bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Social Orphans and Care at a Distance: Popular Representations of Childhood in Ukrainian Transnational Families
Authors: Tymczuk Alexander
Published: January 2012

International labour migration creates new relational, emotional and social challenges for migrating parents and the children staying behind. In Ukraine, children who grow up in a transnational household are not only a concern for the individual family, however, but also a phenomenon that is thoroughly discussed in the public sphere. In this article the author analyses Ukrainian media, as well as popular and individual ‘texts' on transnational childhood and child care at a distance, and argues that there are two diverging models of care that underlie personal narrative texts and public texts: care as fulfilment of a child's material needs, and care that necessitates physical closeness and constant face-to-face interaction. He also identifies diverging perspectives in the various texts on what are considered adequate alternative carers, and on what the relational and social consequences are of the separation of migrating parents from their children.
The Evolution of Fraud Theory
Authors: Dorminey Jack , Fleming A. Scott , Kranacher Mary-Jo , Riley Richard A.
Published: January 2012

This paper revisits the Fraud Triangle, highlighting recent findings and contemporary thinking in the anti-fraud community to develop a meta-model of fraud for use in accounting instruction and research. The importance of the Fraud Triangle is particularly important as a model for assessing the risk of fraud, but it is only one component of an overall audit risk assessment plan. Explicit reference to the auditor's responsibility in identifying the risks of material misstatement arising from fraud is included in the guidance provided by both the AICPA and PCAOB (2010). Identifying fraud risk is a significant element of assurance services, and necessitates a model reflecting the current thinking surrounding the fraud event. To enhance our understanding of the fraudster's motivations and improve the anti-fraud community's ability to prevent, deter, detect, investigate, and remediate fraud, researchers and practitioners have offered insights beyond the Fraud Triangle. These insights are summarized in this manuscript and presented in a meta-model, providing a foundational resource for educators and researchers pursuing the study of fraud. Key aspects of the meta-model include instructional benefits in the classroom and an empirical approach from a research standpoint.
Lifestyle Counseling in Routine Care and Long-Term Glucose, Blood Pressure, and Cholesterol Control in Patients With Diabetes
Authors: Morrison Fritha , Shubina Maria , Turchin Alexander
Published: January 2012

OBJECTIVE

In clinical trials, diet, exercise, and weight counseling led to short-term improvements in blood glucose, blood pressure, and cholesterol levels in patients with diabetes. However, little is known about the long-term effects of lifestyle counseling on patients with diabetes in routine clinical settings.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

This retrospective cohort study of 30,897 patients with diabetes aimed to determine whether lifestyle counseling is associated with time to A1C, blood pressure, and LDL cholesterol control in patients with diabetes. Patients were included if they had at least 2 years of follow-up with primary care practices affiliated with two teaching hospitals in eastern Massachusetts between 1 January 2000 and 1 January 2010.

RESULTS

Comparing patients with face-to-face counseling rates of once or more per month versus less than once per 6 months, median time to A1C <7.0% was 3.5 versus 22.7 months, time to blood pressure <130/85 mmHg was 3.7 weeks versus 5.6 months, and time to LDL cholesterol <100 mg/dL was 3.5 versus 24.7 months, respectively (P < 0.0001 for all). In multivariable analysis, one additional monthly face-to-face lifestyle counseling episode was associated with hazard ratios of 1.7 for A1C control (P < 0.0001), 1.3 for blood pressure control (P < 0.0001), and 1.4 for LDL cholesterol control (P = 0.0013).

CONCLUSIONS

Lifestyle counseling in the primary care setting is strongly associated with faster achievement of A1C, blood pressure, and LDL cholesterol control. These results confirm that the findings of controlled clinical trials are applicable to the routine care setting and provide evidence to support current treatment guidelines.
A method for evaluating theoretical and real operation of diesel engines in energy conversion formulation taking into account their operating indices
Authors: Girtler Jerzy
Published: January 2012

A method for evaluating theoretical and real operation of diesel engines in energy conversion formulation taking into account their operating indices

The article proposes valuating the operation of an arbitrary diesel engine, based on the sample case of a ship's main engine in which energy conversion processes take place in a given time. The above operation is understood as the energy transfer to the screw propeller in the given time in which the energy conversion into work and/or heat and its further transmission take place. The here proposed method for evaluating the operation of the main engines installed in marine power plants consists in comparing the operation of these engines to a physical quantity the measuring unit of which is the joule-second (joule x second). A new term is introduced which bears the name of the theoretical engine operation and is the standard (ideal) operation which can be compared to the operation of real engines revealing different levels of wear. It was shown that the calculations of the theoretical operation defined in the above way cannot make direct use of commonly known theoretical Diesel and Sabathe cycles. Instead they should use the cycles modified by heat abstraction taking place in accordance with the isobaric, or isothermal process. Other new terms introduced in the article are: the degree of excellence of energy conversion to work, considered as the measure of excellence of engine operation, and the degree of engine operation dissipation, being the measure of its real operation. It is shown that if in time t of engine operation the case takes place that: Li = idem and Le = idem, then the engine operation dissipation is equal to its mechanical efficiency.
The Inclusion of Pupils with Special Educational Needs
Authors: Maher Anthony
Published: January 2012

