bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
“It's a forced separation […] and we've got used to this kind of life”: changing dynamics of HIV risk in the context of immigration
Authors: Rachel Zhou Yanqiu , Coleman William D.
Published: September 2011

Purpose

This paper aims to examine the impacts of immigration processes on the HIV risk faced by mainland Chinese immigrants in Canada.

Design/methodology/approach

Drawn from a larger qualitative study on the vulnerability to HIV of recent immigrants to Canada, the data presented were collected through individual, face‐to‐face, semi‐structured, in‐depth interviews with 34 mainland‐Chinese immigrant adults who perceived themselves as facing sexual health risks (including HIV infection) through engaging in unsafe sex.

Findings

Immigration processes have not only exposed these immigrants to a HIV risk that they did not face in China; they have also compromised their capacity to effectively respond to it. In light of various settlement difficulties, HIV risk is neither the only nor the most urgent challenge that they have faced in their post‐immigration lives.

Research limitations/implications

The HIV risk under discussion must be understood by situating it in the processes of immigration, settlement, and transnational connections, all of which have shaped not only the dynamics of HIV risk but, also, these individuals' capacities to respond to that risk. Owing to its small‐size purposive sample, the results of this study may not be generalizable for Chinese immigrants in Canada as a whole.

Practical implications

Greater attention should be given to the intersections between immigrants' vulnerability to HIV and settlement processes and to holistic approaches that take into account the changing contexts and dynamics of HIV risk.

Originality/value

This exploratory study will contribute to knowledge of the HIV risk Chinese immigrants in Canada face – a little‐known topic.
Nah We Yone – a grassroots community‐based organization in New York City: successes, challenges, and lessons learned
Authors: Akinsulure‐Smith Adeyinka M. , Jones Wilma L.
Published: September 2011

Purpose

This paper aims to discuss the development of a unique, grassroots, community‐based organization, Nah We Yone (NWY), designed specifically to provide support to African refugees and asylum seekers, with a history of refugee trauma, war, and human rights abuses, who have fled to the New York City area.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper reviews the background to, the challenges faced and the services available at NWY.

Findings

Described in this paper are the rationale for developing this type of organization; specific programs designed to promote well‐being; and various challenges faced and lessons learned, while offering an alternate type of therapeutic intervention.

Practical implications

NWY demonstrates the importance of drawing on cultural and community strengths and resilience when using limited resources to serve traumatized and displaced peoples who are struggling to adjust to a new cultural setting.

Originality/value

This paper seeks to contribute to the literature on culturally informed therapeutic interventions developed by community‐based organizations to enhance well being in forced migrants.
Assessment of emission trading impacts on competitive electricity market price
Authors: Singh S.N. , Saxena D. , Østergaard Jacob
Published: September 2011

Purpose

Besides organizational changes in the electricity supply industry there are growing concerns about environmental issues derived from the Kyoto Protocol for the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions as well as promoting renewable energies. The purpose of this paper is to address the source side emission trading impact on electricity prices in the competitive power market.

Design/methodology/approach

Various schemes are suggested and are being implemented to achieve this objective. It is expected that electricity price will increase due to imposition of emission taxes. This paper analyzes the impact of electricity prices in the competitive electricity markets having a uniform market clearing price mechanism.

Findings

It is found that the electricity prices depend on the system loading, generation mix, etc. at a particular hour. Various emission trading instruments are discussed with a special emphasis on the European market.

Research limitations/implications

Block bidding of the suppliers is considered whereas the demand is assumed to be inelastic.

Originality/value

The emission trading impacts are analyzed on a simple example.
Generation scheduling with emissions trading scheme and transmission capacity constraints
Authors: Kockar Ivana
Published: September 2011

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to illustrate how emission constraints imposed by the emission trading scheme (ETS) in the European Union, as well as transmissions capacity, can affect the outcome of the generation scheduling. The aim is to demonstrate the application of the generation scheduling tool which includes both the ETS and transmission constraints, and helps evaluate their effect on emission reduction, costs, and generators' behavior and availability. It can also be used to help generators make strategic decisions regarding utilization and purchases of carbon allowances.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper extends the generation scheduling formulation to allow for additional constraints modeling. The formulation is based on the mixed integer programming approach with linearization of generation cost and emission functions, and the possibility to split the system into zones in order to investigate transmission congestion.

Findings

The paper presents six case studies that include unconstrained and constrained operation, both from the emission and transmission points of view. It also illustrates the effect of free allocations versus auctioning. The case studies look into the system with wind generation that can be constrained due to transmission limits, and their impact on emission reductions. This is often the case in systems where most of the wind generation is located in the area which does not have sufficiently strong links to the rest of the system where the majority of loads are.

Research limitations/implications

The extension of the work will be inclusion of stochastic nature of emission prices and wind availability. It will also be used for further studies on systems with high wind penetration and insufficient transmission capacity.

