bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The role of environmental conditions and exploitation in determining dynamics of redfish (Sebastes species) in the Northwest Atlantic
Authors: DEVINE JENNIFER A. , HAEDRICH RICHARD L.
Published: December 2010

The six stocks of redfish (Sebastes spp.) in the Northwest Atlantic have been fished for the past 60 years, during which time they have also experienced considerable variability in environmental conditions. Despite their close proximity and with life‐history features characteristic of many deep‐sea fishes (long‐lived, slow‐growing, late‐maturing, relatively low fecundity), each redfish stock has displayed quite different dynamics. Some have been able to support apparently sustainable fisheries, whereas others have been forced to close. The causes of such differences are unclear. We used dynamic factor analysis to determine the relative impacts of exploitation (days fishing for redfish, days fishing for shrimp, days fished by all fisheries, catch in the redfish fishery, total redfish catch) and environment (North Atlantic Oscillation, surface temperature, salinity, shallow, middle, and deep bottom temperatures) on trends of abundance in each stock over the years 1960–2004. The results showed that a mix of exploitation and environmental variability, with various and different lag times, accounted for observed trends. The Gulf of St. Lawrence stock was affected most by exploitation. Flemish Cap and northern Newfoundland‐Labrador stocks were mostly affected by environmental factors with longer time lags than more southerly stocks. We conclude that management of redfish must take into account individual responses to exploitation and environment over the time periods during which such factors operate, often decades or more, as opposed to the usual practice of reviewing only dynamics of the past few years. Deep‐sea populations cannot be managed on the same scales as shelf fisheries.
An example of meso‐scale hydrographic features in the central Baltic Sea and their influence on the distribution and vertical migration of sprat, Sprattus sprattus balticus (Schn.)
Authors: STEPPUTTIS DANIEL , HINRICHSEN HANS‐HARALD , BÖTTCHER UWE , GÖTZE EBERHARD , MOHRHOLZ VOLKER
Published: December 2010

A wind‐driven meso‐scale pattern of temperature, salinity and oxygen was found along a transect in the northern Bornholm Basin (southern Baltic Sea). Strong winds caused currents along this transect, which shifted cold intermediate water (minimum: 3.6°C) towards the south. The transect was surveyed with a towed CTD‐system and hydroacoustics in parallel to investigate the distribution of sprat, Sprattus sprattus balticus (Schn.) in relation to the observed meso‐scale pattern. In those parts of the transect where the cold intermediate water was observed, sprat were restricted to water layers below the halocline. In other parts of the transect, sprat moved into higher water layers and occupied a wider depth range. The important factor was temperature, which set an upper limit to the vertical sprat distribution. The development of hydrography, as measured in the field, was evaluated with a hydrodynamic model.
Adoption and the communication of genetic risk: experiences in Huntington disease
Authors: Bombard Y , Semaka A , Hayden MR
Published: December 2010

Bombard Y, Semaka A, Hayden MR. Adoption and the communication of genetic risk: experiences in Huntington disease.

Adoption can present significant challenges when seeking or communicating genetic risk information. Adoption agencies can use genetic information to determine the eligibility of prospective adoptive parents and to establish a child's suitability for adoption. We describe experiences and implications of communicating genetic risk for Huntington disease (HD) in the context of adoption. A secondary analysis was employed using data collected from a cross‐sectional survey (n = 233) and two qualitative studies on the psychosocial effects of predictive testing for HD. We demonstrate several ethical and practical challenges in the search for and communication of genetic information for adoptees and their birth relatives. We also found that concern for adoption discrimination was reported by 13.7% of survey respondents (n = 32). Concerns were higher among tested respondents than those who had not been tested (n = 29 vs n = 3, p = 0.010). However, more respondents were concerned about being discriminated based on their family history (FHx) vs their genetic test results (GTR) (concern based on FHx: n = 18 vs based on GTR: n = 1 vs based on both: n =10). These findings contribute to the limited empirical literature by offering evidence on the experiences and implications of communicating genetic risk information in the context of adoption with reference to HD.
Retracted: Growth, ion homeostasis, photosynthesis and photosystem II efficiency of an obligate halophyte, Salicornia brachiata, under increasing salinity
Authors: Parida A. K. , Hari Kishore C. M. , Jha B.
Published: December 2010

The following article from Plant Biology, “Growth, ion homeostasis, photosynthesis and photosystem II efficiency of an obligate halophyte, Salicornia brachiata, under increasing salinity (p)” by A. K. Parida, C. M. Hari Kishore & B. Jha, published online on 1 April 2010 (DOI: 10.1111/j.1438‐8677.2010.00336.x) in Wiley InterScience (http://www.interscience.wiley.com), has been retracted by agreement between the authors, the journal Editor‐in‐Chief, Heinz Rennenberg and Blackwell Publishing Ltd.

The retraction has been agreed due to concern about overlap with the article “Relationship between the photosynthetic activity and the performance of Cakile maritima after long‐term salt treatment” by Ahmed Debez, Hans‐Werner Koyro, Claude Grignon, Chedly Abdelly, Bernhard Huchzermeyer published in Physiologia Plantarum (2008) vol. 133, 373‐385.
Vascular risk factors and progression in Alzheimer's disease
Authors: Sakurai Hirofumi , Hanyu Haruo , Sato Tomohiko , Kanetaka Hidekazu , Shimizu Soichiro , Hirao Kentaro , Kikukawa Masayuki , Iwamoto Toshihiko
Published: December 2010

Aim:  To determine whether vascular risk factors such as hypertension, diabetes and hypercholesterolemia affect the progression of Alzheimer's disease (AD).

