bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Information culture in a government organization
Authors: Wright Trudi
Published: April 2013

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to use information culture assessment tools (from work by Curry and Moore) to examine the information culture within a regulated, government environment. In particular, it aims to study the relationship between records management training provided to staff, staff self‐perceptions of records management competencies and compliance with a formal records management program.

Design/methodology/approach

The survey employs a questionnaire to gather the data from a provincial government ministry in Ontario, Canada. A questionnaire was used for data collection from a sample of 350 records management personnel from a population of 3,510 in five divisions of the ministry. A total of 207 participants responded and the copies of their questionnaire were found valid for analysis. The response rate realized was 66.7 percent.

Findings

The results from this study show that the there is a potential relationship between formal training delivered to staff, and the self‐perceived level of records management competency, namely that the more training staff receive, the more staff perceive the need for further training, and the greater level of compliance with the records management program. However, as the records management training strategy is informal in nature, it is difficult to determine a holistic influence of the training program on the organization's information culture.

Research limitations/implications

The study is based on one ministry with an informal training records management strategy in place. The findings may not apply to organizations where there is a more formal training strategy. The findings should also be tested in private sector organizational settings.

Practical implications

Knowledge and understanding of the features of information culture will assist with identifying gaps in addressing the challenges of organizational record management training and its effect on compliance with organizational information and record management programs.

Originality/value

This research adds to the body of knowledge about information culture and user‐information behavior, particularly in regards to connections between training and compliance in government organizations. This paper provides evidence from an original study.
Optimal pricing in retail: a Cox regression approach
Authors: Meijer Rudi , Bhulai Sandjai
Published: April 2013

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to study the optimal pricing problem that retailers are challenged with when dealing with seasonal products. The friction between expected demand and realized demand creates a risk that supply during the season is not cleared, thus forcing the retailer to markdown overstocked supply.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors propose a framework based on a Cox regression analysis to determine optimal markdown paths. They illustrate this framework by a case study on a large department store.

Findings

The framework allows one to determine when and how much to markdown in order to optimize expected total profit given the available supply. When the law of demand holds at a disaggregated level, i.e. the individual retailer, it is also possible to optimize the markdown path.

Originality/value

This paper provides a framework for the complex dynamic pricing problem in retail using transactional data. The case study shows that significant revenues can be generated when applying this framework.
Analysis of heat transfer through the casting‐mould interface including gas‐gap effect and application to TiAl castings
Authors: Wang Hong , Djambazov Georgi , Pericleous Koulis
Published: April 2013

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to describe how a 3D/1D transient heat transfer model has been developed for getting accurate thermal boundary conditions when investigating the heat transfer in the TiAl castings and also for reducing the computational cost and simplifying the mesh generation.

Design/methodology/approach

Heat transfer in the mould is assumed to take place only in a direction perpendicular to the mould wall, called 1D heat transfer. The coordinates of cell centre and the temperature in the mould wall can be calculated by the model instead of meshing mould. Heat transfer in the mould is computed via the FD solution of a 1D heat transfer equation.

Findings

For some types of geometry, the model works very well. However, for some, which contain the geometric feature called “dead corner”, the model can't cover. There is some impact on the accuracy of the model.

Practical implications

In the casting industry, the geometry of the casting is usually very complex and contains different features. This leads to difficult meshing when using numerical model to predict the casting process. Furthermore, an accurate calculation is very important on the thermal boundary during filling and solidification, to support practice, to improve the process and minimise the casting defects.

Originality/value

In this paper, a novel method is developed to calculate the heat transfer through the casting‐mould interface to the mould wall in a casting.
Overcoming the specific performance measurement challenges of knowledge‐intensive organizations
Authors: Jääskeläinen Aki , Laihonen Harri
Published: April 2013

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to identify practical ways to overcome the specific performance measurement challenges of knowledge‐intensive organizations. By reviewing performance measurement, service management and human resources management literature the paper recognizes two aspects that are crucial for the success of knowledge‐intensive organizations: the performance and well‐being of individual knowledge workers and the ability to provide value for the customer. The authors evaluate three measurement solutions for measuring these aspects, in three empirical settings.