The Inclusion of Pupils with Special Educational Needs

The paper examines the planned and unplanned outcomes associated with the inclusion of pupils with special educational needs (SEN) in the National Curriculum Physical Education (NCPE) in Britain. This involves the use of key concepts from figurational sociology, and documentary analysis, to examine the emergence of disability as a social issue in British society and in secondary school education. Norbert Elias' game models (Elias, 1978) are then used to analyse the NCPE 1992, 1995 and 2000 documents, and their associated consultation materials. This allows the researcher to identify all the major players involved in the formulation of the NCPEs, and the extent to which the objectives of each player, and their subsequent power struggles with each other, impacted upon the overall objectives and content of the NCPEs. The game models are then used to examine the extent to which the objectives of the players involved in the implementation of the NCPE generated outcomes which none of the players planned for, or could have foreseen.
Postural Stability in Aerobic Gymnastics Specific Positions
Authors: Kyselovičová Oľga , Zemková Erika
Published: January 2012

Postural Stability in Aerobic Gymnastics Specific Positions

The study compares the effect of maximal jumps and sport-specific exercises on parameters of balance. Two balance elements (free support vertical split and frontal split) were analyzed in a group of 8 aerobic gymnasts (average age = 17,0 ± 1,3 years, average body height = 163,0 ± 6,9 cm, average body weight = 54,5 ± 6,12 kg, BMI 20,4 ± 1,46 kg.m-2). The FiTRO Sway Check stabilographic system, allowing the monitoring of horizontal movement of centre of gravity with the help of dynamometric board, was used for assessment. Stabilographic parameter of the velocity of the centre of pressure (mean and in antero-posterior and medio-lateral directions) was registered at 100 Hz. The results show significant differences in average sway length in medio-lateral and antero-posterior direction, in both analysed difficulty elements. This indicates that balance impairment after exercise and its readjustments to pre-exercise level depends not only on intensity of proprioceptive stimulation but also on type of exercise.
Kinaesthesia and Methods for its Assessment: Literature Review
Authors: Rosker Jernej , Sarabon Nejc
Published: January 2012

Kinaesthesia and Methods for its Assessment: Literature Review

In this review measurement techniques used for kinaesthetic sense assessment are presented. Kinaesthesia is an important part of human movement control and provides us with better understanding of specific movement system adaptations to fatigue, training and injury. Additionally, decreased kinaesthesia can be an injury predisposing factor, which stresses the necessity for its assessment in sports injury prevention programs. First, terminology and functional concept of kinaesthesia is presented in relation to other related concepts like proprioception and sensory-motor function. For better understanding, basic underlying neurological backgrounds are discussed in chapter two, encompassing peripheral sensory fields as well as the basics of the central processing. Additionally, factors affecting kinaesthesia and its adaptations to training are presented. Functional aspects are discussed, supporting the role of assessment of kinaesthesia in sports and rehabilitation. In the third chapter, a proposal for measuring methods classification is given. In the final chapter, different measuring protocols and their modifications are presented. Due to their usefulness in sports and injury prevention, methods for measuring sense of joint position, movement onset and active tracking are discussed in more detail. Possibilities and examples of their application to sports and sports injury rehabilitation settings are presented. Some basic guidelines are given of how to use these methods in training or for screening kinaesthesia.
Professional Philosophy: Inside the Delivery of Sport Psychology Service at Team Denmark
Authors: Henriksen Kristoffer , Diment Greg , Hansen Jakob
Published: January 2012

Professional Philosophy: Inside the Delivery of Sport Psychology Service at Team Denmark

The field of applied psychology has developed rapidly in Europe in the past four decades. In Denmark, the sports psychology profession has been characterized by a diversity of approaches with little overarching consensus on the professional philosophy and interventions strategies among consultants in the field. In 2008, Team Denmark established a sport psychology team with the aim to enhance the quality and consistency of applied sport psychology services. The team began their work by creating a professional philosophy. This paper describes the rationale, content, and implications of this philosophy, including: (a) basic beliefs and values; (b) theories of intervention and behaviour change; (c) objectives of the sport psychology intervention, (d) the content and focus of the interventions, and (e) sport psychological services and methods. High quality service requires coherence across all five levels of the philosophy. Implications of introducing the professional philosophy include a more unified service delivery across Denmark and the fact that sport psychology services are demanded more than ever in Danish elite sport.
Social Accountability and Responsibility in Sport: An Examination of the National Collegiate Athletic Association
Authors: Polite Fritz , Waller Steven , Trendafilova Sylvia , Spearman LeQuez
Published: January 2012

Social Accountability and Responsibility in Sport: An Examination of the National Collegiate Athletic Association

