bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
L'exécuteur des sentences criminelles en France au dernier siècle de l'Ancien Régime
Authors: Renucci Florence
Published: November 2008

The executioner in France in the last century of the Ancien Régime. – In the eighteenth century, many executioners were granted letters of provision and became officers of the Crown. The value of their office may have been modest, but their earnings were certainly not negligible. One of their sources of income, the droit de havage, was particularly profitable in some cities, although it was eventually reduced as a result of protests from the merchants' communities and through interventions of the local authorities and the central government. Although both legal doctrine and the population at large considered that the office of executioner was tainted by infamy, the latter maintained an ambiguous attitude towards executioners, who were associated with healing powers. In some cases, executioners, confronted with negative prejudices, sought remedies in law in order to protect their honour, freedom and interests.
The Physiological Effects of Short-term Smoking Cessation in Claudicants
Authors: Dickinson K. J. , Cockbain A.J. , MacDonald W. , Shah M. , Homer-Vanniasinkam S.
Published: November 2008

Introduction

Smoking contributes to atherosclerosis and causes significant postoperative morbidity. New antismoking law forces short-term pre-operative abstinence. Demonstrable clinical benefit might motivate complete cessation. Our aim was to determine the effects of 24-hr smoking cessation on cardiorespiratory function and claudication distance.

Methods

Smoking claudicants were randomized to 24hr smoking or abstinence. Following these separate periods, cardiopulmonary exercise testing was performed. Pre- and post-exercise, serum lactate and ankle brachial pressure index (ABPI) were measured. During exercise, cardiorespiratory function, initial and absolute claudication (IC, AC) distances and visual analogue scores (VAS) of pain were recorded.

Results

16 patients completed both tests. IC, AC and VAS were unchanged with abstinence ( P = .43, .66, .96, .83). ABPI drop post-exercise was unchanged with abstinence ( P = .08, .09). Cardiorespiratory function was not affected by smoking cessation.

Conclusion

Cardiorespiratory function and claudication symptoms are unchanged following 24-hr smoking cessation., No deterioration in respiratory function is important when considering anaesthetic administration. However, lack of symptomatic improvement may discourage patients from abstaining. Further investigation should determine correlation between short-term abstinence and postoperative morbidity.
Gender-specific Effects of Calcitonin Gene-related Peptide and Substance P on Coronary Blood Flow in an Experimental Model
Authors: Hongbao Ma , Yan Yang , Shen Cherng
Published: November 2008

Background

Calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) and substance P (SP) play counter-regulatory roles in coronary flow. This study is to assess whether effects of CGRP and SP are gender-specific.

Methods

Langendorff-perfused hearts were used to compare coronary flow rates among 119 wild-type, α-CGRP and SP receptor knockout mice under various perfusion pressures (20, 30, 40, 50 mmHg).

Results

For mouse heart coronary flow rate, deletion of α-CGRP gene resulted in significant reduction for both genders at all pressures; female CGRP knockout showed 15.3% reduction ( P < .01); male CGRP knockout showed 13.8% reduction ( P < .01); no significant difference between male and female CGRP knockout; female SP receptor knockout showed 13.9% increase ( P < .01); female SP receptor knockout had a greater percentage decrease than male ( P < .01).

Conclusions

CGRP plays similar roles as a vasodilator in males and females. SP seems to act as a vasoconstrictor in females.
Plasma Total Antioxidant Activity in Comparison with Plasma NO and VEGF Levels in Patients with Metabolic Syndrome
Authors: Barylski Marcin , Kowalczyk Edward , Banach Maciej , Ciećwierz Julita , Pawlicki Lucjan , Kowalski Jan
Published: November 2008

Introduction

The aim of our study was to estimate plasma antioxidant activity as well as plasma nitric oxide (NO) and vascular endothelial growth factor levels in patients with metabolic syndrome compared with healthy participants.

Material and Methods

Fifty patients (24 women and 26 men, mean age 55.9 ± 11.8 years) with metabolic syndrome were compared with 25 healthy participants (12 women and 13 men, mean age 54.2 ± 12.8 years). Plasma total antioxidant activity and plasma levels of NO and VEGF were determined in all participants.

Results

In the patients with metabolic syndrome, plasma total antioxidant activity, nitric oxide, and vascular endothelial growth factor were significantly lower ( P < .001) than that observed in healthy participants (3.2 ± 1.6 vs 6.4 ± 2.1 mM/L), (6.3 ± 2.2 vs 9.8 ± 2.7 μM/L), and 71.0 ± 16.9 vs 137.5 ± 12.6 pg/mL), respectively.

Conclusions

Decreased plasma total antioxidant activity, NO, and VEGF levels in patients with metabolic syndrome reflect significant endothelial dysfunction. This suggests that oxidation–reduction balance disorders might play an important role in this process
Color of Money as Compared to Color of Principals: An Assessment of Pay for Male Elementary School Principals Varying in Surname (Hispanic vs. Non-Hispanic)
Authors: Young I. Phillip , Castaneda Jose M.
Published: November 2008

Background: Pay is an important human resource function that has attracted considerable interest within the professional literature and this study addresses pay discrimination.