Design/methodology/approach

Qualitative case approach, carried out as an action research, is used with empirical data obtained through interviews, workshops and analysis of documentation related to measurement systems. The empirical study consists of three case studies where two main phases were carried out: investigating the status of existing measurement practices; and development and evaluation of new measurement approaches and tools.

Findings

The results of the evaluation of proposed measurement approaches provide understanding of their potential in different workplaces. Eventually, this potentially supports the managers of knowledge‐intensive organizations in developing not only the measurement practices but also the overall performance of their organizations.

Originality/value

As the key academic contribution, the study provides new understanding on the potential of selected measurement approaches in overcoming the specific performance measurement challenges in knowledge‐intensive organizations. The results take into account the perspectives of an individual knowledge worker, a customer and an organization as a whole. In many previous studies, the main focus has been solely on the organizational perspective.
Does corporate governance explain dividend policy in Sub‐Saharan Africa?
Authors: Abor Joshua , Fiador Vera
Published: April 2013

Purpose

This study aims to examine the effect of corporate governance on firms' dividend payout policy in sub‐Saharan Africa. The study also aims to examine how dividend payout influences corporate governance.

Design/methodology/approach

Using a sample made up 27 Ghanaian firms, 177 Nigerian firms, 51 Kenyan firms, and 270 South African firms covering the period 1997‐2006, the paper employs a simultaneous panel regression model in its estimation.

Findings

The results show that board composition and board size exhibit significantly positive relationship with dividend payout in Kenya and Ghana, respectively. Institutional ownership positively influences dividend payout among South African and Kenyan firms. In the case of Nigeria, all the corporate governance measures show significantly negative effects on dividend payout. The findings clearly suggest that, with respect to South Africa, Kenya and Ghana, good corporate governance structures lead to high‐dividend payout, probably due to easy access to and low cost of external finance. However, in Nigeria, improving the governance structures may be associated with high‐earnings retention or low‐dividend payment in order to reduce cost of external finance. We found in the case of Ghana that, dividend payout positively affects board composition, suggesting that Ghanaian firms with high‐payout tend to adopt good corporate governance structures in order to ensure protection of shareholder interest. The findings of this study certainly have important policy implications.

Originality/value

This present study contributes to the corporate governance literature by looking at the importance of corporate governance in influencing firms' dividend behaviour in selected African countries.
Pedagogical significance of wikis: towards gaining effective learning outcomes
Authors: Rathnasiri Hewege Chandana , Chamila Roshani Perera Liyanage
Published: April 2013

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore the effectiveness and pedagogical implications of integrating wikis into the curriculum and the subsequent learning outcomes of a group of Net‐Gens who enrolled in an International Marketing course. The research problem of the study is: “What are the learning outcomes and pedagogical implications arising from the use of wikis?”

Design/methodology/approach

A qualitative research methodology supported by the NVivo data analysis software was employed. A triangulated approach to collecting data was used. First, the content of the three student‐generated wikis and the written text of 30 student assignments were analysed by using Nvivo software to identify emerging themes pertaining to wiki‐based learning outcomes. Second, a critical incident method was employed where students were asked to describe two positive experiences and two negative experiences related to the wiki pedagogy. Third, in‐depth interviews were conducted with six members of the teaching panel of the course to further understand the pedagogical implications of wikis.

Findings

Consistent with previous studies, it was found that wikis promoted collaborative learning, organic discussions and independent thinking. Against previous studies, however, it was found that students adapted to wiki‐based pedagogy very well, and with little difficulty. There were differential levels of student engagement in wikis, and that occasionally wikis resulted in stagnated discussions, unless clearly aligned to the curriculum.

Practical implications

A well thought‐out alignment of wiki assessments with other learning activities has the potential to engage Net‐Gens. In order to keep students enthusiastically engaged in wiki discussions, it is important to embed wiki‐based activities into other learning activities. Understanding that there is a “spill over” effect from one learning activity to another is important.

Social implications

The outcomes were especially beneficial to non‐English speaking background (NESB) students who are often inhibited in their responses in typical classroom settings.