As the business of sport continues to grow there is a need to remain concerned with Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) in sport. In the United States, collegiate sport is a complex, and thriving enterprise. At the forefront of the business of college sports are the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) and its member colleges and universities. CSR has been reviewed extensively in the realm of professional sports, but scholarship related to CSR and its application in collegiate sports is lacking. For the plethora of good that the NCAA has done over the years, it is also an entity filled with paradoxes. Stakeholder theory serves as the foundation for discussing CSR. The purpose of this essay is to discuss the concept of CSR and its relationship to college sports in the United States. This article examines the organizational structure of the NCAA, its functionality, and the trappings of its fiscal operations. In addition, an analysis of the role CSR plays in the shaping of social responsibility and accountability in collegiate sport is presented.
Comment analyser les relations déviantes potentiellement violentes ou discriminatoires dans le spectacle sportif au stade?
Authors: Bouchet Patrick , Castel Philippe , Lacassagne Marie-Francoise
Published: January 2012

Comment analyser les relations déviantes potentiellement violentes ou discriminatoires dans le spectacle sportif au stade?

Since ten years, we are witnessing a globalization and diversification of the sport event consumption as well as stadiums dedicated to their event or retransmission. Social contexts associated with this consumption have also become places of constructions and expressions of identity that arise from belonging to groups more or less organized. Although, this situation is not unique, it seems to have assumed considerable proportions in some European countries and in some sports with the emergence of violence (symbolic, verbal, physical) and discrimination (area, race, gender). However, these emergence of deviance seem linked to fans called "traditional" (mainly football) and viewers of a new genre that does not necessarily move to the stadium to support and encourage a team. Faced with these changing phenomena of deviance, based on the work on hooliganism, we wish to propose an innovative framework to study relationships between groups of spectators who travel to these stadiums and can potentially lead to reactions violent or discriminatory. Deriving the communication situation model of Brown and Fraser (1979), this framework allows the study of deviant behaviors, so viewers who sign in a scene that has its frame: "the available spaces in stands", his time "playing time", its observers: "the media and security forces", its goals: "to entertain or support a team or an athlete" and its participants: "individuals or groups interact". This framework can also consider options for a more ethical and responsible consumption of sports entertainment.
Exercise Intensity, Perception of Benefits, and Preferences on Taichi and Chigong Exercises of American College Students
Authors: Liu Liu , Chen Gong
Published: January 2012

Exercise Intensity, Perception of Benefits, and Preferences on Taichi and Chigong Exercises of American College Students

The purposes of this study was to investigate the exercise intensity through heart rate and sweat rate during taichi and chigong workout, student perception on the benefits of different taichi and chigong exercises, and preferred taichi and chigong exercises of American college students. The results indicated that: 1) Taichi and chigong exercises increased heart rate of college students to light intensity level based on ACSM criteria even though the main purpose of taichi and chigong exercise focuses on inner health instead generating high level heart rate. 2) More than 60% students had heavy sweat during practice of most taichi and chigong exercise except Crane style chigong. 3) Most students felt that taichi and chigong exercises are useful for their external fitness, inner health, stress and anxiety reduction, and relaxation. These exercises include simplified Crane Chigong, simplified Taichi Chigong, Standard 24 form Taichi, Stationary Taichi, taichi and chigong combination, and Free Style taichi. 4) Men showed high interest on 24 form taichi and individual work out on this form, and doing taichi/chigong in the gym with music. Women demonstrated high interest on the combination the three key taichi/chigong elements, 24 form taichi, and working out with music and following the instructor. It is expected that the results can be used as a reference for taichi and chigong instructors for designing and teaching taichi classes for the best of student interests.
Vibration versus Deflection Control for Bridges with High-Performance Steel Girders
Authors: Nassif Hani , Liu Ming , Su Dan , Gindy Mayrai
Published: January 2012

The use of high-performance steel (HPS) in highway bridges has proved successful in structural performance and in the cost-efficiency of the constructed bridges. However, the use of optional deflection criteria as specified in a subsection of the AASHTO LRFD Bridge Design Specifications may impede the use of HPS in highway bridges. Besides the deflection criteria, the current AASHTO specifications provide a depth-to-span limitation table for steel superstructure designs. The values in that table are based primarily on the use of Grade 36 steel and were initially a carryover from railroad bridge construction. Therefore, both the deflection criteria and the depth-to-span limitation need to be evaluated for bridges constructed with HPS. This paper presents an investigation of the vibration control (e.g., acceleration and velocity) of HPS bridges using a three-dimensional (3-D) dynamic computer model. The 3-D dynamic model was validated with the use of field test data on various bridges, including a three-span continuous steel girder bridge. A suite of typical bridges designed with various slab thicknesses and span-to-depth ratios was selected for this study. In particular, the effects of the steel girder depth and concrete slab thickness on bridge vibration were identified. The analysis results indicated that bridge vibrations were better controlled with the choice of optimal concrete slab thicknesses (i.e., by adding to the mass and moment of inertia of a composite girder) rather than with specifications of the span-to-depth ratio limits, deflection limits, or first natural frequency.
Challenges of Skew in Bridges with Steel Girders
Authors: Coletti Domenic , Chavel Brandon , Gatti Walter J.
Published: January 2012