Purpose(s): To address pay for a particular protected group unaddressed in existing literature (Hispanic-surnamed principals).

Setting: The setting for this study is public school districts located in the state of California.

Subjects: All-male public school elementary principals served as potential participants.

Interventions: Different models for pay discrimination are explored in this study.

Research Design: A randomized group design involving a single independent variable (surname of principals) is used in this study.

Data Collection: Within this study, data are obtained from an archival source and through self-reported measures.

Findings: A regression analysis indicates that pay discrimination is a multifaceted concept that must consider not only protected status of individuals along with traditional control variables (organizational and human capital endowments) but the interaction of these effects on pay outcomes when assessing pay discrimination.

Conclusions: By examining pay from a main effect as well as from an interaction effect, a new definition for pay discrimination is provided, and specific methodological advancements are suggested.
Social Distance
Authors: Tasci Asli D. A.
Published: November 2008

Visual information, especially delivered through movies, is believed to have an influence on destination image and consumer behavior. Based on the theory that knowledge about an object might cause feelings toward the object, visual information through movies can be assumed to affect not only destination image but also social distance between groups and, thus, to affect tourist behavior regarding the destination. With a quasi-experimental design, this study investigates if there is a relationship between visual information from movies and consumer-behavior variables, including destination image, destination desirability, visit intention, and social distance, taking Turkey as a case in point and a promotional movie as the stimuli. Results provide partial support for potential impact of movies on the consumer-behavior variables included in this study. Implications and future research suggestions are provided.
Men's Health, Low Testosterone, and Diabetes Individualized
Authors: Rice Donna , Brannigan Robert E. , Campbell R. Keith , Fine Shari , Jack Leonard , Nelson Joseph B. , Regan-Klich Janet
Published: November 2008

Testosterone plays a critical role in male reproductive and metabolic functioning. Serum testosterone levels decrease with age, and low testosterone is associated with a variety of comorbidities, including insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes, obesity, metabolic syndrome, and cardiovascular disease. Men with type 2 diabetes have been shown to have significantly lower testosterone levels than men without diabetes. Several forms of testosterone replacement therapy (eg, oral, injectable, buccal, transdermal preparations) are available for use in the United States. The primary goals of testosterone therapy are to restore physiologic testosterone levels and reduce the symptoms of hypogonadism. Testosterone therapy may be a viable option in some men with diabetes and low testosterone; however, clinicians must be aware of contraindications to therapy (eg, prostate cancer and male breast cancer), implement appropriate monitoring procedures, and ensure that patient expectations are realistic regarding treatment outcome. Data suggest that testosterone therapy may have a positive effect on bones, muscles, erythropoiesis and anemia, libido, mood and cognition, penile erection, cholesterol, fasting blood glucose, glycated hemoglobin, insulin resistance, visceral adiposity, and quality of life. Sexual health may be a window into men's health; thus, more effective communication strategies are needed between clinicians and men with diabetes to ensure that sexual health topics are adequately addressed. Diabetes educators can play a key role in screening for low testosterone, providing relevant information to patients, and increasing clinician awareness of the need to address men's sexual health and implement appropriate strategies. Multidisciplinary care and individualized treatment are needed to optimize outcome.
Overcoming Beneficiary Race as an Impediment to Charitable Donations: Social Dominance Orientation, the Experience of Moral Elevation, and Donation Behavior
Authors: Freeman Dan , Aquino Karl , McFerran Brent
Published: November 2008

Three studies examined the relationship between social dominance orientation (SDO), the experience of moral elevation, and Whites' donations to charitable organizations. Study 1 used video clips depicting acts of moral excellence to elicit a state of moral elevation (a distinctive feeling of warmth and expansion, which is accompanied by admiration, affection, and even love for people whose exemplary moral behavior is being observed). Results show that moral elevation increased participants' willingness to donate to a Black-oriented charity and attenuated the negative effect of the group-based dominance (GBD) component of SDO on donation behavior. Studies 2 and 3 replicate and extend these findings by using a written story to elicit a state of moral elevation and examining actual donations to a Black-oriented charity. Results show that moral elevation increased donations to the Black-oriented charity and neutralized the negative influence of GBD.
Is Management Theory Too “Self-ish”?
Authors: Folger Robert , Salvador Rommel
Published: November 2008

Within the realm of management and the other social sciences, many scholars have used self-interest explanations to account for individual judgment, decision making, and behavior with respect to a variety of issues in the domains of ethics and justice. In this article, the authors address the descriptive claim that all human behavior can ultimately be traced to underlying self-interest. Reviewing arguments from the philosophical literatures and evidence from management, social psychology, and behavioral economics, the authors argue that exclusively relying on self-interest explanations is a bad scientific strategy that discourages researchers from considering other determinants of how people behave.
Stakeholder Theory: Reviewing a Theory That Moves Us
Authors: Laplume André O. , Sonpar Karan , Litz Reginald A.
Published: November 2008

