bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Karma orientation in boundary spanning sales employees
Authors: Singh Ramendra , Singh Rakesh
Published: August 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this article, based on the Indian philosophy of Karma that all individual actions have the power to bring joy or sorrow based on the nature of action, is to propose a new construct, salesperson's Karma Orientation, and discuss its antecedents and outcomes.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper reviews literature on oriental philosophy of Karma yoga, and on self‐leadership, and self‐control to propose the new construct, its antecedents, and consequences in a sales context.

Findings

The paper puts forward four dimensions of Karma orientation of salespersons: work as selfless action, work as duty towards others, detachment from work‐related rewards, and equanimity under environmental influences. Salesperson's Karma orientation is useful for developing relationship with customers, enhances selling effectiveness, ethical behaviors, and spiritual well‐being, by providing the salespersons with a sense of duty, and ownership towards their work.

Practical implications

The concept of Karma orientation would be useful for stressful jobs such as sales, and managers would find it useful as a coping strategy, as well as for improving performance of employees.

Originality/value

The paper proposes a new construct of Karma orientation at an individual boundary spanning sales employee's level. The paper also propose its important antecedents and outcomes.
Investor sentiment, risk factors and stock return: evidence from Indian non‐financial companies
Authors: Ranjan Dash Saumya , Mahakud Jitendra
Published: August 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the pricing implication of aggregate market wide investor sentiment risk for cross sectional return variation in the presence of other market wide risk factors.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper employs the Fama and French time series regression approach to examine the impact of market risk premium, size, book‐to‐market equity, momentum and liquidity as risk factors on stock return. Given the importance of inherent imperfect rationality or sentiment risk, the paper further investigates the impact of investor sentiment on the cross section of stock return.

Findings

The choice of a five factor model is apparently persuasive for consideration in investment decisions. Stocks are hard to value and difficult to arbitrage with characteristics which are significantly influenced with the sentiment risk. It is naïve to argue for the universal pricing implication of sentiment risk in a multifactor model framework.

Research limitations/implications

The test assets portfolios are not segregated as per any industry criteria.

Practical implications

Investment managers can use a contrarian investment strategy, for the stocks that are hard to value and riskier to arbitrage to gain excess return when the market follows a downward trend.

Originality/value

This makes the first attempt towards the investigation of the impact of the sentiment risk on cross sectional return variation from an emerging market perspective on such a diversified and large test asset portfolios. The paper has extended the available literature by investigating the impact of sentiment risk after controlling the liquidity risk factor in a multifactor specification. This measure of market wide irrational sentiment index is more comprehensive.
Terrain based co‐operative UAV mapping of complex obstacles using 2‐D splinegon
Authors: Lazarus Samuel B. , Tsourdos Antonios , White Brian A. , Silson Peter , Savvaris Al , Rabbath Camille‐Alain , Lèchevin Nicolas
Published: August 2012

Purpose

This paper aims to describe a recently proposed algorithm in terrain‐based cooperative UAV mapping of the unknown complex obstacle in a stationary environment where the complex obstacles are represented as curved in nature. It also aims to use an extended Kalman filter (EKF) to estimate the fused position of the UAVs and to apply the 2‐D splinegon technique to build the map of the complex shaped obstacles. The path of the UAVs are dictated by the Dubins path planning algorithm. The focus is to achieve a guaranteed performance of sensor based mapping of the uncertain environments using multiple UAVs.

Design/methodology/approach

An extended Kalman filter is used to estimate the position of the UAVs, and the 2‐D splinegon technique is used to build the map of the complex obstacle where the path of the UAVs are dictated by the Dubins path planning algorithm.

Findings

The guaranteed performance is quantified by explicit bounds of the position estimate of the multiple UAVs for mapping of the complex obstacles using 2‐D splinegon technique. This is a newly proposed algorithm, the most efficient and a robust way in terrain based mapping of the complex obstacles. The proposed method can provide mathematically provable and performance guarantees that are achievable in practice.

Originality/value

The paper describes the main contribution in mapping the complex shaped curvilinear objects using the 2‐D splinegon technique. This is a new approach where the fused EKF estimated positions are used with the limited number of sensors' measurements in building the map of the complex obstacles.
Emerging robot swarm traffic
Authors: Penders Jacques , Alboul Lyuba
Published: August 2012

Purpose

This paper aims to discuss traffic patterns generated by swarms of robots while commuting to and from a base station.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper adopts a mathematical evaluation and robot swarm simulation. The swarm approach is bottom‐up: designing individual agents the authors are looking for emerging group behaviour patterns. Examples of group behaviour patterns are human‐driven motorized traffic which is rigidly structured in two lanes, while army ants develop a three‐lane pattern in their traffic. The authors copy army ant characteristics onto their robots and investigate whether the three lane traffic pattern may emerge. They follow a three‐step approach. The authors first investigate the mathematics and geometry of cases occurring when applying the artificial potential field method to three “perfect” robots. Any traffic pattern (two, three or more lanes) appears to be possible. Next, they use the mathematical cases to study the impact of limited visibility by defining models of sensor designs. In the final step the authors implement ant inspired sensor models and a trail following mechanism on the robots in the swarm and explore which traffic patterns do emerge in open space as well as in bounded roads.

