bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Australian baby boomers talk about the global financial crisis
Authors: Humpel Nancy , O'Loughlin Kate , Snoke Martin , Kendig Hal
Published: September 2010

Aim:  The aim of this qualitative study was to explore baby boomers' views and plans in the early days of the global financial crisis (GFC) in 2008.

Methods:  Informants from National Seniors Australia were interviewed in 15 focus groups conducted nationally. Transcripts were analysed by themes from semi‐structured questions.

Results:  The GFC was found to shake the confidence and plans of boomers. Many workers decided to delay retirement and save longer following losses in superannuation. Those retired on market‐linked superannuation felt forced to reduce expenses and restrain lifestyles. Those on full pensions were relatively unaffected.

Conclusion:  The GFC called into question boomers' expectations for retirement. While financial markets are showing signs of recovery, the GFC had precipitated a decision to work longer and to draw conservatively on retirement savings that may take many years to recover. The volatility of financial and employment markets underscores the value of the Age pension.
DEFYING EXTINCTION? THE REVIVAL OF THE STRIKE IN UK EMPLOYMENT RELATIONS
Authors: Tuckman Alan
Published: September 2010

It could be argued that as in many Western countries, there is the disappearance of the strike in increasingly mature employment relations. At a political level, the election of a coalition Conservative–Liberal Democratic Government might enhance this image of growing consensus. However, challenging the features that might account for the decline of the strike, a number of current disputes in the UK are examined. Particular attention is given to the strike and long‐term conflicts at British Airways (BA). The strike by the BA cabin crew indicates the perseverance of traditional employment relations in privatized industry. It also indicates the use of the legal system by employers to frustrate the workers and trade unions’ right to take strike action through implementation of draconian rule. Conclusions are indicated on the possibility of UK workers and trade unions taking militant action against public sector cuts similar to that already taken in Ireland, Greece and Spain.
RADICAL LABOR SUBCULTURE: KEY TO PAST AND FUTURE INSURGENCIES
Authors: Le Blanc Paul
Published: September 2010

Notions developed by cultural anthropologists intersect with Marxist theorizations to suggest the analytical concept of “radical labor subculture.” The actuality of this subculture was an essential element in the development of radical class‐consciousness within the U.S. working class, and sheds light on the growth of the powerful and influential left‐wing currents within the mainstream of the U.S. labor movement from the 1860s through the 1930s. Political, economic, social, and cultural transformations stretching from the 1940s through the 1960s resulted in the erosion and decline of that subculture, with a consequent disconnect of left‐wing radicalism from the working class. Political, social and economic transformations since the 1970s have generated cultural shifts and openings that appear to be feeding into the recreation of a new radical labor subculture.
THE AFL–CIO'S ROAD TO UNION CITY: A BOLD PLAN TO MOVE UNIONS TO THE LEFT
Authors: Gapasin Fernando
Published: September 2010

The article comments on the goal of a major program of the AFL‐CIO and the activist role of Leftists within the federation.
Tumor Necrosis Factor-Related Apoptosis-Inducing Ligand (TRAIL) and its Death Receptor (DR5) in Peyronie’s Disease. A Biomolecular Study of Apoptosis Activation
Authors: Loreto Carla , Barbagli Guido , Djinovic Rados , Vespasiani Giuseppe , Carnazza Maria Luisa , Miano Roberto , Musumeci Giuseppe , Sansalone Salvatore
Published: September 2010

Introduction

Peyronie’s disease (PD) is a connective tissue disorder of tunica albuginea (TA), a thick fibrous sheath surrounding the corpora cavernosa of the penis. Relatively, little is known about the disease itself.

Aim

To investigate whether the apoptosis cascade in degenerated and macroscopically deformed TA from men with PD is activated through the extrinsic pathway, by assessing the immunoexpression of tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) and its death receptor, DR5.

Methods

TA plaques from 15 men with PD and from four unaffected men were processed for TRAIL and DR5 immunohistochemistry and Western blot analysis.

Main Outcome Measures

A greater understanding of the pathophysiology of PD through a molecular approach, to gain insights that may lead to novel forms of treatment.

Results

Activation of the apoptosis mechanisms through the extrinsic pathway was demonstrated by TRAIL and DR5 overexpression in fibroblasts and myofibroblasts from affected TA.

Conclusion

The finding that apoptosis activation in TA plaques occurs, at least in part, via the extrinsic pathway may help devise novel therapeutic options for these patients.
Gene and species trees reveal mitochondrial and nuclear discordance in the Drosophila cardini group (Diptera: Drosophilidae)
Authors: Cenzi De Ré Francine , Loreto Elgion L. S. , Robe Lizandra J.
Published: September 2010

