bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
STRATEGIC MARKET PLANNING: THE JAPANESE APPROACH
Authors: Keegan Warren J.
Published: November 2014

The decisive Japanese victories in competitive confrontations with U.S. and European companies in a broad range of basic industries and in certain high technology industries like integrated circuits, has attracted the attention of the world. In exploring Japanese business practices, much attention has been focused on government/business cooperation, research and development, rates of savings, quality circles, productivity, and financial strategies. To date, little attention has been given to the role of marketing in the Japanese success. One of the most significant developments in marketing during the past decade has been the growing importance of Strategic Market Planning. This article focuses on the Japanese approach to Strategic Market Planning and its role in the competitive performance of Japanese companies. Part one outlines the basic principles of Strategic Market Planning. Part two describes Japanese strategic market planning practices. Part three is an evaluation of the implications of Japanese practice for Western marketers, and especially for U.S. companies.
UNDERSTANDING FOREIGN TRADE ZONES
Authors: Robles Fernando , Hozier George C.
Published: November 2014

This article reviews the emerging use of foreign trade zones in the United States and presents a competitive analysis framework to segment markets, determine levels of marketing effort, and develop differential marketing strategies for zone services. Using a two‐dimensional model of potential use and competitive position, the proposed framework permits foreign trade zone services and market segments to be analysed in a single model where differential marketing strategies can be readily identified. The case of a recently formed trade zone is used to illustrate the application of the proposed framework.
RETHINKING THE SOCIOLOGY OF CULTURE
Authors: Stanfield John H.
Published: November 2014

During the 1995 annual meeting of the American Sociological Association, I presided over a panel discussion on new perspectives in the sociology of culture. Most of the papers are being published in this volume. The contributions by Annie Ruth Leslie and myself are additional papers.
GOLDMAN SACHS INTERNATIONAL LIMITED V PHILIP LYONS
Authors: STUART‐SMITH HOBHOUSE , LJJ PILL
Published: November 2014

On 6th February, 1987, Goldman Sachs (the plaintiffs in the action from which this appeal arose and the respondents to the appeal hereinafter referred to as the Plaintiffs) purchased US$10m face value worth of Exxon bonds for which they paid US$2.26m. They sold them on and a month later it transpired that the bonds were forgeries. The London brokers from whom the Plaintiffs bought the bonds revealed, following police enquiries, that they acted on the instructions of a Mr Philip Lyons (the Defendant). Mr Lyons was a Chartered Accountant, and had delivered the bonds to the clearing house when the sale was concluded and he also controlled the Liechtenstein Anstalt (a form of nominee trust) to which the purchase price had been paid. In April 1987 Mr Lyons was arrested and charged with forgery and deception.
SUBJECT CATALOGUING IN GERMAN LIBRARIES
Authors: GARSIDE KENNETH
Published: November 2014

Probably no aspect of librarianship presents such variations of practice in individual libraries as does the provision of subject catalogues. The author catalogue, which tells the user whether a given work of which he knows the author and title is in the library, must necessarily take a similar form everywhere, and such variations as do exist in the treatment of certain types of heading—that of academies is a case in point—are quickly assimilated by the reader as he moves from library to library. The same cannot be said of the catalogue which tells the user what works are to be found in the library on a given topic. In the Anglo‐Saxon countries subject catalogues may be arranged, if indeed they exist at all, according to a variety of systems, and even where one of the accepted classification schemes or lists of subject headings is used the local modifications are often legion. Many university and research libraries find that no existing scheme offers an arrangement of the whole field of knowledge which reflects the approach to which their readers are accustomed; and certainly no ready‐made scheme is entirely suitable for a university library in the United Kingdom, although many libraries do attempt to provide a useful arrangement both of the books on the shelves and of the entries in the subject catalogue by adapting Dewey, the Brussels decimal classification, or the Library of Congress classification. Bliss, when his full scheme has been published, will probably be found to provide the arrangement most suitable for use in academic libraries, but even his admirable classification fails to provide a scheme which can be identified at all points with the approach which is required in a library which serves first and foremost the teaching of a university.
COMMENTS ON ‘PERIODICAL LITERATURE FOR ELECTRICAL ENGINEERS’
Authors: CROWTHER B.M.
Published: November 2014

In a recent article with the above title R. C. Coile publishes a list of electrical engineering periodicals arranged in the order of the frequency with which references were made to them in the articles contained in six ‘key’ journals in 1949. It is then stated: ‘This method of ranking periodical journals may be considered to provide an approximate index of usefulness of the periodicals to engineers and librarians.’ There is no doubt that the list is of considerable interest, and probably represents no less than is claimed for it as an approximation to a rather uncertain truth; but a warning is necessary against according such a list a greater degree of authority than it deserves. Its character is determined by the choice of the six ‘key’ journals, which was made on the basis of a ‘preliminary pilot survey’, of which no details are given; the list might well have been different had other ‘key’ journals been chosen.
THE USE OF NOTCHES IN CARDS AS A MEANS OF SIGNALLING INFORMATION
Authors: CAMPBELL D.J.
Published: November 2014

