassium samples were 0.8 and 1.1%, respectively, with bias (95% limits of agreement) of 0 (−0.1 to 0.1) for both sample types. The bias (95% limits of agreement) between venous and arterial samples was 0.1 (−0.4 to 0.6) mmol/l.

Conclusions  A venous blood sample, analysed on a blood gas machine, is sufficiently reliable to assess pH, bicarbonate and potassium concentrations in critically ill patients, suggesting that venous sampling alone is appropriate in the management of diabetic ketoacidosis.
Functional characterization of vesicular excitatory amino acid transport by human sialin
Authors: Miyaji Takaaki , Omote Hiroshi , Moriyama Yoshinori
Published: July 2011

J. Neurochem.(2011)119, 1–5.

Sialin, the protein coded by SLC17A5, is responsible for membrane potential (Δψ)‐driven aspartate and glutamate transport into synaptic vesicles in addition to H+/sialic acid co‐transport in lysosomes. Rodent sialin mutants harboring the mutations associated with Salla disease in humans did not transport aspartate and glutamate whereas H+/sialic acid co‐transport activity was about one‐third of the wild‐type protein. In this study, we investigate the effects of various mutations on the transport activities of human sialin. Proteoliposomes containing purified heterologously expressed human sialin exhibited both Δψ‐driven aspartate and glutamate transport activity and H+/sialic acid co‐transport activity. Aspartate and glutamate transport was not detected in the R39C and K136E mutant forms of SLC17A5 protein associated with Salla disease, whereas H+/sialic acid co‐transport activity corresponded to 30–50% of the recombinant wild‐type protein. In contrast, SLC17A5 protein harboring the mutations associated with infantile sialic acid storage disease, H183R and Δ268SSLRN272 still showed normal levels of Δψ‐driven aspartate and glutamate transport even though H+/sialic acid co‐transport activity was absent. Human sialin carrying the G328E mutation that causes both phenotypes, and P334R and G378V mutations that cause infantile sialic acid storage disease showed no transport activity. These results support the idea that people suffering from Salla disease have been defective in aspartergic and glutamatergic neurotransmissions.
A monoclonal antibody against synthetic Aβ dimer assemblies neutralizes brain‐derived synaptic plasticity‐disrupting Aβ
Authors: O’Nuallain Brian , Klyubin Igor , Mc Donald Jessica M. , Foster James S. , Welzel Alfred , Barry Andrew , Dykoski Richard K. , Cleary James P. , Gebbink Martijn F.B.G. , Rowan Michael J. , Walsh Dominic M.
Published: July 2011

J. Neurochem. (2011) 119, 189–201.

Diverse lines of evidence indicate that pre‐fibrillar, diffusible assemblies of the amyloid β‐protein (Aβ) play an important role in Alzheimer’s disease pathogenesis. Although the precise molecular identity of these soluble toxins remains unsettled, recent experiments suggest that sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS)‐stable Aβ dimers may be the basic building blocks of Alzheimer’s disease‐associated synaptotoxic assemblies and as such present an attractive target for therapeutic intervention. In the absence of sufficient amounts of highly pure cerebral Aβ dimers, we have used synthetic disulfide cross‐linked dimers (free of Aβ monomer or fibrils) to generate conformation‐specific monoclonal antibodies. These dimers aggregate to form kinetically trapped protofibrils, but do not readily form fibrils. We identified two antibodies, 3C6 and 4B5, which preferentially bind assemblies formed from covalent Aβ dimers, but do not bind to Aβ monomer, amyloid precursor protein, or aggregates formed by other amyloidogenic proteins. Monoclonal antibody 3C6, but not an IgM isotype‐matched control antibody, ameliorated the plasticity‐disrupting effects of Aβ extracted from the aqueous phase of Alzheimer’s disease brain, thus suggesting that 3C6 targets pathogenically relevant Aβ assemblies. These data prove the usefulness of covalent dimers and their assemblies as immunogens and recommend further investigation of the therapeutic and diagnostic utility of monoclonal antibodies raised to such assemblies.
The action of Semaphorin7A on thalamocortical axon branching
Authors: Fukunishi Akiko , Maruyama Takuro , Zhao Hong , Tiwari Manisha , Kang Sujin , Kumanogoh Atsushi , Yamamoto Nobuhiko
Published: July 2011