Abstract. The Drosophila cardini group includes 15 species, which are subdivided into the D. cardini and D. dunni subgroups. Although many phylogenetic hypotheses have been proposed for this group during the last five decades (based on patterns of reproductive isolation, morphology of male genitalia, chromosomal inversions, isozyme variation, or molecular sequence data), these are mostly discordant with each other. We aimed to clarify some of the evolutionary patterns related to the origin of this incongruence, while also attempting to provide a better‐supported phylogenetic hypothesis for the D. cardini subgroup. For this purpose, sequences from three mitochondrial and three nuclear loci were gathered for at least eight species, and both individual gene trees and joint species tree estimates were evaluated. Although there was concordance among gene trees within each of the nuclear and mitochondrial sets, considerable incongruence was revealed in the comparisons between these two data sets. The branching position of D. neocardini was the main source of incongruence, and species trees reconstructed using different approaches with and without this species were particularly incongruent. In addition to providing a better approximation of the evolutionary history of the D. cardini group, this study suggests that incomplete lineage sorting or introgression may be biasing previous species tree estimates. More generally, the results also suggest that the use of supermatrix methods can lead to an overestimation of support for the inferred relationships, and highlight the potential effects of different taxon sampling strategies in phylogenetic reconstruction.
Egg hull formation in Callochiton dentatus (Mollusca, Polyplacophora): the contribution of microapocrine secretion
Authors: Buckland‐Nicks John , Reunov Arkadiy A.
Published: September 2010

Abstract. Egg hull formation during oogenesis in the chiton Callochiton dentatus does not follow the typical model of merocrine secretion involving Golgi vesicle exocytosis. Instead, microapocrine secretions are primarily responsible for egg hull formation, although merocrine secretions contribute “areolae” and the vitelline layer. Microapocrine secretion mechanisms are poorly understood, involving a different cellular pathway than is typical. Egg hull formation in C. dentatus involves two types of microapocrine secretions released by the oocyte, one of which is described here for the first time. The plesiomorphic jelly‐like egg hull of chitons, as exemplified by the eggs of members of the basal order Lepidopleurida and present also in eggs of C. dentatus (Chitonida: Callichitonidae), may have evolved solely as an oocyte secretion, whereas members of some other families in the order Chitonida form their egg hulls with considerable secretory input from the follicle cells as well.
A model for nulling and mode changing in pulsars
Authors: Timokhin A. N.
Published: September 2010

We propose that in some pulsars the magnetosphere has different states with different geometries or/and different distributions of currents; it occasionally switches between them. These states have different spin-down rates and emission beams; in some of the states no radio emission is produced at all. Switching into a different state manifests as a mode change when we see different parts of the emission beam or the beams in different states have significantly different geometries; it manifests as nulling when either we miss the new beam or no radio emission is generated in the new state. We show that modest variations in the beam shape can be accompanied by large variations in the pulsar spin-down rate W– the dependence of W on the opening angle of the emission beam α can be as strong as W ∝ α4. We speculate about physical mechanisms which may cause reconfiguration of the magnetosphere.
Observations of radio pulses from CU Virginis
Authors: Ravi V. , Hobbs G. , Wickramasinghe D. , Champion D. J. , Keith M. , Manchester R. N. , Norris R. P. , Bray J. D. , Ferrario L. , Melrose D.
Published: September 2010

The magnetic chemically peculiar star CU Virginis is a unique astrophysical laboratory for stellar magnetospheres and coherent emission processes. It is the only known main-sequence star to emit a radio pulse every rotation period. Here we report on new observations of the CU Virginis pulse profile in the 13- and 20-cm radio bands. The profile is known to be characterized by two peaks of 100 per cent circularly polarized emission that are thought to arise in an electron–cyclotron maser mechanism. We find that the trailing peak is stable at both 13 and 20 cm, whereas the leading peak is intermittent at 13 cm. Our measured pulse arrival times confirm the discrepancy previously reported between the putative stellar rotation rates measured with optical data and with radio observations. We suggest that this period discrepancy might be caused by an unknown companion or by instabilities in the emission region. Regular long-term pulse timing and simultaneous multiwavelength observations are essential to clarify the behaviour of this emerging class of transient radio source.
EFFECTS OF ORGANIC ACIDS ON THE PASTING PROPERTIES OF RICE FLOUR FROM WAXY AND NONWAXY VARIETIES
Authors: WU W.S. , TSAI Y.H. , WEI C.I. , SUN PAN B. , HUANG T.C.
Published: September 2010

The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of organic acids on the pasting and textural properties of rice flour. Nonwaxy (Taisen 2 rice, TS2) and waxy (Taisen Waxy 2, TSW2) were selected as rice materials. Organic acids (including acetic acid, lactic acid, malic acid, succinic acid and citric acid) of 0.1 mM, 1 mM and 10 mM were added to the rice flour (v/w, on dry basis) at 0.5% and 2.0% levels and cooked in Rapid Visco Analyser (RVA; RVA‐4, Newport Scientific, Pty Ltd, Narrabeen, Australia) at 95C for 12.5 min. Results showed that addition of 0.1 mM of organic acids significantly (P < 0.05) decreased peak viscosity, trough viscosity, final viscosity and setback of TS2 rice flour. The hardness of TS2 rice flour gel was significantly (P < 0.05) decreased by the addition of 1 mM and 10 mM of these organic acids compared with the control. Reduced final viscosity showed that the addition of organic acids were able to retard the tendency of rice flour gel to retrograde. For waxy rice TSW2, addition of these organic acids had not the same tendency on pasting and textural properties, possibly because of the 22% amylose content in nonwaxy rice and 0% amylose in waxy rice.

PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS

Since rice flour is widely used in the rice food industry, while organic acids are effective for improving flavor and texture of food products, the effects of organic acids on the pasting behaviors and textural properties of rice flour need to be examined. This study is of interest because rice flour is usually used along with other ingredients such as salts, sugar, lipids, emulsifiers and organic acids, etc. The presence of organic acids may influence the rice flour pasting properties differently with waxy and nonwaxy rice. Such investigations are of importance to rice food industries and especially to the rice‐consuming peoples.
EFFECT OF TEMPERATURE AND MODIFIED ATMOSPHERE PACKAGING ON STORAGE QUALITY OF FRESH‐CUT ROMAINE LETTUCE
Authors: MANOLOPOULOU H. , LAMBRINOS GR. , CHATZIS E. , XANTHOPOULOS G. , ARAVANTINOS E.
Published: September 2010

The aim of this work was to study the influence of two storage temperatures (0C and 5C) and three packaging films (low density polyethylene of 60 µm thickness, medium density polyethyle of 60 µm thickness and polyvinylchloride) on the quality of fresh‐cut Romaine lettuce stored under passive modified atmosphere. Results showed that all types of packaging reduced weight loss in fresh‐cut lettuces when stored at 0 or 5C. Firmness did not significantly change in response to storage time or packaging type during storage. Ascorbic acid retention was affected by storage temperature and modified atmosphere packaging. The type of polyethylene as packaging material and the final storage time, proved to be the most significant factors as far the visual or color parameter evaluation concerns. The modified atmosphere packaging of fresh‐cut “Romaine” lettuce at low storage temperatures (0C) is highly suggested to avoid quality degradation.

PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS

Results suggest that fresh‐cut Romaine lettuce packaged in 60‐µm‐thick LDPE and MDPE film bags and stored at 0C exhibited very low quality deterioration as far the estimated firmness, color, ascorbic acid and sensory evaluation concerns. The suitable packaging film and modified atmosphere conditions in conjunction with low storage temperatures can significantly control physiological changes initiated by the processing and storage conditions. According to this, it is possible to reduce browning, sustain the initial ascorbic acid content and finally extend shelf life of the fresh‐cut lettuce in a wholesale cold store, during domestic storage or in catering industry.
CONTRIBUTION OF MELANOIDINS TO THE ANTIOXIDANT ACTIVITY OF PRUNES
Authors: MADRAU MONICA ASSUNTA , SANGUINETTI ANNA MARIA , DEL CARO ALESSANDRA , FADDA COSTANTINO , PIGA ANTONIO
Published: September 2010

Prunes, obtained by drying certain cultivars of plums, have greater antioxidant activity than most other fruits and vegetables. Recent research has attributed only a minor part of this antioxidant activity to phenolic compounds, and it has been hypothesized that most of the antioxidant activity is caused by unknown or new products created during processing. In this study, the relationship between the antioxidant properties of prunes and their phenolic compound and brown products content has been investigated. The latter is a result of the nonenzymatic browning reaction. The results show that most of the antioxidant activity of fresh plums is caused by the polyphenolic fraction. The prunes, obtained by drying at 60 and 85C, despite the significant decrease in polyphenols, showed an increase in antioxidant activity. This was mostly because of the nonenzymatic browning reaction products, mostly low molecular weight compounds, whereas polyphenols contributed only to 23% of the total value.

PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS

Results of this research could have direct or indirect applications. First of all, results give evidence of the best drying conditions related to the nutritional profile of the prunes. Results related to the antioxidant activity of melanoidin compounds can, moreover, stimulate medical researcher to test if melanoidin extracts are really in vivo or ex vivo antioxidants, and in that case, producers of functional foods or food ingredients can be encouraged to try to isolate and characterize the compounds responsible for increased antioxidant activity.
Weighing in on Fast Food Consumption: The Effects of Meal and Calorie Disclosures on Consumer Fast Food Evaluations
Authors: TANGARI ANDREA HEINTZ , BURTON SCOT , HOWLETT ELIZABETH , CHO YOON‐NA , THYROFF ANASTASIA
Published: September 2010

An analysis of consumers' Weblogs and two experiments address: (1) the differences in evaluations of menu items when consumers are versus are not provided with meal calorie information, and (2) their perception of calorie levels of different types of meals. Consumers provided their calorie estimates for specific meals offered by four different fast food restaurants, and an experiment assessed effects on consumer evaluations for calorie disclosures for actual items from two of these restaurants. Results show the complex relationship between consumer perceptions regarding the restaurants, the meals and the food items that can influence consumers' calorie estimates and evaluations of meals in restaurants.
Investment Decisions for Retirement Savings
Authors: BATEMAN HAZEL , LOUVIERE JORDAN , THORP SUSAN , ISLAM TOWHIDUL , SATCHELL STEPHEN
Published: September 2010

We conducted a choice experiment to investigate whether retirement savers follow simple portfolio theory when choosing investments. We modeled experimental survey data on 693 participants using a scale‐adjusted version of the latent class choice model. Results show that underlying variability in response was explained by age and “risk profile” score and that preferences varied with income and age. Younger individuals were conventionally risk averse, but older, higher‐income individuals may react positively to both higher returns and increasing risk, when risk is presented as widening ranges of possible outcomes. Respondents tended to choose among a few similar investment options.
Consumer Literacy for Credence Services: Helping the Invisible Hand
Authors: SMITH RACHEL , ROYNE MARLA B.
Published: September 2010