Originality/value

The generation scheduling tool and the results from the paper could be useful for generators when making decisions on how to use or purchase their emission allocations, as well as for evaluation of the adverse affect of transmission congestion on carbon emission reductions.
Electricity market equilibrium of thermal and wind generating plants in emission trading environment
Authors: Xun Binbin , Wen Fushuan , Tong Shulin
Published: September 2011

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the gaming equilibrium among fossil‐fueled generation companies (GenCos), wind generation companies, the grid company and customers participating in an emission trading (ET) market and the day‐ahead electricity market.

Design/methodology/approach

The complementarity method is used in this work to obtain the Nash equilibrium. By combining the Karush‐Kuhn‐Tucker (KKT) conditions of each kind of market participants with market clearing and consistency conditions, a mixed linear complementarity problem could be established.

Findings

Simulation results show that: the enforcement of ET could increase the share of generation outputs of wind generation units, and decrease the emissions from fossil‐fueled generation units; the bilateral contracts between GenCos and customers could limit the ability of exercising market power by GenCos; and when the emissions allowances allocated by the government shrink, the price of emissions allowance will increase and as the result the dispatching order of fossil‐fueled generation units will change, and the shares of generation outputs from wind generation units and combined‐cycle gas turbines increase. However, it should be mentioned that because the cost of wind generation is still very high, the increase of the share from wind generation units in the electricity market should mainly rely on cost reduction rather than the enforcement of ET.

Originality/value

The original contribution and the value of this study lie in developing a model framework to explore the gaming equilibrium that thermal and wind generating plants both play in the emissions trading environment and electricity market.
Synthetic evaluation of new socialist countryside construction at county level in China
Authors: Wang Yanqi , Guo Xiangyu , Liu Hongman
Published: September 2011

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to establish a synthetic evaluation index system of new socialist countryside (NSC) development at county level in China, and by which to evaluate the level of NSC construction among different regions in China. Then, some problems of rural development can be found and corresponding measures can be proposed, which could provide references for policymaking.

Design/methodology/approach

First, from agricultural, rural and farmers' perspective, a preliminary index system which containing 44 indicators was put forward. Then, combining with a series of subjective and objective indicator screening methods, such as fuzzy synthetic evaluation, clustering analysis, correlation and variation coefficient analysis, the final index system containing 22 indicators was established. Third, combining with factor analysis, the final index system was used to evaluate the level of NSC construction in 28 counties of China in 2007. Finally, we calculated district factor scores by a model and gave an aggregate index ranking of different regions.

Findings

NSC construction at county level is not well developed in China and there are significant geographical differences among different districts. First, NSC construction in Shanghai, Beijing, Nanjing, Guangzhou and Hangzhou is relatively better. Second, NSC construction of East China is better than that of North China and Central China. Northeast of China is better than Southwest and Northwest. Third, NSC construction in municipalities is higher than non‐municipalities. Rural development in Western regions of China needs to be paid special attention.

Originality/value

A final evaluation index system including 22 indicators was designed. These indicators are complete, independent, weakly correlative and stable. The index system can be further applied to evaluate other regions' NSC development. The evaluation results can provide useful references for NSC reform in the whole nation.
Application of laser peening without coating on steel welded joints
Authors: Sakino Yoshihiro , Sano Yuji , Kim You‐Chul
Published: September 2011

Purpose

Laser peening without coating (LPwC) is an innovative surface enhancement technology for introducing compressive residual stress in metallic materials. The purpose of this study is to examine the characteristic at the laser‐peened welded zone and the fatigue lives of the welding joints.

Design/methodology/approach

LPwC conditions for 490 MPa grades of structural steels were selected. By using the conditions, the characteristic at the laser‐peened welded zone, residual stresses, hardness and roughness of welding toes were examined. Moreover, the fatigue lives of the toes of box‐welded joints and butt welded joints pre‐treated by LPwC were compared to the fatigue lives of those that were not pre‐treated by LPwC.

Findings

The main results are: LPwC conditions for 490 MPa grade steels were established; residual stresses, Vickers hardness and roughness at the laser‐peened welded zone were revealed; and LPwC can dramatically extend the fatigue life of welded joint.

Originality/value

The effects of LPwC on structural steels, which are widely used in bridge members, have not been well clarified; the effect of LPwC on welded zones in these structures is particularly unclear. If LPwC can be carried out such that compressive residual stress is imparted on structural steels and the welded zones in the bridge members, the fatigue lives of bridge members will be greatly increased. The paper fills some of these gaps.
Influence of mosaic patterns on the structural integrity of filament wound composite pressure vessels
Authors: Hameed Mian Haris , Rahman Hammad
Published: September 2011

Purpose

Filament wound pressure vessels have a characteristic pattern observed in their helical layers. These are mosaic‐shaped patterns and affect the layer structural behavior. The present research aims to focus on the influence of mosaic patterns on stress‐strain field and structural design of thin‐walled internally pressurized filament wound pressure vessel. The widely used stress analysis procedures and the commercially available finite element tools usually neglect the effect of the mosaic patterns. The present work seeks to deal with the modeling and stress analysis of complete pressure vessel, incorporating mosaic patterns.

Design/methodology/approach

The incorporation of the mosaic effect provides more realistic modeling of the real stress distribution and the stress values compared to the conventional analyses (the effect would depend on the shell structure, i.e. number of plies, relative thicknesses, etc.). The structural analysis is performed using commercial finite element analysis (FEA) tools ANSYS.