Steel girder bridges in particular can suffer the consequences of skew, and addressing the topic of how to mitigate the effects of skew in these structures is important. This paper addresses skew in several contexts, including how skew affects the behavior of steel girder bridges and their components as well as the impacts of skew on the detailing, fabrication, and erection of steel girder bridges. In addition to discussing the problems associated with skew, the paper offers ideas and techniques for minimizing or avoiding skew and for analyzing, understanding, and mitigating the effects of skew when it cannot be avoided.
Rebar Detection with Cover Meter and Ultrasonic Pulse Echo Combined with Automated Scanning System
Authors: Algernon Daniel , Hiltunen Dennis R. , Ferraro Christopher C. , Ishee Charles
Published: January 2012

A sufficient concrete cover is essential to ensure the durability of reinforced concrete structures. Nondestructive testing methods that can measure the concrete cover are therefore promising tools. As a part of a research project funded by the Florida Department of Transportation, the capabilities and limitations of cover meter measurements in relation to this testing problem were investigated. Researchers designed a reinforced concrete test block on which properties such as rebar depth, size, and spacing and number of reinforcement layers were varied; the effects these variations had on the measurements were studied. The use of an automated testing frame consisting of two scanners that examined the test block from both sides ensured high positioning accuracy and constant quality in data acquisition and made possible the collection of the data along an extremely dense grid. In addition to the cover meter measurements, which referred only to the cover of the layer closest to the surface, ultrasonic pulse echo measurements were conducted, and a synthetic aperture focusing technique was applied to the data to make the rebars become apparent in refined B-scan images.
Controlled Low-Strength Material used around Buried Pipelines
Authors: Farrag Khalid
Published: January 2012

Controlled low-strength material (CLSM) is commonly used as an alternative to traditional soil backfill materials around buried pipes. Laboratory and field tests were performed on various CLSM mixtures to evaluate their performance for the following: short- and long-term compressive strength, bearing resistance, and resilient modulus; setting time; settlement under repeated traffic loads in comparison with other backfills and adjacent pavement; susceptibility to freeze–thaw cycles; and freeze depth in the backfill. Several mix ratios based on the standard specifications of various state highway agencies were evaluated in the testing program. The strength properties of CLSM and its susceptibility to freeze–thaw were highly dependent on the amount and type of fly ash, cement content, and the amount of water added to the mix. Test results of samples obtained from the field did not compare well with those of laboratory-mixed samples of similar mix ratios. This difference was mainly due to the addition of water in the field to achieve flowability and lack of field quality control procedures to ensure proper mix ratios. The results demonstrated the need for well-defined quality control procedures to prevent variability in the mix ratios in the field. Tests of pavement sections under repeated traffic loads showed that CLSM backfill had lower settlement under repeated traffic loads than did other compacted soil backfills. However, CLSM with high fly ash had lower frost heave and thawing resistance than soils had. The frost heave susceptibility was negligible in mixes with an air-entraining mix without fly ash.
Validation of a method for determining the depth of glacial melt ponds using satellite imagery
Authors: Sneed William A. , Hamilton Gordon S.
Published: January 2012

In situ measurements of water depth and optical properties of a melt pond in East Greenland were collected to verify a previously developed algorithm for determining supraglacial water depths using satellite imagery. That algorithm made five simplifying assumptions which we have tested using the in situ data and laboratory analysis of water samples. We conclude that three assumptions were justified, one was not and the remaining one (substrate homogeneity) requires further study, but probably has a minor effect on the retrieved water depths and volumes. Measured water depths of 0.2–3.0m agree well with those derived from a satellite image using the algorithm. Numerically modeled depths also agree well with those from the satellite image. This new analysis demonstrates the validity of our algorithm as a means for determining meltwater volumes in supraglacial ponds and lakes.
Present and future states of Himalaya and Karakoram glaciers
Authors: Cogley J. Graham
Published: January 2012

A complete glacier inventory of the Himalaya and Karakoram (H-K) has been created by merging records from the Chinese Glacier Inventory, several regional inventories produced by the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development, Kathmandu, Nepal, and partial inventories from the Geological Survey of India. The only remaining gap, the Indian part of Kashmir, has been filled by a reconnaissance inventory based on Soviet military maps at 1 : 200 000 scale representing the late 1970s. It contains records for 3526 glaciers covering 9584 km2. The new H-K inventory contains records and outlines for 20 812 glaciers covering 43 178 km2. The extent of ice in the Karakoram is slightly less than in the Himalaya, but the Karakoram glaciers are on average twice as thick (~160m as against ~80 m). A glacier-by-glacier analysis, relying on estimates of mass balance for the entire mountain range and on an extension of the often-used volume–area scaling relation, suggests that up to about one-fifth of the glaciers present in 1985 may have disappeared already. If mass loss were to remain constant at the average rate for 1975–2008, from 3000 to 13 000 more glaciers might disappear by 2035. If mass loss were to continue to accelerate as inferred for 1985–2008, only a few thousand to a few hundred glaciers might remain in 2035. Total area and total mass would each decrease by about one-half (constant-rate assumption) or three-quarters (constant-trend assumption). These projections, which are uncertain and neglect some possibly important mitigating controls, such as variable extents of debris cover and the feedback due to retreat to higher elevations, demonstrate the need for more complete analyses to inform public perceptions of, and policy decisions relating to, the health of H-K glaciers.
A new satellite-derived glacier inventory for western Alaska
Authors: Le Bris R. , Paul F. , Frey H. , Bolch T.
Published: January 2012