This article reviews the academic stakeholder theory literature as it developed between 1984 and 2007. The authors content analyzed 179 articles that directly addressed Freeman's work on stakeholder theory and found five themes: (a) stakeholder definition and salience, (b) stakeholder actions and responses, (c) firm actions and responses, (d) firm performance, and (e) theory debates. Themes were observed in multiple research fields, suggesting broad appeal. The authors noted a substantial rise in stakeholder theory's prominence since 1995 and documented that the theory has detractors insofar as it questions shareholders' wealth maximization as the most fundamental objective of business. The authors' recommendations include urging more empirical research across a broader set of organizations apart from large publicly traded corporations, more qualitative research to document cognitive aspects of how managers respond to stakeholder expectations, and a return to the theory's emphasis on the strategic benefits of stakeholder management, albeit with a broader view of firm performance.
A Resource-Based Analysis of the Conditions for the Emergence of Profits
Authors: Becerra Manuel
Published: November 2008

The resource-based view (RBV) has been successful in explaining the sustainability of competitive advantages based on the characteristics of individual resources but less so for understanding firm profitability and the reasons why profits may emerge. This article investigates the three conditions for a set of resources to create collectively greater returns that they demand from the firm, thus resulting in above-normal profits for its shareholders. These conditions for profitability are (a) value uncertainty, (b) resources specificity, and (c) firm-level innovation. Rather than owners of inherently superior knowledge or resources with limited bargaining power as usually portrayed in the RBV, profitable firms are fundamentally better combiners and developers of resources in the face of uncertainty.
The Middle Management Perspective on Strategy Process: Contributions, Synthesis, and Future Research
Authors: Wooldridge Bill , Schmid Torsten , Floyd Steven W.
Published: November 2008

During the past 25 years, a substantial amount of research in strategic management has focused on the contributions of middle management. Although useful, the research is characterized by considerable diversity in terms of focal constructs and relationships. The purpose of this review is to organize this research and identify important constructs, relationships, and contributions. The review serves not only to catalog the state of the art and accumulate knowledge; it also facilitates the critique necessary for charting directions and enhancing the cumulative nature of future research.
A Multilevel View of Intragroup Conflict
Authors: Korsgaard M. Audrey , Soyoung Jeong Sophia , Mahony Douglas M. , Pitariu Adrian H.
Published: November 2008

In the years since the last major review of conflict, the primary thrust in the research on conflict in organizations has shifted the emphasis away from dyadic conflict and toward the study of intragroup conflict. Influenced by Jehn's work, this body of research has largely focused on distinguishing between conflict types; most notably task versus relationship conflict. However, this research has focused on within-level relationships, thus neglecting the multilevel nature of intragroup conflict and its emergence processes. After reviewing the antecedents of conflict across levels, the authors examine the constructs and processes common to the intraindividual, dyadic, and group levels as well as those that are unique to each level and the cross-level influences of those constructs. The authors conclude by proposing a multilevel model of group conflict that integrates the individual, dyadic, and intragroup levels of analysis.
The Impact of a Simple, Low-cost Oral Care Protocol on Ventilator-associated Pneumonia Rates in a Surgical Intensive Care Unit
Authors: Sona Carrie S. , Zack Jeanne E. , Schallom Marilyn E. , McSweeney Maryellen , McMullen Kathleen , Thomas James , Coopersmith Craig M. , Boyle Walter A. , Buchman Timothy G. , Mazuski John E. , Schuerer Douglas J. E.
Published: November 2008

Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of a simple low-cost oral care protocol on ventilator-associated pneumonia rates in a surgical intensive care unit. Design: Preintervention and postintervention observational study. Setting: Twenty-four bed surgical/trauma/burn intensive care units in an urban university hospital. Patients: All mechanically ventilated patients that were admitted to the intensive care unit between June 1, 2004 and May 31, 2005. Interventions: An oral care protocol to assist in prevention of bacterial growth of plaque by cleaning the patients' teeth with sodium monoflurophosphate 0.7% paste and brush, rinsing with tap water, and subsequent application of a 0.12% chlorhexidine gluconate chemical solution done twice daily at 12-hour intervals. Measurements and main results: During the preintervention period from June 1, 2003 to May 31, 2004, there were 24 infections in 4606 ventilator days (rate = 5.2 infections per 1000 ventilator days). After the institution of the oral care protocol, there were 10 infections in 4158 ventilator days, resulting in a lower rate of 2.4 infections per 1000 ventilator days. This 46% reduction in ventilator-associated pneumonia was statistically significant (P = .04). Staff compliance with the oral care protocol during the 12-month period was also monitored biweekly and averaged 81%. The total cost of the oral care protocol was US$2187.49. There were 14 fewer cases of ventilator-associated pneumonia, which led to a decrease in cost of US$140 000 to US$560 000 based on the estimated cost per ventilator-associated pneumonia infection of US$10 000 to US$40 000. There was an overall reduction in ventilator-associated pneumonia without a change to the gram-negative or gram-positive microorganism profile. Conclusions: The implementation of a simple, low-cost oral care protocol in the surgical intensive care unit led to a significantly decreased risk of acquiring ventilator-associated pneumonia.
Atrial Fibrillation After Cardiac Surgery: Does Prophylactic Therapy Decrease Adverse Outcomes Associated With Atrial Fibrillation
Authors: Shrivastava Rakesh , Smith Bonnie , Caskey David , Reddy Pratap
Published: November 2008