Originality/value

While research has focussed on the use and functionality of wikis in curriculum design, there is a paucity of work on their pedagogical implications. This paper look sat the implications of a “wiki‐based pedagogy” which assumes an “emancipatory”, partially‐“constructivist” paradigm of learning, where teachers should be ready to ‘loosen the controls of the conventional teaching‐centred learning environment’.
Using Global Reporting Initiative indicators for CSR programs
Authors: Wilburn Kathleen , Wilburn Ralph
Published: April 2013

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to propose that the Global Reporting Initiative's (GRI ) reporting guidelines, specifically its performance indicators, can be used to help a company create ethical corporate social responsibility (CSR) strategies and to also help stakeholder groups evaluate how much of a company's CSR initiative truly means the stakeholder definition CSR and how much is merely philanthropy or marketing.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper examines the GRI reporting guidelines for applicability to CSR principles, and explains the key elements of the economic, environmental, social, society, and product responsibility performance indicators.

Findings

Examples of how companies have used the indicators to report data on GRI's website are provided as evidence that the distinctions made by the performance indicators indicate levels of adherence to CSR principles.

Originality/value

Given the increased demand for accountability for the actions of companies toward their stakeholders, particularly the environment, using the GRI's performance indicators can continue dialogue on how CSR programs are evaluated by the ethics community, the public, and business.
Effective anisotropic velocity model from surface monitoring of microseismic events
Authors: Zhang Yang , Eisner Leo , Barker William , Mueller Michael C. , Smith Kevin L.
Published: April 2013

We develop a methodology to obtain a consistent velocity model from calibration shots or microseismicity observed on a buried array. Using a layered 1D isotropic model derived from checkshots as an initial velocity model, we invert P‐wave arrival times to obtain effective anisotropic parameters with a vertical axis of symmetry (VTI). The nonlinear inversion uses iteration between linearized inversion for anisotropic parameters and origin times or depths, which is specific to microseismic monitoring. We apply this technique to multiple microseismic events from several treatments within a buried array. The joint inversion of selected events shows a largely reduced RMS error indicating that we can obtain robust estimates of anisotropic parameters, however we do not show improved source locations. For joint inversion of multiple microseismic events we obtained Thomsen anisotropic parameters ε of 0.15 and δ of 0.05, which are consistent with values observed in active seismic surveys. These values allow us to locate microseismic events from multiple hydraulic fracture treatments separated across thousands of metres with a single velocity model. As a result, we invert the effective anisotropy for the buried array region and are able to provide a more consistent microseismicity mapping for past and future hydraulic fracture stimulations.
Validation of self‐reported cannabis dose and potency: an ecological study
Authors: van der Pol Peggy , Liebregts Nienke , de Graaf Ron , Korf Dirk J. , van den Brink Wim , van Laar Margriet
Published: April 2013

Aims

To assess the reliability and validity of self‐reported cannabis dose and potency measures.

Design

Cross‐sectional study comparing self‐reports with objective measures of amount of cannabis and delta‐9‐tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) concentration.

Setting

Ecological study with assessments at participants' homes or in a coffee shop.

Participants

Young adult frequent cannabis users (n = 106) from the Dutch Cannabis Dependence (CanDep) study.

Measurements

The objectively measured amount of cannabis per joint (dose in grams) was compared with self‐reported estimates using a prompt card and average number of joints made from 1 g of cannabis. In addition, objectively assessed THC concentration in the participant's cannabis was compared with self‐reported level of intoxication, subjective estimate of cannabis potency and price per gram of cannabis.

Findings

Objective estimates of doses per joint (0.07–0.88 g/joint) and cannabis potency (1.1–24.7%) varied widely. Self‐reported measures of dose were imprecise, but at group level, average dose per joint was estimated accurately with the number of joints made from 1 g [limit of agreement (LOA) = −0.02 g, 95% confidence interval (CI) = −0.29; 0.26], whereas the prompt card resulted in serious underestimation (LOA = 0.14 g, 95% CI = −0.10; 0.37). THC concentration in cannabis was associated with subjective potency [‘average’ 3.77% (P = 0.002) and ‘(very) strong’ 5.13% more THC (P < 0.001) than ‘(very) mild’ cannabis] and with cannabis price (about 1% increase in THC concentration per euro spent on 1 g of cannabis, P < 0.001), but not with level of intoxication.