It has often seemed to the writer that more use might be made of the upper edges of catalogue cards for signalling information about the works covered. Together these edges form a nearly plane surface, yet this is unused. Coloured signals have been used, it is true, but they interlock, slip, and pad out the card record; the last fault alone debars them from use in a file of any size.
POST‐WAR DEVELOPMENTS IN PERIODICALS OF LIBRARIANSHIP AND DOCUMENTATION
Authors: STOKES ROY
Published: November 2014

A glance at any of the bibliographies of periodicals is a humbling occupation. The number of periodicals, already bewildering in its magnitude, seems to grow with each passing year and the world of librarianship and documentation seems to have taken its fair share in this proliferation. The most cheering aspect of it all is that the periodicals which have come into existence since 1945 have been recognized as some of the most important within the field and go some way towards raising the rather low standard of our professional literature.
THE LIBRARY OF UNIVERSITY COLLEGE, DUNDEE: ITS HISTORY, 1883–1953
Authors: DOUGHTY D.W.
Published: November 2014

When, through the munificence of Miss Mary Anne Baxter of Balgavies, a college for the study of science, literature, and the fine arts was established in the jute‐manufacturing city of Dundee in 1883, the need to establish a library was not given any great priority. During the first fifteen years of University College's history the library was mainly a group of departmental collections of books and periodicals, and it grew by the accretion of small gifts and as the product of limited funds. The College Principal resorted to the expedient of encouraging would‐be Governors of the College (who became such by virtue of an annual subscription of £5) to direct that their subscription be applied to library extension. His appeals for ‘some munificent gift from a local source’ went largely unheeded until, in the session 1890–1, the Dundee Town Council made a grant of £500 to develop a library in Anatomy and Physiology. Local interest in establishing a Medical School was strong, and a private subscription library, the Dundee Medical Library, was deposited in Anatomy Department and later absorbed into the stock of the college library.
THE BASIC PRINCIPLES OF THE NEW LIBRARY CLASSIFICATION AT UNIVERSITY COLLEGE, LONDON
Authors: GARSIDE KENNETH
Published: November 2014

It is characteristic of the modern English universities that a close relationship exists between the library and the teaching departments. The fact that the library forms an integral part of the academic community, in daily, even hourly, touch with the teaching staff, has a profound bearing on every aspect of library policy. The academic staff take an active interest in the library, particularly in those parts of the library serving the teaching and research carried on in their own departments, and it is indeed not unusual for a professor to show as great a concern for the actual arrangement of the books on the shelves as for the addition of the right books and periodicals to the book stock.
QUARTERLY DOCUMENTATION SURVEY
Authors: BIRD J.
Published: November 2014

King, A. General Policy of E.P.A. O.E.E.C. European Productivity Agency. Report on the second meeting of technical information officers, 1955, pp. 59–65. [The information activities of the E.P.A. fall into two categories: the exchange of information and the promotion of new developments through personal contacts. An example of the latter is the study being made of all aspects of automation. It is not enough to exchange technical information between scientists, it must be taken to non‐technical persons, and the small firms must be encouraged to make use of it. In addition there is need of more study of the non‐technical aspects of productivity: production engineering, work study, and the economic, social, and psychological implications. These are best tackled by teams of experts drawn from different disciplines.]
COPYRIGHT AND LIBRARIES IN THE UNITED KINGDOM
Authors: WOLEDGE G.
Published: November 2014

Recent changes in the British law of copyright make it opportune to survey the principal ways in which it now affects libraries, and this is done in the present paper, which also gives a short account of the way the changes have come about, and discusses the alternatives offered to libraries in some cases by the ‘fair dealing’ exceptions and the special library exceptions.
MINIMUM COST DOCUMENT REPRODUCTION IN LARGE LENDING LIBRARIES
Authors: HILL E.G.
Published: November 2014

During this century the library's need for low unit cost single‐copy reproduction has been growing more acute. That a scientific library tends to double in size every sixteen years is undoubtedly an overworked and misleading statement. That it probably describes the retrospective position with some accuracy need not be disputed. But what of the future? If the anticipated rapid industrialization of the eastern quarter of the world takes place, libraries may soon have to think in terms of doubling themselves every ten years or even more frequently. Many of the smaller libraries may well find this impossible. They will be forced towards greater and greater specialization, and consequently will tend to hold a smaller and smaller proportion of the world's scientific literature in their fields. As a direct result of this their loan demands on other libraries, and particularly on national libraries, will tend to increase. Traditionally, interlibrary lending has involved the transference of valuable and often weighty original material between libraries. Such a time‐honoured procedure certainly works, but it is an expensive business.
MAKING AN INDEX TO A GOVERNMENT REPORT
Authors: LEWIS P.R.
Published: November 2014