Atrial fibrillation is a common problem following cardiac surgery. Atrial fibrillation occurs in 30% to 50% patients during postoperative period. Postoperative atrial fibrillation often results in increased length of hospital stay, increased cost of postoperative hospitalization, heart failure, and, less frequently, cerebrovascular accident and death. Because postoperative atrial fibrillation is such a significant problem, several studies have attempted to find a safe and effective treatment for its prevention. In this article, we review the evidence for various prophylactic therapies and make an attempt to answer the following: (1) Can postoperative atrial fibrillation be prevented? (2) Is prophylactic therapy for postoperative atrial fibrillation safe? (3) Does prevention of postoperative atrial fibrillation prevent adverse outcomes associated with it? Evidence for safety and efficacy or lack of β-blockers, sotalol, amiodarone, intravenous magnesium, and atrial pacing is reviewed and current recommendations by the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association/European Society of Cardiology are presented.
Designing a Successful Executive Compensation Clawback Policy
Authors: Lilienfeld Doreen E. , Singh Romica
Published: November 2008

Clawback policies that require executives to return ill-gotten monies must be carefully designed.
Adding Merit to Pay for Performance
Authors: Risher Howard
Published: November 2008

Organizations can strengthen the impact of merit pay through a careful evaluation of actual practices and performance results.
The Attraction of Severance
Authors: Hannah Richard L.
Published: November 2008

Changes in severance plan design reflect deep shifts in the employment
Comparison of the Ideal and Real Body as Women Age
Authors: Kozar Joy M. , Damhorst Mary Lynn
Published: November 2008

This study examines the relationship between age, body image, and women's proclivity to compare themselves with fashion models. A sample of 281 women between the ages of 30 and 80 participated in this study. Significant positive relationships between social comparison behavior and (a) appearance self-discrepancy and (b) the importance placed on achieving ideal appearance were found. A significant inverse relationship between social comparison behavior and body satisfaction was also observed. Participants older in age were found to be less likely to compare themselves with fashion models. However, the younger that participants felt they were, the more inclined they were to compare themselves with models. Participants who reported a larger difference between their ideal and actual age perceived more discrepancy between their ideal and actual appearance, were generally more dissatisfied with their body and appearance, and were more likely to compare themselves with fashion models.
Osteosarcoma Arising in a Long-Standing Uterine Leiomyoma: A Case Report and Literature Review
Authors: Ren Ching Wang  , Mei Ching Wen  , Wang John , Shin Chu Ho  , Yee Jee Jan
Published: November 2008

The authors present the first case of a pure osteosarcoma arising in a long-standing uterine leiomyoma along with a literature review of all heterologous sarcomas arising in uterine leiomyoma. Most cases present with abnormal vaginal bleeding and symptoms related to a rapidly enlarged pelvic mass in postmenopausal women with a long-standing history of uterine leiomyoma. The histological finding of the case in this study revealed a relatively well-circumscribed tumor with a peripheral ring of leiomyoma and a central osteosarcoma. The case in this study further supported a possible pathogenesis involving the p53 gene. The prognosis may be better with low-stage tumor; however, cases with advanced stages, larger tumor size at presentation, and histological type of epithelioid angiosarcoma had poorer prognosis despite aggressive therapy.
Sclerosing Spindle Cell Rhabdomyosarcoma in an Adult: Report of a New Case and Review of the Literature
Authors: Gavino Alde Carlo P. , Spears Michael D. , Yan Peng
Published: November 2008

Sclerosing spindle cell rhabdomyosarcoma (SSRMS) is a newly recognized entity in adults. The authors report a new case of SSRMS in a 31-year-old woman who presented with a large right leg mass. Biopsy revealed a malignant spindle cell neoplasm with focal sclerotic areas. A diagnosis of monophasic synovial sarcoma was favored initially. The tumor cells in the resection specimen were positive for myosin, myogenin, and MyoD1. Fluorescence in situ hybridization performed on the resection specimen showed no evidence of SYT gene rearrangement in the neoplastic cells, ruling out monophasic synovial sarcoma. A diagnosis of SSRMS was established. The patient succumbed to widely metastatic disease 16 months after initial diagnosis. This case highlights the utility of skeletal muscle markers and cytogenetic testing in distinguishing SSRMS from its mimic, monophasic synovial sarcoma. It is hoped that this case will expand the literature on adult SSRMS and help clinicians and pathologists better understand this newly described entity.
APOE Genotype and Functional Outcome Following Aneurysmal Subarachnoid Hemorrhage
Authors: Gallek Matthew J. , Conley Yvette P. , Sherwood Paula R. , Horowitz Michael B. , Kassam Amin , Alexander Sheila A.
Published: November 2008