Conclusions

Self‐report measures relating to cannabis use appear at best to be associated weakly with objective measures. Of the self‐report measures, number of joints per gram, cannabis price and subjective potency have at least some validity.
Estimation of biomass from body length and width for tropical rainforest canopy invertebrates
Authors: Wardhaugh Carl W
Published: April 2013

Accurate estimates of invertebrate biomass are essential for quantifying community structure, food web dynamics and energy flow in terrestrial ecosystems. In this paper, length‐mass and length × width‐mass regressions were carried out for 18 invertebrate taxonomic groups collected from the canopy of an Australian tropical rainforest. In an additional analysis, invertebrates were divided among seven body shape categories based on the ratio of body length to body width (from short and squat to long and thin) in an attempt to develop accurate equations for estimating biomass that can be applied to any taxonomic group in any locality. For most groups, the inclusion of body width to the predictor variable improved the model, confirming that body shape is an important factor in the accuracy of biomass estimations. The most accurate method for estimating invertebrate biomass was the use of taxon‐specific equations, followed by equations based on body shape. Single whole‐fauna equations were very inaccurate for estimating biomass, especially for insects that are either very squat or very long and thin. In accordance with previous studies, it was concluded that the most accurate method for estimating invertebrate biomass from proxy body measurements is the use of taxon‐specific regression equations, especially those that incorporate body width in the model. However, equations based on body shape categories may be useful for estimating the biomass of groups for which no length‐mass relationship has been determined, while single, whole‐fauna equations should be avoided.
International trends in health science librarianship: Part 6 Central Europe series
Authors: Viragos Marta
Published: April 2013

This is the 6th in a series of articles exploring international trends in health science librarianship with a focus on Central Europe in the first decade of the 21st century. The invited authors are from Hungry, Poland and Czech Republic. Future issues will track trends the Middle East and then the Far East.

JM
Loss of cytoplasmic KLF4 expression is correlated with the progression and poor prognosis of nasopharyngeal carcinoma
Authors: Liu Zhen , Yang Huiling , Luo Weiren , Jiang Qingping , Mai Chunping , Chen Yan , Zhen Yan , Yu Xiaoli , Long Xiaobin , Fang Weiyi
Published: April 2013

Aims

To examine, in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC), the correlation of Krüppel‐like factor 4 (KLF4) expression with clinicopathological features including patient prognosis.

Methods and results

Using real‐time PCR and immunohistochemistry, expression of KLF4 mRNA and protein was examined in NPC and nasopharyngeal tissues. The relationship of KLF4 expression levels with clinical features and prognosis of NPC patients was analysed. mRNA expression was markedly lower in NPC than in the nasopharyngeal tissues. Using immunohistochemistry, staining for KLF4 protein was found in the nuclei and cytoplasm of nasopharyngeal and malignant epithelial cells, but decreased cytoplasmic expression was observed in atypical hyperplasia and NPC samples compared to normal and squamous epithelium samples (P < 0.001). In addition, levels of cytoplasmic KLF4 protein were correlated inversely with the nodal (N) status (TNM classification; P = 0.002) and overall clinical stage (P < 0.001) of NPC patients. Patients with NPC showing lower cytoplasmic KLF4 expression had a significantly shorter overall survival time than those with high NPC KLF4 expression. Multivariate analysis suggested that the level of KLF4 expression was an independent prognostic indicator (P = 0.008) for NPC survival.

Conclusion

Low levels of cytoplasmic KLF4 expression are a potentially unfavourable prognostic factor for patients with NPC.
Fatigue susceptibility of an endodontic fibre post material
Authors: Barbizam J. V. B. , White S. N.
Published: April 2013

Aim

To evaluate effects of ageing and fatigue on the elastic modulus and short‐beam shear strength of a quartz fibre/epoxy resin post material.

