bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Mapping a country's competitive position: a real exchange rate approach
Authors: Zambujal‐Oliveira J. , Faria e Castro Miguel
Published: August 2011

Purpose

The observed real exchange rate, measured as an effective index of real labour costs, may serve as a base for the evaluation of the Portuguese economy's competitiveness. The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the positioning of the real exchange rate, throughout time, against a benchmark that guarantees external macroeconomic equilibrium (balanced fundamental account).

Design/methodology/approach

This paper uses the effective real exchange rate as an indicator of Portugal's competitive position in relation to its major trading partners (fundamental equilibrium exchange rate approach using the unit labour costs).

Findings

The authors found evidence that the real exchange rate has been persistently overvalued since the early 1990s. The evolution of this situation, which is harmful for the national economy, does not evidence the return to a path that may ensure external equilibrium for Portugal. The results show evidence of significant overvaluation of the Portuguese real exchange rate when compared to its estimated equilibrium level. In order to achieve a balanced fundamental account and considering a margin of error of 5 per cent, the real exchange rate needs to depreciate between 27.69 and 30.61 per cent.

Originality/value

The relevance of the real effective exchange rate as a macroeconomic indicator arises from its role as a measure of national competitiveness. Computed as a measure of the difference of international prices, adjusted to the same unit of measurement, it represents the relative price of goods between countries, determining where this same price may be higher or lower. According to Krugman and Obstfeld, the manipulation of the real effective exchange rate allows one country to adjust its level of competitiveness against its trading partners.
Coherent risk measures in real estate investment
Authors: Brown Roger , Young Michael
Published: August 2011

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to propose a new way to measure risk in real estate investment, which departs from traditional statistical methodology borrowed from finance.

Design/methodology/approach

An argument is advanced for the use of so‐called coherent risk measures for real estate investment decisions. Central to this class of measure is the computation of spectral risk, a measure that covers the spectrum of an individual's risk aversion function. Intuition being hard to observe, empirical data from two large databases are presented as support.

Findings

At the heart of the controversy is a discussion of the nature of risk and how it should be measured. This paper seeks common ground where peace may be made between these two warring factions. Scenarios are tested wherein different risk aversion functions are used to compute spectral risk for different sectors. Ex‐post analysis shows that reasoning of this nature can lead to improved risk‐adjusted investment results.

Practical implications

The route to finding an appropriate risk measure for real estate investment has been tortuous. It is not certain that the destination has been reached. Complicating the task is a considerable gap between academic and practitioner methodology, the former relying on the mathematics of objective probability, the latter dwelling quite successfully in a habitat of subjective risk measures.

Social implications

It is widely accepted that risk represents a cost to society. Real estate, as a repository of roughly half the world's wealth, can be viewed as having risk of a structurally different nature. The better understanding of this risk reduces the cost to society.

Originality/value

For practitioners, spectral measures offer formal support for something they have been doing their entire careers: evaluating risk subjectively. The simple dot product of weights and ordered outcomes is an extension of the widely used “Best case – Worse case – Most likely” methodology that has served professionals well for decades. Perhaps a by‐product of spectral measures is to bring academics and field gladiators closer together. If there is merit to a new way of thinking about risk independent of its implementation, real estate investment could benefit from that thinking. Among those who doubt that everything is “normal” are those who believe that previous attempts to explain risk in real estate have fallen far short of the mark. The challenge to those still not satisfied by the spectral approach is to offer an alternative that represents both a departure from and an improvement of the old methods.
Barriers and drivers to green buildings in Australia and New Zealand
Authors: Bond Sandy
Published: August 2011

Purpose

Improving energy efficiency of buildings and appliances has been shown to be the most cost‐effective way of reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The aim of this research is to identify householders' lifestyle choices within homes that impact on energy use and their motivation to conserve energy. The results help to identify methods to increase the uptake of sustainability practices that will reduce greenhouse gas emissions in residential buildings.

Design/methodology/approach

A postal survey was adopted as the quickest and most cost‐effective way of surveying a large sample of householders across Australia. The survey was sent to 2,500 randomly selected residents, 500 in each of the five largest Australian cities by population.

Findings

The results identified that barriers to energy efficiency in households include: larger homes and smaller households; initial costs of sustainable features, and a lack of consumer information about benefits and savings from incorporating energy‐efficient devices. The most common reason why people are not acting in more sustainable ways is inconvenience or laziness.

Research limitations/implications

The response rate was very low and retired persons were over‐represented, as they are the people with more time to answer surveys. Further research is warranted to achieve a larger, more representative sample.

Practical implications

These results will be useful to Government policy makers as they help to identify methods to increase the uptake of sustainable features and energy conservation in homes.

Originality/value

This study is the first attempt at a nation‐wide study of residential behavior to help reduce greenhouse gas emissions in homes.
The political economy of green office buildings
Authors: Harrison David , Seiler Michael
Published: August 2011

Purpose

This paper aims to examine whether rental premiums accrue to environmentally certified class “A” office buildings and, further, to what extent such premiums vary with the political ideology of the local market area.