Most librarians and information officers spend some part of their time using the indexes in books; only a few have direct experience of the making of such indexes, closely related though the process is to the more familiar cataloguing and indexing of books and periodical articles which occur in most libraries. One novelty about the Index to the Report and to the Minutes of Evidence of the Company Law Committee (HM Stationery Office, 1962) is that it was produced by professional librarians in their normal course of duties, being one of the major products of the library staff now carrying out the Board of Trade Library's responsibility for providing indexes for certain of the Board's publications. However, the fact that it was the librarians who made this index is not enough in itself to make it interesting. The aim of this article is rather to describe the problems which arise, and some methods of dealing with them, in indexing a type of literature which is of particular importance in information work in the social sciences—the government report. So far as I know, there is no existing literature on this aspect of official publications: no literature, that is, which deals with the problems either of the specialized but non‐technological subject matter and language which characterize most fields of the social sciences, or of the complexity of arrangement, physical form, and programmes of publication which characterize major government inquiries in published form. The Company Law Committee's work was an outstanding example of its kind, and it is this which may lend interest to an account of its indexing.
RAPID READING
Authors: POULTON E.C.
Published: November 2014

On a training course adults can achieve spectacular increases in their speed of reading without loss of comprehension. For initially fast readers this must mean learning to select the appropriate information to store, because the rate of storage while reading appears to have a fixed upper limit. The Harvard course as modified for use in this country can apparently teach this skill; but the extent to which the new skill can be used during working hours is not yet known. The main techniques of reading and their acquisition are also briefly discussed.
THE USE OF THE XEROX 914 FOR THE REPRODUCTION OF SHEAF CATALOGUE ENTRIES
Authors: GUILDING N.W.
Published: November 2014

Durham University Library is divided into three parts, with separate Science and Oriental sections across the river from the main library on Palace Green. Each has its own catalogue, which in the case of the main library consists of an author catalogue on sheaf slips, for which entries are also supplied by the two sectional libraries, and a classified catalogue 011 cards; both of these were formerly typed from the cataloguers' manuscript slips, which are subsequently used as a shelf list. The catalogue entries of the Science section were produced in the same way, but its author catalogue was on cards.
Strategies at Exxon
Authors: Garvin Clifton C.
Published: November 2014

Exxon's higher earnings in 1983 came despite the continuation of a three‐year decline in oil demand. Now, however, a turnaround in oil demand appears to have taken place. In the first quarter of this year, the quantity of Exxon's product sales increased 4 percent in the United States and 6 percent abroad. While volume growth at these rates is more than can reasonably be expected for the full year, given the continuing incentives for energy conservation, it is a welcome indication of the strength of the economic recovery that is spreading around the world. More significant than increased demand, however, are the steps Exxon has taken to improve company operations and to increase its resource base.
SHAREHOLDERS: THE FORGOTTEN PEOPLE
Authors: Boone Pickens T.
Published: November 2014

Shareholders are the entire reason for a company's existence. But more often than not, they are the forgotten people in Corporate America.
Executive Development as a Business Strategy
Authors: McCall Morgan W.
Published: November 2014

The author argues that companies should take an energetic role in sponsoring activities to develop executive leadership; such a program will develop leadership abilities at the broadest level.
SHORT TAKES
Authors: Voss Bristol , B.V.
Published: November 2014

When strategic planners at 3M‐Canada get together for a planning session, a staff artist joins them. When executives at Northern Telecom sit down to a strategic session, the note‐takers are busy doodling.
SHORTTAKES
Authors: Voss Bristol , Unrnh Christine , Littlefield Yeun , Pupkin Barry A. , B.V.
Published: November 2014

Federal judges can execute at will—execute U.S. corporations, that is. Buried in the 1991 sentencing‐guidelines is a clause that gives courts the power to put any business out of business—permanently.
THE SOFTWARE TO SECURE YOUR STRATEGIC ADVANTAGE
Authors: Baker Sunny J.
Published: November 2014

Strategic planning is as important as ever, and now it must be done faster than ever before. There are software programs that can help.
A Value‐Added Framework for Analyzing Electronic and Print Publishing
Authors: Perritt Henry H.
Published: November 2014

Digital electronic network and optical storage technologies are revolutionizing publishing. The new technology enables a disaggregation of value and an associated dis‐integration of production. The dimensions of new information technologies can be explored more carefully by thinking about ten discrete characteristics or attributes of information products, or “types of value.” A modern print publisher is a broker or assembler of all the types of value. Mechanical print formats will continue to offer better utility to consumers than digital electronic formats as long as they have more of these types of value than digital electronic formats. Lightweight “notebook” portable microcomputers, having most of the power of desktop computers, and pen‐operating systems at least partially satisfy the first need, the need for book‐size flat panel displays. Three inter‐related software requirements remain to be satisfied: improved browsability, zooming capability, and improved annotation capability. Network and CD‐ROM technologies make it possible for a larger number of competing suppliers of specific types of added value to offer diverse products, with some of the features likely to cause consumers to shift their preferences from paper to electronic formats.
Guiding Principles for the Development of Competency‐Based Business Curricula
Authors: Sims Ronald R. , Sauser William I.
Published: November 2014

Both environment and learning process must be planned to maximise their special contributions to managerial competence. Kolb's Experiential Learning Model provides a framework for matching each managerial competence with the training most likely to instil it. Optimally, student and teacher will join in collaborative ventures, seeking and creating a wide variety of competency‐based learning experiences.
Exotic invasive plants alter thermal regimes: implications for management using a case study of a native ectotherm
Authors: Carter Evin T. , Eads Bryan C. , Ravesi Michael J. , Kingsbury Bruce A.
Published: November 2014

Exotic invasive plants can alter ecosystem structure and function, yet there is a paucity of evidence regarding broadly applicable mechanisms. We hypothesized that denser growth patterns characteristic of exotic invasive plants lead to a common effect of reduction and homogenization of environmental temperatures and that these alterations compromise thermal quality of habitat for ectotherms.