Apolipoprotein E (apoE), the major apolipoprotein in the central nervous system, has been shown to influence neurologic disease progression and response to neurologic injury in a gene-specific manner. Presence of the APOE4 allele is associated with poorer response to traumatic brain injury and ischemic stroke, but the association between APOE genotype and outcome following aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) remains unclear. The purpose of this project was to investigate the association between APOE genotype and outcome after SAH. We also explored the association of APOE4 genotype and cerebral vasospasm (CV) presence in a subsample of our population with available angiographic data. A sample of 206 aneurysmal SAH participants had APOE genotyping performed, Glasgow outcome scores (GOS) and modified Rankin scores (MRS) collected at 3 and 6 months after aneurysm rupture. No significant association was found between the presence of the APOE4 genotype and functional outcomes controlling for age, race, size of hemorrhage (Fisher grade), and severity of injury (Hunt & Hess grade). However when controlling for CV and the covariates listed above, individuals with the APOE4 allele had worse functional outcomes at both time points. The presence of the APOE2 allele was not associated with functional outcomes even when considering presence of CV. There was no difference in mortality associated with APOE4 presence, APOE2 presence, or presence of CV. These findings suggest APOE4 allele is associated with poor outcome after aneurysmal SAH.
Ascorbic Acid Does Not Influence Consciousness Recovery After Anesthesia
Authors: Talley V Henry C. , Wicks Mona N. , Carter Michael , Roper Brad
Published: November 2008

Several studies have examined the influence of general anesthesia on changes in consciousness and unconscious cognitive processes. However, much remains to be learned about potential moderators of general anesthetic agents, such as antioxidants including ascorbic acid, and their influence on the recovery of consciousness following general anesthesia. General anesthesia potentially affects plasma ascorbic acid levels and may impair consciousness during the postoperative period; however, published literature regarding these relationships is equivocal. Ascorbic acid is important for brain function and may be related to the return of postoperative consciousness through action on the synaptic receptors in the brain. This study was designed as a pretest—posttest repeated measures investigation. Ascorbic acid levels were measured at four time periods in patients (N = 50) undergoing surgery and general anesthesia. Following surgery, patients were administered a paper-and-pencil measure of concentration that served as an index of post-anesthesia consciousness. The results suggest that changes occur in plasma ascorbic acid levels at different time points during the anesthesia regimen in nonemergent surgical patients. No statistically significant relationships were found between plasma ascorbic acid levels and improved post-anesthesia consciousness, suggesting that ascorbic acid does not influence recovery of consciousness following general anesthesia.
Hemodynamic Response to Postural Shift in Women with Multiple Chemical Sensitivities
Authors: McFetridge-Durdle Judith A. , Routledge Faye S. , Sampalli Tara , Fox Roy , Livingston Heather , Adams Barbara
Published: November 2008

Multiple chemical sensitivity (MCS) is a chronic condition prevalent in women; the symptoms are reproducible with repeated low-level chemical exposure. Evidence gathered through clinical observations suggests that women with MCS may be at risk for autonomic nervous system dysfunction as evidenced by abnormal heart rate and pulse pressure responses to exercise. The primary objective of this study was to describe the hemodynamic response to postural shift in 17 women with MCS. Using impedance cardiography, hemodynamic measures were taken while sitting and immediately upon standing. The hemodynamic response to standing was increased heart rate (p < .0001), decreased stroke volume (p = .002), decreased left ventricular ejection time (p < .0001), increased diastolic blood pressure (p = .01), and increased systemic vascular resistance (p =.002). Although this pattern of hemodynamic response was normal, the magnitude of the changes was considerably less than those observed previously in healthy participants. These findings warrant further investigation.
The Potential Role of Glucose Transport Changes in Hot Flash Physiology: A Hypothesis
Authors: Dormire Sharon L.
Published: November 2008

Purpose: The purpose of this article is to detail a novel hypothesis regarding the role of changes in brain glucose delivery in menopausal hot flashes. Organizing Framework: The impaired glucose delivery hypothesis of menopausal hot flashes is presented as a potential model of hot flash physiology. As foundational to the hypothesis, brain glucose physiology, specifically neurobarrier coupling, is presented in detail. With brain activation, glucose needs immediate increase; additional glucose is supplied through increased production of glucose transporter 1 (GLUT1) at the blood—brain barrier (BBB) and through vasodilation. Estrogen is important to this system in stimulating production of GLUT1. As estrogen declines at menopause, upregulation of GLUT1 is less efficient. As a consequence, neurobarrier coupling overcompensates with an excess neurovascular response, or a hot flash. Research supporting this hypothesis is briefly reviewed and new questions raised are reviewed. Conclusions: The impaired glucose hypothesis of menopausal hot flashes proposes an inadequate neurobarrier response to neurometabolic stimulation as estrogen declines, resulting in additional neurometabolic stimulation with consequent neurovascular stimulation. In this model, the menopausal woman has diminished ability to respond to fluctuations in blood glucose over the course of the day, which results in hot flashes as a counter-regulatory response. This perspective accounts for observed physiological changes that have not been previously detailed. New research directions are identified.
Human Resource Development and the Resource-Based Model of Core Competencies: Methods for Diagnosis and Assessment
Authors: Clardy Alan
Published: November 2008