Design/methodology/approach

Using standard ordinary least squares (OLS) regression techniques, the paper models rental rates on environmentally certified structures as a function of the space market characteristics, economic environment, and political ideology within each local market area.

Findings

The paper finds significant variation in environmentally certified rental premiums across jurisdiction‐specific political ideology metrics. Specifically, politically liberal locations exhibit green rental premiums of nearly 6 percent, while politically conservative locations exhibit premiums of less than 2 percent.

Originality/value

This paper expands the existing literature by offering further evidence of positive rental premiums accruing to environmental certification, and by systematically exploring the fundamental determinants of these observed value differences.
Embodied leadership: towards a new way of developing leaders
Authors: Hamill Peter
Published: August 2011

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to critique common practice in leadership development with a view to suggesting an alternative approach based on neuroscience.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper references existing research in the field of neuroscience to carry out a critique, before presenting a case study of a different approach to leadership development.

Findings

Current leadership development practice relies heavily on the use of models and theories, and the development of self‐awareness. The paper uses findings from neuroscience to question whether these approaches produce sustainable changes. These findings suggest that models and theories do not impact the regions of the brain required for behavioral change. They also suggest that self‐awareness, while an essential starting point, may not be enough. The paper goes on to explore approaches involving the body in learning motor skills as a way of developing leadership, and moving from self‐awareness to self‐cultivation.

Practical implications

This paper suggests that some of the approaches to leadership development will need to change if the results intended are to be achieved.

Originality/value

The emerging field of neuroscience has the potential to increase understanding of leadership development. However, the challenge is that much of the writing on neuroscience is not accessible to those outside the field. This is starting to change, and this article seeks to make some important findings from neuroscience available for practitioners, to improve the efficacy of leadership development approaches. The approaches to leadership critiqued here are commonplace and the embodied leadership development suggested is not mainstream. This offers some new options for leadership developers interested in developing sustainable change.
AZ Essentials emerges from a collective vision
Authors: West Sarah , Sugden John
Published: August 2011

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to provide a clear outline of how external training and development support helped AZ Essentials, part of AstraZeneca, during a period of major change. This involved bringing nine existing functions together into the single operating unit that was AZ Essentials.

Design/methodology/approach

Oakridge's approach was to better understand current opinions of the proposed new organization and its requirement through one‐to‐one interviews. Using this approach it was able to understand better the current view of the change and decide which development tools to adopt to bring the business functions together to operate as one cohesive group.

Findings

Interviews demonstrated there was inconsistency in understanding of the role and purpose of AZ Essentials. What Oakridge understood from this was the need to move acceptance and development forward quicker and more effectively. The leadership team needed to better understand the rationale for the new organization and its purpose in order to accept the change.

Practical implications

A workshop program engaged the leadership team in a highly involved and participative way to achieve the desired outcomes. From here work on the value proposition sought to identify what the different functions had in common and how they could be coordinated and work together. The leadership team worked on the vision for AZ Essentials, which needed to be clear, consistent and one that would drive the organization. Oakridge was totally focused upon the requirement and engaged with each issue ensuring the group remained motivated throughout the development work.

Originality/value

The paper provides useful information on how external training and development support can help during a period of major change.
Clinical risk assessment and management of service users
Authors: Bowers Alexis
Published: August 2011

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to improve compliance with clinical risk procedures across a United Kingdom based mental health trust.

Design/methodology/approach

A cross‐sectional audit was carried out in April 2010. In total, 70 Risk Assessment Proformas (RAPS) were measured against an agreed “gold‐standard”. The standards were a combination of Department of Health recommendations as well as the current Hertfordshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust (HPFT) policy on clinical risk assessment.

Findings

Only 53 (out of a possible 70) RAPS were completed. The acute and community psychiatric service stream samples on the whole provided more information within their RAPS than other parts of the service. There were overall low levels of documentation regarding service user and carer involvement.

Practical implications

To strengthen the clinical management of risk (and thus reduce harm) in mental health settings a systematic approach to risk assessment should be present. This involves clinicians working in partnership with both service users and carers. Based on the results, more needs to be done to actively involve carers and the service user in formulating the risk management plan. Not only will this promote positive risk management within the organization it will also enable individual “recovery”.

Originality/value

By auditing the organizational processes that underpin the management of risk, deficiencies in clinical care can be identified. Mental Health Trusts can promote positive risk management within their organization by engaging service users and their carers in managing risk.
Strategic thinking and decision making: literature review
Authors: Steptoe‐Warren Gail , Howat Douglas , Hume Ian
Published: August 2011

Purpose

The paper seeks to examine both management and psychological literature on strategic decision making.

Design/methodology/approach

A review of the management and psychological literature is undertaken, with particular focus on factors affecting strategic decision making.

Findings

The literature review reveals that managerial cognition as well as individual and corporate values can have an impact on strategic decision making. The review also finds that strategic competencies are important although there is no agreement within the literature on what those competencies are.