Methods:  We followed up 150 consecutive outpatients with probable AD for 24–60 months. Severity of cognitive impairment was assessed using the Mini‐Mental State Examination (MMSE). We investigated the influence of vascular risk factors and other demographic and clinical conditions (including age, sex, education, initial MMSE score and follow‐up time) on annual MMSE score changes.

Results:  Multiple regression analysis revealed that age, education and hypertension were significant variables associated with annual MMSE score changes. Younger, more educated patients with hypertension showed greater decline in annual MMSE scores. There were no significant correlations of annual MMSE score changes with other vascular factors or demographics, including sex, initial MMSE score, diabetes or hypercholesterolemia.

Conclusion:  Younger, more educated patients are more likely to have faster cognitive decline. In addition, hypertension may also be associated with a greater rate of disease progression. Our results suggest the importance of prevention and treatment for hypertension in patients with AD. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2011; 11: 211–214.
Plasma sex hormone levels and mortality in disabled older men and women
Authors: Fukai Shiho , Akishita Masahiro , Yamada Shizuru , Ogawa Sumito , Yamaguchi Kiyoshi , Kozaki Koichi , Toba Kenji , Ouchi Yasuyoshi
Published: December 2010

Aim:  To investigate the relationship between circulating sex hormone levels and subsequent mortality in disabled elderly.

Methods:  This prospective observational study was comprised of 214 elderly subjects aged 70–96 years (117 men and 97 women; mean ± standard deviation age, 83 ± 7 years), receiving services at long‐term care facilities in Nagano, Japan. All‐cause mortality by baseline plasma sex hormone levels was measured.

Results:  After excluding deaths during the first 6 months, 27 deaths in men and 28 deaths in women occurred during a mean follow up of 32 months and 45 months (up to 52 months), respectively. Mortality rates differed significantly between high and low testosterone tertiles in men, but did not differ significantly between middle and low tertiles. Compared with subjects in the middle and high tertiles, men with testosterone levels in the low tertile (<300 ng/dL) were more likely to die, independent of age, nutritional status, functional status and chronic disease (hazard ratio [HR] = 3.27, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.24–12.91). In contrast, the low dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEA‐S) tertile was associated with higher mortality risk in women (multivariate adjusted HR = 4.42, 95% CI = 1.51–12.90). Exclusion of deaths during the first year and cancer deaths had minimal effects on these results. DHEA‐S level in men and testosterone and estradiol levels in women were not related to mortality.

Conclusion:  Low testosterone in men and low DHEA‐S in women receiving care at facilities are associated with increased mortality risk, independent of other risk factors and pre‐existing health conditions. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2011; 11: 196–203.
Microcystin production and ecological physiology of Caribbean black band disease cyanobacteria
Authors: Stanić Dina , Oehrle Stuart , Gantar Miroslav , Richardson Laurie L.
Published: December 2010

Molecular studies of black band disease (BBD), a coral disease found on tropical and subtropical reefs worldwide, have shown that one 16S rRNA gene sequence is ubiquitous. This sequence has been reported to be a member of the cyanobacterial genus Oscillatoria. In this study, extracts of two cultured laboratory strains of BBD Oscillatoria, and for comparison two strains of BBD Geitlerinema, all isolated from reefs of the wider Caribbean, were analysed using Ultra‐Performance Liquid Chromatography‐Tandem Quad Mass Spectrometry (UPLC‐MS/MS). The cyanotoxin microcystin‐LR (MC‐LR) was found in all strains, and one Geitlerinema strain additionally produced MC‐YR. Growth experiments that monitored toxin production using enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) showed that BBD Oscillatoria produced yields of MC‐LR equivalent (0.02–0.04 mg g−1) independent of biomass and culture conditions (varying temperature, pH, light and organic carbon). This pattern is different from BBD Geitlerinema, which increased production of MC‐LR equivalent in the presence of organic carbon in the light and dark and at a relatively lower temperature. These results indicate that different species and strains of BBD cyanobacteria, which can occur in the same BBD infection, may contribute to BBD pathobiology by producing different toxins and different amounts of toxin at different stages in the disease process. This is the first detailed study of laboratory cultures of the ubiquitous BBD cyanobacterium Oscillatoria sp. isolated from Caribbean reefs.
Challenging the coherence of social justice as a shared nursing value
Authors: Lipscomb Martin
Published: December 2010