Findings

The comparison of results of analytical solution and conventional FEA provides close values of the stresses in the plies. As for the stress and strain distributions obtained by incorporating the effect of mosaic patterns are considerably different. The distribution of the stress and strain fields are not uniform along the length of the vessel and along its circumference and the maximum stresses acting in the direction of the fibers are higher than those calculated using conventional FEA techniques.

Originality/value

Previous work was limited to composite cylindrical shells, without incorporating the end domes. The present work deals with the modeling and stress analysis of complete pressure vessel, incorporating mosaic patterns.
The role of management accounting practices as facilitators of the environmental management
Authors: Albelda Esther
Published: September 2011

Purpose

The paper aims to explore the role of management accounting practices as facilitators of the environmental management.

Design/methodology/approach

A qualitative study involving semi‐structured interviews with environmental and accounting managers from six Spanish factories has been carried out to analyse how four management accounting practices commonly used at operational level – investment appraisals, costing systems, budgets and performance measures – may reinforce the environmental management and guarantee the maintenance of an environmental management system according to the European Community's Eco‐Management and Audit Scheme (EMAS).

Findings

The analysis suggests that management accounting practices operate as a facilitator mechanism for the environmental management by reinforcing the four EMAS significant elements: commitment to the continual improvement of the environmental performance; compliance with environmental legislation; communication with interested parties; and employee involvement. However, evidence seems to support business case arguments since accounting serves a double function: as a facilitator for the environmental management, and as a barrier for a further accountability‐based environmental management.

Research limitations/implications

The study has been developed at plan level, but the influence of the top management might be analysed as well in order to explore how these management accounting practices are translated into upper organisational level.

Practical implications

The analysis helps to understand the complex nature of the business case as different nuances are identified when considering the different practices.

Originality/value

The paper shows how linked to business case arguments, small arena for internal and for external accountability are emerging.
An analysis of the Italian governmental guidelines and of the local governments' practices for social reports
Authors: Farneti Federica , Siboni Benedetta
Published: September 2011

Purpose

This paper seeks to analyse social report guidelines and practices within Italian local governments (ILGs). First, it compares the contents of the two Italian governmental guidelines for developing social reports in public sector organisations with the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) guideline, to determine similarities and differences in disclosures. Second, it examines a group of social reports issued by ILGs, to explore the incidence, frequency, and quality of disclosure, as against the GRI guideline.

Design/methodology/approach

The study uses content analysis to test the nature/content of the governmental guidelines, and to determine what was disclosed in a group of ILGs' social reports. The paper analyses the social reports by applying the Guthrie and Farneti coding instrument, extended by including the Italian governmental guidelines.

Findings

Several observations emerge from the present study. First, from the comparison of the GRI and the Italian governmental guidelines, it emerges that only a few categories of the latter are similar to the GRI and these concern mainly general aspects. Second, the disclosure of categories and elements in the social reports, as against the coding instrument, was found to be fragmentary. The paper concludes that the Italian governmental guidelines are of a managerial nature, and they have little to do with sustainability, except for aspects related to labour.

Originality/value

Little research has been published on social reporting practices within the public sector, unlike the private sector. In Italy social reports are an emerging practice, with a growing interest paid by the government and academia. Nevertheless, published research is mainly of a normative nature, and there is a gap on what actually is in social reports.
Embedding gender in sustainability reports
Authors: Miles Katherine
Published: September 2011

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to detail the research and consultation process highlighting the demand for this information, undertaken by the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) and the International Finance Corporation.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper sets out the emerging drivers for reporting on gender information in sustainability reports. In turn, it argues that sustainability reporters have the potential to promote gender equality by transparently reporting on their organization's gender‐responsive practices and performance.

Findings

Investors are a key stakeholder to companies. There is a growing belief in the investment world that companies that empower women and encourage gender diversity may outperform those that do not in the long term. Gender performance is one possible indicator of organizations' financial strength.

Research limitations/implications

Further research is required to identify if recent developments increase corporate disclosure and performance reporting on gender equality.

Practical implications

The research was qualitative in nature and based on the perceptions of those attending the gender reporting consultation workshops and involved in the GRI Gender Working Group.

Social implications

Increased awareness of the case for reporting on gender equality could increase the reporting by companies and stakeholder demands for this information. In addition, the increased availability of this information could positively influence public policy addressing existing levels of gender inequality.

Originality/value

Stakeholder's demand for gender performance information, particularly on the number of women in management, is growing. Sustainability reporting as the mechanism that many companies worldwide are using to communicate their other environmental, social, and governance performance information can also help with communicating an organization's commitment to gender equality.
Improving Australian greenhouse gas reporting and financial analysis of carbon risk associated with investments
Authors: Nelson Tim , Wood Elizabeth , Hunt James , Thurbon Cathlin
Published: September 2011

Purpose

Climate change policies such as carbon taxes and emissions trading schemes are being developed and implemented in ways which fundamentally transform the profitability of industries and businesses. While mandatory reporting of greenhouse gas emissions by individual Australian companies is now largely standardised, the financial implications of emissions trading and other forms of climate change policy are poorly understood. This paper aims to discuss these issues.