Originality/value

Strategic thinking and strategic decision making have been discussed within the psychological and management literature for decades. Psychological and management theoretical perspectives and empirical research have been discussed separately and failed to consider both together. The current paper reviews both psychological and management literature to provide an understanding of the strategic thinking and decision making process and factors that may affect the process.
Investigating Social Dominance in a Prison Population
Authors: Graham‐Kevan Nicola
Published: August 2011

This study using a prison sample to explore Social Dominance Orientation (SDO), socially dominant inmate behaviour, index offence, age and length of time served in secure environments. A sample of 397 adult male prisoners completed the Direct and Indirect Prisoner Behaviour Checklist‐ Scaled (prisoner behaviour towards other inmates and staff) and the Social Dominance Orientation (SDO) Scale. It was predicted that prisoners would report higher SDO than non‐incarcerated populations and that among inmates those with approach orientated index offences would be higher in SDO than those whose offenses were more remote. It was also predicted that SDO would be related to younger age, higher lifetime rates of incarceration, more negative behaviour towards other inmates and staff, and more resource focused behaviour. The results broadly supported predictions, and possible implications for practice and directions for future research are discussed.
Negative Relating and Offense Type
Authors: Newberry Michelle , Birtchnell John
Published: August 2011

This study explores whether particular forms of negative (i.e. antisocial) relating, as measured by the eight scales of the shorter Person’s Relating to Others Questionnaire (PROQ3), were associated with specific types of offend‐ing behaviour. The participants were 923 male offenders at a therapeutic community prison who had completed the PROQ3 on admission. The PROQ3 scores of eight offense groups identified on the basis of an offender’s index offense were compared using a one‐way analysis of variance (ANOVA). In addition, because most prisoners had committed a range of offenses, the PROQ3 scores of ‘pure’ offenders (who had committed only one type of offense) were also com‐pared. Neutral distance (e.g. suspicion, self‐reliance) and lower closeness (e.g. fear of rejection and disapproval) were the PROQ3 scales most significantly associated with criminality in general and dishonest offenders demonstrated the broadest range of negative relating. Implications of findings for therapy are discussed.
Discrimination Needed: The Over‐Inclusive Definition of Who is a Sex Offender
Authors: Colbert Ryanne
Published: August 2011

Sex offenders and the laws concerning them represent a highly controversial and emotionally charged issue. Current efforts of legislation in the United States to manage the increasing number of sex offenders being arrested and eventually released back into communities are inadequate to manage such a large population of offenders, and the effects of registration and notification laws are more detrimental than beneficial to the communities they intend to protect. This paper discusses the notion that a significant cause of the problem relates to the overly broad standards that are used to define who is to be charged as a sex offender. The term “sex offender” needs to be reserved for those individuals who best represent the meaning of the term, and the resources available for this issue should be directed towards the effective management of those offenders instead of being spread so thin amongst so many offenders who do not pose a serious threat to society that none of them are sufficiently supervised after release from incarceration. Furthermore, laws and federal guidelines regarding sex offender legislation needs to be based on empirical research findings instead of uniformed public pressure.
The human factor in 5S implementation: perspectives from Poland
Authors: Urban Wieslaw , Mazurek Agnieszka
Published: August 2011

Subject area

Production management and personnel management.

Study level/applicability

Production management modules of undergraduate business and management courses.

Case overview

The case describes the implementation of 5S by a Polish production company, namely Bianor. It presents not only the literature base and benefits of 5S but, in particular, shows the specificity of the implementation process, taking into consideration attitudes of employees; moreover, the study devotes some attention to aspects of organizational culture.

Expected learning outcomes

The case shows how to implement the 5S method in a production company, and how effective communication of processes is essential to implementing business change.

Supplementary materials

Teaching note.
The Oberoi resorts: luxury redefined
Authors: Bharwani Sonia
Published: August 2011

Subject area

Tourism and hospitality.

Study level/applicability

This case has been developed to suit the pedagogical needs of undergraduate and post-graduate students of management in the area of strategic marketing management in the service industry.

Case overview

The case describes the challenge faced by Gautam Raj, Executive Vice President, Strategic Development, The Oberoi Group, in making submissions to the Chairman, P.R.S. Oberoi for giving shape to the company's future strategic plans and developing the blueprint for further growth. The Oberoi Group is a leading India-based hospitality company, which was looking at selective expansion in the five-star deluxe segments by seeking new opportunities for its luxury leisure business in order to achieve a greater geographic spread. The case gives detailed information related to “The Oberoi” resorts ranging from their genesis to their branding and marketing strategies to put into perspective the challenge faced by the protagonist in making appropriate recommendations regarding the optimal choice of location for new-luxury leisure resorts.

Expected learning outcomes

The case is designed to give students an opportunity to demonstrate understanding of generic strategies for sustaining competitive advantage and market selection strategies and to analyse prospective location choices for making recommendations regarding appropriate markets to enter.