Normative and prescriptive claims regarding social justice are often inadequately developed in the nursing literature and, in consequence, they must be rejected in their current form. Thus, claims regarding social justice are frequently presented as mere assertion (without clarification or supporting argument) or, alternatively, when assertions are supported that support may be weak (e.g. social justice is repeated juxtaposed against contentious assumptions regarding market disutility). This paper challenges the coherence of social justice as a shared nursing value and it is suggested that claims regarding the concept should be tempered.
Entrepreneurial Origin, Technological Knowledge, and the Growth of Spin‐Off Companies
Authors: Clarysse Bart , Wright Mike , Van de Velde Els
Published: December 2010

abstract

We contribute to the literature on corporate spin‐offs and university spin‐offs by exploring how different characteristics in the technological knowledge base at start‐up influence spin‐off performance. We investigate how the technological knowledge characteristics endowed at start‐up predict growth, taking into account whether the knowledge/technology is transferred from a corporation or university. We use a novel, hand‐collected dataset involving 48 corporate and 73 university spin‐offs, comprising the population of spin‐offs in Flanders during 1991–2002. We find corporate spin‐offs grow most if they start with a specific narrow‐focused technology sufficiently distinct from the technical knowledge base of the parent company and which is tacit. University spin‐offs benefit from a broad technology which is transferred to the spin‐off. Novelty of the technical knowledge does not play a role in corporate spin‐offs, but has a negative impact in university spin‐offs unless universities have an experienced technology transfer office to support the spin‐off.
Political Heterarchy and Dispersed Entrepreneurship in the MNC
Authors: Williams Christopher , Lee Soo Hee
Published: December 2010

abstract

We develop and test a new perspective on dispersed entrepreneurship within the multinational corporation (MNC). Various literatures suggest that corporate, subsidiary, and individual level factors can lead to entrepreneurial initiatives diffusing outward from a subsidiary to other MNC units. We extend this to include political heterarchy (mechanisms by which subsidiary managers enhance their power base through heterarchy) as both direct and moderating factor. Using a survey of 135 managers in a wide range of MNC subsidiaries, we find that a tolerance for local initiative (subsidiary level), subsidiary manager proactivity (individual level), and political heterarchy directly influence initiative diffusion. In terms of moderating effects, political heterarchy is seen to activate corporate level entrepreneurial strategy. We show how political heterarchy is central to dispersed entrepreneurship within the MNC and highlight the positive function of networked organizational politics in rejuvenating the international firm.
Revitalizing Entrepreneurship: The Search for New Research Opportunities
Authors: Hoskisson Robert E. , Covin Jeffrey , Volberda Henk W. , Johnson Richard A.
Published: December 2010

abstract

Entrepreneurship research has traditionally focused on opportunity recognition and resource formation as processes that foster the emergence of new business ventures, through both the lens of the individual entrepreneur and corporate venturing. Although we observe that research is vibrant in these traditional areas, we also argue that the continued revitalization of the field of entrepreneurship can be fostered through examining opportunities for research in areas such as industry change and competition, inter‐organizational cooperation (which has proliferated more recently), university‐sponsored entrepreneurship, venture finance, institutional differences that foster entrepreneurship (primarily between different countries), and appropriability regime differences (including legal and regulatory frameworks) that foster entrepreneurial activities and profit appropriation. Besides pointing scholars to new promising directions, we argue for more attention to the transformational role of entrepreneurship itself by issuing a call for more multi‐level research efforts that connect the micro‐ and macro‐foundations of entrepreneurship and explore the revitalization‐related uncertainties such as the cost of creating an entrepreneurial orientation and whether there is an optimal level.
THE IMPACT OF INTERNATIONAL OUTSOURCING ON LABOUR MARKET DYNAMICS IN GERMANY
Authors: Bachmann Ronald , Braun Sebastian
Published: December 2010

Using an administrative data set containing daily information on individual workers' employment histories, we investigate how workers' labour market transitions are affected by international outsourcing. In order to do so, we estimate hazard rate models for match separations, as well as for worker flows from employment to another job, to unemployment, and to nonparticipation. Outsourcing has a positive but small impact on overall job stability in the manufacturing sector, and considerably increases job stability in the service sector. However, the effect of outsourcing varies strongly across skill levels and age groups, with negative effects for some workers. This is especially the case in the manufacturing sector, where the hazard of transiting to nonemployment rises with international outsourcing for medium‐skilled and older workers.
DO WOMEN MANAGE SMALLER FUNDS?
Authors: Hübler Olaf , Menkhoff Lukas
Published: December 2010

Based on a sample of 467 asset managers from four countries we robustly find that women manage smaller funds than men, despite tough competition in this industry. Interestingly, the gender gap exists only for managers of smaller funds, i.e. at the lower end of the hierarchy, as quantile regressions show. This is inconsistent with the glass ceiling hypothesis. Going further, this gender gap is limited to large firms. Explanations may refer to large firms using market power in the area of smaller funds or to ‘visibility’ among top asset managers protecting against unequal treatment of the sexes.
Consumer coping strategies: a study of consumers committed to eating local
Authors: Bingen Jim , Sage Julie , Sirieix Lucie
Published: December 2010

This paper deals with consumer coping strategies when consumers experience difficulties in implementing an innovation. The particular setting for exploring this issue is a group of consumers in Michigan who are committed to eating local. The paper explores how these consumers cope or balance their commitment to eating local with the constraints they face on buying and preparing local food Following a literature review of coping strategy and consumer coping strategies in relation to innovations, the paper presents the results of three focus groups conducted with members of a Student Organic Farm, a food cooperative and a Slow Food Convivium.

The consumers we interviewed mostly adopt problem‐centred, confrontative strategies: they change their food‐consumption habits including shopping, purchasing, cooking, storing and obviously, eating. None of these changes are easy to implement, and most require re‐allocations of time as well as trade‐offs to overcome time and cost barriers. In return, some of these consumers feel empowered.