Design/methodology/approach

A literature review was conducted of financial analyst research on this issue and determined that this poor understanding is the result of either insufficient information being available to adequately evaluate the risk to business or a lack of understanding about how carbon policies will impact on business.

Findings

This paper proposes a “checklist” for evaluation of the risks and opportunities created by pricing carbon to address this analytical chasm. Most importantly, like any significant tax reform, the paper concludes that it is impossible to create simple metrics that can be used across all industries and companies.

Originality/value

The paper outlines, for the first time, a checklist for analysis of the impacts of carbon pricing on Australian businesses.
Multiple melanoma susceptibility factors function in an ultraviolet radiation response pathway in skin
Authors: Giles N. , Pavey S. , Pinder A. , Gabrielli B.
Published: September 2011

Background Exposure to ultraviolet radiation (UVR) and the familial melanoma susceptibility gene p16 (CDKN2A) are among the major risk factors which have been identified to contribute to the development of melanoma, and also significantly contribute to squamous cell carcinoma. We have previously shown that UVR induces p16CDKN2A expression in melanoma and keratinocyte cell lines and human skin, but the regulatory mechanisms controlling this expression are unknown.

Objectives To determine the mechanism by which UVR induces p16CDKN2A expression in melanocytes and keratinocytes in the epidermis.

Methods We have used an in vitro cell lines model of the UVR response in skin to assess the changes in p16CDKN2A expression and the signalling pathways regulating these changes, and validated these findings in whole human skin cultures.

Results We show that UVR-induced ERK signalling, mediated by BRAF, regulates p16CDKN2A expression at the transcriptional, and possibly translational level.

Conclusions This study demonstrates the biological connection between the known melanoma genes p16 (CDKN2A) and BRAF in a normal physiological response to UVR in the skin, and highlights the importance of defects in this biological pathway to melanoma and squamous cell carcinoma development.
Serum proteomic changes in adults with obstructive sleep apnoea
Authors: JURADO‐GAMEZ BERNABE , GOMEZ‐CHAPARRO JOSE LUIS , MUÑOZ‐CALERO MARIA , SERNA SANZ ANTONIO , MUÑOZ‐CABRERA LUIS , LOPEZ‐BAREA JUAN , GOZAL DAVID
Published: September 2011

To examine whether differentially expressed proteins are present in the serum of patients with obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA), iTRAQ techniques (isobaric tags for relative and absolute quantification) were employed in a prospective study. Individuals were assigned to either a non‐OSA control group (apnoea–hypopnoea index, AHI <5) or an OSA group (AHI ≥5). Blood samples were collected, aliquoted and frozen at −80 °C. Protein digestion and tagging with iTRAQ4plex® and mass spectrometry analysis was then performed (MALDI TOF/TOF). Ten male subjects were included in the control group (age = 45 ± 9.7 years) and 30 male patients in the OSA group (age = 45 ± 10.7 years), the latter being then subdivided into three severity groups. A total of 103 proteins were identified with differential levels between patients with OSA and controls. Of these, 11 proteins were underexpressed and 19 were overexpressed in patients with OSA. C4BPA and thrombospondin were underexpressed in all three OSA severity groups. Among the overexpressed proteins, 13 were overexpressed in the mild OSA group, seven in the moderate group and five in the severe group. Analysis of interactions between the identified proteins revealed that protein alterations in OSA are primarily associated with derangements in lipid and vascular metabolic pathways. This study provides initial evidence that differential protein expression occurs in adults with OSA, and that such proteins change according to disease severity, and appear to primarily involve lipid and vascular metabolic pathways.
Potential Role of Autoantibody in Severe Neutropenia of a Patient with Kawasaki Syndrome
Authors: Ueno K. , Nomura Y. , Masamoto I. , Masuda K. , Morita Y. , Eguchi T. , Okamoto Y. , Kawano Y.
Published: September 2011

Neutropenia associated with Kawasaki Syndrome (KS) has been rarely reported, and the detailed mechanisms responsible for this state are not yet elucidated. The aim of this study was to clarify the mechanisms of neutropenia in KS. We examined antibodies to known neutrophil antigens (HNA1a, HNA1b, HNA null, HNA2, HNA3, HNA4 and non‐HLA antigen 9a) in a KS patient with neutropenia. We also performed the granulocyte immunofluorescence test (GIFT) using patient or control neutrophils incubated with the patient’s serum at serial time points over the patient’s clinical course. No specific antibody to known neutrophil antigens was detected. Flow cytometric analysis showed that autoantibodies bound to immature CD13‐positive myeloid cells, which resulted in myeloid lineage maturation arrest in the bone marrow. GIFT showed that neutrophil‐specific autoantibodies were produced by the patient, and the amount of autoantibody inversely correlated with the patient’s neutrophil counts. The presence of an autoantibody to a novel antigen on immature myeloid cells or neutrophils is the likely the cause of severe neutropenia in this patient with KS.
Healthy First‐Degree Relatives of Patients with Type 1 Diabetes Exhibit Significant Differences in Basal Gene Expression Pattern of Immunocompetent Cells Compared to Controls: Expression Pattern as Predeterminant of Autoimmune Diabetes
Authors: Stechova K. , Kolar M. , Blatny R. , Halbhuber Z. , Vcelakova J. , Hubackova M. , Petruzelkova L. , Sumnik Z. , Obermannova B. , Pithova P. , Stavikova V. , Krivjanska M. , Neuwirth A. , Kolouskova S. , Filipp D.
Published: September 2011