Findings

The study finds that traffic lanes emerge in the swarm traffic; however the number of lanes is dependent on the initial situation and environmental conditions. Intrinsically the applied robot models do not determine a specific number of traffic lanes.

Originality/value

The paper presents a method for studying and simulating robot swarms.
Discrete‐time based sliding‐mode control of robot manipulators
Authors: Shoja Majidabad Sajjad , Toosian Shandiz Heydar
Published: August 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to develop sliding mode control with linear and nonlinear manifolds in discrete‐time domain for robot manipulators.

Design/methodology/approach

First, a discrete linear sliding mode controller is designed to an n‐link robot based on Gao's reaching law. In the second step, a discrete terminal sliding mode controller is developed to design a finite time and high precision controller. The stability analysis of both controllers is presented in the presence of model uncertainties and external disturbances. Finally, sampling time effects on the continuous‐time system outputs and sliding surfaces are discussed.

Findings

Computer simulations on a three‐link SCARA robot show that the proposed controllers are robust against model uncertainties and external disturbance. It was also shown that the sampling time has important effects on the closed loop system stability and convergence.

Practical implications

The proposed controllers are low cost and easily implemented in practice in comparison with continuous‐time ones.

Originality/value

The novelty associated with this paper is the development of an approach to finite time and robust control of n‐link robot manipulators in discrete‐time domain. Also, obtaining an upper bound for the sampling time is another contribution of this work.
Real‐time, decentralized and bio‐inspired topology control for holonomic autonomous vehicles
Authors: Şafak Şahin Cem , Ümit Uyar M.
Published: August 2012

Purpose

This paper aims to present an approach for a bio‐inspired decentralization topology control mechanism, called force‐based genetic algorithm (FGA), where a genetic algorithm (GA) is run by each holonomic autonomous vehicle (HAV) in a mobile ad hoc network (MANET) as software agent to achieve a uniform spread of HAVs and to provide a fully connected network over an unknown geographical terrain. An HAV runs its own FGA to decide its next movement direction and speed based on local neighborhood information, such as obstacles and the number of neighbors, without a centralized control unit or global knowledge.

Design/methodology/approach

The objective function used in FGA is inspired by the equilibrium of the molecules in physics where each molecule tries to be in the balanced position to spend minimum energy to maintain its position. In this approach, a virtual force is assumed to be applied by the neighboring HAVs to a given HAV. At equilibrium, the aggregate virtual force applied to an HAV by its neighbors should sum up to zero. If the aggregate virtual force is not zero, it is used as a fitness value for the HAV. The value of this virtual force depends on the number of neighbors within the communication range of Rcom and the distance among them. Each chromosome in our GA‐based framework is composed of speed and movement direction. The FGA is independently run by each HAV as a topology control mechanism and only utilizes information from neighbors and local terrain to make movement and speed decisions to converge towards a uniform distribution of HAVs. The authors developed an analytical model, simulation software and several testbeds to study the convergence properties of the FGA.

Findings

The paper finds that coverage‐centric, bio‐inspired, mobile node deployment algorithm ensures effective sensing coverage for each mobile node after initial deployment. The FGA is also an energy‐aware self‐organization framework since it reduces energy consumption by eliminating unnecessary excessive movements. Fault‐tolerance is another important feature of the GA‐based approach since the FGA is resilient to losses and malfunctions of HAVs. Furthermore, the analytical results show that the authors' bio‐inspired approach is effective in terms of convergence speed and area coverage uniformity. As seen from the experimental results, the FGA delivers promising results for uniform autonomous mobile node distribution over an unknown geographical terrain.

Originality/value

The proposed decentralized and bio‐inspired approach for autonomous mobile nodes can be used as a real‐time topology control mechanism for commercial and military applications since it adapts to local environment rapidly but does not require global network knowledge.
Chinese firms entering Europe
Authors: Zhang Ying , Duysters Geert , Filippov Sergey
Published: August 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to examine specific use of strategic alliances and acquisitions for Chinese firms to catch‐up technologically and to enhance their internationalization competence.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper offers a conceptual analysis of internationalization through either FDI or strategic alliances. This is a novel approach, as most of the extant literature tends to view internationalization solely through the prism of FDI. The empirical evidence presented in the paper is twofold. First, it analyses empirical data on strategic alliances and acquisitions retrieved from Thomson SDC database, a premium business directory. Second, it also approaches the topic qualitatively, by offering a case study of Chery Automobile Co. Ltd, a Chinese company that has relied heavily on strategic alliances in its internationalization strategy.