The intrinsic problem of credence services is that, by definition, even after purchase and consumption experience, the consumer is unable to assess the quality of what was bought. While economic theory defines this category of offerings, it also provides advocates with a way to adequately deal with such services. Existing literature maintains that to increase consumer literacy for credence services, consumers need access to current, unbiased, credible, self‐directed information. This commentary furthers the notion that government‐sponsored websites and search engines can help consumers gather necessary information to make critical decisions.
WHEN IT'S GOOD TO BE “BAD”: VIOLENCE AND ADOLESCENT PEER ACCEPTANCE*
Authors: KREAGER DEREK A.
Published: September 2010

This article examines the relationship between adolescent violence and peer acceptance in school. Deriving hypotheses from subcultural theories of crime and violence, it tests whether the violence–status relationship varies across sociodemographic characteristics and educational contexts of students. Analyses of school network data collected from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health suggest that violence generally holds a negative relationship to peer friendship nominations for both males and females. However, for males, this effect varies by the educational standing of the students. Violence shows a modest positive association to peer acceptance for males who perform poorly in school. No evidence exists that race moderates the violence –status relationship. These findings are replicated in longitudinal analyses of a large metropolitan high school. For females, violence has a significant negative relationship to peer status that does not vary by individual characteristics. However, school levels of violence moderate the relationship between social status and female violence such that violent females have greater numbers of friendships in highly violent schools. The implications of these findings for peer research and delinquency theory are discussed.
RECIDIVISM OF PUBLIC AND PRIVATE STATE PRISON INMATES IN FLORIDA*
Authors: BALES WILLIAM D. , BEDARD LAURA E. , QUINN SUSAN T. , ENSLEY DAVID T. , HOLLEY GLEN P.
Published: September 2010

Research Summary:

A fundamental claim made in support of private prisons is that they reduce state inmate recidivism. Current knowledge on this empirical question is limited to three prior studies with problematic methodologies. To test this claim better, we use multiple measures of exposure to private prisons to define and analyze multiple treatment/comparison groups of private and public prison inmates. Multivariate survival analysis, controlling for a range of recidivism covariates wider than the prior studies included, is used to compare reoffense and reimprisonment rate differences in a large cohort of Florida prison inmates released from 1995 to 2001. No significant recidivism rate differences are found between private and public prison inmates for adult males, adult females, or youthful offender males.

Policy Implications:

This study finds no empirical justification for the policy argument that private prisons reduce recidivism better than public prisons. However, the research on this issue has been limited and similar research is needed to test this claim in states other than Florida. Future research on the topic should incorporate reliable measures of program attributes and participation, assess unique characteristics of private prisons that might affect recidivism, and determine whether certain inmate subgroups benefit from those distinctive attributes. In the meantime, until reliable evidence that private prison exposure reduces recidivism appears, public policy debate on the value of private prisons should focus on cost‐savings or other arguments, not on recidivism‐reduction claims.
Age and Gender Variations in the Management of Ischaemic Stroke in China
Authors: Huang Yining , Wang Ji-Guang , Wei Jade W. , Headley Alexander P. , Wong Lawrence K. S. , Heeley Emma L. , Arima Hisatomi , Sun Jian , Li Qiang , Liu Ming , Li Zhengyi , Wu Li'e , Cheng Yan , Huang Qifang , Zhang Shihong , Xu En , Yang Qidong , Lu Chuanzhen , Anderson Craig S.
Published: September 2010

Background

Stroke is a major health issue in China.

Aims

We aimed to describe the management of patients admitted to hospitals in China with acute ischaemic stroke, and to determine whether there were any differences by age and gender.

Methods

Using a multicentre prospective hospital register across all eight major economic (geographic) regions in China, data on the socioeconomic characteristics, medical history, clinical features, and in-hospital investigations, management, and outcomes were collected on consecutive patients with acute stroke due to cerebral ischaemia during a 5-month period in 2006.

Results

Overall, traditional Chinese medicine and neuroprotectant use were remarkably high, with nearly 80% of patients receiving the former and >70% receiving the latter in hospital. Length of hospital stay was also long (median duration 16-days). Multivariate analyses revealed no clinically important differences in management between the genders. For the age-specific analyses, there were significant trends of decreasing use of thrombolysis ( P = 0.04), warfarin ( P = 0.01), corticosteroids ( P = 0.03), and lipid-lowering therapy ( P = 0.001); however, more assisted feeding ( P = 0.004) and rising rates of disability and in-hospital complications occurred with increasing age.