J. Neurochem. (2011) 118, 1008–1015.

Developing axons form extensive branches to make synaptic contacts with their target cells. Despite the important role of axon branching in neural circuit formation, its underlying molecular mechanism is still largely unknown. In this study, we investigated the involvement of Semaphorin7A (Sema7A) in thalamocortical (TC) axon branching. In situ hybridization demonstrated that sema7a was expressed specifically in layer 4, the TC recipient layer, when TC axons form extensive arbors. A similar protein expression pattern was observed by immunohistochemistry with an anti‐Sema7A antibody. The effect of Sema7A on axon branching was investigated in dissociated cell cultures from embryonic rat thalamus. TC axon branching increased dramatically on Sema7A‐coated dishes. We further studied the activity of Sema7A in vivo using loss‐ and gain‐of‐function analyses. The number of vesicular glutamate transporter 2‐positive puncta was markedly reduced in the Sema7A‐deficient cortex. In contrast, their number increased significantly when Sema7A was over‐expressed in layer 4 cells by in utero electroporation. Taken together, these findings suggest that Sema7A acts as a positive regulator for TC axon branching and/or pre‐synaptic puncta formation.
Δ9‐THC increases endogenous AHA1 expression in rat cerebellum and may modulate CB1 receptor function during chronic use
Authors: Filipeanu Catalin M. , Guidry Jesse J. , Leonard Stuart T. , Winsauer Peter J.
Published: July 2011

J. Neurochem. (2011) 118, 1101–1112.

To characterize the long‐term effects of adolescent marijuana abuse, we performed a proteomic analysis of cerebellar extracts from adult female rats with and without ovariectomy that were treated with Δ9‐THC for 40 days during adolescence. Six proteins were found to significantly differ among the four treatment groups, with Δ9‐THC and ovariectomy (OVX) decreasing the mitochondrial proteins, pyruvate carboxylase and NADH dehydrogenase, whereas the levels of putative cytosolic molecular chaperones NM23B, translationally controlled tumor protein, DJ‐1 and activator of heat‐shock 90kDa protein ATPase homolog 1 (AHA1) were increased. We further analyzed the effects of AHA1, a HSP90 co‐chaperone, on CB1R and CB2R trafficking and signaling in transfected HEK293T and Neuro‐2A cells. In HEK293T cells, AHA1 over‐expression enhanced plasma membrane levels of CB1R and increased CB1R‐mediated effects on cAMP levels and on MAPK phosphorylation. AHA1 over‐expression also enhanced cell surface levels of endogenous CB1R and the effects of Δ9‐THC on the cAMP levels in Neuro‐2A cells. In contrast, over‐expression of AHA1 did not affect the subcellular localization and signaling of CB2R. Our data indicate that chronic Δ9‐THC administration in adolescence altered the endogenous levels of specialized proteins in the cerebellum, such as AHA1, and that this protein can change CB1R cell surface levels and signaling.
Trace metal leaching in a spodosol irrigated with tomato packinghouse wastewater
Authors: Chahal M. K. , Toor G. S.
Published: July 2011

Tomato packinghouse wastewater is often applied to land in Florida, but the sandy soils, low levels of organic matter, shallow groundwater and abundant rainfall present favourable conditions for leaching of wastewater‐borne trace metals. We investigated the leaching of copper (Cu), iron (Fe), manganese (Mn) and zinc (Zn) from a sandy siliceous, hyperthermic Oxyaquic Alorthods packed in two distinct soil horizons (Ap and A/E) in 12 polyvinyl chloride soil columns (30 cm internal diameter × 50 cm length). Thirty leaching events were conducted by daily applying tomato packinghouse wastewater at low (0.84 cm/day), medium (1.68 cm/day) and high (2.51 cm/day) rates for 30‐days period. Control treatment received de‐ionized water at the same application rate as the medium treatment (1.68 cm/day). Application of wastewater at three rates did not affect the mean concentrations of Cu in leachate (0.19–0.2 mg/L) because of retention of Cu in the soil profile. However, leachate Zn concentrations were twice as much (0.3–0.32 mg/L) following wastewater application than for the control (0.13 mg/L) treatment. Leaching losses of Cu and Zn were smaller with the medium wastewater treatment (similar to control treatment) than for the high wastewater treatment. Concentrations of Cu and Zn at the 50 cm soil depth were much less than the drinking water standards, suggesting a minimum risk of groundwater contamination under fields to which wastewater was applied. Our results imply that tomato packinghouse wastewater can be safely land‐applied at 1.68 cm/day to Florida’s Spodosols under vegetable production without concerns of significant trace metal leaching.
A Novel Movement Disorder in Related Male Labrador Retrievers Characterized by Extreme Generalized Muscular Stiffness
Authors: Vanhaesebrouck A.E. , Shelton G.D. , Garosi L. , Harcourt‐Brown T.R. , Couturier J. , Behr S. , Harvey R.J. , Jeffery N.D. , Matiasek K. , Blakemore W.F. , Granger N.
Published: July 2011

Objectives: To describe the clinical phenotype of a new motor disorder in Labrador Retrievers.

Animals and Methods: Case series study. Seven young male Labrador Retrievers presented for evaluation of stiff gait.

Results: All affected dogs had generalized muscular stiffness, persistent at rest and resulting in restricted joint movements. They showed a forward flexed posture, festinating gait, and bradykinesia. Signs developed between 2 and 16 months of age and tended to stabilize in adulthood. Needle electromyogram in the conscious state showed continuous motor unit activity in resting epaxial and proximal limb muscles. This activity was abolished by general anesthesia. Muscle and nerve histopathology was normal. In 2 dogs necropsied, astrocytosis was evident throughout the spinal cord gray matter, reticular formation and caudate nuclei. Decreased neuronal counts were selectively found in the spinal cord Rexed's lamina VII, but not in VIII and IX. Pedigree analysis showed that the affected dogs were from 5 related litters.