Glacier inventories provide the baseline data to perform climate-change impact assessment on a regional scale in a consistent and spatially representative manner. In particular, a more accurate calculation of the current and future contribution to global sea-level rise from heavily glacierized regions such as Alaska is much needed. We present a new glacier inventory for a large part of western Alaska (including Kenai Peninsula and the Tordrillo, Chigmit and Chugach mountains), derived from nine Landsat Thematic Mapper scenes acquired between 2005 and 2009 using well-established automated glacier-mapping techniques (band ratio). Because many glaciers are covered by optically thick debris or volcanic ash and partly calve intowater, outlineswere manually edited in these wrongly classified regions during post-processing. In total we mapped ~8830 glaciers (>0.02 km2) with a total area of ~16 250 km2. Large parts of the area (47%) are covered by a few (31) large (>100 km2) glaciers, while glaciers less than 1 km2constitute only 7.5% of the total area but 86% of the total number. We found a strong dependence of mean glacier elevation on distance from the ocean and only a weak one on aspect. Glacier area changes were calculated for a subset of 347 selected glaciers by comparison with the Digital Line Graph outlines from the US Geological Survey. The overall shrinkage was ~23% between 1948–57 and 2005–09.
The Skin Ivory Spot. A Possible Indicator for Skinfield Photo-Carcinogenesis in Recreational Sunbed Addicts
Authors: Quatresooz Pascale , Piérard-Franchimont Claudine , Piérard Gérald E.
Published: January 2012

Introduction: For a decade or so, artificial sources of restricted light wavelengths, particularly sunbeds, have progressively gained popularity among adolescents and young adults. Warnings were raised focusing on the risk of accelerated photoaging and photocarcinogenesis. The ULEV (ultraviolet light-enhanced visualization) method is a convenient noninvasive way identifying subtle pigmentary changes presenting as a mottled subclinical melanoderma (MSM). Of note, rare spotty amelanotic macules presenting as skin ivory spots (SIS) was reported on any part of the body. Subjects and method: This work is the first attempt at evaluating the changes in the MSM and SIS spots developed on the skin of 33 phototype III young women designated as avid users involved in frequent exposures to sunshine and sunbeds for lifestyle purposes for a duration of at least 120 months. Results: MSM was markedly heterogeneous and was distinctly obvious in the majority of adepts of frequent natural and artificial photoexposures. SIS was particularly developed in subjects presenting with severe MSM patterns. Discussion: MSM and SIS are more severe in subjects frequently exposed to sunbeds and sun exposures. These signs possibly represent a risk marker for field photocarcinogenesis.
Imidazolines as Non-Classical Bioisosteres of N-Acyl homoserine lactones and Quorum Sensing Inhibitors
Authors: Reyes-Arellano Alicia , Bucio-Cano Alejandro , Montenegro-Sustaita Mabel , Curiel-Quesada Everardo , Salgado-Zamora Héctor
Published: January 2012

A series of selected 2-substituted imidazolines were synthesized in moderate to excellent yields by a modification of protocols reported in the literature. They were evaluated as potential non-classical bioisosteres of AHL with the aim of counteracting bacterial pathogenicity. Imidazolines 18a, 18e and 18f at various concentrations reduced the violacein production by Chromobacterium violaceum, suggesting an anti-quorum sensing profile against Gram-negative bacteria. Imidazoline 18b did not affect the production of violacein, but had a bacteriostatic effect at 100 µM and a bactericidal effect at 1 mM. Imidazoline 18a bearing a hexyl phenoxy moiety was the most active compound of the series, rendering a 72% inhibitory effect of quorum sensing at 100 µM. Imidazoline 18f bearing a phenyl nonamide substituent presented an inhibitory effect on quorum sensing at a very low concentration (1 nM), with a reduction percentage of 28%. This compound showed an irregular performance, decreasing inhibition at concentrations higher than 10 µM, until reaching 100 µM, at which concentration it increased the inhibitory effect with a 49% reduction percentage. When evaluated on Serratia marcescens, compound 18f inhibited the production of prodigiosin by 40% at 100 μM.
Serine Hydroxymethyltransferase from the Cold Adapted Microorganism Psychromonas ingrahamii: A Low Temperature Active Enzyme with Broad Substrate Specificity
Authors: Angelaccio Sebastiana , Florio Rita , Consalvi Valerio , Festa Guido , Pascarella Stefano
Published: January 2012