Supplementary materials

Teaching note.
Analysis of peripheral blood lymphocyte subsets and prognosis in patients with septic shock
Authors: Chen Xiaofeng , Ye Jilu , Ye Jun
Published: August 2011

The purpose of the study is to study the relationship between peripheral blood lymphocyte subset proportion and prognosis in patients with septic shock. Fifty‐two patients with septic shock, admitted to the intensive care unit between March 2007 and December 2010, were enrolled in this study. Peripheral blood lymphocyte subset proportions were measured using flow cytometry. The percentage of CD3+CD4+ T lymphocytes and CD19+ lymphocytes, CD4+/CD8+ T cell ratio were substantially lower in patients with septic shock compared to the control group (P < 0.01). The percentage of CD3+CD8+ T lymphocytes did not differ significantly between the two groups (P > 0.05). The percentage of CD16+CD56+ lymphocytes was higher in patients with septic shock than in the control group (P < 0.01). Compared with the survivor group, the percentage of CD3+CD4+ T lymphocytes and CD19+ lymphocytes, CD4+/CD8+ T cell ratio were clearly lower in the non‐survivor group (P < 0.01). There was no difference in the percentage of CD3+CD8+ T lymphocytes between the non‐survivor and survivor groups (P > 0.05). The percentage of CD16+CD56+ lymphocytes was higher in the non‐survivor group than in the survivor group (P < 0.05). The total maximum SOFA score and the delta SOFA score were much higher in the non‐survivor group than in the survivor group (P < 0.01). Immune imbalance occurs in patients with septic shock. Peripheral blood lymphocyte subset proportion and SOFA scores can be used to assess the treatment and prognosis of septic shock.
Translational Mini-Review Series on B cell subsets in disease. B cells in multiple sclerosis: drivers of disease pathogenesis and Trojan horse for Epstein–Barr virus entry to the central nervous system?
Authors: Meier U-C , Giovannoni G , Tzartos J S , Khan G
Published: August 2011

OTHER ARTICLES PUBLISHED IN THIS MINI-REVIEW SERIES ON B CELL SUBSETS IN DISEASE

Transitional B cells in systemic lupus erythematosus and Sjögren's syndrome: clinical implications and effects of B cell-targeted therapies. Clinical and Experimental Immunology 2012, 167: 7–14. Reconstitution after haematopoietic stem cell transplantation – revelation of B cell developmental pathways and lineage phenotypes. Clinical and Experimental Immunology 2012, 167: 15–25.

The recent success of therapies directed at B cells has highlighted their potential as central players in multiple sclerosis (MS) pathogenesis. Exciting new data showed that B cell depletion led to reduced clinical and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) evidence of disease activity. However, the mechanisms of action remain unknown, but could involve autoantibody production, antigen presentation and/or cytokine production by B cells. Another exciting line of investigation in the field of MS comes from latent infection of memory B cells by Epstein–Barr virus (EBV). These cells are hijacked as ‘Trojan horses’ and ‘smuggle’ the virus into the central nervous system (CNS). Thus, these new anti B cell treatments will also be likely to have anti-viral effects. We briefly review recent findings in the field of MS pathogenesis, and highlight promising new targets for therapeutic intervention in MS.
An episodic model of honeydew production in scale insects
Authors: JAMES ALEX , KELLY DAVE
Published: August 2011

Honeydew produced by sooty beech scale insects (Ultracoelostoma spp., Homoptera: Coelostomidiidae) is a keystone ecological process in New Zealand beech (Nothofagus spp., Nothofagaceae) forest. This work puts forward a model of honeydew production based on individual insects that presumes feeding and excretion are episodic processes driven by the insect rather than the passive processes that were previously assumed. The model is parameterized using existing data and then compared to an independent pre‐existing dataset. The model suggests that over a 12‐h period, on average the insects suck sap for 2 h, and excrete waste sap for 12 min. Resource uptake by the insects appears to be limited by the time required to process the sap, consistent with the observed relationship between honeydew production rates and ambient temperature. This implies that insect feeding rates may be ultimately limited by the low nitrogen content of phloem sap.
Fibroblast growth factor receptor 4 Gly388Arg polymorphism is not associated with pre‐eclampsia in Turkish women
Authors: Gunes Emine Gulsen , Pinarbasi Ergun
Published: August 2011

Aim:  The aim of this study was to assess the association between human fibroblast growth factor receptor 4 (FGFR4) Gly388Arg polymorphism and pre‐eclampsia (PE) by carrying out a case–control study in Turkish women.

Materials and Methods:  In the present study 159 PE patients and 161 controls were included. DNA was extracted from peripheral blood leukocyte and FGFR4 Gly388Arg polymorphism was investigated using polymerase chain reaction–restriction fragment length polymorphism methods.