We quantified thermal regimes within native and exotic plant‐dominated habitats, including monocultures of 11 exotic species as well as stratified mixed‐exotic habitats in a temperate forest landscape in the eastern US.

Exotic plant‐dominated habitats exhibited reduced and less variable temperature compared to their native counterparts, with stratified mixed‐exotic habitats exhibiting the lowest temperatures overall and exotic shrubs (six species) the lowest as a structural group. Thermal effects were extended beyond the growing season of native vegetation owing to extended leaf phenology of exotic woody species.

To demonstrate that these effects can alter environmental cues and adversely impact native species, we used a 4‐year radiotelemetry study and laboratory thermal preference trials to relate habitat thermal quality to multiscale resource selection by a native snake, Agkistrodon contortrix. To further test the effect of vegetation structure and the efficacy of targeted management, we removed exotic foliar cover from eight 400 m2 plots.

Radio‐tagged snakes avoided exotic vegetation at multiple spatial scales. In contrast to previous studies of A. contortrix, snakes exhibited preference for sites composed of higher native vegetation density and height. Response to exotic foliage removal was also rapid – including use of sites during gestation and parturition.

Together with other recent studies, our results suggest a direct, non‐trophic effect that is common to a broad range of exotic invasive plant species in a variety of ecological contexts. We further offer a mitigation technique that may be implemented when large‐scale control or eradication is not cost‐effective or ecologically sound.
Comparison of P‐wave attenuation models of wave‐induced flow
Authors: Sun Weitao , Ba Jing , Müller Tobias M. , Carcione José M. , Cao Hong
Published: November 2014

Wave‐induced oscillatory fluid flow in the vicinity of inclusions embedded in porous rocks is one of the main causes for P‐wave dispersion and attenuation at seismic frequencies. Hence, the P‐wave velocity depends on wave frequency, porosity, saturation, and other rock parameters. Several analytical models quantify this wave‐induced flow attenuation and result in characteristic velocity–saturation relations. Here, we compare some of these models by analyzing their low‐ and high‐frequency asymptotic behaviours and by applying them to measured velocity–saturation relations. Specifically, the Biot–Rayleigh model considering spherical inclusions embedded in an isotropic rock matrix is compared with White's and Johnson's models of patchy saturation. The modeling of laboratory data for tight sandstone and limestone indicates that, by selecting appropriate inclusion size, the Biot‐Rayleigh predictions are close to the measured values, particularly for intermediate and high water saturations.
Sex‐related dietary changes of Portuguese university students after migration to London, UK
Authors: Santos Susana , Vilela Sofia , Padrão Patrícia , Caraher Martin
Published: November 2014

Aim

To assess the changes in eating habits and food choice motives of Portuguese university students after migration to London, according to sex.

Methods

Fifty‐five Portuguese university students (52.7% female) from 12 randomly selected London universities underwent a face‐to‐face interview. Trained interviewers administered a structured questionnaire comprising questions on socio‐demographic characteristics, the frequency of consumption of selected food and beverage items, and the motives underlying food choices regarding Portugal and London practices.

Results

Some dietary changes occurred in both male and female Portuguese students such as a decrease in the intake of red meat, fish, pastries and vegetable soup, and an increase in the intake of hamburger and tea with milk. Men also reported a decrease in the intake of cheese, dairy desserts, eggs, smoked sausages, ham, sweet spreads, potatoes, rice and fresh fruit, and an increase in the intake of bacon. For women, the consumption frequency of chips and chocolate increased and of vegetables decreased. Regarding food choice, the motives related to food purchasing and preparation became more important after migration to London for both sexes. The importance of nutritional information for women and weight control for men also increased after migration.