Expression features of genetic landscape which predispose an individual to the type 1 diabetes are poorly understood. We addressed this question by comparing gene expression profile of freshly isolated peripheral blood mononuclear cells isolated from either patients with type 1 diabetes (T1D), or their first‐degree relatives or healthy controls. Our aim was to establish whether a distinct type of ‘prodiabetogenic’ gene expression pattern in the group of relatives of patients with T1D could be identified. Whole‐genome expression profile of nine patients with T1D, their ten first‐degree relatives and ten healthy controls was analysed using the human high‐density expression microarray chip. Functional aspects of candidate genes were assessed using the MetaCore software. The highest number of differentially expressed genes (547) was found between the autoantibody‐negative healthy relatives and the healthy controls. Some of them represent genes critically involved in the regulation of innate immune responses such as TLR signalling and CCR3 signalling in eosinophiles, humoral immune reactions such as BCR pathway, costimulation and cytokine responses mediated by CD137, CD40 and CD28 signalling and IL‐1 proinflammatory pathway. Our data demonstrate that expression profile of healthy relatives of patients with T1D is clearly distinct from the pattern found in the healthy controls. That especially concerns differential activation status of genes and signalling pathways involved in proinflammatory processes and those of innate immunity and humoral reactivity. Thus, we posit that the study of the healthy relative’s gene expression pattern is instrumental for the identification of novel markers associated with the development of diabetes.
The plastid‐specific ribosomal proteins of Arabidopsis thaliana can be divided into non‐essential proteins and genuine ribosomal proteins
Authors: Tiller Nadine , Weingartner Magdalena , Thiele Wolfram , Maximova Eugenia , Schöttler Mark A. , Bock Ralph
Published: September 2011

Plastid translation occurs on bacterial‐type 70S ribosomes consisting of a large (50S) subunit and a small (30S) subunit. The vast majority of plastid ribosomal proteins have orthologs in bacteria. In addition, plastids also possess a small set of unique ribosomal proteins, so‐called plastid‐specific ribosomal proteins (PSRPs). The functions of these PSRPs are unknown, but, based on structural studies, it has been proposed that they may represent accessory proteins involved in translational regulation. Here we have investigated the functions of five PSRPs using reverse genetics in the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana. By analyzing T‐DNA insertion mutants and RNAi lines, we show that three PSRPs display characteristics of genuine ribosomal proteins, in that down‐regulation of their expression led to decreased accumulation of the 30S or 50S subunit of the plastid ribosomes, resulting in plastid translational deficiency. In contrast, two other PSRPs can be knocked out without visible or measurable phenotypic consequences. Our data suggest that PSRPs fall into two types: (i) PSRPs that have a structural role in the ribosome and are bona fide ribosomal proteins, and (ii) non‐essential PSRPs that are not required for stable ribosome accumulation and translation under standard greenhouse conditions.
The effects of dietary weight loss with or without exercise training on liver enzymes in obese metabolic syndrome subjects
Authors: Straznicky N. E. , Lambert E. A. , Grima M. T. , Eikelis N. , Nestel P. J. , Dawood T. , Schlaich M. P. , Masuo K. , Chopra R. , Sari C. I. , Dixon J. B. , Tilbrook A. J. , Lambert G. W.
Published: September 2011

Aim: Insulin resistance and visceral adiposity are predisposing factors for fatty liver disease. The main objectives of this study were (i) to compare the effects of caloric restriction (CR) alone or together with moderate‐intensity aerobic exercise training (CR+EX) on liver enzymes, a surrogate marker of liver injury, in obese metabolic syndrome (MetS) subjects and (ii) to identify anthropometric, metabolic, cardiovascular and dietary predictors of changes in liver enzymes.

Methods: Sedentary men and women (n = 63), aged 55 ± 6 (s.d.) years with body mass index 32.7 ± 4.1 kg/m2 and confirmed MetS, were randomized to 12‐week CR, CR+EX or no treatment (Control).

Results: Weight loss averaged 7.6% in the CR and 9.1% in the CR+EX group (time effect, p < 0.001; group effect, p = 0.11); insulin sensitivity improved by 49 and 45%, respectively (both p < 0.001). Fitness (maximal oxygen consumption) increased by 19% in the CR+EX group only (p < 0.001). Alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels decreased by 20% in the CR and 24% in the CR+EX group (time effect, both p < 0.001; group effect, p = 0.68); corresponding values for γ‐glutamyltransferase (GGT) were −28 and −33%, respectively (time effect, both p < 0.001; group effect, p = 0.28). Reduction in abdominal fat mass (measured by DXA from L1 to L4) independently predicted ΔALT (r = 0.42, p = 0.005) and ΔGGT (r = 0.55, p < 0.001), whereas change in dietary saturated fat intake was independently associated with ΔALT (r = 0.35, p = 0.03).