Serine hydroxymethyltransferase from the psychrophilic microorganism Psychromonas ingrahamii was expressed in Escherichia coli and purified as a His-tag fusion protein. The enzyme was characterized with respect to its spectroscopic, catalytic, and thermodynamic properties. The properties of the psychrophilic enzyme have been contrasted with the characteristics of the homologous counterpart from E. coli, which has been structurally and functionally characterized in depth and with which it shares 75% sequence identity. Spectroscopic measures confirmed that the psychrophilic enzyme displays structural properties almost identical to those of the mesophilic counterpart. At variance, the P. ingrahamii enzyme showed decreased thermostability and high specific activity at low temperature, both of which are typical features of cold adapted enzymes. Furthermore, it was a more efficient biocatalyst compared to E. coli serine hydroxymethyltransferase (SHMT) particularly for side reactions. Many β-hydroxy-α-amino acids are SHMT substrates and represent important compounds in the synthesis of pharmaceuticals, agrochemicals and food additives. Thanks to these attractive properties, this enzyme could have a significant potential for biotechnological applications.
Understanding Destination Choices of German Travelers
Authors: Marcussen Carl H.
Published: January 2012

Based on a literature review, this article proposes and subsequently tests 19 hypotheses about what affects destination choices. This is followed by an analysis of a set of data about long journeys undertaken by German travelers. The hypotheses are tested using three different methods,
namely simple t-tests, multiple linear regression, and binomial logistic regression. Duration of stay, temperature difference, a coastline at the destination, mode of transport, travel distance, relative prices, travel party size, origin region, and number of destinations visited were
the most significant determinants. Based on t-values from a series of multiple regression analysis, the three most significant characteristics are identified for each of the 25 most frequently visited destinations by German travelers.
Sex Tourism: A Match Through Japan's Romance Dori (Street)
Authors: Uzama Austin
Published: January 2012

This article conveys the reality that Japan constitutes a sex tourist destination. Research method involved participant observation and interviews with sex tourists. Findings suggest, on one hand, that the sex industry continues to grow, irrespective of whether there is an economic
recession and, on the other hand, that the younger the sex worker, the higher sex tourists are willing to pay for his/her services. This article advocates no ethical condemnation of the “sexatainment” industry in Japan and, as such, maintains a morally neutral stance.
It recognizes societal ambivalent regard of sex business; it does however attempt to provoke awareness that although this trade, which is as old as mankind although considered by many as the dark side of tourism, in Japan, as in other countries; it certainly contributes to general economic
gain. This benefit spreads across a broad spectrum of the economy; from transportation to manufacturing and other industrial sectors. It is also felt even in schools of higher learning.
SUSTAINABLE FOREST-BASED TOURISM IN NORTHEAST NEW SOUTH WALES, AUSTRALIA: A PROBLEMATIC GOAL
Authors: BUULTJENS JEREMY , TIYCE MARGARET , GALE DEBORAH
Published: January 2012

Sustainable tourism is seen as capable of providing both rural economic development and valorizing conservation. Unfortunately, it appears that many nature-based tourism operations are struggling to maintain the financial viability required to ensure this occurs. This study examined 41 forest-based tourism businesses in northeast New South Wales, Australia, to assess their ability to contribute to sustainable tourism. The businesses employed an average of 5.6 staff per business, including the owner(s). Approximately 61% of businesses had a gross income of less than AUS$100,000 and 40% of operators had a combined household income under AUS$25,000. A relatively large number of operators suggested that they were forced to charge fees that were either below cost or at cost. All operators suggested that their businesses did not have a negative impact on the environment, although nearly 46% of operators stated they had concerns about the environmental impact of their competitors. The overall results indicated that a majority of forest-based tourism operators in northeast NSW, because of their financial position, are probably not contributing substantially to local economic development and would have trouble adopting environmentally sustainable practices.
CONTEMPORARY CHALLENGES FOR ECOTOURISM IN VIETNAM
Authors: LIPSCOMBE NEIL , THWAITES RIK
Published: January 2012

With a rapidly growing domestic and international tourism industry, the government of Vietnam has taken a number of tourism-related initiatives since early 1999. These include the issuing of an Ordinance on Tourism, which provides the legal and policy foundations for developing tourism with due regard for conserving biodiversity and ensuring social, cultural, and environmental sustainability, and the proposal to revise the existing Tourism Development Master Plan to produce a Tourism Master Plan for Sustainable Tourism Development in Vietnam. Through these initiatives the government of Vietnam has moved towards planning the management of tourism to ensure sustainable outcomes, and ecotourism and cultural tourism have been proposed as preferred tourism development options. One destination focus of this preferred tourism option is the protected area system of Vietnam. This article presents a series of themes as key areas for discussion, to assist Vietnam as it endeavors to assess the current proposed Tourism Master Plan (2001–2010) as a means of achieving national development objectives. A month-long ecotourism training workshop for protected area managers was held in Hanoi in February–March 2000. Through this workshop, four primary themes were identified as presenting major challenges for those with responsibility to balance conservation with increasing tourist visitation: the structure and administration of the protected area system, tourism infrastructure, providing for the needs of local communities, and effective communication across all relevant stakeholders. This article explores these challenges based on the review of a range of in-house reports and documents, the recorded views of Vietnamese government officials, academics, and protected area managers, discussions with and surveys of workshop participants, and visits to a number of national parks and tourist locations.
Tourism in Latin America, Les Lumsdon and Jonathan Swift (London, UK: Continuum International Publishing Group, 2001; 224 pp. US$41.95 Pbk; ISBN 0-8264-5148-9)
Authors: Weaver David B.
Published: January 2012