Conclusions

A shift from a Mediterranean diet towards a more Western diet was observed after migration. Men were more likely to change their dietary habits whereas women were more likely to maintain. Food choice in London was greatly influenced by food purchasing and preparation.
Neuronal protein with tau‐like repeats (PTL‐1) regulates intestinal SKN‐1 nuclear accumulation in response to oxidative stress
Authors: Chew Yee Lian , Götz Jürgen , Nicholas Hannah R.
Published: November 2014

Oxidative stress is a central pathomechanism in Alzheimer's disease (AD) and other diseases with tau pathology. The Nrf2 transcription factor induces detoxification enzymes and improves tau pathology and cognition. Its homologue in C. elegans is SKN‐1. We previously showed that the worm tau homologue, PTL‐1, regulates neuronal aging and lifespan. Here, we tested PTL‐1's involvement in the stress response. ptl‐1 mutant animals are hypersensitive to oxidative stress and are defective in stress‐mediated nuclear accumulation of SKN‐1. This defect can be rescued by PTL‐1 re‐expression under the control of the ptl‐1 promoter. Given the close relationship between aging and stress tolerance, we tested lifespan and found that PTL‐1 and SKN‐1 regulate longevity via similar processes. Our data also suggest that PTL‐1 functions via neurons to modulate SKN‐1, clarifying the role of this protein in the stress response and longevity.
Non‐anaplastic peripheral T‐cell lymphoma in children and adolescents – a retrospective analysis of the NHL‐BFM study group
Authors: Kontny Udo , Oschlies Ilske , Woessmann Willi , Burkhardt Birgit , Lisfeld Jasmin , Salzburg Janina , Janda Ales , Attarbaschi Andishe , Niggli Felix , Zimmermann Martin , Reiter Alfred , Klapper Wolfram
Published: November 2014

Mature (peripheral) T‐cell lymphoma (PTCL) other than anaplastic large cell lymphoma is a heterogeneous group of diseases and exceedingly rare in children and adolescents. Survival rates range between 46% and 85%. This study reports the disease characteristics, treatment and outcome of all patients with the diagnosis of mature TCL registered in the Berlin‐Frankfurt‐Munster non‐Hodgkin lymphoma database between 1986 and 2012. All diagnoses were centrally reviewed and revised by clinico‐pathological correlation according to the criteria of the current World Health Organization classification. Of the 69 patients originally registered as having PTCL, the diagnosis was confirmed in 38 of them. Most patients were treated with an anaplastic large cell lymphoma (ALCL)‐like therapy regimen. Patients with PTCL‐not otherwise specified comprised the largest group and showed a 5‐year event‐free survival rate of 61 ± 11%. Patients suffering from Natural Killer/T‐cell‐ and hepatosplenic TCL had the poorest outcome. Our results suggest that the outcomes of children with mature TCL other than ALCL depend on the subtype and are worse than in all other paediatric lymphomas. The clinical experience presented in this largest study on paediatric mature TCL may serve as basis for future collaborative international prospective clinical trials.
Native European eels as a potential biological control for invasive crayfish
Authors: Musseau Camille , Boulenger Clarisse , Crivelli Alain J , Lebel Isabelle , Pascal Marine , Boulêtreau Stéphanie , Santoul Frédéric
Published: November 2014

Invasive species may have strong negative impacts on ecosystems. Invasive crayfish are well known to cause ecological imbalances in freshwater systems and have become targets in eradication programmes.

The red swamp crayfish (Procambarus clarkii) is vulnerable to predation by several fish species. The European eel (Anguilla anguilla) appears to be a very good candidate given its benthic feeding activity and ability to recognise prey by odour.

Our study took place from 2009 to 2013 in a closed system in south‐eastern France in which ponds were sampled twice a year by passive capture methods to evaluate trends in populations of potential prey. Eel population dynamics were assessed by means of a multistate capture–recapture model, and diet assessment was performed using stable isotope analysis in October 2010 and October 2012.

Our results show that the invasive crayfish was the most important prey in the eel diet, and every size‐class of crayfish was preyed upon by the predator.

A high predator density, approaching carrying capacity for the European eel in this system, strongly affects P. clarkii populations, leading them to their collapse, but not eradication.
Shaping ability of single‐file reciprocating and heat‐treated multifile rotary systems: a micro‐CT study
Authors: Marceliano‐Alves M. F. V. , Sousa‐Neto M. D. , Fidel S. R. , Steier L. , Robinson J. P. , Pécora J. D. , Versiani M. A.
Published: November 2014

Aim

To investigate changes in three‐dimensional geometry, in various cross‐sectional morphological parameters and in the centring ability of root canals prepared with different preparation systems using microcomputed tomographic imaging technology.

Methodology

Sixty‐four mesial canals of mandibular molars were matched based on similar morphological dimensions using micro‐CT evaluation and assigned to four experimental groups (n = 16), according to the canal preparation technique: Reciproc, WaveOne, Twisted File and HyFlex CM systems. Changes in several 2D (area, perimeter, form factor, roundness, minor and major diameter) and 3D [volume, surface area, structure model index (SMI)] morphological parameters, as well as canal transportation, were compared with preoperative values using Kruskal–Wallis and anovapost hoc Tukey's tests with the significance level set at 5%.

Results

Preparation significantly increased all tested parameters in the experimental groups. No significant differences were observed between groups regarding changes in volume, surface area, SMI, form factor and roundness of the root canal after preparation (P > 0.05). In the apical third, the Reciproc group had significantly greater changes in canal area, perimeter, major and minor diameters than the other groups (P < 0.05). Overall, the Twisted File and HyFlex CM systems were associated with significantly less transportation than the reciprocating instruments, Reciproc and WaveOne (P < 0.05).