This study allows us to offer a working hypothesis that the process is dynamic: the more committed consumers are, the more they adopt problem‐centred, confrontative strategies and forget more fatalist emotion‐centred or avoidance strategies. These findings contribute to literature on consumers' coping strategies and suggest future research avenues.
Reference prices and consumers' feeling of regret: an investigation of consumers' use of an online price‐bidding method
Authors: Cai Yi , Cude Brenda
Published: December 2010

The purpose of the research was to provide a better understanding of the impacts of relevant information on consumers' emotions when bidding their prices through an online Name‐Your‐Own‐Price method. Specifically, based on the tenets of the Decision Justification Theory, the study examined whether participants felt more regret about a negative outcome when reference prices were available. The research hypotheses were tested in two experiments. The results indicated that the availability of reference prices significantly affected participants' feelings of regret about a negative outcome.
β1‐Adrenergic receptors activate two distinct signaling pathways in striatal neurons
Authors: Meitzen John , Luoma Jessie I. , Stern Christopher M. , Mermelstein Paul G.
Published: December 2010

J. Neurochem. (2011) 116, 984–995.

Monoamine action in the dorsal striatum and nucleus accumbens plays essential roles in striatal physiology. Although research often focuses on dopamine and its receptors, norepinephrine (NE) and adrenergic receptors are also crucial in regulating striatal function. While noradrenergic neurotransmission has been identified in the striatum, little is known regarding the signaling pathways activated by β‐adrenergic receptors in this brain region. Using cultured striatal neurons, we characterized a novel signaling pathway by which activation of β1‐adrenergic receptors leads to the rapid phosphorylation of cAMP response element binding protein (CREB), a transcription‐factor implicated as a molecular switch underlying long‐term changes in brain function. NE‐mediated CREB phosphorylation requires β1‐adrenergic receptor stimulation of a receptor tyrosine kinase, ultimately leading to the activation of a Ras/Raf/MEK/MAPK/MSK signaling pathway. Activation of β1‐adrenergic receptors also induces CRE‐dependent transcription and increased c‐fos expression. In addition, stimulation of β1‐adrenergic receptors produces cAMP production, but surprisingly, β1‐adrenergic receptor activation of adenylyl cyclase was not functionally linked to rapid CREB phosphorylation. These findings demonstrate that activation of β1‐adrenergic receptors on striatal neurons can stimulate two distinct signaling pathways. These adrenergic actions can produce long‐term changes in gene expression, as well as rapidly modulate cellular physiology. By elucidating the mechanisms by which NE and β1‐adrenergic receptor activation affects striatal physiology, we provide the means to more fully understand the role of monoamines in modulating striatal function, specifically how NE and β1‐adrenergic receptors may affect striatal physiology.
New ligament healing model based on tissue‐engineered collagen scaffolds
Authors: Robayo Lina M. , Moulin Véronique J. , Tremblay Pierrot , Cloutier Réjean , Lamontagne Jean , Larkin Anne‐Marie , Chabaud Stéphane , Simon Franck , Islam Nazrul , Goulet Francine
Published: December 2010

The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) is often the target of knee trauma. This ligament does not heal very well, leading to joint instability. Long‐term instability of the knee can lead to early arthritis and loss of function. To develop efficient strategies to stimulate posttraumatic ACL regeneration in vivo, a good healing model is needed in vitro. Such a model must remain as simple as possible, but should include key features to provide relevant answers to precise questions about the clinical problem addressed. Here, we report tissue‐engineered type I collagen scaffolds developed to establish an ACL healing model in vitro and a potential ACL substitute in vivo. Such scaffolds were used to evaluate ACL cell growth, migration, and the capacity to synthesize and assemble collagen fibers for up to 40 days in vitro and up to 180 days in vivo. They were anchored with two bone plugs to allow their static stretching in culture and to facilitate their surgical implantation in knee joints. Our results have shown that living ACL fibroblasts can attach, migrate, and colonize this type of scaffold. In vitro, the cells populated the scaffolds and expressed mRNAs coding for the prolyl‐4‐hydroxylase, involved in collagen fibers' assembly. In vivo, acellular implants were vascularized and populated with caprine cells that migrated from the osseous insertions toward the center of the grafts. This model is a very good tool to study ACL repair and identify the factors that could accelerate its healing postsurgery.
A Primer of Ecology with R by STEVENS, M. H. H.
Authors: Sólymos Péter
Published: December 2010

A Primer of Ecology with R

(M. H. H. Stevens)

Péter Sólymos

Handbook on Analyzing Human Genetic Data: Computational Approaches and Software

(S. Lin and H. Zhao, Editors)

Peter M. Visscher

From Finite Sample to Asymptotic Methods in Statistics

(P. K. Sen, J. M. Singer, and A. C. Pedroso de Lima)

Miodrag Lovric

Dynamic Linear Models with R

(G. Petris, S. Petrone, and P. Campagnoli)

Helio S. Migon

Functional Data Analysis with R and Matlab

(J. O. Ramsay, G. Hooker, and S. Graves)

Hervé Cardot

Continuous Bivariate Distributions, 2nd edition

(N. Balakrishnan and C.‐D. Lai)

Márcia D'Elia Branco

Brief Reports by the Editor

The Elements of Statistical Learning: Data Mining, Inference, and Prediction, 2nd edition.