Methodology

Cylindrical specimens (25 × 2.2 mm) were made. Elastic moduli were dynamically measured before immersion in water; after immersion in water; periodically during storage in water for up to 7 years; periodically during thermal cycling in water for up to 10 000 cycles to produce thermo‐mechanical fatigue; and periodically during boiling in water for up to 100 h. After ageing, the specimens underwent short‐beam shear strength testing.

Results

Elastic modulus was significantly decreased by thermal cycling and by immersion in boiling water, but not by water storage. Short‐beam shear strength was profoundly decreased by all three ageing processes. Short‐beam shear strength was much more sensitive than elastic modulus to the ageing or fatigue processes applied in this study.

Conclusions

A representative endodontic fibre post material was susceptible to a variety of ageing and fatigue processes. The effects of ageing and fatigue had a more pronounced impact on short‐beam shear strength than on elastic modulus. The effects of boiling in water and thermal cycling in water were considerably larger than those of simple storage in water.
Spatial modelling of species turnover identifies climate ecotones, climate change tipping points and vulnerable taxonomic groups
Authors: Guerin Greg R. , Biffin Ed , Lowe Andrew J.
Published: April 2013

There is an expectation that climate change will drive turnover in the composition of ecological communities. Established methods for predicting the degree of turnover and spatial areas and taxonomic groups that will be most affected from real data are lacking. We tested a combination of spatial modelling tools to make these predictions. Using data from systematic vegetation survey plots from the Adelaide Geosyncline region, southern Australia, we modelled species turnover as a function of bioclimatic and geographic distances and predicted turnover using future climate change scenarios for 2030 and 2070. We conducted bioclimatic gradient analysis (CCA) on species composition data and mapped zones of higher turnover. The method for detecting these zones was tested using a simulation of continuous turnover. A phylogeny was generated for recorded species and correlations of occurrences of phylogenetic groups with species turnover were calculated. Significant turnover was predicted for the least severe climate change scenarios and near‐complete species turnover for the most severe scenario. Gradient analysis revealed discrete transitional zones with more rapid turnover, which were interpreted as a mesic–arid ecotone. Turnover occurred at family level and with increasing temperature and decreasing rainfall there was a shift from the prevalence of Ericaceae, Myrtaceae, Haloragaceae, Cyperaceae, and Xanthorrhoeaceae to that of Amaranthaceae, Malvaceae, Scrophulariaceae, Sapindaceae, and Solanaceae. The mesic end of this climate gradient had relatively low rates of turnover and was interpreted as a refugium with a tipping point. The translation of spatial patterns to temporal change is dependent partly upon scales at which community assembly processes operate and predicts relative vulnerability, but not rates of change, which can only be measured through monitoring. The approach can be applied at any spatial or taxonomic scale subject to sufficient data resolution and can inform management decisions as to biases in climate change risks.
Evidence that periodontal treatment improves biomarkers and CVD outcomes
Authors: D'Aiuto Francesco , Orlandi Marco , Gunsolley John C.
Published: April 2013

Aim

The aim of this review was to critically appraise the evidence on the impact of periodontal treatment of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) biomarkers and outcomes.

Methods

A systematic search was performed in Cinhal, Cochrane, Embase and Medline for relevant articles up to July 2012. Duplicate screening and reference hand searching were performed. Data were then summarized and evidence graded in tables.

Results

The search resulted in: (a) no evidence on the effects of periodontal therapy on subclinical atherosclerosis, serum levels of CD40 ligand, serum amyloid A and monocyte chemoattractant protein‐1, (b) limited evidence on the effects of periodontal therapy on arterial blood pressure, leucocyte counts, fibrinogen, tissue necrosis factor‐α, sE‐selectin, von Willebrand factors, d‐dimers, matrix metalloproteinases, oxidative stress and CVD events, and (c) moderate evidence suggesting a negligible effect of periodontal therapy in reducing interleukin‐6 and lipids levels, whilst a positive effect in reducing serum C‐reactive protein levels and improving endothelial function.