Conclusions: Reductions in central adiposity and saturated fat intake are key drivers of improvement in liver enzymes during lifestyle interventions. Exercise training did not confer significant incremental benefits in this study.
An analytical technique for measuring protein carbonyl in the stratum corneum using surface plasmon resonance
Authors: Date A. , Shimakura T. , Sasaki M. , Yamaguchi M.
Published: September 2011

Synopsis

Protein carbonyl groups in the stratum corneum may be used as a biomarker for skin photo‐stress. To evaluate the relationship between the protein carbonyl to total protein (TP) ratio (carbonylation ratio) and skin photo‐stress, the authors established a methodology by which protein carbonyl can be easily and highly sensitively analysed using an optical technique based on surface plasmon resonance (SPR). To collect the stratum corneum, tape stripping was employed. Firstly, the protein carbonyl was reacted with 2,4‐dinitrobenzenesulfonic acid dihydrate, and the quantity of dinitrophenylated (DNP)‐protein carbonyl was determined using an anti‐dinitrophenyl (anti‐DNP) antibody. The mass of DNP‐protein carbonyl was measured using SPR. A truncated sampling‐reporting cycle of <5 min allowed speedy reporting of DNP‐protein carbonyl levels. A significant difference was observed in the protein carbonyl/TP ratio (carbonylation ratio) between a sun‐protected area (mid‐ventral arm) and a sun‐exposed area (upper cheek, P < 0.05). Additionally, the carbonylation ratio of the sun‐exposed area showed a higher value than that of the sun‐protected area. It was suggested that the carbonylation ratio might be a useful index of skin photo‐stress.
The process leading to affirmation of life with cleft lip and cleft palate: The importance of acquiring coherence
Authors: OMIYA Tomoko , ITO Mikiko , YAMAZAKI Yoshihiko
Published: September 2011

Aims:  The objectives of this study were to understand the experiences of people with cleft lip and cleft palate (CLCP) and to describe the processes and factors leading to the acquisition of high self‐esteem.

Methods:  Semi‐structured interviews were conducted of 19 subjects with CLCP recruited via hospitals and through snowball sampling, and the results were analyzed qualitatively, comparing high and low self‐esteem groups.

Results:  Participants with high self‐esteem had gone through the phases of “noticing their difference from others”, “knowing about and deepening their understanding of CLCP”, “no denial of their life with CLCP” and “affirmation of life with CLCP”. Seven factor categories including “received sufficient explanation of CLCP condition (from parents) in the early stage”, “have not received negative messages about CLCP” and “feeling the presence of someone who accepts their feelings and supports them” were extracted as factors promoting these processes.

Conclusions:  Knowing about and understanding CLCP enables individuals to acquire a sense of coherence in their lives, which may be related to gaining a feeling of control over their cleft condition, acquiring a sense of autonomy, and finding a meaning for their lives. Thus, medical professionals should provide explanations that enable patients to understand CLCP, and also facilitate interaction between patients with the same condition.
Detection of outlier loci and their utility for fisheries management
Authors: Russello Michael A. , Kirk Stephanie L. , Frazer Karen K. , Askey Paul J.
Published: September 2011

Genetics‐based approaches have informed fisheries management for decades, yet remain challenging to implement within systems involving recently diverged stocks or where gene flow persists. In such cases, genetic markers exhibiting locus‐specific (‘outlier’) effects associated with divergent selection may provide promising alternatives to loci that reflect genome‐wide (‘neutral’) effects for guiding fisheries management. Okanagan Lake kokanee (Oncorhynchus nerka), a fishery of conservation concern, exhibits two sympatric ecotypes adapted to different reproductive environments; however, previous research demonstrated the limited utility of neutral microsatellites for assigning individuals. Here, we investigated the efficacy of an outlier‐based approach to fisheries management by screening >11 000 expressed sequence tags for linked microsatellites and conducting genomic scans for kokanee sampled across seven spawning sites. We identified eight outliers among 52 polymorphic loci that detected ecotype‐level divergence, whereas there was no evidence of divergence at neutral loci. Outlier loci exhibited the highest self‐assignment accuracy to ecotype (92.1%), substantially outperforming 44 neutral loci (71.8%). Results were robust among‐sampling years, with assignment and mixed composition estimates for individuals sampled in 2010 mirroring baseline results. Overall, outlier loci constitute promising alternatives for informing fisheries management involving recently diverged stocks, with potential applications for designating management units across a broad range of taxa.
High-efficiency and highly stable a-Si:H solar cells deposited at high rate (8 Å/s) with disilane grading process
Authors: Hou Guofu , Fan Qihua , Liao Xianbo , Chen Changyong , Xiang Xianbi , Deng Xunming
Published: September 2011