Conclusions

New information is provided regarding the current state of ischaemic stroke management in China. Notably, there is high use of traditional Chinese medicine and neuroprotectants and long lengths of hospital stay. Similar to many other countries, differences in stroke care and management by age and gender also exist to a small extent in China.
Agnetina den, a new species of perlid stonefly (Plecoptera: Perlidae) from Vietnam
Authors: CAO Thi Kim Thu , BAE Yeon Jae
Published: September 2010

A new species of perlid stonefly, Agnetina den, is described from Vietnam. Male adults of this species can be easily distinguished by their black body color pattern, submedian patches of sensilla basiconica on hemitergites 7–8, and clusters of long dense fine setae on the inner sides the abdominal tergites. Illustrations of habitat and diagnostic characters are presented.
Microstructure of the silk apparatus of the comb‐footed spider, Achaearanea tepidariorum (Araneae: Theridiidae)
Authors: MOON Myung‐Jin , AN Jeong‐Su
Published: September 2010

The microstructural organization of the silk‐spinning apparatus of the comb‐footed spider, Achaearanea tepidariorum, was observed by using a field emission scanning electron microscope. The silk glands of the spider were classified into six groups: ampullate, tubuliform, flagelliform, aggregate, aciniform and pyriform glands. Among these, three types of silk glands, the ampullate, pyriform and aciniform glands, occur only in female spiders. One (adult) or two (subadult) pairs of major ampullate glands send secretory ductules to the anterior spinnerets, and another pair of minor ampullate glands supply the median spinnerets. Three pairs of tubuliform glands in female spiders send secretory ductules to the median (one pair) and posterior (two pairs) spinnerets. Furthermore, one pair of flagelliform glands and two pairs of aggregate glands together supply the posterior spinnerets, and form a characteristic spinning structure known as a “triad” spigot. In male spiders, this combined apparatus of the flagelliform and the aggregate spigots for capture thread production is not apparent, instead only a non‐functional remnant of this triad spigot is present. In addition, the aciniform glands send ductules to the median (two pairs) and the posterior spinnerets (12–16 pairs), and the pyriform glands feed silk into the anterior spinnerets (90–100 pairs in females and 45–50 pairs in males).
Analysis of the bacterial community in glassy‐winged sharpshooter heads
Authors: LACAVA Paulo Teixeira , PARKER Jennifer , ANDREOTE Fernando Dini , DINI‐ANDREOTE Francisco , RAMIREZ José Luiz. , MILLER Thomas A.
Published: September 2010

The glassy‐winged sharpshooter (GWSS), Homalodisca vitripennis, is an important vector of various strains of Xylella fastidiosa, which cause disease in a variety of economically important plants. These diseases include citrus variegated chlorosis, oleander leaf scorch and Pierce's Disease of grapevines. Symbiotic control (SC) is a new strategy that uses symbiotic endophytes as biological control agents to antagonize or displace the pathogenic strains of X. fastidiosa. Candidate endophytes for use in SC must occupy the xylem of host plants and attach to the pre‐cibarium and cibarium of sharpshooter insects in order to have access to the pathogen. The study of the bacterial community of GWSS heads by isolation and denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) revealed the presence of species that may be suitable for use in SC. In addition, the results indicated that two important factors, insect age and choice of host plant, affect the composition of the bacterial community in GWSS heads. The main bacterial genera isolated as colonizers of GWSS heads were identified, using partial 16S rRNA gene sequencing, as Bacillus, Pseudomonas, Pedobacter and Methylobacterium, as well as the species Curtobacterium flaccumfaciens. DGGE patterns revealed a diversity of endophytic species able to colonize the GWSS head. The main genera isolated in culture were also identified using this technique. Principal component analysis (PCA) from polymerase chain reaction (PCR)‐DGGE patterns indicated that the bacteria inhabiting the GWSS head are similar to those found as endophytes inside the host plants, and that insect developmental stage and preferential feeding on one host plant species over another are important factors in determining the composition of the bacterial community in the GWSS head. However, a shift in host plants for a small period of time did not cause changes in the compositions of these communities.
Teenage and adult tonsillectomy: dose–response relationship between diathermy energy used and morbidity
Authors: Cardozo A.A.J. , Hallikeri C. , Lawrence H. , Sankar V. , Hargreaves S.
Published: September 2010

Objective:  To determine whether an increase in the use of bipolar diathermy energy to perform a tonsillectomy is associated with an increase in postoperative pain and haemorrhage.

Study design:  Prospective study.

Setting:  District General Hospital.

Methods:  In all, 101 patients above the age of 13 years who underwent a tonsillectomy that involved the use of bipolar diathermy during the study period were included. The cumulative amount of diathermy energy used to perform each tonsillectomy was calculated with the help of a digital stop clock timing device connected to the diathermy foot‐pedal.

Main outcome measures:  Postoperative pain scores and the incidence of secondary haemorrhage were recorded for each patient at four points in time following surgery, up to the tenth postoperative day. The haemorrhage rates were categorised into three groups (no bleeding, minor bleeding and major bleeding) according to severity. Associations between the diathermy energy used to perform each tonsillectomy and the corresponding postoperative pain scores and secondary bleeding rates were investigated.

Results:  There was a statistically significant positive relationship between the total amount of bipolar diathermy energy used per tonsillectomy and the pain scores at all the four recorded points in time (rs = 0.44–0.72, P < 0.001). When the median energy consumption in the three groups (no bleeding, minor bleeding and major bleeding) were compared using the Kruskal–Wallis test, we found that there was limited evidence of a difference between the groups, but this was not statistically significant at the 5% level [H (2) = 5.374, P = 0.065, 99% CI 0.058–0.071].