Results:  For Gly388Arg polymorphism of FGFR4 we found no significant association between controls and PE patients. The frequencies of GlyGly, GlyArg and ArgArg genotypes were 56.6%, 36.4% and 7% for the study group and 50.3%, 44.7% and 5% for the control group, respectively. The risk of women with the GlyArg (odds ratio = 0.7, 95% confidence interval: 0.45–1.14) and ArgArg (odds ratio = 1.2, 95% confidence interval: 0.47–3.22) genotypes for PE did not differ significantly from that of GlyGly genotype carriers.

Conclusion:  As we could not find any association between genetic variability in Gly388Arg of FGFR4 and PE, this specific polymorphism of FGFR4 can be eliminated as a risk factor for PE at least for Turkish women.
Incidental focal colonic lesions found on 18Fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography scan: further support for a national guideline on definitive management
Authors: Farquharson A. L. , Chopra A. , Ford A. , Matthews S. , Amin S. N. , De Noronha R.
Published: August 2011

Aim  18Fluorodeoxyglucose (18FDG) positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) is an established part of staging in a wide variety of malignancies. Incidental abnormal uptake of 18FDG of unknown significance is frequently encountered. Therefore, we investigated patients with abnormal colonic uptake of 18FDG, determined by PET/CT images, using colonoscopy.

Method  The radiology reports of all patients referred to a tertiary referral centre for a PET/CT scan were reviewed retrospectively. Patients with abnormal colonic uptake of 18FDG were identified and the PET/CT findings were correlated with colonoscopic findings.

Results  Of 555 consecutive patients identified over a 26‐month period, 53 had abnormal colonic uptake of 18FDG, as determined by PET/CT images. Twenty‐nine were not investigated following discussion in a specialist multidisciplinary (MDT) meeting, according to local protocol. Twenty out of 24 patients investigated by endoscopy had a colonic lesion correlating to the site identified on the PET/CT image: 16 patients had tubulovillous adenomas (nine of which were > 10 mm), two had invasive adenocarcinomas, two had diverticular disease and one had collagenous colitis; no colonic lesion was detected in three. These findings were incidental and not related to the primary diagnosis for which the scan was being performed. Accordingly, a positive predictive value of 83% is associated with the finding of abnormal uptake of 18FDG on PET/CT images.

Conclusion  Incidental abnormal colonic uptake of 18FDG, determined by a PET/CT scan requires definitive colonic investigation in patients suitable for further treatment because significant colonic pathology is frequently identified. The benefit of this approach should be discussed in specialist MDT meetings and tailored to each patient; however, national guidelines for management are required.
Testing fossil calibrations for vertebrate molecular trees
Authors: Lee Michael S. Y. , Skinner Adam
Published: August 2011

Lee, M. S. Y. & Skinner, A. (2011). Testing fossil calibrations for vertebrate molecular trees. —Zoologica Scripta,40, 538–543.
Through efficient use of LORs: Prospective teachers' views on operational aspects of learning object repositories
Authors: Yalcinalp Serpil , Emiroglu Bulent
Published: August 2011

Although many developments have been made in the design and development of learning object repositories (LORs), the efficient use of such systems is still questionable. Without realising the functional use of such systems or considering the involvement of their dynamic users, these systems would probably become obsolete. This study includes both qualitative and quantitative research methods for the investigation of prospective teachers' views on the operational aspects of such tools. The participants in this study were 75 prospective teachers that were participating in the graduate certification programme for secondary school subject teachers at Baskent University in Turkey. To realise the objectives of this study, prospective teachers were required to use the 17 of the existing LORs in their course. Analysis was also conducted on those LORs identified by the researchers. Afterwards, teachers were asked to answer an open‐ended question in paper and pencil form. Through qualitative analysis, the responses of teachers were coded and presented in a table. The results of this analysis revealed many interesting points regarding teachers' thoughts on the main factors in repositories and are expected to guide the designers, developers and users of LORs to focus on the main issues related to the improvement of functionality and efficiency of such systems.

Practitioner Notes

What is already known about this topic

Role of learning objects (LOs) in education.

Knowledge on general features of well‐known learning object repositories (LORs).

Analysis of the existing LORs in terms of their structural and operational features.

What this paper adds

A useful insight into educators' perceptions of LOs and LORs.

Analysis of user requirements such as teachers' needs in LORs.

Identification of the 17 LORs along with their features from which the reader may benefit and the knowledge of additional few such systems as the Turkish Repositories.

Implications for practice and/or policy

Considerations of structural factors in designing LORs reflecting prospective teachers' requirements such as the use of ontologies and Semantic Webs.

Considerations of usability factors in designing LORs reflecting the prospective teachers' requirements.