Conclusions

Shaping procedures led to the enlargement of the root canal space with no evidence of significant preparation errors. Changes in 3D parameters were not different between groups whilst, in the apical third, Reciproc was associated with significantly greater changes in several 2D parameters compared to the other groups. Twisted File and HyFlex CM systems were able to maintain the original canal anatomy with less canal transportation than Reciproc and WaveOne; however, these differences are unlikely to be of clinical significance.
Gene expression profiling and association of circulating lactoferrin level with obesity‐related phenotypes in Latino youth
Authors: Kim J. Y. , Campbell L. E. , Shaibi G. Q. , Coletta D. K.
Published: November 2014

Background/Objectives

Low‐grade inflammation is an underlying feature of obesity and identifying inflammatory markers is crucial to understanding this disease. Therefore, the purpose of this study was twofold: (i) to perform a global microarray analysis and (ii) to investigate the role of lactoferrin (LTF), one of the most altered genes, in relation to obesity in Latino youth.

Methods

Non‐diabetic Latino youth (71 males/92 females; 15.6 ± 3.2 years) were studied. A subset of 39 participants was randomly selected for global microarray analysis profiling from the whole blood sample. Serum LTF was compared between lean (n = 78) and overweight/obese (n = 85) participants.

Results

Microarray analysis revealed that a total of 1870 probes were altered in expression ≥1.2‐fold and P < 0.05 in overweight/obese participants compared with lean. KEGG (Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes) analysis revealed significant enrichment for pathways including toll‐like receptor (TLR) and B cell receptor signalling pathways. LTF and TLR5 were increased in expression by 2.2 and 1.5 fold, respectively, in the overweight/obese participants. Increased LTF concentrations were significantly associated with high risk of obesity‐related phenotypes (all P < 0.05).

Conclusions

Our data suggest that increased LTF is associated with obesity risk among Latino youth. This finding is discordant to what has been shown in adults and suggests that age may modulate the association between LTF and obesity‐related health.
Ready, set, go! Motivation and lifestyle habits in parents of children referred for obesity management
Authors: Maximova K. , Ambler K. A. , Rudko J. N. , Chui N. , Ball G. D. C.
Published: November 2014

Background

Parents play a fundamental role in helping children with obesity to make and maintain healthy lifestyle changes.

Objective

This study aimed to characterize stages of engagement to change nutrition and physical activity habits among parents whose children with obesity were enrolled in obesity management and examine differences in parents’ own nutrition and physical activity habits according to their stage of engagement.

Methods

Medical records of 113 children (body mass index [BMI] ≥95th percentile) enrolled in an outpatient weight management clinic were reviewed for baseline (cross‐sectional) data. Parents completed the Weight Loss Behavior–Stage of Change Scale to assess the degree of engagement in making healthy changes to their lifestyle behaviours. Latent class analysis was used to classify parents into distinct clusters by grouping individuals with similar ratings of stages of engagement regarding nutrition‐ and physical activity‐related behaviours.

Results

Parents’ engagement in healthy lifestyle behaviours varied (more engaged [n = 43]; less engaged [n = 70]). A greater proportion of parents in the more engaged group was in action and/or maintenance stages of changing their lifestyle habits. The more engaged group was less overweight than the less engaged group (BMI = 28.5 vs. 33.3 kg m−2; P < 0.05). Further, the more engaged group consumed fewer total calories, calories from fat, trans fat and carbohydrates vs. their less engaged peers (P < 0.05). Compared with the less engaged group, the more engaged group consumed more daily servings of vegetables and fruits (4.9 vs. 3.9, P < 0.05) and accumulated more steps per day (9130 vs. 7225; P < 0.05). The more engaged group was also more likely to meet daily recommendations for vegetable and fruit intake (48.8 vs. 24.3%; P < 0.05) and physical activity (42.9 vs. 22.9%, P < 0.05).

Conclusions

Parents of children with obesity varied in their degree of engagement in making healthy changes to their lifestyle behaviours, and those categorized as more engaged already demonstrated positive lifestyle behaviours. Information regarding parents’ degree of engagement in healthy behaviours can inform clinical recommendations, especially when parents represent the primary agents of change in families trying to manage paediatric obesity.
The impact of child benefits on single mother poverty: Exploring the role of targeting in 15 European countries
Authors: Van Lancker Wim , Ghysels Joris , Cantillon Bea
Published: November 2014

Single mothers are vulnerable to living in poverty. The question of how to safeguard the economic status of single mothers in a context of increasing dual earnership is a crucial one. In the present study we addressed this issue by investigating the impact of child benefits on the poverty risk of single mothers in 15 European countries. We focused in particular on the design of child benefits and investigated whether targeting towards single mothers was associated with better poverty reduction. In doing so, we combined information on statutory child benefit entitlement with an empirical analysis of poverty reduction using survey data. We found that: (i) both spending effort and targeting are important to explain the effectiveness of child benefits in reducing single mother poverty; (ii) targeting is related to higher levels of poverty reduction independent of spending effort; yet (iii) it matters how targeting is done.
Contribution of foregut endoderm to tooth initiation of mandibular incisor in rat embryos
Authors: Imai Hajime , Osumi Noriko , Eto Kazuhiro
Published: November 2014