Conclusions:  Increased use of bipolar diathermy during the performance of a tonsillectomy is associated with a statistically significant increased amount of postoperative pain. The dose–response relationship between diathermy energy and postoperative bleeding is less clear. This suggests that there could be other important factors such as surgical instrument characteristics and degree of tonsillar adherence that have an additional influence and are therefore possible areas for future research.
Olfactory function and nasal nitric oxide
Authors: Elsherif H.S. , Landis B.N. , Hamad M.H. , Hugentobler M. , Bahig S.M. , Gamaa A.M. , Lacroix J.S.
Published: September 2010

Objective:  To determine the relationship between nasal nitric oxide (nNO) concentration and its influence on olfactory function.

Setting:  Tertiary otolaryngology care centre.

Participants:  Sixty‐four patients suffering from chronic rhinosinusitis and 20 healthy subjects participated.

Study design:  Prospective study.

Outcome measures:  The nNO concentration was measured by chemiluminescence and olfactory thresholds were measured with the phenyl ethanol threshold of the Sniffin’ Sticks. In chronic rhinosinusitis patients this measure was done preoperatively and 3 months after endoscopic sinus surgery.

Results:  Healthy subjects had significantly higher nNO concentrations and better olfactory thresholds compared to the chronic rhinosinusitis patients, both before and after those had undergone sinus surgery. Olfactory thresholds and nNO concentrations remained unchanged after surgery in the chronic rhinosinusitis group. In the chronic rhinosinusitis group, nNO concentrations correlated positively with the olfactory threshold preoperatively (P < 0.0001) and 3 months after surgery (P < 0.05). In the control group, nNO production did not correlate with the olfactory thresholds (P > 0.05).

Conclusion:  Olfactory function and nNO concentration correlate in chronic rhinosinusitis patients but not in healthy subjects. This suggests that both parameters do rather not directly influence each other but it might be the inflammatory processes found in chronic rhinosinusitis that affects olfaction and nNO. Nasal nitric oxide produced by the paranasal sinuses seems not to directly influence olfactory function.
Risk factors for permanent laryngeal nerve paralysis in patients with thyroid carcinoma
Authors: Sevim T.
Published: September 2010

Objectives:  This study investigated the incidence of and risk factors for permanent recurrent laryngeal nerve paralysis for patients with thyroid malignancy.

Design:  Retrospective chart review.

Setting:  Tertiary oncology referral centre.

Participants:  Records of 290 consecutive patients treated between 1997 and 2001 were reviewed. All patients who have had one or more operations. Patients with preoperative recurrent laryngeal nerve paralysis and patients who underwent thyroidectomy in conjunction with laryngectomy were excluded. The incidence of postoperative permanent cord palsy was calculated in relation to the number of patients.

Main outcome measures:  Age, gender, thyroid functions, tumour localisations and size, multicentricity, thyroid capsule invasion, extrathyroidal soft tissue invasion, differentiation, histological type, co‐existence of lymphocytic thyroiditis, total number of dissected and metastatic nodes, type of surgery, the place of surgery and number of operations were the risk factors investigated for permanent recurrent laryngeal nerve paralysis. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed.

Results:  Permanent recurrent laryngeal nerve paralysis developed in 27 (9%) of 290 patients with thyroid carcinoma. Transient and permanent paralysis rates in total or subtotal thyroidectomy, completion thyroidectomy and neck dissection groups were 5/3%, 7/3% and 24/17% respectively. Cox regression analysis identified the type of surgery [adjusted relative risk (RR) = 2.1, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.1–4.0, P = 0.01], extrathyroidal soft tissue invasion (RR = 5.7, 95% CI = 2.0–15.7, P = 0.001) and number of metastatic nodes (RR = 1.6, 95% CI = 1.1–2.5 P = 0.01).

Conclusions:  The factors related with recurrent laryngeal nerve paralysis post‐thyroid carcinoma surgery are linked to special features of the tumour and to the type of surgery.
Clinical and biological factors affecting response to radiotherapy in patients with head and neck cancer: a review
Authors: Silva P. , Homer J.J. , Slevin N.J. , Musgrove B.T. , Sloan P. , Price P. , West C.M.L.
Published: September 2010

Objective:  The main aim of this article was to review the clinical and biological factors that have been shown to influence the response of the head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) to primary radiotherapy and briefly discuss how some of these factors could be exploited to improve outcome.

Design:  Medline based search covering 1982–2006 to identify the HNSCC literature where the effect of clinical and biological factors on locoregional control and overall survival were investigated.

Results:  Clinical factors are routinely used in management decisions. Nevertheless, identically staged tumours receiving the same treatment may have different outcomes. Biological factors such as hypoxia, proliferation and radio‐sensitivity play an important role in radiation response. However, these are not currently used in practise because tests that are clinically reliable and feasible are not available.

Conclusion:  High‐quality translational research will allow us to develop biological tests that can be used in routine clinical practise to tailor individual treatment, with the ability to improve patient outcome further by modifying the underlying tumour biology.
Gene therapy for head and neck squamous cell carcinoma – imaging a cancer‐selective, selective, systemically‐administered agent
Authors: Edward C. , Nick L. , Ghassan A. , Andreas S. , Georges V.
Published: September 2010

Introduction.  Cancer gene therapy for head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) has been limited by difficulties delivering and monitoring expression of the therapeutic gene in vivo. By utilising a nanoparticle vector complexed with the sodium iodide symporter (responsible for the thyroid gland's ability to concentrate iodide) we demonstrate an agent which can be used to both monitor and treat HNSCC and its metastases.