Findings

First, the study finds statistical evidence of a rising trend of formation of outward strategic alliances by Chinese firms. Second, the authors demonstrate the specific benefit of strategic alliances for Chinese firms to technically catch up and enhance internationalization competence. It is found that strategic alliances give Chinese firms opportunities to learn from front‐runners in terms of gaining technological capabilities, and there are advantages in tagging developing and advanced markets. The main findings suggest that the internationalization of Chinese firms is in a process in which they gradually integrate technology and marketing/logistics alliances. This approach allows for sufficient time to learn and absorb new skills and technology. Moreover, Chery's case indicates that a series of successful international strategic alliances could also generate tremendous bargaining power for Chinese firms when undertaking subsequent international activities.

Originality/value

This paper contributes to the small but growing body of literature on the internationalization of Chinese companies, their technological catching‐up activities. Unlike previous studies that mainly focus on state‐owned Chinese firms' internationalisation through outward FDI (such as M&A), the paper particularly contributes to the exploration of strategic alliances' effectiveness for private and latecomer firms' internationalization. Empirically, the data analysis and case study reflects the benefits for Chinese firms to enter into strategic alliances with European firms in order to enter into European market and to acquire technological capabilities.
Anatomy of cluster development in China: the case of Health Biotech Clusters
Authors: Conlé Marcus , Taube Markus
Published: August 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to analyze the dynamics of China's health biotech clusters from an interregional perspective. By treating clustering as the result of firms' localization choices, the paper examines whether and why different types of firms agglomerate in the various locations.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper employs a demographic approach that is inspired by the 2006 work of Romanelli and Feldman on cluster development in the USA. It categorizes China's clusters based on differences in the degree of policy support and the nature of the science base. Then, it draws a sample of 75 of China's most visible firms and analyses them in terms of entrepreneurial origin, their location and, if applicable, the location of their subsidiaries. By matching types of firms with types of clusters, the paper highlights some characteristics of China's regional development.

Findings

Studies on China's high‐tech agglomerations unanimously complain about a lack of “creative buzz” compared to the vibrant clusters of for example, the Bay Area in the USA. The analysis indicates that the lack of a creative culture is associated with the anatomy of cluster development. China's clusters grow to a significant extent by attracting enterprise subsidiaries to their sites. The authors argue that these particular cluster anatomies are founded on China's capital market. As the capital market is not prepared to provide pre‐revenue firms with sufficient funds, firms have to earn revenue quickly in order to ensure their viability. Therefore, they concentrate on building up manufacturing capacity and exploiting given technologies. The main point is that local governments as major providers of financial support are instrumental in this process. The establishment of manufacturing subsidiaries in various locations rests on the rationale of collecting funds. This leads to the conclusion that national capital markets either reinforce or inhibit clustering depending on how much it allows the mobility of financial capital. Local government funds do not travel far. This has an impact on the firms' localization decisions and their business strategies, which, in turn, affects the “culture” inside the clusters.

Research limitations/implications

This argument is based on a limited number of interviews conducted by the authors or other researchers. In order to corroborate the link between the capital market and local development trajectories, more evidence needs to be collected via interview surveys and other means to extract financial information.

Originality/value

Unlike other research on Chinese clusters, this paper offers an interregional perspective based on a demographic approach. The argument is original in linking regional cluster dynamics with the national institutional set‐up.
Research watch: the power of genetic and biological explanations to reduce social inclusion
Authors: Holttum Sue
Published: August 2012

Purpose

This research watch aims to summarise two recent research papers relating to the use of biological explanations: the first paper highlights how unhelpful it can be to over‐use genetic explanations for various human experiences, and the second paper discusses the unhelpfulness of exclusively biological explanations for mental health conditions.

Design/methodology/approach

A search was carried out for research papers with a mental health and social inclusion focus published within the past 12 months.

Findings

The first paper explores the many ways in which genetic explanations are over‐used to understand race, ethnicity, the sexes, sexual orientation, crime, mental health and obesity. This over‐use of genetic explanations leads to various negative consequences, among them social exclusion, but may be counteracted by better explanations of both the relatively weak nature of genetic influences and how people's genes and environment interact. The second paper examines evidence about whether it is really helpful to think of mental health conditions as illnesses “like any other”. It seems that it is not.

Originality/value

Both of these papers point to the need for promoting a more holistic understanding of human experience, and against focusing too narrowly on only one kind of cause, namely biological, and mostly on one aspect of biology, namely genes.
How does financial system efficiency affect the growth impact of FDI in China?
Authors: Xu Ying
Published: August 2012

Purpose

In spite of being the second largest recipient of foreign direct investment (FDI) in the world, China shows limited evidence of considerable FDI benefits on growth (Fan and Hu; Luo; Ran et al.). Motivated by Alfaro et al.'s model, the purpose of this study is to test whether poor financial market development might be responsible for the relatively low benefits of FDI on growth in China.

Design/methodology/approach

The author applies Blundell‐Bond system GMM estimators to a panel of Chinese provinces.

Findings

The results indicate that poor financial intermediation does indeed limit the transmission of FDI benefits within the Chinese economy. Moreover, the study reveals preliminary evidence that banks' credits to unproductive state‐owned enterprises (SOEs) constitute poor financial intermediation with negative growth implications. In contrast, credits to small private enterprises are associated with a positive impact of FDI on growth.