Lumsdon and Swift's book is an introductory guide to the tourism industry of Latin America, defined by them as the Spanish- and Portuguese-speaking countries of continental South America, plus meso-america, Mexico and the Caribbean islands of Cuba and the Dominican Republic. It is a timely reminder that this vast area is usually neglected in tourism studies because its impact on world tourism is tiny, accounting for a mere 7% of all international arrivals. However, the region has almost limitless potential and in many parts tourism is practically unknown. Even basic information about tourism is hard to find, especially for domestic tourism. This book is therefore a welcome addition to the rather scarce literature. It is comprehensive and well researched, and reflects the authors' intimate knowledge of the region and their familiarity with the local tourism administrations. The work is fully referenced and up to date, well written, and well organized (but not without the occasional slip—tourism policies, apparently, "attempt to maximise the adverse effects of tourism" p. 54).
Brunellopoli: a wine scandal under the tuscan sun
Authors: Cavicchi Alessio , Santini Cristina
Published: January 2012

The international success of Brunello wine has fostered economic growth in Montalcino, a small country village in Tuscany where Brunello is produced. In 2008, a scandal shocked the flourishing Montalcino wine-based economy when international press published rumors and news about fraudulent
Brunello. This article focuses on the issue of crisis management in a local industry by exploring the dynamics of a wine scandal, the reactions of various people and organizations to press reports, and the potential impact of these press reports on tourism. Analysis of the data collected through
indepth interviews with 12 key informants has shed light on the role that media can have on shaping tourists' expectations, depending on their degree of involvement and knowledge of wine. Some suggestions for practitioners are provided in order to increase the level of awareness of the consequences
that poor crisis management can have on the whole economic system of a single product.
Media-Induced Voluntourism in Yunnan, China
Authors: Shao Jun , Scarpino Michelle , Lee Yoonjung , Gretzel Ulrike
Published: January 2012

Media-induced tourism as well as voluntourism are topics increasingly investigated in the tourism literature. However, a discussion of the intersection of these two forms of tourism (i.e., media-induced voluntourism) is currently missing from the literature. Using the example of two
Chinese TV dramas, this article seeks to shed light on motivations and activities of media-induced voluntourists to the Chinese province of Yunnan. Based on a thematic analysis of online postings of the fans of these Chinese TV dramas, the article finds empirical evidence for media-induced
voluntourism. The findings reveal that fans travel to Yunnan not only to engage in altruistic behavior, but also to inspect the volunteer work of other fans, as well as to receive recognition from the community. General tourism activities also play a role in their travels. The results indicate
that fan voluntourism was strongly motivated by their empathy for the TV dramas' characters and their desire to live the values promoted in these dramas.
Successful Interpretation in Great Barrier Reef Tourism: Dive in or Keep Out of It?
Authors: Coghlan Alexandra , Fox K. Ruth , Prideaux Bruce , Lück Michael
Published: January 2012

Marine wildlife tourism on the Great Barrier Reef (GBR) focuses on: (i) “swim-with” programs, (ii) surface watching activities (whales and dolphins), (iii) diving (corals, sharks, etc.), (iv) reef snorkeling trips, and (v) glass-bottom boat tours. A 4-year study indicated
significant differences in travel experiences and reef tour satisfaction between respondents (N = 3407) participating in different types of activities. Non-divers were less likely to have been to other reefs, less motivated to visit the region to see the GBR, and they were more likely
to say that interpretation changed their appreciation of the reef and their behavior. It is proposed that management, product design and experience, and outcome will be different for each group and not all findings within marine wildlife tourism are transferable between tourism types.
Development of microsatellite markers in heterostylous Hedyotis chrysotricha (Rubiaceae)
Authors: Yuan Na , Sun Yi , Nakamura Koh , Qiu Ying‐Xiong
Published: January 2012

• Premise of the study: Microsatellite primers were developed for a heterostylous herb, Hedyotis chrysotricha to investigate the effect of habitat fragmentation on its genetic diversity and population structure.

• Methods and Results: Twelve primer sets were developed and their polymorphisms were tested on 47 individuals from two island populations of H. chrysotricha in Thousand Island Lake of China. The number of alleles per locus ranged from five to 10, with an average of seven alleles. Expected heterozygosity per locus ranged from 0.284 to 0.821 and observed heterozygosity ranged from 0.191 to 0.851.

• Conclusions: We showed that all of the 12 microsatellite markers developed for H. chrysotricha are polymorphic within populations, which should provide a powerful tool for assessing population structure and genetic diversity across fragmented and continuous populations, and for studying the genetic effects of habitat fragmentation on this species.
Baseline Susceptibility of Primary HIV-2 to Entry Inhibitors
Authors: Borrego Pedro , Calado Rita , Marcelino José M , Bártolo Inês , Rocha Cheila , Cavaco-Silva Patrícia , Doroana Manuela , Antunes Francisco , Maltez Fernando , Caixas Umbelina , Barroso Helena , Taveira Nuno
Published: January 2012

Background

The baseline susceptibility of primary HIV-2 to maraviroc (MVC) and other entry inhibitors is currently unknown.