The resource-based theory of organizational performance emphasizes the sustained competitive advantages gained from production capabilities that are rare and hard to imitate. Under certain conditions, such capabilities become core competencies and tend to involve the firm's human resources. There is not yet a standard research protocol for how to research core competencies. Based on a review of existing studies on core competencies from a variety of fields, a framework for studying core competencies is proposed here based on four questions: Does the firm have a competitive advantage? If so, is it based on capabilities? What is the nature of the specific core competencies involved? Does the competition have core competencies, and if yes, what are they? The implications of this model for researchers and practitioners are discussed.
Nationally Certified Educational Diagnostician (NCED)
Authors: Sutton Joe P. , Frye Ellen M. , Frawley Patricia A.
Published: November 2008

A new professional credential, the Nationally Certified Educational Diagnostician (NCED), was established in 2006 for assessment specialists known as educational diagnosticians. The first cohort of 511 diagnosticians from 11 states received NCED certificates in January 2008. Discussed in this article are several issues of concern related to national certification of diagnosticians, including viability and distinctiveness of the profession, and quality and uniformity of practice. This article also discusses the chronology of events leading to establishment of the NCED program, qualifications for the credential, and future challenges to the program.
Psychometric Properties of the Foreign Language Attitudes and Perceptions Survey for College Students
Authors: Bell Sherry Mee , McCallum R. Steve , Kirk Emily R. , Brown Katherine Sager , Fuller Emily J. , Scott Katrinda W.
Published: November 2008

The psychometric integrity of the Foreign Language Attitudes and Perceptions Survey for college students was investigated. Two hundred and seventy-eight college students were administered a modified version of the survey (FLAPS-C). Internal consistency reliabilities, as determined by Cronbach’s alpha, were .74, attitudes; .80, perceptions; and .86, combined. Testretest reliability was equally robust ( r = .83). Factor analytic data suggest a one-factor solution rather than two separate factors (i.e., attitudes and perceptions). Results provide preliminary support for the use of FLAPS-C as a measure of college students’ attitudes and perceptions toward learning a foreign language. The FLAPS-C’s potential utility for secondary and postsecondary special educators of at-risk students including those with learning disabilities is discussed.
Spermatheca Gland Extract of Snail (Telescopium telescopium) Has Wound Healing Potential: An Experimental Study in Rabbits
Authors: Kumar Saurabh , Ghosh Debaki , Tuhin Kanti Biswas  , Dutta Uttam , Das Partho , Kundu Subarna
Published: November 2008

The effects of spermatheca gland extract of snail ( Telescopium telescopium) to promote wound healing were studied in an animal model. The spermatheca gland extract of the snail was used as a topical medicament to treat experimentally created full thickness wounds in 12 rabbits ( Oryctologous cuniculus). Wound healing was assessed on the basis of physical, histomorphological, and histochemical changes on days 0, 3, 7, and 14. Statistically significant differences were observed between the groups in all measured parameters. These exciting findings suggest that the data should be further tested in animal models to better understand the potential for wound healing in the spermatheca gland extract of the marine snail.
Repeat Therapy for Chronic Motor Stroke: A Pilot Study for Feasibility and Efficacy
Authors: Rijntjes Michel , Haevernick Kerstin , Barzel Anne , van den Bussche Hendrik , Ketels Gesche , Weiller Cornelius
Published: November 2008

Background. Therapeutic interventions improve outcomes in the acute and chronic phase after motor stroke, but a significant amount of this improvement is usually lost after more than 1 year. Patients might profit from a second course of intensive physiotherapy, but this has not been investigated. Objective. The feasibility and effect of a second phase of physiotherapy was examined 2 years after the first one. Methods. A total of 12 patients with chronic stroke were instructed to wear a constraining splint on the affected elbow and hand while awake for 4 weeks and practice individually tailored tasks 2 hours per day. Motor tests for assessment included the Motor Activity Log, Wolf Motor Function Test, and 9-Hole Peg Test. Results. In the 11 patients who were available for postintervention assessment, the deterioration in the amount and quality of movement that had occurred since the first therapy was largely recouped. Patients who wore the constraint more than 80% of waking hours during the second therapy showed a clear secondary improvement in all tests, in some surpassing the level reached after the first therapy. Conclusions. A repeated bout of home-based CIMT 2 years after initial training is feasible with relatively little time and effort provided by a therapist and can lead to further improvement.
Relationship between failure behaviour and weld fusion zone attributes of austenitic stainless steel resistance spot welds
Authors: Marashi P. , Pouranvari M. , Sanaee S. M. H. , Abedi A. , Abootalebi S. H. , Goodarzi M.
Published: November 2008