Research limitations/implications

The study is constrained by data availability especially for private credit data across provinces.

Practical implications

Two policy implications can be drawn from the empirical findings. First, the direct policy implication is that to ensure positive benefits from FDI in China, domestic financial reforms are crucial. This is an important perspective for making FDI policies. The results also reveal some key priorities of financial reforms. More credits to small private enterprises are an indication of good financial intermediation, while more loans extended to unproductive SOEs signal poor financial intermediation. The priority of reform comes down to tackling the difficult problem of credit misallocation.

Originality/value

This paper provides an alternative perspective to address the weak FDI‐growth relationship found in China. Inspired by Alfaro et al.'s model and the understanding of the problem of Chinese financial markets, the study examines the role of the financial system in the FDI‐growth linkage and reveals how financial market conditions could influence FDI benefits in China.
Rabeprazole 10 mg q.d.s. decreases 24‐h intragastric acidity significantly more than rabeprazole 20 mg b.d. or 40 mg o.m., overcoming CYP2C19 genotype
Authors: Sugimoto M. , Shirai N. , Nishino M. , Kodaira C. , Uotani T. , Yamade M. , Sahara S. , Ichikawa H. , Sugimoto K. , Miyajima H. , Furuta T.
Published: August 2012

Background

Standard dosing (i.e. once daily) of proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) cannot inhibit acid secretion for a full 24 h. Better therapeutic regimens using PPIs are required to sustain potent acid inhibition for the full 24 h in all patients with acid‐related diseases.

Aim

To evaluate acid inhibitory effects by different dosing times of a PPI at the same daily dosage, in a study involving 70 rounds of pH monitoring.

Methods

Using pH monitoring, we evaluated the efficacy of different divided treatment regimens with the same total daily dose of rabeprazole (40 mg o.m., 15 rounds; 20 mg b.d., 20 rounds; 10 mg q.d.s., 35 rounds) on day 7 or 8 of PPI dosing.

Results

In the study of divided treatment, the median pH (when administered once, twice or four times to achieve a daily dose of 40 mg) was 4.8 (3.6–6.4), 5.7 (4.1–7.4), 6.6 (4.9–8.4), respectively. When comparing the median pHs at the same CYP2C19 genotype among different dosing times of rabeprazole, the median pH attained with 10 mg q.d.s. was significantly higher than that in 40 mg o.m. or 20 mg b.d. Increase in the frequency of dosing effectively increased pH [median percent time of pH > 4.0 with q.d.s. therapy: 95.5% (63.2–100.0%)], irrespective to CYP2C19 genotype.

Conclusion

Four times daily dosing with rabeprazole 10 mg achieved potent acid inhibition, including during the night‐time, suggesting its potential usefulness as a regimen for patients who are refractory to standard once daily PPI treatment.
A pilot study to measure marks in children with cerebral palsy using a novel measurement template
Authors: Bennett T. , Jellinek D. , Bennett M.
Published: August 2012

Aim

The primary aim of this pilot study was to trial a method of assessing bruises in a population of disabled children. If the method was found to be sufficiently robust it would be our intention to undertaking a more extensive observational study.

Background

Less is known about normal bruising patterns in children with disability than in those without. It is important that the method used to assess bruising is objective and repeatable. In an effort to define and improve repeatability, we employed a novel bruise measurement template which was printed onto transparent acetate sheets.

Method

Twenty primary school age children, the majority of whom were non‐ambulant and severely disabled with cerebral palsy, underwent full skin examination. The template was used to assess any bruises seen. A comparison was then made between measurements made by experienced paediatricians using the template and using a standard tape measure on a series of bruise images in 25 photographs.

Results

The majority of children in our pilot were found to have bruises, with one child having 6 and one 7 bruises. This comparative study showed that the two techniques had a very similar precision and that the template was easy to use. Greater precision would require a tighter measurement protocol, whether with a template or a tape measure.

Conclusions

Further evaluation of the application of such a template would be worthwhile. We would suggest that our finding of some bruising in this population of disabled children is borne in mind whenever bruising is found in a non‐ambulant child.
Stocking location and predation by marine fishes affect survival of hatchery‐reared Atlantic salmon smolts
Authors: Thorstad E. B. , Uglem I. , Finstad B. , Chittenden C. M. , Nilsen R. , Økland F. , Bjørn P. A.
Published: August 2012

Abstract  Release strategies of hatchery‐reared Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar L., smolts were compared by studying survival and migration of smolts (n = 99) and their predators (Atlantic cod, Gadus morhua L., n = 8; and saithe, Pollachius virens (L.), n = 2) during the first 37 km of the marine migration using acoustic telemetry. Survivorship was higher in smolts released at the river mouth (30%) compared with smolts released in the river (12%). This was likely due to mortality or reduced migratory behaviour in fresh water. The marine mortality was 37% during the first 2 km after leaving the river (at least 25% mortality because of predation from marine fishes), and total marine mortality over 37 km was 68%. Detection‐depth data were useful for evaluating whether the tagged smolts were alive or predated; mortality during the first 2 km of outward migration would have been underestimated at 26% instead of 37% without the analysis of depth detection. Transmitters from consumed post‐smolts remained in predators for up to 47 days (average 29 days).
Characterization of blood donors with high haemoglobin concentration
Authors: Magnussen K. , Hasselbalch H. C. , Ullum H. , Bjerrum O. W.
Published: August 2012

Background and Objectives  The literature contains little on the prevalence and causes of high predonation haemoglobin levels among blood donors. This study aimed to characterize and develop an algorithm to manage would‐be donors with polycythaemia.