Classical transplantation experiments with various amphibian tissues have shown that tooth development requires not only oral ectoderm and neural crest but also foregut endoderm. In addition, histological observation of oral membrane showed that the tooth germs are initiated in some ectodermal cells and neural crest cells adjacent to foregut endoderm. These studies suggest that tooth initiation requires the presence and cooperation of these three components. In mammals, however, there is no direct evidence that tooth formation is involved in the region of oral ectoderm adjacent to foregut endoderm. In order to elucidate the contribution of foregut endoderm to tooth formation, we established a new type of endodermal cell tracing system with a recombinant adenovirus called Adex‐lacZ, and performed endodermal cell tracing in a long‐term culture system. Cells labelled with Adex‐lacZ were seen next to non‐labelled thickening epithelium, presumptive incisor epithelium. These findings show the first direct evidence in mammals that tooth formation takes place in the specified part of oral ectoderm adjacent to foregut endoderm, suggesting that foregut endoderm plays a role in tooth initiation.
Enamel epithelium expresses bone sialoprotein (BSP)
Authors: Chen Jinkun , Sasaguri Kenichi , Sodek Jaro , Aufdemorte Thomas B. , Jiang Heping , Thomas Huw F.
Published: November 2014

Bone sialoprotein (BSP) is a major non‐collagenous extracellular matrix protein in bone and other mineralized connective tissues. BSP is synthesized and secreted by bone‐, dentin‐ and cementum‐forming cells. In this study we hypothesized that BSP may be also involved in enamel formation through its postulated role in matrix mineralization. In situ hybridization with cRNA probes for rat and hamster BSP, respectively, showed strong mRNA signals in ameloblasts actively synthesizing enamel matrix in developing incisors. However, no hybridization signals were observed at an earlier developmental stage when bell‐shaped molar tooth germs were being formed.

Immunohistochemical analysis of tooth tissues from transgenic mice harboring a 2.7 kb rat BSP promoter ligated to a luciferase reporter gene revealed strong staining for luciferase in the enamel epithelium of the developing tooth germ. Interestingly, BSP expression was also observed in epithelial cells of an ameloblastoma. The neoplastic epithelial nests and cords demonstrated strong mRNA signals to the human BSP probe while the connective tissue stroma showed only a background level of silver grains. Immunostaining also showed deposition of BSP by the odontogenic cells of the tumor. These results demonstrate that BSP is expressed by the enamel‐forming epithelium of developing teeth, suggesting a possible role for BSP in enamel formation and its subsequent mineralization. Expression of the BSP gene in ameloblastomas is consistent with the expression of BSP by the enamel epithelium and also with the expression of BSP by neoplastic tissues, suggesting a possible role in tumorigenesis.
Proteolytic activity of opossum tooth extracts
Authors: Ryu O. H. , Hu C‐C. , Zhang C. , Qian Q. , Moradian‐Oldak J. , Fincham A. G. , Simmer J. P.
Published: November 2014

Amelogenins are the main component of the developing enamel matrix. In placental mammals, amelogenins are rapidly cleaved following their secretion. HPLC fractionation of tooth extracts produces a complex chromatographic profile. The fractions are rich in amelogenin cleavage products that generally retain the amino‐terminus of the parent protein but have varying lengths of peptide removed from the original carboxyl‐terminus. In contrast, HPLC fractionation of opossum tooth extracts produces a simple profile with a single major chromatographic peak. SDS‐and Western blot analyses demonstrated that most of the amelogenin consisted of a prominent protein band that migrated at 28 kDa. Mass spectroscopy confirmed the presence of two uncleaved, alternatively spliced forms of opossum amelogenin, Op202 and Op57, but did not detect major amelogenin cleavage products evident in tooth extracts from placental mammals. Amino acid composition analysis supported the conclusion that uncleaved amelogenin is the major component in the developing enamel matrix. Enzymogram analyses using gelatin, casein and recombinant amelogenin as substrates, comparing porcine, rat and opossum tooth extracts, suggested that fewer proteinases are present in opossum. These results identify potentially significant differences in the proteolytic processing of amelogenins between metatherian and eutherian mammals.
Perceptions of treatment adherence among people with mental health problems and health care professionals
Authors: Kauppi Kaisa , Hätönen Heli , Adams Clive E. , Välimäki Maritta
Published: November 2014

Aims

To explore patients' and mental healthcare professionals' perceptions of supportive and restrictive indicators of adherence to treatment in patients with mental health problems.

Background

People with mental health problems may have difficulties adhering to their treatment, causing relapses and hospitalizations. It is, therefore, important to learn more about how patients' treatment adherence can be supported and what jeopardizes adherence.

Design

A descriptive qualitative study.