Methods

The susceptibility of 19 HIV-2 isolates obtained from asymptomatic and AIDS patients and seven HIV-1 clinical isolates to the fusion inhibitors enfuvirtide (ENF) and T-1249, and to the coreceptor antagonists AMD3100, TAK-779 and MVC, was measured using a TZM-bl cell-based assay. The 50% inhibitory concentration (IC50), 90% inhibitory concentration (IC90) and dose–response curve slopes were determined for each drug.

Results

ENF and T-1249 were significantly less active on HIV-2 than on HIV-1 (211- and 2-fold, respectively). AMD3100 and TAK-779 inhibited HIV-2 and HIV-1 CXCR4 tropic (X4) and CCR5 tropic (R5) variants with similar IC50 and IC90 values. MVC, however, inhibited the replication of R5 HIV-2 variants with significantly higher IC90 values (42.7 versus 9.7 nM; P<0.0001) and lower slope values (0.7 versus 1.3; P<0.0001) than HIV-1. HIV-2 R5 variants derived from AIDS patients were significantly less sensitive to MVC than variants from asymptomatic patients, this being inversely correlated with the absolute number of CD4+ T-cells.

Conclusions

T-1249 is a potent inhibitor of HIV-2 replication indicating that new fusion inhibitors might be useful to treat HIV-2 infection. Coreceptor antagonists TAK-779 and AMD3100 are also potent inhibitors of HIV-2 replication. The reduced sensitivity of R5 variants to MVC, especially in severely immunodeficient patients, indicates that the treatment of HIV-2-infected patients with MVC might require higher dosages than those used in HIV-1 patients, and should be adjusted to the disease stage.
Article Commentary: Novel Agents for the Treatment of HIV-2 Infection
Authors: Peterson Kevin , Rowland-Jones Sarah
Published: January 2012

Many of the antiretrovirals used against HIV-1 are either ineffective or less effective in HIV-2 infection. There is in vitro evidence of the potency of maraviroc and several investigational agents against HIV-2. We conclude that, whilst specific boosted protease inhibitors combined with nucleoside analogues should still be considered the mainstays of HIV-2 treatment, maraviroc, T-1249, TAK-779 and AMD3100, as well as raltegravir, could contribute to regimens for treatment-experienced individuals. Factors bearing on the use and timing of these alternative agents are discussed.
Systèmes d'enseignement décentralisés dans l'éducation sénégalaise, burkinabé et malienne : analyse des discours et des enjeux
Authors: Charlier Jean-Émile , Pierrard Jean-François
Published: January 2012

Résumé La décentralisation des systèmes d’enseignement dans les pays du Sud est promue explicitement depuis le début des années quatre-vingt-dix par les grandes instances financières internationales telles que la Banque mondiale et le FMI. Suivant la logique libérale qui caractérise ces organisations, il est demandé aux États d’entamer un processus de « dégonflement » ou de « débureaucratisation » en transférant aux « localisés » des compétences en matière de gestion publique. Il s’agit entre autres choses de « responsabiliser » la base pour la transformer en « base citoyenne ». Cette recommandation aux apparences nobles que viennent créditer les tenants de l’école de la New Public Management ou Nouvelle Gestion publique n’est pas sans poser de problèmes dont on voit mal a priori comment la base, c’est-à-dire aussi les plus faibles économiquement, politiquement et culturellement, pourra les surmonter. En outre, et c’est un phénomène nouveau, le discours en faveur de la décentralisation semble faire l’unanimité pour la majorité des acteurs du développement d’habitude éloignés des thèses libérales. Ainsi, le processus décentralisateur profite d’un consensus inhabituel qui n’est jusqu’ici pas remis en question. Pire, la décentralisation apparaît être un processus topdown qui ne suscite aucun débat démocratique. Elle est imposée d’en haut et s’organise progressivement ; ce qui la rend paradoxale eu égard à l’objectif de « responsabilisation citoyenne » dont elle veut être l’instrument.
Globalisation et exclusion au Mexique : deux éléments des politiques nationales d'éducation supérieure
Authors: Villa Lever Lorenza
Published: January 2012

Résumé Les politiques nationales relatives à l’éducation supérieure au Mexique sont inscrites dans le cadre des transformations globales où l’acquisition des connaissances implique la possibilité d’être inclus ou celle d’être exclu des évolutions sociales, économiques ou politiques. Les processus de globalisation et d’intégration régionale (Alena) représentent pour le Mexique un double défi, exprimé parmi d’autres domaines, dans les transformations du capital humain qu’ils entraînent, tant dans le domaine de l’emploi, que dans celui du champ scolaire. La création en 1991 des « universités technologiques » (UT) inspirées des instituts universitaires de technologie (IUT) français s’insère au sein d’une stratégie de l’État dont l’objectif est, d’une part, de répondre aux transformations technologiques et aux nouveaux besoins du marché de travail et, d’autre part, de répondre à la demande en éducation, sans cesse en progression.