Materials and Methods  Between November 2009 and November 2011, we offered haematology consultations to blood donors with repeated haemoglobin concentration (Hb) above the WHO limit for polycythaemia vera (PV) (10·2 and 11·5 mm/16·5 and 18·5 g/dl for women and men, respectively). Investigation of such donors included Hb, haematocrit, mean cell volume, erythropoietin, ferritin, platelet count and leucocyte count, JAK2 V617 and JAK2 exon12 analysis, as well as other routine measurements.

Results  Among 46 such donors, 39 had a history of smoking, which contributes to erythrocytosis. Two had PV, five had severe hypertension, one of them because of renal artery stenosis, and two had diabetes mellitus. Thus, we found a high morbidity among such donors. Of the 36 others, 30 donated again before May 2012, at which time the Hb was significantly lower.

Conclusion  We recommend JAK2 V617 and JAK2 exon12 screening and clinical investigation for donors with concurrently high Hb, high haematocrit and iron deficiency. We also recommend that they stop or cut down on smoking to reduce the risk of thrombosis in general. We disqualified 10 of the donors.
Effect of wheat processing on rumen characteristics and rumen parameters in Holstein‐Friesian calves
Authors: Mirghaffari S. S. , Karkoodi K. , Mirza‐aghazadeh A. , Maheri‐sis N.
Published: August 2012

In this experiment, effect of wheat processing on rumen conditions and development were investigated. Fifty‐six neonatal Holstein‐Friesian calves (22 male and 34 female) were fed calf starters and post‐weaning diets containing 35 (pre‐weaning) and 21.90% (post‐weaning) popped wheat (PW), steam‐flaked wheat (SFW), dry‐rolled wheat (DRW) or ground wheat (GW) till 12 weeks of age. Calves were weaned at the end of 9th week, and a post‐weaning‐specific starter diets were fed for 1 month. Rumen liquor was analysed in days 30, 60 and 90 of the experiment to determine volatile fatty acids (VFA), pH and ammonia nitrogen concentrations. Twelve male calves (three calves/treatment) were slaughtered, and digestive tract was emptied. Forestomach empty weight and rumen parameters were assessed. Results indicated that calves received PW had the highest total VFA, acetate, propionate, butyrate, ammonia nitrogen, rumen wall thickness, papilla width and density. Calves fed DRW experienced the lowest rumen pH throughout the experiment probably because high proportion of fine particles in GW. Calves consuming PW apparently had more functional rumen in comparison with other groups.
Functional trade‐offs increase species diversity in experimental plant communities
Authors: Ben‐Hur Eyal , Fragman‐Sapir Ori , Hadas Rivka , Singer Alon , Kadmon Ronen
Published: August 2012

Functional trade‐offs have long been recognised as important mechanisms of species coexistence, but direct experimental evidence for such mechanisms is extremely rare. Here, we test the effect of one classical trade‐off – a negative correlation between seed size and seed number – by establishing microcosm plant communities with positive, negative and no correlation between seed size and seed number and analysing the effect of the seed size/number correlation on species richness. Consistent with theory, a negative correlation between seed size and seed number led to a higher number of species in the communities and a corresponding wider range of seed size (a measure of functional richness) by promoting coexistence of large‐ and small‐seeded species. Our study provides the first direct evidence that a seed size/number trade‐off may contribute to species coexistence, and at a wider context, demonstrates the potential role of functional trade‐offs in maintaining species diversity.
HUMANE PHILOSOPHY AND THE QUESTION OF PROGRESS
Authors: Kidd Ian James
Published: August 2012

According to some recent critics, philosophy has not progressed over the course of its history because it has not exhibited any substantial increase in the stock of human wisdom. I reject this pessimistic conclusion by arguing that such criticisms employ a conception of progress drawn from the sciences which is inapplicable to a humanistic discipline such as philosophy. Philosophy should not be understood as the accumulation of epistemic goods in a manner analogous to the natural sciences. I argue that the progressiveness of philosophy consists, if anything, in its capacity to provoke and sustain critical reflections upon the ideas and practices which shape and guide human life.
The evaluation of family impact of recessive dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa using the Italian version of the Family Dermatology Life Quality Index
Authors: Sampogna F. , Tabolli S. , Di Pietro C. , Castiglia D. , Zambruno G. , Abeni D.
Published: August 2012

Background  Severe skin diseases, such as epidermolysis bullosa (EB), may have a strong impact not only on patients but also on caregivers. A specific questionnaire evaluating the family impact of dermatological conditions has been created, the Family Dermatology Life Quality Index (FDLQI), but it has not yet been translated in Italian and validated.