Conclusions and Clinical Importance: This new hypertonicity syndrome in Labrador Retrievers is unique because of the selective distribution of the histological lesions, the lack of progression in adulthood, and its exclusive occurrence in male dogs. Pedigree analysis suggests an X‐linked hereditary disease, although other modes of inheritance cannot be ruled out with certainty. We hypothesize that altered output from basal nuclei and reticular formation together with motor neuron disinhibition caused by a decreased number of spinal cord interneurons leads to the muscular stiffness.
Distribution of Flunixin Meglumine and Firocoxib into Aqueous Humor of Horses
Authors: Hilton H.G. , Magdesian K.G. , Groth A.D. , Knych H. , Stanley S.D. , Hollingsworth S.R.
Published: July 2011

Background: Nonsteroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are commonly used systemically for the treatment of inflammatory ocular disease in horses. However, little information exists regarding the ocular penetration of this class of drugs in the horse.

Objective: To determine the distribution of orally administered flunixin meglumine and firocoxib into the aqueous humor of horses.

Animals: Fifteen healthy adult horses with no evidence of ophthalmic disease.

Methods: Horses were randomly assigned to a control group and 2 treatment groups of equal sizes (n = 5). Horses assigned to the treatment groups received an NSAID (flunixin meglumine, 1.1 mg/kg PO q24h or firocoxib, 0.1 mg/kg PO q24h for 7 days). Horses in the control group received no medications. Concentrations of flunixin meglumine and firocoxib in serum and aqueous humor and prostaglandin (PG) E2 in aqueous humor were determined on days 1, 3, and 5 and aqueous : serum ratios were calculated.

Results: Firocoxib penetrated the aqueous humor to a significantly greater extent than did flunixin meglumine at days 3 and 5. Aqueous : serum ratios were 3.59 ± 3.32 and 11.99 ± 4.62% for flunixin meglumine and firocoxib, respectively. Ocular PGE2 concentrations showed no differences at any time point among study groups.

Conclusions and Clinical Importance: Both flunixin meglumine and firocoxib penetrated into the aqueous humor of horses. This study suggests that orally administered firocoxib penetrates the aqueous humor better than orally administered flunixin meglumine at label dosages in the absence of ocular inflammation. Firocoxib should be considered for the treatment of inflammatory ophthalmic lesions in horses at risk for the development of adverse effects associated with nonselective NSAID administration.
Descente fidèlement plate pour les n-champs d’Artin
Authors: Toën Bertrand
Published: July 2011

We prove two flat descent results in the setting of Artin n-stacks. First of all, a stack for the etale topology which is an Artin n-stack (in the sense of Simpson and Toën–Vezzosi) is also a stack for the flat (fppf) topology. Moreover, an n-stack, for the fppf topology, which admits a flat (fppf) n-atlas is an Artin n-stack (i.e. possesses a smooth n-atlas). We deduce from these two results a comparison between etale and fppf cohomologies (with coefficients in non-smooth group schemes and also non-abelian). This work is written in the setting of the derived stacks of Toën and Vezzosi, and all of these results are therefore also valid for derived Artin n-stacks.
Computation of the Unsteady Transonic Flow in Harmonically Oscillating Turbine Cascades Taking Into Account Viscous Effects
Authors: Gru¨ber B. , Carstens V.
Published: July 2011

This paper presents the numerical results of a code for computing the unsteady transonic viscous flow in a two-dimensional cascade of harmonically oscillating blades. The flow field is calculated by a Navier–Stokes code, the basic features of which are the use of an upwind flux vector splitting scheme for the convective terms (Advection Upstream Splitting Method), an implicit time integration, and the implementation of a mixing length turbulence model. For the present investigations, two experimentally investigated test cases have been selected, in which the blades had performed tuned harmonic bending vibrations. The results obtained by the Navier–Stokes code are compared with experimental data, as well as with the results of an Euler method. The first test case, which is a steam turbine cascade with entirely subsonic flow at nominal operating conditions, is the fourth standard configuration of the “Workshop on Aeroelasticity in Turbomachines.” Here the application of an Euler method already leads to acceptable results for unsteady pressure and damping coefficients and hence this cascade is very appropriate for a first validation of any Navier–Stokes code. The second test case is a highly loaded gas turbine cascade operating in transonic flow at design and off-design conditions. This case is characterized by a normal shock appearing on the rear part of the blades’s suction surface, and is very sensitive to small changes in flow conditions. When comparing experimental and Euler results, differences are observed in the steady and unsteady pressure coefficients. The computation of this test case with the Navier–Stokes method improves to some extent the agreement between the experiment and numerical simulation.