Conclusions

Periodontal therapy triggers a short‐term inflammatory response followed by (a) a progressive and consistent reduction of systemic inflammation and (b) an improvement in endothelial function. There is however limited evidence that these acute and chronic changes will either increase or reduce CVD burden of individuals suffering from periodontitis in the long term.
Stress management can facilitate weight loss inGreek overweight and obese women: a pilot study
Authors: Christaki E. , Kokkinos A. , Costarelli V. , Alexopoulos E. C. , Chrousos G. P. , Darviri C.
Published: April 2013

Background

Stress and negative emotions have been shown to be critical factors in inducing overeating as a form of maladaptive coping in obese people.

Methods

The present study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of an 8‐week stress management programme that includes progressive muscle relaxation (PMR) and diaphragmatic breathing on weight loss and eating behaviour in a sample of overweight and obese women who started a weight‐loss programme. A total of 34 women with a mean (SD)body mass indexof 38.17 (7.19) kg m−² and mean (SD) age 47.35 (11.64) years were recruited from the outpatients Obesity Clinic of a public hospital in Athens. Participants were randomly assigned into a Stress Management (SM) and a control group. Anthropometric measurements were taken before and after the intervention, and the participants completed the following questionnaires: Dutch Eating Behaviour Questionnaire (DEBQ), Eating Attitudes Test (Eat‐26), Health Locus of Control (HLC) and Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) before and after the intervention.

Results

The findings indicated a significant improvement in weight loss in theSMgroup [4.44 (0.83) kg] after intervention compared to the control group [1.38 (0.78) kg] (P < 0.05). A higher restrained eating behaviour was observed in theSMgroup after intervention compared to the control group, although there was no significant difference in perceived stress levels.

Conclusions

The intervention group showed greater weight reduction, possibly because of the stress management programme, and a greater dietary restraint was demonstrated by them compared to the control group. It is likely that stress management could facilitate weight loss in obese women; however, more studies are needed to confirm this hypothesis.
Evaluating a health behaviour model for persons with and without an intellectual disability
Authors: Brehmer‐Rinderer B. , Zigrovic L. , Weber G.
Published: April 2013

Background

Based on the idea of the Common Sense Model of Illness Representations by Leventhal as well as Lohaus's concepts of health and illness, a health behaviour model was designed to explain health behaviours applied by persons with intellectual disabilities (ID). The key proposal of this model is that the way someone understands the concepts of health, illness and disability influences the way they perceive themselves and what behavioural approaches to them they take.

Method

To test this model and explain health differences between the general population and person with ID, 230 people with ID and a comparative sample of 533 persons without ID were included in this Austrian study. Data were collected on general socio‐demographics, personal perceptions of illness and disability, perceptions of oneself and health‐related behaviours.

Results

Psychometric analysis of the instruments used showed that they were valid and reliable and hence can provide a valuable tool for studying health‐related issues in persons with and without ID. With respect to the testing of the suggested health model, two latent variables were defined in accordance to the theory. The general model fit was evaluated by calculating different absolute and descriptive fit indices. Most indices indicated an acceptable model fit for all samples.

Conclusions

This study presents the first attempt to explore the systematic differences in health behaviour between people with and without ID based on a suggested health model. Limitations of the study as well as implications for practice and future research are discussed.
Neuroendocrine Mechanisms Underlying Sensory Integration of Social Signals
Authors: O'Connell L. A. , Rigney M. M. , Dykstra D. W. , Hofmann H. A.
Published: April 2013

Individuals integrate information about their environment into adaptive behavioural responses, yet how different sensory modalities contribute to these decisions and where in the brain this integration occurs is not well understood. We presented male cichlid fish (Astatotilapia burtoni) with sensory information in three social contexts: intruder challenge, reproductive opportunity and a socially neutral situation. We then measured behavioural and hormonal responses along with induction of the immediate early gene c‐Fos in candidate forebrain regions. In the intruder challenge context, males were exposed to either a visual stimulus of a dominant male, the putative male pheromone androstenedione, or both. We found that, compared to the neutral context, a visual stimulus was necessary and sufficient for an aggressive response, whereas both chemical and visual stimuli were needed for an androgen response. In the reproductive opportunity context, males were exposed to either a visual stimulus of a receptive female, a progesterone metabolite (female pheromone) only, or both. We further found that the visual stimulus is necessary and sufficient for an androgen response in the reproductive opportunity context. In the brain, we observed c‐Fos induction in response to a visual challenge stimulus specifically in dopaminergic neurones of area Vc (the central region of the ventral telencephalon), a putative striatal homologue, whereas presentation of a chemical stimulus did not induce c‐Fos induction in the intruder challenge context. Our results suggest that different sensory cues are processed in a social context‐specific manner as part of adaptive decision‐making processes.
Sexual behaviours on acute inpatient psychiatric units
Authors: Bowers L. , Ross J. , Cutting P. , Stewart D.
Published: April 2013