Objective  To evaluate the burden of recessive dystrophic EB on family caregivers, using for the first time the Italian version of the FDLQI, and to validate the instrument.

Methods  Patients with recessive dystrophic EB participated in a postal survey enquiring about the burden of EB on family caregivers. They completed the Family Strain Questionnaire and the FDLQI and they marked on a silhouette of the human body the skin lesion distribution.

Results  Data on 62 family caregivers were collected. The overall mean FDLQI score was 9.8. The most frequently reported problems were the time spent on looking after the patient, emotional distress, physical well‐being, and increased household expenditure. FDLQI scores were higher in family caregivers of patients between 10 and 20 years. The Italian FDLQI showed high internal consistency, construct and convergent validity. Factor analysis revealed the presence of one factor structure underlying the items of the FDLQI, which explained 51.5% of the total variance, very similar to the original questionnaire (55.8%).

Conclusion  The Italian version of the FDLQI seems to be a useful tool to evaluate the impact of EB on family caregivers. Further studies are necessary to test this instrument in other dermatological conditions.
Timing of metamorphism, melting and exhumation of the Leo Pargil dome, northwest India
Authors: LANGILLE J. M. , JESSUP M. J. , COTTLE J. M. , LEDERER G. , AHMAD T.
Published: August 2012

The Leo Pargil dome, northwest India, is a 30 km‐wide, northeast‐trending structure that is cored by gneiss and mantled by amphibolite facies metamorphic rocks that are intruded by a leucogranite injection complex. Oppositely dipping, normal‐sense shear zones that accommodated orogen‐parallel extension within a convergent orogen bound the dome. The broadly distributed Leo Pargil shear zone defines the southwest flank of the dome and separates the dome from the metasedimentary and sedimentary rocks in the hanging wall to the west and south. Thermobarometry and in‐situ U–Th–Pb monazite geochronology were conducted on metamorphic rocks from within the dome and in the hanging wall. These data were combined with U–Th–Pb monazite geochronology of leucogranites from the injection complex to evaluate the relationship between metamorphism, crustal melting, and the onset of exhumation. Rocks within the dome and in the hanging wall contain garnet, kyanite, and staurolite porphyroblasts that record prograde Barrovian metamorphism during crustal thickening that reached ∼530–630 °C and ∼7–8 kbar, ending by c. 30 Ma. Cordierite and sillimanite overgrowths on Barrovian assemblages within the dome record dominantly top‐down‐to‐the‐west shearing during near‐isothermal decompression of the footwall rocks to ∼4 kbar by 23 Ma during an exhumation rate of 1.3 mm year−1. Monazite growth accompanied Barrovian metamorphism and decompression. The leucogranite injection complex within the dome initiated at 23 Ma and continued to 18 Ma. These data show that orogen‐parallel extension in this part of the Himalaya occurred earlier than previously documented (>16 Ma). Contemporaneous onset of near‐isothermal decompression, top‐down‐to‐the‐west shearing, and injection of the decompression‐driven leucogranite complex suggests that early crustal melting may have created a weakened crust that was proceeded by localization of strain and shear zone development. Exhumation along the shear zone accommodated decompression by 23 Ma in a kinematic setting that favoured orogen‐parallel extension.
Nb–Ta fractionation induced by fluid‐rock interaction in subduction‐zones: constraints from UHP eclogite‐ and vein‐hosted rutile from the Dabie orogen, Central‐Eastern China
Authors: HUANG J. , XIAO Y. , GAO Y. , HOU Z. , WU W.
Published: August 2012

Niobium and Ta concentrations in ultrahigh‐pressure (UHP) eclogites and rutile from these eclogites and associated high pressure (HP) veins were used to study the behaviour of Nb–Ta during dehydration and fluid‐rock interaction. Samples were collected through a ∼2 km profile at the Bixiling complex in the Dabie orogenic belt, Central‐Eastern China. All but one eclogite away from veins (EAVs) display nearly constant Nb/Ta ratios ranging from 16.1 to 19.2, with an average of 16.9 ± 0.8 (2 SE), similar to that of their gabbroic protolith from the Yangtze Block. Nb/Ta ratios of rutile from the EAVs range from 12.7 to 25.3 among different individual grains, with the average values close to those of the corresponding bulk rocks. These observations show that Nb and Ta were not significantly fractionated by prograde metamorphism up to eclogite facies when no significant fluid‐rock interaction occurs. In contrast, Nb/Ta ratios of rutile from eclogites close to veins (ECVs) are highly variable from 17.8 to 49.8, which are systematically higher (by up to 17) than those of rutile from the veins. These observations demonstrate that Nb and Ta were mobilized and fractionated during localized fluid flow and intensive fluid‐rock interaction. This is strongly supported by Nb/Ta zoning patterns in single rutile grains revealed by in situ LA‐ICP‐MS analysis. Ratios of Nb/Ta in the ECV‐hosted rutile decrease gradually from cores towards rims, whereas those in the EAV‐hosted rutile are nearly invariable. Furthermore, the vein rutile shows Nb/Ta zoning patterns that are complementary to those in rutile from their immediate hosts (ECVs), suggesting an internal origin for the vein‐forming fluids. The Nb/Ta ratios of such fluids evolved from low values at the early stage of subduction to higher values at later supercritical conditions with increased temperature and pressure. Quantitative modelling was conducted to constrain the compositional evolution of metamorphic fluids during dehydration and fluid‐rock interaction focusing on Nb–Ta distribution. The modelling results based on our proposed multistage fluid phase evolution path can essentially reproduce the natural observations reported in the present study.
Misidentification of maternal heart rate as fetal on cardiotocography during the second stage of labor: the role of the fetal electrocardiograph
Authors: NURANI RAISHA , CHANDRAHARAN EDWIN , LOWE VIRGINIA , UGWUMADU AUSTIN , ARULKUMARAN SABARATNAM
Published: August 2012