Resistance spot welding was used to join austenitic stainless steel sheets. Mechanical properties of the spot welds were evaluated using tensile shear test. Mechanical behaviour was described by peak load, failure energy and failure mode. The relationship between weld fusion zone attributes and failure behaviour was studied. Generally, it was observed that increasing fusion zone size is accompanied by an increase in load carrying capacity and energy absorption capability. However, when expulsion occurs, despite almost constant weld fusion zone size, energy absorption capability reduces significantly due to increase in electrode indentation depth. Considering the failure location and failure mechanism in the tensile shear test, minimum required fusion zone size to ensure the pull-out failure mode was estimated using an analytical model. According to this model, in addition to sheet thickness, ratio of fusion zone hardness to failure location hardness is the key metallurgical factor governing failure mode of spot welds during the tensile shear test.
Production of injection moulded 316L stainless steels reinforced with TiC(N) particles
Authors: Gülsoy H. Ö.
Published: November 2008

Metal matrix composites, based on 316L stainless steel and reinforced with TiC and TiCN particles, were manufactured following a powder injection moulding route: mixing, preparation of feedstock, moulding, debinding and sintering. The 316L stainless steel and carbide powders were dry mixed and moulded with wax based binder. The critical powder loading for injection moulding was 62·5 vol.-% for all samples. Binder debinding was performed by solvent and thermal method. After debinding, the samples were sintered at 1250 and 1385°C for 1 h in pure H2. Metallographic studies were conducted to extend densification and the corresponding microstructural changes. The sintered samples were characterised by measuring tensile strength, hardness and wear behaviour. Wear loss was determined for all samples after wear tests. All powder, fracture surfaces of moulded and sintered samples, and worn surfaces of all the samples, were examined using scanning electron microscope. The sintered density of injection moulded 316L stainless steel samples, reinforced and unreinforced, increases with increasing sintering temperature. The addition of TiC and TiCN improves the hardness and wear resistance with increasing sintering temperature.
Targeting PKC: a novel role for beta-catenin in ER stress and apoptotic signaling
Authors: Raab Marc S. , Breitkreutz Iris , Tonon Giovanni , Zhang Jing , Hayden Patrick J. , Nguyen Thu , Fruehauf Johannes H. , Lin Boris K. , Chauhan Dharminder , Hideshima Teru , Munshi Nikhil C. , Anderson Kenneth C. , Podar Klaus
Published: November 2008

Targeting protein kinase C (PKC) isoforms by the small molecule inhibitor enzastaurin has shown promising preclinical activity in a wide range of tumor cells. We further delineated its mechanism of action in multiple myeloma (MM) cells and found a novel role of β-catenin in regulating growth and survival of tumor cells. Specifically, inhibition of PKC leads to rapid accumulation of β-catenin by preventing the phosphorylation required for its proteasomal degradation. Microarray analysis and small-interfering RNA (siRNA)–mediated gene silencing in MM cells revealed that accumulated β-catenin activates early endoplasmic reticulum stress signaling via eIF2α, C/EBP-homologous protein (CHOP), and p21, leading to immediate growth inhibition. Furthermore, accumulated β-catenin contributes to enzastaurin-induced cell death. Sequential knockdown of β-catenin, c-Jun, and p73, as well as overexpression of β-catenin or p73 confirmed that accumulated β-catenin triggers c-Jun–dependent induction of p73, thereby conferring MM cell apoptosis. Our data reveal a novel role of β-catenin in endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress-mediated growth inhibition and a new proapoptotic mechanism triggered by β-catenin on inhibition of PKC isoforms. Moreover, we identify p73 as a potential novel therapeutic target in MM. Based on these and previous data, enzastaurin is currently under clinical investigation in a variety of hematologic malignancies, including MM.
In vivo expansion of cells expressing acquired CSF3R mutations in patients with severe congenital neutropenia
Authors: Germeshausen Manuela , Welte Karl , Ballmaier Matthias
Published: November 2008

Severe congenital neutropenia (CN) is a rare bone marrow failure syndrome with a high incidence of acute leukemia. In previous studies, we could show that point mutations in the gene for the granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) receptor CSF3R are a highly predictive marker for leukemic development in CN patients. To find out at which stage of hematopoietic development these mutations emerge and how they are propagated during hematopoietic differentiation, we analyzed single cells of different hematopoietic subpopulations from CN patients with CSF3R mutations. We found that CSF3R mutations are not restricted to the myeloid compartment but are also detectable in lymphoid cells, although at a much lower percentage. From our observations, we conclude that CSF3R mutations are acquired in multipotent hematopoietic progenitor cells in CN patients and that they are clonally expanded in myeloid cells expressing the G-CSF receptor due to the growth advantage mediated by the CSF3R mutation.
Prosecutor: parameter-free inference of gene function for prokaryotes using DNA microarray data, genomic context and multiple gene annotation sources
Authors: Blom Evert Jan , Breitling Rainer , Hofstede Klaas Jan , Roerdink Jos BTM , van Hijum Sacha AFT , Kuipers Oscar P
Published: November 2008

Background

Despite a plethora of functional genomic efforts, the function of many genes in sequenced genomes remains unknown. The increasing amount of microarray data for many species allows employing the guilt-by-association principle to predict function on a large scale: genes exhibiting similar expression patterns are more likely to participate in shared biological processes.