Methods

Nine focus groups and semi‐structured interviews were conducted in Finland during 2010–2011. The patients (n = 19) were recruited from patient associations and the healthcare professionals (n = 42) from healthcare organizations. The data were analysed using inductive content analysis.

Findings

Participants agreed that treatment adherence can be supported. Suggestions focused on treatment planning mindful of both patient involvement and needs. A structured daily routine helps patients manage their everyday issues and further facilitates adherence. On the other hand, patients found that their adherence was affected by factors related to the mental health system, including arrangements for follow‐up care, access to services, the receptiveness of providers to meet patient needs and a disconnect time between hospital and community life.

Conclusion

Patient adherence should already be taken into account when treatment is planned. The content of treatment should be individually designed according to the patient's activities of daily life. In addition, stressing the importance of medication and listening to the patient's opinions and experiences of taking medication may improve the patient's willingness to adhere.
Of mice and the ‘Age of Discovery’: the complex history of colonization of theAzorean archipelago by the house mouse (Mus musculus) as revealed by mitochondrialDNAvariation
Authors: Gabriel S. I. , Mathias M. L. , Searle J. B.
Published: November 2014

Humans have introduced many species onto remote oceanic islands. The house mouse (Mus musculus) is a human commensal and has consequently been transported to oceanic islands around the globe as an accidental stowaway. The history of these introductions can tell us not only about the mice themselves but also about the people that transported them. Following a phylogeographic approach, we used mitochondrial D‐loop sequence variation (within an 849‐ to 864‐bp fragment) to study house mouse colonization of the Azores. A total of 239 sequences were obtained from all nine islands, and interpretation was helped by previously published Iberian sequences and 66 newly generated Spanish sequences. A Bayesian analysis revealed presence in the Azores of most of the D‐loop clades previously described in thedomesticussubspecies of the house mouse, suggesting a complex colonization history of the archipelago as a whole from multiple geographical origins, but much less heterogeneity (often single colonization?) within islands. The expected historical link with mainland Portugal was reflected in the pattern of D‐loop variation of some of the islands but not all. A more unexpected association with a distant North European source area was also detected in three islands, possibly reflecting human contact with the Azores prior to the 15th century discovery by Portuguese mariners. Widening the scope to colonization of the Macaronesian islands as a whole, human linkages between the Azores, Madeira, the Canaries, Portugal and Spain were revealed through the sharing of mouse sequences between these areas. From these and other data, we suggest mouse studies may help resolve historical uncertainties relating to the ‘Age of Discovery’.
Puffy skin disease (PSD) in rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss (Walbaum): a case definition
Authors: Maddocks C E , Nolan E T , Feist S W , Crumlish M , Richards R H , Williams C F
Published: November 2014

Puffy skin disease (PSD) is a disease that causes skin pathology in rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss (Walbaum). Incidence of PSD in UK fish farms and fisheries has increased sharply in the last decade, with growing concern from both industry sectors. This paper provides the first comprehensive case definition of PSD, combining clinical and pathological observations of diseased rainbow trout from both fish farms and fisheries. The defining features of PSD, as summarized in the case definition, were focal lateral flank skin lesions that appeared as cutaneous swelling with pigment loss and petechiae. These were associated with lethargy, poor body condition, inappetance and low level mortality. Epidermal hyperplasia and spongiosis, oedema of the dermis stratum spongiosum and a mild diffuse inflammatory cellularity were typical in histopathology of skin. A specific pathogen or aetiology was not identified. Prevalence and severity of skin lesions was greatest during late summer and autumn, with the highest prevalence being 95%. Atypical lesions seen in winter and spring were suggestive of clinical resolution. PSD holds important implications for both trout aquaculture and still water trout fisheries. This case definition will aid future diagnosis, help avoid confusion with other skin conditions and promote prompt and consistent reporting.
Challenge versus hindrance job demands and well‐being: A diary study on the moderating role of job resources
Authors: Tadić Maja , Bakker Arnold B. , Oerlemans Wido G. M.
Published: November 2014

The present study among 158 primary school teachers in Croatia integrated the challenge‐hindrance stressor framework in job demands–resources (JD–R) theory. We hypothesized that hindrance job demands would be negatively related to well‐being and that job resources could buffer this relationship. In addition, we hypothesized that challenge job demands would be positively related to well‐being and that job resources would boost this relationship. The study employed a quantitative daily diary methodology. Teachers filled out a background questionnaire and a daily diary booklet for three to five consecutive workdays (N = 438 occasions). Results of multilevel analyses showed that daily hindrance job demands had a negative relationship with daily positive affect and work engagement. Daily job resources buffered this relationship. In contrast, daily challenge job demands had a positive relationship with positive affect and work engagement. Daily job resources boosted this relationship. We discuss the implications of these findings for JD–R theory and practice.

Practitioner points

High daily job resources foster employee's daily work engagement and positive affect at work particularly when daily challenge demands are high.

High daily job resources buffer the negative impact of high daily hindrance demands on daily work engagement and positive affect at work.

Guidelines are proposed to enhance teachers' and school principals' education and training, as well to contribute to the more optimal workplace design for teachers.