Objective: To identify the incidence of fetal heart rate (FHR) accelerations in the second stage of labor and the role of fetal electrocardiograph (ECG) in avoiding misidentification of maternal heart rate (MHR) as FHR. Design: Retrospective observational study. Setting: University hospital labor ward, London, UK. Sample: Cardiotocograph (CTG) tracings of 100 fetuses monitored using external transducers and internal scalp electrodes. Methods: CTG traces that fulfilled inclusion criteria were selected from an electronic FHR monitoring database. Main outcome measures: Rate of accelerations during external and internal monitoring as well as decelerations for a period of 60 minutes prior to delivery were determined. The role of fetal ECG in differentiating between MHR and FHR trace was explored. Results: Decelerations occurred in 89% of CTG traces during the second stage of labor. Accelerations indicating possible recording of FHR or MHR were found in 28.1 and 10.9% of cases recorded by an external ultrasound transducer as well as internal scalp electrode, respectively. Accelerations coinciding with uterine contractions occurred only in 11.7 and 4% of external and internal recording of FHR, respectively. Absence of ‘p‐wave’ of the ECG waveform was associated with MHR trace. Conclusion: Decelerations were the commonest CTG feature during the second stage of labor. The incidence of accelerations coinciding with uterine contractions was less than half in fetuses monitored using a fetal scalp electrode. Analysing the ECG waveform for the absence of ‘p‐wave’ helps in differentiating MHR from FHR.
Association among quality of life, dental caries treatment and intraoral distribution in 12‐year‐old South Brazilian schoolchildren
Authors: Alves Luana Severo , Damé‐Teixeira Nailê , Susin Cristiano , Maltz Marisa
Published: August 2012

Objectives

To assess the association between dental caries treatment, intraoral distribution and oral health‐related quality of life (OHRQoL) of 12‐year‐old South Brazilian schoolchildren.

Methods

This cross‐sectional survey used a multistage probability sampling strategy to select a representative sample of schoolchildren from Porto Alegre, southern Brazil. Data were collected from September 2009 to December 2010, and 1528 of 1837 eligible schoolchildren attending public and private schools participated. Clinical examination was conducted to assess dental caries experience (DMFT). OHRQoL was assessed by a self‐reported 16‐item Child Perception Questionnaire (CPQ11–14). Parents/legal guardians answered questions on socio‐economic status. Survey negative binomial regression models were used to assess the association between CPQ11–14 scores and caries treatment status (treated/untreated) and intraoral distribution (anterior/posterior). Estimates were controlled for gender and socio‐economic status.

Results

Compared to schoolchildren without treatment needs, individuals with treated caries presented an improved OHRQoL (overall CPQ11–14, adjusted RR = 0.90, 95%CI = 0.85–0.96; functional limitations, adjusted RR = 0.86, 95%CI = 0.75–0.99; emotional well‐being, adjusted RR = 0.89, 95%CI = 0.80–0.99), whereas those with untreated caries presented a poorer OHRQoL (oral symptoms, adjusted RR = 1.06, 95%CI = 1.02–1.10; emotional well‐being, adjusted RR = 1.09, 95%CI = 1.01–1.20). Individuals with caries in anterior teeth experienced greater negative impact on oral symptoms (adjusted RR = 1.11, 95%CI = 1.05–1.18) and social well‐being (adjusted RR = 1.30; 95%CI = 1.14–1.47) domains than caries‐free students.