This paper presents our recent results on the high-rate deposition of high-efficiency and highly stable hydrogenated amorphous silicon (a-Si:H) solar cells with all layers deposited by 13.56 MHz radio frequency glow discharge. Using a linear disilane (Si2H6) grading process, high initial active-area efficiency of 11.42% has been obtained for the a-Si:H top cells with an effective i-layer deposition rate of 8 Å/s. It is also found that the light-soaking stability of the a-Si:H top cells is much improved by the Si2H6 grading process with the best a-Si:H top cell exhibiting only 11.2% light-induced degradation after 1000 h of light-soaking. Integrating the high-rate deposited a-Si:H top cell in an amorphous silicon/amorphous silicon germanium (a-Si:H/a-SiGe:H) tandem cell, an initial active-area efficiency of 12.57% is achieved. After light soaking for 1008 h, the stable efficiency is still as high as 11.02%, corresponding to only a 12.31% degradation. To the best of our knowledge, this is the best performance for a-Si:H based solar cells at such a high deposition rate by 13.56 MHz RF-PECVD. Possible mechanisms responsible for the superior stability of the a-Si:H solar cells deposited by the Si2H6 grading process are discussed.
Structural characterization of lead zirconate titanate thin films prepared on different electrodes and on silicon substrates
Authors: Natali Marco , Garoli Denis , Rigato Valentino , Romanato Filippo
Published: September 2011

Lead zirconate titanate (PZT) thin films were deposited by rf magnetron sputtering on Pt/Ti/SiO2//Si, Au/Ti/SiO2//Si, ITO//glass electrodes and on Si (100) substrates. As deposited films show large excesses of Pb and O and contain different Pb oxides. Annealing treatments in air at 650 and 750 °C carried out in a preheated muffle furnace lead to a decrease of Pb and O content and to formation of the perovskite phase via an intermediate nanocrystalline pyrochlore phase. Phase pure perovskite films are obtained on Pt and ITO electrodes by annealing at 750 °C for ~10min, while for the same treatment significant amounts of pyrochlore remained on Au electrodes and on Si substrates.
Failure to Confirm XMRV/MLVs in the Blood of Patients with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: A Multi-Laboratory Study
Authors: Simmons Graham , Glynn Simone A. , Komaroff Anthony L. , Mikovits Judy A. , Tobler Leslie H. , Hackett John , Tang Ning , Switzer William M. , Heneine Walid , Hewlett Indira K. , Zhao Jiangqin , Lo Shyh-Ching , Alter Harvey J. , Linnen Jeffrey M. , Gao Kui , Coffin John M. , Kearney Mary F. , Ruscetti Francis W. , Pfost Max A. , Bethel James , Kleinman Steven , Holmberg Jerry A. , Busch Michael P. ,   for the Blood XMRV Scientific Research Working Group (SRWG)
Published: September 2011

The assays used to detect XMRV in patients with chronic fatigue syndrome are unreliable.
Microbial Communities Show Parallels at Sites with Distinct Litter and Soil Characteristics
Authors: Sagova-Mareckova Marketa , Omelka Marek , Cermak Ladislav , Kamenik Zdenek , Olsovska Jana , Hackl Evelyn , Kopecky Jan , Hadacek Franz
Published: September 2011

Plant and microbial community composition in connection with soil chemistry determines soil nutrient cycling. The study aimed at demonstrating links between plant and microbial communities and soil chemistry occurring among and within four sites: two pine forests with contrasting soil pH and two grasslands of dissimilar soil chemistry and vegetation. Soil was characterized by C and N content, particle size, and profiles of low-molecular-weight compounds determined by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) of soil extracts. Bacterial and actinobacterial community composition was assessed by terminal restriction fragment length polymorphism (T-RFLP) and cloning followed by sequencing. Abundances of bacteria, fungi, and actinobacteria were determined by quantitative PCR. In addition, a pool of secondary metabolites was estimated byermresistance genes coding for rRNA methyltransferases. The sites were characterized by a stable proportion of C/N within each site, while on a larger scale, the grasslands had a significantly lower C/N ratio than the forests. A Spearman's test showed that soil pH was correlated with bacterial community composition not only among sites but also within each site. Bacterial, actinobacterial, and fungal abundances were related to carbon sources while T-RFLP-assessed microbial community composition was correlated with the chemical environment represented by HPLC profiles. Actinobacteria community composition was the only studied microbial characteristic correlated to all measured factors. It was concluded that the microbial communities of our sites were influenced primarily not only by soil abiotic characteristics but also by dominant litter quality, particularly, by percentage of recalcitrant compounds.
Increased Persistence of Salmonella enterica Serovar Typhi in the Presence of Acanthamoeba castellanii
Authors: Douesnard-Malo Frédéric , Daigle France
Published: September 2011