(T. Hastie, R. Tibshirani, and J. Friedman)

Gene Expression Studies Using Affymetrix Microarrays

(H. Göhlmann and W. Talloen)
Effect of implant drill characteristics on heat generation in osteotomy sites: a pilot study
Authors: Oh Hyun Jun , Wikesjö Ulf ME , Kang Ho‐Seong , Ku Young , Eom Tae‐Gwan , Koo Ki‐Tae
Published: December 2010

Objectives: The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of drill–bone contact area on bone temperature during osteotomy preparation.

Material and methods: Conventional triflute Ø3.6 mm drills were modified with the intent to reduce frictional heat induction. The peripheral dimensions of the drill were reduced 0.15, 0.35 and 0.5 mm to evaluate the effect of surface area on induction of frictional heat between the drill and bone/cutting debris (parameter A). Also, the lateral cutting surface of the drill was set to 0.1, 2 and 7.5 mm to estimate heat induced by direct function of the drill (parameter B). A non‐modified triflute drill (parameter A: 0 mm; parameter B: 15 mm) served as control. Thus, nine drills with different A/B combinations vs. one control were tested in artificial bone. Real‐time temperature changes (during drilling and withdrawing) were assessed using an infrared thermal imager. Each drilling procedure was performed up to 20 times. Thermal image data were transferred to a PC for simultaneous analysis.

Results: Mean temperature changes for all modified drill combinations were smaller than for the control (P<0.001). The effects of parameters A and B were statistically significant (P<0.001). There was a significant interaction effect between the two parameters (P<0.001) showing that the effect of parameter A on the mean temperature changes is different depending on the values of parameter B. As the dimensions of parameter B decreased, the temperature change during drilling also decreased. However, a tendency for the temperature to increase or decrease by parameter A was not observed.

Conclusions: Within the limitations of this pilot study, the observations herein suggest that reduction in contact area between the drill and bone reduces heat induction. Further studies to optimize drill/bone contact dimensions are needed.

To cite this article:
 Oh HJ, Wikesjö UME, Kang H‐S, Ku Y, Eom T‐G, Koo K‐T. Effect of implant drill characteristics on heat generation in osteotomy sites: a pilot study. Clin. Oral Impl. Res. 22, 2011; 722–726 doi: 10.1111/j.1600‐0501.2010.02051.x
Impact of an Advertising Campaign on Condom Use in Urban Pakistan
Authors: Agha Sohail , Meekers Dominique
Published: December 2010

This study describes an assessment of the impact on condom use in urban Pakistan of the second phase of an intensive condom advertising campaign conducted as part of a social marketing program. Between April and June 2009, advertisements for Touch condoms appeared on private television channels and on radio stations. To assess the impact of the campaign, a nationally representative panel survey of men married to women aged 15–49 was conducted, collecting information on behaviors related to condom use and recall of contraceptive advertisements. We employed conditional change regression analysis to determine whether awareness of the Touch ad at follow‐up was associated with improved attitudes toward condoms and condom use. Respondents with confirmed awareness of the Touch campaign experienced significant improvements in indicators related to condom use, even after controlling for region, socioeconomic and demographic characteristics, the values of the indicators at baseline, and exposure to the first phase of the campaign. They experienced increases in the following: perceived availability of condoms; discussion of family planning; approval of family planning; procurement of condoms; and ever use, current use, and consistent use of condoms with wife. The study indicates that condom advertising can be effective in increasing condom use in urban Pakistan.
Falls in older people receiving in‐home informal care across Victoria: Influence on care recipients and caregivers
Authors: Meyer Claudia , Dow Briony , Bilney Belinda E , Moore Kirsten J , Bingham Amanda L , Hill Keith D.
Published: December 2010

Aim:  Older people receiving informal care at home appear at high falls risk. This study investigates frequency, circumstances and factors associated with falls risk for older care recipients, and their informal caregivers.

Methods:  Ninety‐six dyads, recruited from caregiver agencies, underwent a home assessment, including falls risk, function, depression, quality of life, self‐rated health and carer burden.

Results:  Care recipients were at high falls risk. In the past 12 months, 58% had fallen and 26% twice or more. Common falls risk factors were polypharmacy, multiple medical conditions and requiring functional assistance. Caregivers exhibited multiple health problems, moderate burden and reduced quality of life. Where care recipients had high falls risk, caregivers had significantly higher carer burden and depression. Low functional level and high care recipient health problems were independently associated with risk of falling (P < 0.05).

Conclusion:  Strategies to reduce falls risk in this cohort are necessary, together with supporting the needs of the caregiver.
Rapid Upregulation of Cytoprotective Nitric Oxide in Breast Tumor Cells Subjected to a Photodynamic Therapy‐like Oxidative Challenge
Authors: Bhowmick Reshma , Girotti Albert W.
Published: December 2010