Conclusions

Treated caries was positively associated with OHRQoL; untreated caries and caries affecting anterior teeth were negatively associated with OHRQoL of 12‐year‐old Brazilian schoolchildren.
A review of risk factors for oral cavity cancer: the importance of a standardized case definition
Authors: Radoï Loredana , Luce Danièle
Published: August 2012

The aim of this work is to review the literature on risk factors of oral cavity cancer with a special attention to the definition of the cases, in order to highlight special features of these cancers and of their subsites. PubMed database was systematically searched to access relevant articles published between 1980 and 2010. Reference lists of selected papers were examined to identify further articles. One hundred and two studies met the inclusion criteria. Their results were difficult to compare because of the lack of uniformity in defining oral cavity. In addition, few studies examined risk factors other than alcohol and tobacco, and studies differentiating between subsites were rare. Despite these limitations, some characteristics of oral cavity cancers may be emphasized: smoked tobacco seems to be a stronger risk factor for oral cavity cancer than alcohol, and the floor of the mouth seems to be more sensitive to the harmful effects of alcohol and smoked tobacco. Studies limited strictly to oral cavity cancers and distinguishing between subsites are needed to better understand the aetiology of these cancers, and better define risk groups to target prevention efforts and screening.
Change in FS‐T index in adults in the German national oral health surveys between 1989 and 2005
Authors: Holtfreter Birte , Berg Marie H. , Kocher Thomas , Schiffner Ulrich , Hoffmann Thomas , Micheelis Wolfgang
Published: August 2012

Objectives

To assess changes in the number of functioning teeth (filled and sound teeth, FS‐T index) from 1989/1992 to 2005 in West and East Germany and to evaluate survey‐ and region‐specific associations between sociodemographic and behavioral risk factors and the FS‐T index.

Methods

Within the German Oral Health Studies, random samples from 35–44‐year‐olds were drawn in 1989, 1992, 1997 and 2005. The FS‐T index and a questionnaire with socioeconomic and behavioral items were assessed. Negative binomial regression models were evaluated, including all sociodemographic and behavioral factors simultaneously as independent variables.

Results

For West Germany, median FS‐T index increased by 3 teeth between 1989 and 2005 (Ptrend < 0.001). In East Germans, FS‐T index was similar in 1992 and 1997 (median, 24), but increased by one tooth until 2005 (Ptrend < 0.001). For West and East Germany, middle and high school education were significantly associated with higher FS‐T indices in all surveys, although effects were most pronounced in 2005. Being married, reporting regular dental visits and good oral hygiene were significantly related to a higher number of functioning teeth in at least one survey year.

Conclusions

Dental health assessed as the number of functioning teeth improved between 1989/92 and 2005 in both German parts and across all educational levels. However, considering the educational level, dental health was less equally distributed in 2005 compared with previous surveys.
Exposure Assessment of Bacillus cereus in Chinese‐Style Cooked Rice
Authors: Dong Qing‐Li
Published: August 2012

This study conducted an exposure assessment, the most important component of risk assessment, of Bacillus cereus in Chinese‐style cooked rice in Shanghai, China. A retail‐to‐consumption phase model was considered. Survey data were used to estimate initial contamination levels, and mathematical models from previous research were employed to test the growth kinetics of B. cereus in cooked rice under different conditions before public consumption. The results showed that approximately 3.07% of cooked rice contained more than 4 log cfu/g of B. cereus, suggesting some potential risk for consumers. Moreover, sensitivity analysis indicated that retail temperature (r = −0.15) is the main risk factor that could provide useful information to consumers and stakeholders. Combined with further dose–response relationship research data, the results of this study could be referenced for complete establishment of B. cereus risk assessment.

Practical Applications

Risk assessment would be very useful to control the hazards of Bacillus cereus in cooked rice more effectively. The application of quantitative exposure assessment of B. cereus in cooked rice, also based on the establishment of predictive growth models, could be referenced to evaluate the risk of B. cereus foodborne diseases associated with the consumption of cooked rice in China.
Hydroxyethyl starch 130/0.4 versus modified succinylated gelatin for volume expansion in pediatric cardiac surgery patients: the effects on perioperative bleeding and transfusion needs
Authors: MULAVISALA KRISHNA PRASAD , KULKARNI VENUGOPAL , MUDUNURI RAVIKIRAN , VISWANATH VOLETI VENKATA RAJA , BYALAL JAGANNATH R. , GOPAL PALEPU B. , KULKARNI SADANAND S.
Published: August 2012

Volume therapy and maintenance of stable hemodynamics is crucial in children undergoing cardiac surgery on cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). The clinical use of hydroxyethyl starch (HES) 130/0.4 is limited by the possibility of adverse hemostatic effects which could potentially increase the risk of perioperative bleeding and transfusion requirements. We conducted this study to evaluate the safety and efficacy of HES in comparison with modified succinylated gelatin (MSG). Forty‐nine children were randomly assigned to receive either HES (n = 28) or MSG (n = 21) during the pre‐bypass period. Coagulation was assessed with thromboelastography (TEG) and the transfusion requirements up to the first postoperative day were documented. Both groups were comparable with respect to age, weight, CPB duration as well as hematological and biochemical laboratory investigations. TEG parameters were not deranged up to the first postoperative period in either group and there was a trend of reduced blood loss and transfusion requirements in HES groups although there was no statistically significant difference. Our study shows that HES 130/0.4 is safe and effective for volume replacement in pediatric cardiac surgery patients.