Suggestions for considerations of the critical issues in the development and use of LORs such as the needs to be taken into care within the scope of the Open Educational Resources movement.
Food practices, changes, preferences and acculturation of Arab students in US universities
Authors: Brittin Helen C. , Obeidat Bayan A.
Published: August 2011

Knowledge of food practices and preferences of various ethnic groups is needed in order to provide effective nutrition education and care to an increasingly diverse population. Scant information on food practices of Arabs in the US is available. This study investigated food practices, changes, preferences and acculturation of some Arab students in US universities. After contacting 248 potential participants by e‐mail, a questionnaire was mailed to a convenience sample of the 70 students enrolled in US universities who were born in an Arab country and had agreed to participate. Completed questionnaires were returned by 45 men and women from nine Arab countries and enrolled in five US universities. While living in the US, the number of meals consumed per day decreased (P < 0.01), and food eaten out changed from Arabic to American. Foods consumed most frequently were soft drinks, white bread, hot tea, orange juice, tomato, pita bread, olive oil, American coffee and bananas. Of 109 foods on the questionnaire, consumption frequency increased (P < 0.05) for 15 American foods and decreased (P < 0.05) for 24 Arabic foods, 19 common foods and total vegetable, meat, milk, fats/sweets and Arabic dishes food groups. Food group mean daily consumption frequencies suggest adequate intake of food groups except bread and milk. Most foods were liked (81%; mean 5.5 or higher on a 9‐point hedonic scale). Consumption frequency and liking were positively correlated (P < 0.05) for 47 foods and total milk food group. Acculturation (mean 2.5, 1–5 scale) was positively correlated (P < 0.05) with length of US residence and with consumption and liking of some American foods, and was negatively correlated (P < 0.05) with consumption and liking of some Arabic foods. These findings can be used as a guide in future research on food practices of Arab consumers, and in nutrition education and care of an Arab population.
Defining and using the concept of household: a systematic review
Authors: Casimir Gerda J. , Tobi Hilde
Published: August 2011

Consumption and/or domestic activities in the private domain are much studied subjects. In the field of home economics and related fields of study, the household is the main unit of analysis. This paper focuses on how the household is conceptualized in literature during 2000–2010. The paper contains two lines of investigation. The first questions whether and in which way the household is defined in a selection of peer‐reviewed articles of which the concept is part of the title. The second is about the multifaceted nature of the concept and elicits the facets that feature in the articles. A systematic review was performed using the bibliographic database Web of Science, as it covers different branches of science, including, but not limited to, home economics, developmental sociology, environmental sciences and transportation. The search was formulated by means of a Boolean expression. Articles were included when they were written in English, published between 2000 and 2010, and contained Househ* in title and Theor* in the topic, and either member* or product* or care or livelihood in the topic. Abstracts and full papers were assigned to Atlas.ti, a program for computer‐assisted qualitative data analysis. Bottom‐up and top‐down coding procedures were used for a domain analysis and a quantitative content analysis. The results show that very few (less than 10%) of the papers give a definition of the concept ‘household’. Instead, some papers give a study description based on so‐called household characteristics, thereby implicitly indicating dimensions of the concept. In the Results sections, some of the characteristics used for inclusion or exclusion of study participants are mentioned, but also other characteristics. It is concluded that descriptions of households do contain commonly used facets that together construct the concept of household as a group of people sharing resources, expenditures and activities.
Pharmacokinetics of Fentanyl Buccal Tablet: A Pooled Analysis and Review
Authors: Darwish Mona , Xie Fang
Published: August 2011

Fentanyl buccal tablet (FBT) is indicated for the treatment of breakthrough pain in patients who are already receiving and are tolerant to opioid therapy for underlying, persistent cancer pain. FBT is designed to enhance the rate and efficiency of absorption of fentanyl through the buccal mucosa. FBT was shown to be dose proportional from 100 to 1,300 μg. This analysis provides an overview of the pharmacokinetic profile of FBT based on pooled data from nine pharmacokinetic studies. In all, 365 healthy non‐opioid‐tolerant adults receiving naltrexone were included in the analysis. Single‐dose (100 to 1,300 μg) pharmacokinetic parameters were dose normalized to 100 μg. Pharmacokinetic measures included maximum observed plasma drug concentration (Cmax), plasma drug concentration versus time curve from time zero to infinity (AUC0–∞), time to reach Cmax (Tmax), apparent plasma terminal elimination rate constant, and elimination half‐life. After FBT administration, fentanyl was rapidly absorbed, with Tmax ranging from 20 minutes to 4 hours postdose. Mean AUC0–∞ was 1.49 ng•hour/mL, and mean Cmax was 0.237 ng/mL. However, plasma fentanyl concentration reached 80% of Cmax within 25 minutes and was maintained through 2 hours after administration. Based on the individual studies, bioequivalence was shown for sublingual and buccal tablet placement, and no significant effect of dwell time (duration of FBT presence in the oral cavity) was observed. The pharmacokinetic profile of FBT was characterized by rapid absorption, which is consistent with the rapid‐onset efficacy profile of FBT observed in clinical studies.
Improved Outcome with Preventive Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy in the Elderly: A MADIT‐CRT Substudy
Authors: PENN JUSTIN , GOLDENBERG ILAN , MOSS ARTHUR J. , McNITT SCOTT , ZAREBA WOJCIECH , KLEIN HELMUT U. , CANNOM DAVID S. , SOLOMON SCOTT D. , BARSHESHET ALON , HUANG DAVID T. ,   for the MADIT‐CRT Trial investigators
Published: August 2011

Preventive Cardiac Resynchronization in the Elderly. Background: Elderly patients comprise a large portion of patients with heart failure (HF). Limited data exist on the effectiveness of cardiac resynchronization therapy with defibrillator (CRT‐D) in patients with mild HF symptoms in this population.