Method.  Polypropylenimine dendrimers (DAB‐16) were complexed with a plasmid encoding the sodium iodide symporter (NIS). The complex was injected intra‐tumorally (IT) or intravenously (IV) into both nude and immune competent mice bearing 1 or more subcutaneous HNSCC. 99mTechnicium was injected intra‐peritoneally and whole‐body SPECT‐CT imaging of the mice was performed. Quantitative real time polymerase chain reaction (qRT‐PCR) of biopsied tumour samples and other organs was used to confirm areas of gene expression.

Results.  SPECT‐CT demonstrated cancer specific and selective expression of the NIS gene in all tumours following both IT and IV administration in nude and immune competent mice. The effective transfection of the gene was confirmed by qRT‐PCR of the tumour tissue. The tumour specificity was shown to be due to the nanoparticle vector.

Conclusion.  This is the first time that cancer‐specific gene transfer has been reproducibly achieved using a systemically administered agent. This methodology allows the treatment of HNSCC with 131I or other ‘anti‐cancer’ genes, such as p53 whilst allowing in vivo monitoring of gene expression. Metastatic or occult tumours could also be targeted without prior knowledge of their site.
Development of novel radioresistant oral squamous cell carcinoma cell lines.
Authors: Murphy J.T. , Beavis A. , Watson M.B. , Cawkwell L. , Stafford N.D.
Published: September 2010

Objectives.  Oral cancer is the most common head and neck cancer with an estimated 2 75 000 new cases in 2002.1 Currently radiotherapy plays an important role in the management of oral cancer. Rates of radioresistance reported in the literature range from 19–53%.2 This wide range of reported rates of radioresistance stems from variation in the definition of a radioresistant tumour. As all tumours in vivo posses a heterogeneous cell population, samples of tumour tissue taken for analysis cannot be guaranteed to have originated from a radioresistant subpopulation. These, and other factors, cause the discrepancy in resistance rates. This study aimed to address these issues by creating novel radioresistant cell lines.

Method.  Two oral cancer cell lines were studied. They were divided into two samples and cultured in identical conditions. Initial dose response curves and survival fractions were calculated for each at the outset of the study. One sample was then exposed to a course of fractionated radiotherapy at 4 Gy increments on a fortnightly basis whilst the other was cultured without exposure. Dose response curves were then constructed for the two daughter samples.

Results.  Each daughter cell line was found to survive doses of radiotherapy in excess of their parental counterpart. The LD50 (lethal dose killing 50% of cells) was 5.85 Gy for the daughter cell line and 0.91Gy for the parental cells.

Conclusions.  We have created two radioresistant oral squamous cell carcinoma cell lines to allow further analysis to be performed on readily available proven radioresistant oral cancer cell lines.

References  1 Parkin D.M., Bray F., Ferlay J. et al. (2005) Global Cancer Statistics, 2002. CA Cancer J Clin, 55, 74–108

2 Eckardt A., Barth E.L., Kokemueller H. et al. (2004) Recurrent carcinoma of the head and neck: treatment stratergies and survival analysis in a 20‐year period. Oral Oncology, 40, 427–32
How good is a chest CT scan at predicting the risk of pulmonary metastatic disease in patients with head and neck cancer? A retrospective observational study
Authors: Beech T.J. , Coulson C. , Najran P. , Olliff J. , Jennings C.
Published: September 2010

Clin. Otolaryngol. 2010, 35, 474–478

Objectives:  Our objectives were to assess whether a CT chest, when performed as part of initial staging investigations, is a robust method to identify lung metastases or synchronous primary lung cancers in patients with head and neck squamous cell and whether small nodules are likely to represent metastases in this group of patients.

Design:  Retrospective observational study performed between 1994 and 2005.

Setting:  Head and neck cancer department, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Birmingham.

Participants:  All patients that were included had a new head and neck squamous cell carcinoma and underwent a CT chest as part of their staging investigation.

Main outcome measures:  The presence of lung masses on the initial screening CT of the chest as determined by the radiologist’s report. The development of lung metastases or primary bronchogenic carcinoma in any patient.

Results:  Two hundred and thirty‐nine patients met the inclusion criteria. 38 (16%) patients had a CT chest report for a lung malignancy (either metastatic or primary bronchogenic), 33 of these 38 (87%) patients actually had a lung malignancy. 32 (13%) patients had a CT chest report for a small nodule, three of these 32 (9%) patients were later diagnosed with a lung malignancy, all at a different site to the nodule. 169 (71%) patients had normal CT chest reports, of these 3 (2%) patients were later diagnosed with a lung malignancy.