Results

We developed Prosecutor, an application that enables researchers to rapidly infer gene function based on available gene expression data and functional annotations. Our parameter-free functional prediction method uses a sensitive algorithm to achieve a high association rate of linking genes with unknown function to annotated genes. Furthermore, Prosecutor utilizes additional biological information such as genomic context and known regulatory mechanisms that are specific for prokaryotes. We analyzed publicly available transcriptome data sets and used literature sources to validate putative functions suggested by Prosecutor. We supply the complete results of our analysis for 11 prokaryotic organisms on a dedicated website.

Conclusion

The Prosecutor software and supplementary datasets available at http://www.prosecutor.nl allow researchers working on any of the analyzed organisms to quickly identify the putative functions of their genes of interest. A de novo analysis allows new organisms to be studied.
A genome survey of Moniliophthora perniciosa gives new insights into Witches' Broom Disease of cacao
Authors: Mondego Jorge MC , Carazzolle Marcelo F , Costa Gustavo GL , Formighieri Eduardo F , Parizzi Lucas P , Rincones Johana , Cotomacci Carolina , Carraro Dirce M , Cunha Anderson F , Carrer Helaine , Vidal Ramon O , Estrela Raíssa C , García Odalys , Thomazella Daniela PT , de Oliveira Bruno V , Pires Acássia BL , Rio Maria Carolina S , Araújo Marcos Renato R , de Moraes Marcos H , Castro Luis AB , Gramacho Karina P , Gonçalves Marilda S , Neto José P Moura , Neto Aristóteles Góes , Barbosa Luciana V , Guiltinan Mark J , Bailey Bryan A , Meinhardt Lyndel W , Cascardo Julio CM , Pereira Gonçalo AG
Published: November 2008

Background

The basidiomycete fungus Moniliophthora perniciosa is the causal agent of Witches' Broom Disease (WBD) in cacao (Theobroma cacao). It is a hemibiotrophic pathogen that colonizes the apoplast of cacao's meristematic tissues as a biotrophic pathogen, switching to a saprotrophic lifestyle during later stages of infection. M. perniciosa, together with the related species M. roreri, are pathogens of aerial parts of the plant, an uncommon characteristic in the order Agaricales. A genome survey (1.9× coverage) of M. perniciosa was analyzed to evaluate the overall gene content of this phytopathogen.

Results

Genes encoding proteins involved in retrotransposition, reactive oxygen species (ROS) resistance, drug efflux transport and cell wall degradation were identified. The great number of genes encoding cytochrome P450 monooxygenases (1.15% of gene models) indicates that M. perniciosa has a great potential for detoxification, production of toxins and hormones; which may confer a high adaptive ability to the fungus. We have also discovered new genes encoding putative secreted polypeptides rich in cysteine, as well as genes related to methylotrophy and plant hormone biosynthesis (gibberellin and auxin). Analysis of gene families indicated that M. perniciosa have similar amounts of carboxylesterases and repertoires of plant cell wall degrading enzymes as other hemibiotrophic fungi. In addition, an approach for normalization of gene family data using incomplete genome data was developed and applied in M. perniciosa genome survey.

Conclusion

This genome survey gives an overview of the M. perniciosa genome, and reveals that a significant portion is involved in stress adaptation and plant necrosis, two necessary characteristics for a hemibiotrophic fungus to fulfill its infection cycle. Our analysis provides new evidence revealing potential adaptive traits that may play major roles in the mechanisms of pathogenicity in the M. perniciosa/cacao pathosystem.
Immunological evaluation of Lactobacillus casei Zhang: a newly isolated strain from koumiss in Inner Mongolia, China
Authors: Ya Tuo , Zhang Qijin , Chu Fuliang , Merritt Justin , Bilige Menhe , Sun Tiansong , Du Ruiting , Zhang Heping
Published: November 2008

Background

There is increasing evidence to suggest an immunomodulation function both within the intestines and systemically upon consuming probiotic species. We recently isolated a novel LAB, Lactobacillus casei Zhang (LcZhang) from koumiss. LcZhang exhibited favorable probiotic properties, such as acid resistance, bile resistance, gastrointestinal (GI) colonization ability, etc. In order to examine the immunomodulatory qualities of LcZhang, we administered LcZhang to healthy mice with varying doses of either live or heat-killed LcZhang and measured various parameters of the host immune response.

Results

The study was performed in four separate experiments via oral administration of live and heat-killed LcZhang to BALB/c mice for several consecutive days. We investigated the immunomodulating capacity of LcZhang in vivo by analyzing the profile of cytokines, T cell subpopulations, and immunoglobulin concentrations induced in blood serum and intestinal fluid in BALB/c mice. Only live bacteria elicited a wide range of immune responses, which include the increased production of interferon-γ (IFN-γ), and depression of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) levels. In addition, interleukin-2 (IL-2) and IL-2 receptor gene transcription increased significantly, but the proportion of T cell subsets appeared to be unaffected. We also observed that LcZhang was capable of inducing gut mucosal responses by enhancing the production of secretory Immunoglobulin A (sIgA) as well influencing the systemic immunity via the cytokines released to the circulating blood.

Conclusion

The present work shows that the dose-dependent administration of LcZhang is capable of influencing immune responses, implying that it may be a valuable strain for probiotic use in humans.