Many tumor cells produce nitric oxide (NO) as an antiapoptotic/progrowth molecule which also promotes antiogenesis and tumor expansion. This study was designed to examine possible antagonistic effects of endogenous NO on tumor eradication by photodynamic therapy (PDT). Using COH‐BR1 breast cancer cells sensitized in mitochondria with 5‐aminolevulinic acid (ALA)‐generated protoporphyrin IX as a model for ALA‐based PDT, we found that caspase‐9 activation and apoptotic death following irradiation were strongly enhanced by 1400W, an inhibitor of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS). RT‐PCR and Western analyses revealed a substantial upregulation of both iNOS mRNA and protein, beginningca4 h after irradiation and persisting for at least 20 h. Accompanying this was a strong 1400W‐inhibitable increase in intracellular NO, as detected with the NO probe, DAF‐2‐DA. Short hairpin RNA‐based iNOS knockdown in COH‐BR1 cells dramatically reduced NO production under photostress while enhancing caspase‐9 activation and apoptosis. These findings suggest that cytoprotective iNOS/NO induction in PDT‐treated tumor cells could reduce treatment efficacy, and point to pharmacologic intervention with iNOS inhibitors for counteracting this.
Comparison of array comparative genomic hybridization (aCGH) to FISH and cytogenetics in prognostic evaluation of chronic lymphocytic leukemia
Authors: O’MALLEY D. P. , GIUDICE C. , CHANG A. S. , CHANG D. , BARRY T. S. , HIBBARD M. K. , CHEN R. , CHEN S.‐T.
Published: December 2010

Introduction:  High‐resolution array comparative genomic hybridization (aCGH) is a method of evaluating chromosomal alterations over the entire genome. We compared aCGH with routine cytogenetics and FISH in detecting genetic alterations in chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL).

Methods:  Array comparative genomic hybridization testing was performed on 55 cases of CLL in addition to a standard panel of FISH probes (ATM on 11q22, trisomy 12, 13q14, p53 on 17p13). The frequency of detecting abnormalities was compared, and discordant results between methodologies were compared.

Results:  Fifty‐five CLL cases [male to female ratio of 2.2:1 and a mean age of 71 (52–90)] were analyzed by both aCGH and FISH. This group of CLL cases showed genetic abnormalities by FISH (60%; 27/45). In contrast to FISH, aCGH detected genetic abnormalities in 82% (45/55) of CLL cases; aCGH identified genetic abnormalities not detected by FISH studies in 16% (7/45) of cases, whereas FISH identified abnormalities not detected by aCGH in only 7% (3/45) of cases. Rare recurring genetic alterations were detected by aCGH including losses in 6q, 8p, 10q, 14q32, and 18q and gains in 10q.

Discussion:  Our findings suggest aCGH is an effective technique for evaluating recurring genetic abnormalities in CLL and improves on standard FISH in detecting genetic abnormalities in CLL.
Barriers to Blood Pressure Control: A STITCH Substudy
Authors: Nelson Sigrid A. E. , Dresser George K. , Vandervoort Margaret K. , Wong Cindy J. , Feagan Brian G. , Mahon Jeffrey L. , Feldman Ross D.
Published: December 2010

Despite improvements in blood pressure (BP) control, a substantial percentage of patients do not achieve target. The relative importance of determinants of poor BP control is unclear. Therefore, the authors conducted a post hoc exploratory analysis to assess determinants of BP control. Data were collected in 45 general practices, which enrolled patients with uncontrolled hypertension. Antihypertensive medication changes throughout the 6‐month follow‐up period were documented. Baseline and 6‐month BPs were recorded. Of the 2030 patients analyzed, 320 had diabetes. Overall, 42% of patients did not achieve BP control. In multivariate analysis, failure to intensify therapy was identified as a significant independent predictor of lesser BP reduction. Of patients unable to reach target after 6 months, only 25% were prescribed ≥3 drugs. Patients with diabetes were significantly less likely to reach target than those without (26% vs 64%, P<.001). Antihypertensive therapy prescribed to patients with diabetes was only marginally more intensive than to those without. In patients with hypertension, whether with or without coexisting diabetes, poor BP control appears to be at least partially due to failure to uptitrate antihypertensive therapy. Clinical inertia is likely an important barrier to BP control. J Clin Hypertens (Greenwich). 2011;13:73–80. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Blood Pressure Control in Acute Cerebrovascular Disease
Authors: Owens William B.
Published: December 2010

Acute cerebrovascular diseases (ischemic stroke, intracerebral hemorrhage, and subarachnoid hemorrhage) affect 780,000 Americans each year. Physicians who care for patients with these conditions must be able to recognize when acute hypertension requires treatment and should understand the principles of cerebral autoregulation and perfusion. Physicians should also be familiar with the various pharmacologic agents used in the treatment of cerebrovascular emergencies. Acute ischemic stroke frequently presents with hypertension, but the systemic blood pressure should not be treated unless the systolic pressure exceeds 220 mm Hg or the diastolic pressure exceeds 120 mm Hg. Overly aggressive treatment of hypertension can compromise collateral perfusion of the ischemic penumbra. Hypertension associated with intracerebral hemorrhage can be treated more aggressively to minimize hematoma expansion during the first 3 to 6 hours of illness. Subarachnoid hemorrhage is usually due to aneurysmal rupture; systolic blood pressure should be kept <150 mm Hg to prevent rerupture of the aneurysm. Nicardipine and labetalol are recommended for rapidly treating hypertension during cerebrovascular emergencies. Sodium nitroprusside is not recommended due to its adverse effects on cerebral autoregulation and intracranial pressure. Hypoperfusion of the injured brain should be avoided at all costs. J Clin Hypertens (Greenwich). 2011;13:205–211. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Highly Interactive Multi‐Session Programs Impact Physician Behavior on Hypertension Management: Outcomes of a New CME Model
Authors: Drexel Carole , Merlo Kathy , Basile Jan N. , Watkins Barry , Whitfield Ben , Katz Jay M. , Pine Brad , Sullivan Tom
Published: December 2010