Methods and Results: The benefit of CRT‐D compared with ICD‐only therapy in reducing HF or death was assessed by age categories (prespecified as <60 [n = 548], 60–74 [n = 941], and ≥75 [n = 331] years) among 1,820 patients in MADIT‐CRT. In patients with ICD‐only, there was a graded age‐related increase in the Kaplan–Meier cumulative probability of HF or death at 3‐year follow‐up (19%, 33%, and 36%, in patients aged <60, 60–74, and ≥75 years, respectively, P = 0.003). Multivariate analysis demonstrated that CRT‐D therapy was associated with a significant reduction in the risks of HF or death in patients aged 60–74, and ≥75 years (HR = 0.57, P = <0.001 and HR = 0.59, P = 0.017, respectively), and no significant benefit in patients aged <60 years (HR = 0.81, P = 0.3; P‐value for all treatment‐by‐age interactions >0.10). There was no significant difference in the rate of device‐related adverse events within 90 days following CRT‐D implantation among age‐subgroups (16.7%, 15.7%, and 11.7%, in patients <60, 60–74, and ≥75 years, respectively, P = 0.42).

Conclusion: CRT‐D was associated with a significant clinical benefit in older patients (≥60 years) during an average 2.4‐year follow‐up. These effects were preserved for the elderly patients ≥75 years of age but attenuated in patients <60 years. Elderly patients had no increase in device‐related adverse events compared with younger patients. (J Cardiovasc Electrophysiol, Vol. 22, pp. 892‐897, August 2011)
The Sterol‐Binding Protein Kes1/Osh4p Is a Regulator of Polarized Exocytosis
Authors: Alfaro Gabriel , Johansen Jesper , Dighe Shubha A. , Duamel Giselle , Kozminski Keith G. , Beh Christopher T.
Published: August 2011

Oxysterol‐binding protein (OSBP)‐related protein Kes1/ Osh4p is implicated in nonvesicular sterol transfer between membranes in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. However, we found that Osh4p associated with exocytic vesicles that move from the mother cell into the bud, where Osh4p facilitated vesicle docking by the exocyst tethering complex at sites of polarized growth on the plasma membrane. Osh4p formed complexes with the small GTPases Cdc42p, Rho1p and Sec4p, and the exocyst complex subunit Sec6p, which was also required for Osh4p association with vesicles. Although Osh4p directly affected polarized exocytosis, its role in sterol trafficking was less clear. Contrary to what is predicted for a sterol‐transfer protein, inhibition of sterol binding by the Osh4p Y97F mutation did not cause its inactivation. Rather, OSH4Y97F is a gain‐of‐function mutation that causes dominant lethality. We propose that in response to sterol binding and release Osh4p promotes efficient exocytosis through the co‐ordinate regulation of Sac1p, a phosphoinositide 4‐phosphate (PI4P) phosphatase, and the exocyst complex. These results support a model in which Osh4p acts as a sterol‐dependent regulator of polarized vesicle transport, as opposed to being a sterol‐transfer protein.
A Weak Base‐Generating System Suitable for Selective Manipulation of Lysosomal pH
Authors: Carraro‐Lacroix Luciene R. , Jaumouillé Valentin , Fairn Gregory D. , Grinstein Sergio
Published: August 2011

pH varies widely among the different intracellular compartments. The establishment and maintenance of a particular pH appears to be critical for proper organellar function. This has been deduced from experiments where intraorganellar pH was altered by means of weak acids or bases, ionophores or inhibitors of the vacuolar H+‐ATPase (V‐ATPase). These manipulations, however, are not specific and simultaneously alter the pH of multiple compartments. As a result, it is difficult to assign their effect to a defined organelle. To circumvent this limitation, we designed and implemented a procedure to selectively manipulate the pH of a compartment of choice, using lysosomes as a model organelle. The approach is based on the targeted and continuous enzymatic generation of weak electrolyte, which enabled us to overcome the high buffering capacity of the lysosomal lumen, without altering the pH of other compartments. We targeted jack‐bean urease to lysosomes and induced the localized generation of ammonia by providing the membrane‐permeant substrate, urea. This resulted in a marked, rapid and fully reversible alkalinization that was restricted to the lysosomal lumen, without measurably affecting the pH of endosomes or of the cytosol. The acute alkalinization induced by urease–urea impaired the activity of pH‐dependent lysosomal enzymes, including cathepsins C and L, without altering endosomal function. This approach, which can be extended to other organelles, enables the analysis of the role of pH in selected compartments, without the confounding effects of global disturbances in pH or vesicular traffic.
IMAGING DIAGNOSIS—SPINAL CORD HEMANGIOMA IN TWO DOGS
Authors: JULL PHILIP , WALMSLEY GEMMA L. , BENIGNI LIVIA , WENZLOW NANNY , RAYNER EMMA L. , SUMMERS BRIAN A. , CHERUBINI GIUNIO B. , SCHÖNIGER SANDRA , VOLK HOLGER A.
Published: August 2011