Conclusions:  The CT chest is a useful screening tool but is not infallible. Small nodules should be taken seriously and monitored, but should not alter the initial decision as to the management of the patient.
Impact of nuclear organization and dynamics on epigenetic regulation in the central nervous system: implications for neurological disease states
Authors: Qureshi Irfan A. , Mehler Mark F.
Published: September 2010

Epigenetic mechanisms that are highly responsive to interoceptive and environmental stimuli mediate the proper execution of complex genomic programs, such as cell type–specific gene transcription and posttranscriptional RNA processing, and are increasingly thought to be important for modulating the development, homeostasis, and plasticity of the central nervous system (CNS). These epigenetic processes include DNA methylation, histone modifications, and chromatin remodeling, all of which play roles in neural cellular diversity, connectivity, and plasticity. Further, large‐scale transcriptomic analyses have revealed that the eukaryotic genome is pervasively transcribed, forming interleaved protein‐coding RNAs and regulatory nonprotein‐coding RNAs (ncRNAs), which act through a broad array of molecular mechanisms. Most of these ncRNAs are transcribed in a cell type– and developmental stage–specific manner in the CNS. A broad array of posttranscriptional processes, such as RNA editing and transport, can modulate the functions of both protein‐coding RNAs and ncRNAs. Additional studies implicate nuclear organization and dynamics in mediating epigenetic regulation. The compartmentalization of DNA sequences and other molecular machinery into functional nuclear domains, such as transcription factories, Cajal bodies, promyelocytic leukemia nuclear bodies, nuclear speckles, and paraspeckles, some of which are found prominently in neural cells, is associated with regulation of transcriptional activity and posttranscriptional RNA processing. These observations suggest that genomic architecture and RNA biology in the CNS are much more complex and nuanced than previously appreciated. Increasing evidence now suggests that most, if not all, human CNS diseases are associated with either primary or secondary perturbations in one or more aspects of the epigenome. In this review, we provide an update of our emerging understanding of genomic architecture, RNA biology, and nuclear organization and highlight the interconnected roles that deregulation of these factors may play in diverse CNS disorders.
The Aspectual Influence of the Noun: (A)telicity, (A)symmetry, Incrementality and Universality
Authors: MacDonald Jonathan E.
Published: September 2010

SinceVerkuyl (1972), we have known that a noun phrase can affect the (a)telicity of the verbal predicate. Since then, there have been both semantic and syntactic accounts of this aspectual influence of the noun (AIN). This raises the question of whether the AIN is best accounted for in semantic or syntactic terms, that is, whether it is more appropriately treated as semantic or syntactic in nature. In this article, I outline a representative range of semantic and syntactic approaches to the AIN with an eye to which of these accounts best handles three related observations: the independence of incrementality and the AIN, an asymmetry in aspectual contribution by count and mass nouns, and the non‐universality of the AIN.
Developments in the Study of Intonational Typology
Authors: Zerbian Sabine
Published: September 2010

The paper describes recent developments in the study of intonation as they contribute to the goal of an intonational typology. Although intonation research is a long‐established research field, investigations of cross‐linguistic variation in intonation are more recent. The availability of technological support has advanced the field tremendously, both methodologically and intellectually, facilitating cross‐linguistic comparisons. The practical demand for speech technology applications has further advanced research in the field. Cross‐dialectal variation in intonation promises to continue being a thriving research field in the coming years. The paper discusses why no typology of intonation exists as yet and shows that typologically relevant parameters are being filtered out and delineated by work currently being carried out.
Cities as Net Sources of CO2: Review of Atmospheric CO2 Exchange in Urban Environments Measured by Eddy Covariance Technique
Authors: Velasco Erik , Roth Matthias
Published: September 2010

Cities are main contributors to the CO2 rise in the atmosphere. It is clear that accurate estimates of the magnitude of anthropogenic and natural urban emissions are needed to assess their influence on the carbon balance. Increasingly the eddy covariance (EC) method is applied in urban environments to quantify CO2 fluxes. The technique has many advantages over other methods. It is a direct measure of the flux that includes all major and minor natural and anthropogenic sources and sinks, is in situ, non‐intrusive, quasi‐continuous and with proper selection of the footprint can represent a large upwind extent similar to the size of a complete urban neighborhood. This article reviews the basic principles and requirements of the EC technique, discusses its application in the urban context and summarizes observations from over 30 EC systems, primarily deployed in mid‐latitude cities. The results show that the urban surface is a net source of CO2, with vehicle exhaust and domestic heating as the major contributors while urban vegetation is not capable to completely offset the anthropogenic emissions. The largest CO2 fluxes have been observed in densely built up locations in city centers, followed by sites within urban core, while the lowest fluxes are found in suburban neighborhoods. The daily net CO2 exchange depicts a strong relationship with vegetation fraction, but not with population density.
Solid Waste Governance1 Innovations: An Appraisal of Recent Developments in the Informal Sector Niche in Urban Nigeria
Authors: Nzeadibe Thaddeus Chidi , Anyadike Raymond N. C.
Published: September 2010

Recent research in solid waste governance in Nigeria has paid considerable attention to the activities in the informal sector. Innovations related to social dynamics and entrepreneurship initiatives of the sector have been quite remarkable. Opinions have, however, differed on the real significance of informal sector innovations within the solid waste governance sphere. Applying the viewpoint of social innovation on recent research on the informal waste sector in Nigeria, this study appraises how social inclusion initiatives and sense of participation have driven developments in the sector. The aim is to extend the debate on the desirability of the informal sector niche and its relevance to urban development policy in Nigeria. The study argues that given its observed socially innovative initiatives in solid waste governance, the informal waste sector in Nigeria is deserving of development and policy support. Implications of informal sector solid waste governance for geographic research in Nigeria are also examined.