There has been much discussion and study about the role of continuing medical education (CME) in improving patient care. The authors describe the processes used to develop and implement a series of live, half‐day, highly interactive CME events that addressed knowledge, competency, and performance gaps in hypertension diagnosis and management in the primary care community and successfully changed physician behavior toward improved patient outcomes. Participation in an intensive, highly interactive, case‐based didactic program was significantly associated with an increase in clinician knowledge and competency in diagnosing and managing patients with hypertension. Participation was also associated with a high likelihood for practice change and making guideline‐driven and evidence‐based decisions to positively impact patient care. A greater portion of participants were able to identify the appropriate blood pressure goal and select the most appropriate pharmacotherapy regimen for specific patients. Quality of education index indicated that participants were 52% more likely to practice guideline‐driven and evidence‐based medicine than those who did not participate in the CME activity. J Clin Hypertens (Greenwich). 2011;13:97–105. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Resources for Indigenous Theology from a Sami Perspective
Authors: Jernsletten Jorunn
Published: December 2010

By looking at resources for indigenous theology, this article focuses on some key concepts in Sami tradition and how they are linked to a native understanding of the Christian concept of creation. An important aspect is the reciprocity between human beings and other beings or “creations”. The article takes the biblical injunction to love one's neighbour as challenged through Sami spirituality and theology to apply also to how one should behave towards other beings.
FORMAL–INFORMAL ECONOMY LINKAGES AND UNEMPLOYMENT IN SOUTH AFRICA
Authors: Davies Rob , Thurlow James
Published: December 2010

South Africa's high unemployment and small informal economy has been attributed to barriers to entry in informal labour markets. We develop a general equilibrium model based on a typology of informal activities that captures formal/informal linkages in product and labour markets. Simulations reveal that trade liberalisation increases formal employment, hurts informal producers, and favours informal traders and may explain the dominance of traders instead of producers. Wage subsidies also raise employment but further heighten competition for informal producers. Cash transfers favour informal employment, albeit with a fiscal burden. Results confirm the role of formal/informal linkages and product markets in explaining policy outcomes.
TESTING FOR PURCHASING POWER PARITY AND UNCOVERED INTEREST PARITY IN THE PRESENCE OF MONETARY AND EXCHANGE RATE REGIME SHIFTS
Authors: Lacerda Miguel , Fedderke Johannes W. , Haines Linda M.
Published: December 2010

Testing for purchasing power parity (PPP) and uncovered interest parity (UIP) has been the focus of many empirically oriented studies. While these simple economic theories of exchange rate and interest rate determination are theoretically attractive, the empirical support for these equilibrium conditions is at best mixed. Many potential reasons have been cited in the literature for the failure of such studies, ranging from market imperfections to inappropriate modelling strategies. The current state‐of‐the‐art procedure involves testing for two cointegrating vectors in a multivariate error correction model which may be economically identified as the PPP and UIP relations. However, such a procedure does not account for policy regime shifts which distort the underlying PPP and UIP relations. In this paper, a Markov‐switching vector error correction model (VECM) is considered for time series data in which monetary and exchange rate regime shifts are known to be present. Weak evidence in favour of PPP and UIP is established in a standard linear VECM, although the residuals of this model indicate that it is inappropriate in terms of functional form. The Markov‐switching VECM, however, provides convincing evidence in favour of both the PPP and UIP relations and a marked improvement in the residual distributions.
INFLATION IN SOUTH AFRICA: A TIME‐SERIES VIEW ACROSS SECTORS USING LONG‐RANGE DEPENDENCE
Authors: Gil‐alana Luis A.
Published: December 2010

In this paper I examine the time‐series evolution of the log consumer price index series in South Africa, disaggregating the data by sectors. I examine the time period 1990m1‐2008m12, i.e. focusing on the post‐apartheid period. I used methodologies based on fractional integration using parametric and semiparametric techniques. The results indicate that the (total) inflation rate in South Africa is long memory, with an order of integration in the range (0, 0.5). The same happens with most of the data disaggregated by sectors with values of d above 1 in the log prices. Evidence of I(0) inflation is obtained in some cases for “fruits and nuts”, “vegetables” and “sugar”, and evidence of mean reversion in the log prices is only obtained in the case of “fish and other seafood”.
Remission of Diabetes Mellitus in Cats Cannot be Predicted by the Arginine Stimulation Test
Authors: Tschuor F. , Zini E. , Schellenberg S. , Wenger M. , Kaufmann K. , Furrer D. , Lutz T.A. , Reusch C.E.
Published: December 2010

Background: Cats with diabetes mellitus frequently achieve clinical remission, suggesting residual β‐cell function. Responsiveness of β‐cells to arginine persists the longest during diabetes progression, making the intravenous arginine stimulation test (IVAST) a useful tool to assess residual insulin and glucagon secretion.

Hypothesis: Diabetic cats with and without remission will have different arginine‐induced insulin or glucagon response.

Animals: Seventeen cats with diabetes, 7 healthy cats.