Intramedullary masses are a dilemma due to the limited access for a nonsurgical biopsy, thus, accurate imaging characterization is crucial. Magnetic resonance imaging findings of two confirmed canine thoracic intramedullary hemangiomas are described. A capillary hemangioma was of mixed intensity but predominantly T2‐hyperintense and mildly T1‐hyperintense to spinal cord with strong contrast enhancement. A cavernous hemangioma had a target‐like appearance in both T1‐weighted (T1w) and T2‐weighted (T2w) images. In T2w images there was a small isointense center surrounded by a relatively large hyperintense area. In T1w images, there was a large isointense centre with a relatively small hyperintense periphery. Such characteristics should prioritize hemangioma as a consideration in a progressive myelopathy due to an intramedullary mass.
Quantitative investigation of hydrogen bonds on Si(100) surfaces prepared by vapor phase epitaxy
Authors: Dobrich Anja , Kleinschmidt Peter , Döscher Henning , Hannappel Thomas
Published: August 2011

The authors investigated Si(100) surfaces prepared by vapor phase epitaxy (VPE) using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) in an attenuated total reflection configuration and low energy electron diffraction (LEED). They detected the symmetric and antisymmetric stretch modes of the H–Si–Si–H monohydrides using FTIR in agreement with the associated (2×1)/(1×2) LEED patterns. Polarized FTIR measurements verified the surface character of the observed hydrogen bonds. Exchanging the process gas in our VPE reactor to argon at an intermediate temperature of around 700 °C showed the impact of the hydrogen ambient during the cooling phase at the end of the process. The authors were able to obtain a strong preference of one of the two possible surface domains by variation of the cooling procedure and quantified the domain ratio by comparison of the absorption due to the antisymmetric modes in polarized spectra parallel and perpendicular to the plane of incidence.
Enhanced field emission from carbon nanotubes by electroplating of silver nanoparticles
Authors: Chen Leifeng , Mi Yuhong , Ni Hualiang , Ji Zhenguo , Xi Junhua , Pi Xiaodong , Zhao Haifeng
Published: August 2011

The authors report that the field emission of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) is significantly improved by electroplating. The electroplating leads to a decrease of the turn-on electric field from 2.95 to 1.0 V/μm and an increase of the emission-current density from 0.224 to 0.8112 mA/cm2 at an applied electric field of 8 V/μm. It is found that after 23 days the current density of the CNT emitters prepared with electroplating only decreases by 10%, whereas that of the CNT emitters prepared without electroplating decreases by more than 80%. The improvement of the field emission of CNTs is due to the electroplating-enabled strong adhesion between the CNTs and the substrate. This has been verified by the measurement of the contact resistance.
The effect of electronically steering a phased array ultrasound transducer on near‐field tissue heating
Authors: Payne Allison , Vyas Urvi , Todd Nick , de Bever Joshua , Christensen Douglas A. , Parker Dennis L.
Published: August 2011

Purpose:

This study presents the results obtained from both simulation and experimental techniques that show the effect of mechanically or electronically steering a phased array transducer on proximal tissue heating.

Methods:

The thermal response of a nine‐position raster and a 16‐mm diameter circle scanning trajectory executed through both electronic and mechanical scanning was evaluated in computer simulations and experimentally in a homogeneous tissue‐mimicking phantom. Simulations were performed using power deposition maps obtained from the hybrid angular spectrum (HAS) method and applying a finite‐difference approximation of the Pennes' bioheat transfer equation for the experimentally used transducer and also for a fully sampled transducer to demonstrate the effect of acoustic window, ultrasound beam overlap and grating lobe clutter on near‐field heating.

Results:

Both simulation and experimental results show that electronically steering the ultrasound beam for the two trajectories using the 256‐element phased array significantly increases the thermal dose deposited in the near‐field tissues when compared with the same treatment executed through mechanical steering only. In addition, the individual contributions of both beam overlap and grating lobe clutter to the near‐field thermal effects were determined through comparing the simulated ultrasound beam patterns and resulting temperature fields from mechanically and electronically steered trajectories using the 256‐randomized element phased array transducer to an electronically steered trajectory using a fully sampled transducer with 40 401 phase‐adjusted sample points.

Conclusions:

Three distinctly different three distinctly different transducers were simulated to analyze the tradeoffs of selected transducer design parameters on near‐field heating. Careful consideration of design tradeoffs and accurate patient treatment planning combined with thorough monitoring of the near‐field tissue temperature will help to ensure patient safety during an MRgHIFU treatment.