Salmonella enterica
serovar Typhi (
S
. Typhi) is the etiological agent of the systemic disease typhoid fever. Transmission occurs via ingestion of contaminated food or water.
S
. Typhi is specific to humans, and no animal or environmental reservoirs are known. As the free-living amoeba
Acanthamoeba castellanii
is an environmental host for many pathogenic bacteria, this study investigates interactions between
S
. Typhi and
A. castellanii
by using cocultures. Growth of both organisms was estimated by cell count, viable count, flow cytometry, and fluorescence microscopy. Results indicate that
S
. Typhi can survive at least 3 weeks when grown with
A. castellanii
, as opposed to less than 10 days when grown as singly cultured bacteria under the same conditions. Interestingly, growth rates of amoebae after 14 days were similar in cocultures or when amoebae were singly cultured, suggesting that
S
. Typhi is not cytotoxic to
A. castellanii
. Bacteria surviving in coculture were not intracellular and did not require a physical contact with amoebae for their survival. These results suggest that
S
. Typhi may have a selective advantage when it is associated with
A. castellanii
and that amoebae may contribute to
S
. Typhi persistence in the environment.
Naturally Occurring Motility-Defective Mutants of Salmonella enterica Serovar Enteritidis Isolated Preferentially from Nonhuman Rather than Human Sources
Authors: Yim Lucía , Betancor Laura , Martínez Arací , Bryant Clare , Maskell Duncan , Chabalgoity José A.
Published: September 2011

Salmonellosis represents a worldwide health problem because it is one of the major causes of food-borne disease. Although motility is postulated as an important
Salmonella
virulence attribute, there is little information about variation in motility in natural isolates. Here we report the identification of a point mutation (T551 → G) in
motA
, a gene essential for flagellar rotation, in several
Salmonella enterica
serovar Enteritidis field isolates. This mutation results in bacteria that can biosynthesize structurally normal but paralyzed flagella and are impaired in their capacity to invade human intestinal epithelial cells. Introduction of a wild-type copy of
motA
into one of these isolates restored both motility and cell invasiveness. The
motA
mutant triggered higher proinflammatory transcriptional responses than an aflagellate isolate in differentiated Caco-2 cells, suggesting that the paralyzed flagella are able to signal through pattern recognition receptors. A specific PCR was designed to screen for the T551 → G mutation in a collection of 266
S
. Enteritidis field isolates from a nationwide epidemic, comprising 194 from humans and 72 from other sources. We found that 72 of the 266 (27%) isolates were nonmotile, including 24.7% (48/194) of human and 33.3% (24/72) of food isolates. Among nonmotile isolates, 15 carried the T551 → G mutation and, significantly, 13 were recovered from food, including 7 from eggs, but only 2 were from human sources. These results suggest that the presence of paralyzed flagella may impair the ability of
S
. Enteritidis to cause disease in the human host but does not prevent its ability to colonize chickens and infect eggs.
Geographical Location Determines the Population Structure in Phyllosphere Microbial Communities of a Salt-Excreting Desert Tree
Authors: Finkel Omri M. , Burch Adrien Y. , Lindow Steven E. , Post Anton F. , Belkin Shimshon
Published: September 2011

The leaf surfaces of
Tamarix
, a salt-secreting desert tree, harbor a diverse community of microbial epiphytes. This ecosystem presents a unique combination of ecological characteristics and imposes a set of extreme stress conditions. The composition of the microbial community along ecological gradients was studied from analyses of microbial richness and diversity in the phyllosphere of three
Tamarix
species in the Mediterranean and Dead Sea regions in Israel and in two locations in the United States. Over 200,000 sequences of the 16S V6 and 18S V9 hypervariable regions revealed a diverse community, with 788 bacterial and 64 eukaryotic genera but only one archaeal genus. Both geographic location and tree species were determinants of microbial community structures, with the former being more dominant. Tree leaves of all three species in the Mediterranean region were dominated by
Halomonas
and
Halobacteria
, whereas trees from the Dead Sea area were dominated by
Actinomycetales
and
Bacillales
. Our findings demonstrate that microbial phyllosphere communities on different
Tamarix
species are highly similar in the same locale, whereas trees of the same species that grow in different climatic regions host distinct microbial communities.
Complete Genome Sequence of the Fish Pathogen Flavobacterium branchiophilum
Authors: Touchon Marie , Barbier Paul , Bernardet Jean-François , Loux Valentin , Vacherie Benoit , Barbe Valérie , Rocha Eduardo P. C. , Duchaud Eric
Published: September 2011

Members of the genus
Flavobacterium
occur in a variety of ecological niches and represent an interesting diversity of lifestyles.
Flavobacterium branchiophilum
is the main causative agent of bacterial gill disease, a severe condition affecting various cultured freshwater fish species worldwide, in particular salmonids in Canada and Japan. We report here the complete genome sequence of strain FL-15 isolated from a diseased sheatfish (
Silurus glanis
) in Hungary. The analysis of the
F. branchiophilum
genome revealed putative mechanisms of pathogenicity strikingly different from those of the other, closely related fish pathogen
Flavobacterium psychrophilum
, including the first cholera-like toxin in a non-
Proteobacteria
and a wealth of adhesins. The comparison with available genomes of other
Flavobacterium
species revealed a small genome size, large differences in chromosome organization, and fewer rRNA and tRNA genes, in line with its more fastidious growth. In addition, horizontal gene transfer shaped the evolution of
F. branchiophilum
, as evidenced by its virulence factors, genomic islands, and CRISPR (clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats) systems. Further functional analysis should help in the understanding of host-pathogen interactions and in the development of rational diagnostic tools and control strategies in fish farms.