Methods: Blood samples collected on admission and during subsequent IVAST. Glucose, insulin, and glucagon were measured. Response to IVAST was assessed by calculating the insulin and glucagon area under the curve (AUC) and the AUC glucagon‐to‐insulin ratio. Diabetic cats were treated with insulin and were followed for 18 weeks. Remission was defined as normoglycemia and disappearance of clinical signs of diabetes for ≥4 weeks, without requiring insulin.

Results: Seven diabetic cats (41%) achieved remission. On admission, blood glucose concentration was significantly lower in cats with remission (median, 389 mg/dL; range, 342–536 mg/dL) than in those without remission (median, 506 mg/dL; range, 266–738 mg/dL). After IVAST, diabetic cats with remission had higher AUC glucagon‐to‐insulin ratios (median, 61; range, 34–852) than did cats without remission (median, 26; range, 20–498); glucose, insulin, and glucagon AUCs were not different. Diabetic cats had lower insulin AUC than did healthy cats but comparable glucagon AUC.

Conclusions and Clinical Importance: Diabetic cats with and without remission have similar arginine‐stimulated insulin secretion on admission. Although cats with remission had lower blood glucose concentrations and higher AUC glucagon‐to‐insulin ratios, large overlap between groups prevents use of these parameters in clinical practice.
Surface Topographical Characterization of Gold Aluminide Compound for Thermosonic Ball Bonding
Authors: Rosle M. F. , Abdullah S. , Hamid M. A. A. , Daud A. R. , Jalar A. , Kornain Z.
Published: December 2010

Relatively little information is available on the growth patterns of gold aluminide compound in accurate 3D measurement as compared with 2D images of the projected surface. A 3D surface imaging technique by using infinite focus microscope (IFM) was proposed in this study to observe and explain the effects of bonding parameters on growth pattern of gold aluminide compound formed between a 25.48 μm 4N gold wire and an aluminum pad metallization. Two bonding factors, which were varied, were ball bonding force and ultrasonic current while bonding time and temperature were kept constant. The 3D surface measurement provides topographical and color information of the bonded region, which indicates that optimum bonding condition has a significant effect on uniform growth and wide coverage area of gold aluminide compound. Results illustrated by this technique were used as additional information to the results produce by the conventional methods such as cross section optical image and scanning electron microscope (SEM) micrographs, to gain a better understanding on the physical behavior of gold aluminide compound.
Thermal Conductivity of Diamond-Containing Grease
Authors: Chou Hung-En , Yang Shang-Ray , Wang Sea-Fue , Sung James C.
Published: December 2010

As a thermal interface material, thermal grease (TG) has been extensively applied to facilitate heat dissipation in electronic devices. Despite the superior thermal conductivity of diamond, researches on diamond-containing TGs remain rare. In this study, four kinds of TGs in which diamond served as essential filler were prepared and hot disk technique was applied to measure their thermal conductivity k(TG). After two unoverlapped particle sizes were selected, the volumetric filler content, terminal group, and viscosity of a polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) matrix were modified in sequence. Based on the preferred recipe of a single-filler TG, two double-filler TG series were prepared by retaining the large diamonds and replacing the small ones by Al2O3 or ZnO, respectively. Depending on the content, it was found that diamond was not always the best choice for small filler. The highest k(TG), which was 23 times greater than the original k(PDMS), appeared in a ZnO-containing double-filler grease (=3.52 W/mK). The prediction for the maximum attainable thermal conductivity was preliminarily supported.
Direct Conversion of
C. elegans
Germ Cells into Specific Neuron Types
Authors: Tursun Baris , Patel Tulsi , Kratsios Paschalis , Hobert Oliver
Published: December 2010

Removal of a chromatin factor allows transcription factors to reprogram germ cells into neurons.
Ensuring a future for clinical research
Authors: Argyle David
Published: December 2010

Clinical research may have been undervalued of late – but, says David Argyle, now is an incredibly exciting and optimistic time to be a clinical scientist.
Survey of prevalence and control of ectoparasites in caged poultry in China
Authors: Wang F. F. , Wang M. , Xu F. R. , Liang D. M. , Pan B. L.
Published: December 2010

To investigate the prevalence and control of ectoparasites in China, 1200 questionnaires were delivered to caged commercial layer or parent hen keepers. Of the 860 respondents, 785 (91.3 per cent) claimed they found suspected ectoparasites in their birds and 833 samples were received. Ectoparasites of the species Dermanyssus gallinae, Ornithonyssus sylviarum or Menacanthuss stramineus were found in 736 (88.4 per cent) samples. For caged commercial layers, D gallinae was the most common ectoparasite (64.1 per cent). For caged parent hens, O sylviarum was the most common ectoparasite (46.9 per cent). Most bird keepers (95.0 per cent of commercial layer keepers and 74.9 per cent of parent hen keepers) used pyrethroids, organophosphates or other insecticides or acaricides to control ectoparasites. However, 34.6 per cent of layer keepers and 25.7 per cent of parent hen keepers did not re‐treat their birds with insecticides or acaricides within two weeks after the first treatment. Sanitation procedures, including cleaning, washing and disinfection, were conducted in empty houses between flocks and on most commercial layer farms and parent hen farms. However, insecticides or acaricides were used in empty houses between flocks only in 24.8 per cent of commercial layer farms and in 36.1 per cent of parent hen farms.