Accessible summary

We do not know very much about the sexual behaviours of adult psychiatric inpatients, or about the patients who engage in them and what other challenges they pose to the staff.

This was a large study of many patients in many different hospitals, based on information extracted from case records.

More than 1 in 10 patients engaged in some form of challenging sexual behaviour during the first 2 weeks of their admission.

There were no differences in the rates of sexual behaviours between mixed and singe gender wards, but men were more likely to touch another person sexually without their consent, or engage in masturbation in a public area.

The purpose of the study was to assess the types and frequency of sexual behaviours displayed by patients during the first 2 weeks of admission to acute psychiatric units and what relationship these have to other challenging patient behaviours. The method used was a survey of sexual behaviours, conflict and containment events carried out by 522 patients during the first 2 weeks of admission in 84 wards in 31 hospitals in the South East of England. Incidents of sexual behaviour were common, with 13% of patients responsible for at least one incident. Although exposure was the most frequent of these behaviours, non‐consensual sexual touching, was instigated by 1 in 20 patients. There were no differences in the numbers of sexual events between single sex and mixed gender wards. Few associations were found with the demographic features of perpetrators, although all those engaging in public masturbation were male, and male patients were more likely to sexually touch another without their consent. Single sex wards do not seem to necessarily offer significant protection to potentially vulnerable victims. Perpetrators do not seem to be predictable in advance, nor was there any common set or pattern of disruptive behavioural events indicating that a sexual incident was about to occur.
Combined neurostimulation and neuroimaging in cognitive neuroscience: past, present, and future
Authors: Bestmann Sven , Feredoes Eva
Published: April 2013

Modern neurostimulation approaches in humans provide controlled inputs into the operations of cortical regions, with highly specific behavioral consequences. This enables causal structure–function inferences, and in combination with neuroimaging, has provided novel insights into the basic mechanisms of action of neurostimulation on distributed networks. For example, more recent work has established the capacity of transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) to probe causal interregional influences, and their interaction with cognitive state changes. Combinations of neurostimulation and neuroimaging now face the challenge of integrating the known physiological effects of neurostimulation with theoretical and biological models of cognition, for example, when theoretical stalemates between opposing cognitive theories need to be resolved. This will be driven by novel developments, including biologically informed computational network analyses for predicting the impact of neurostimulation on brain networks, as well as novel neuroimaging and neurostimulation techniques. Such future developments may offer an expanded set of tools with which to investigate structure–function relationships, and to formulate and reconceptualize testable hypotheses about complex neural network interactions and their causal roles in cognition.
Lichen Planus in Childhood: A Series of 316 Patients
Authors: Pandhi Deepika , Singal Archana , Bhattacharya Sambit N.
Published: April 2013

Lichen planus (LP) is infrequently seen in children and the clinical presentation is often atypical. We conducted a retrospective analysis of clinical features and treatment response in childhood LP to date. The clinical profile and treatment response data of patients younger than 14 years old with LP (entered in a predesigned pro forma study) from January 1997 to June 2011 were analyzed. The treatment was administered according to a predetermined departmental protocol and was comprised of topical steroids with or without oral dapsone or corticosteroids. Patients were evaluated for response, adverse effects, and relapse. The study population consisted of 316 children (166 boys, 150 girls), or 18.7% of the total registered patients in the LP clinic. The mean age was 10.28 years (range 2–14 years). Cutaneous lesions were seen in 96.2%. Involvement of the oral mucosa was detected in 18%, nails in 13.9%, scalp in 8.2%, and genitalia in 4.4%. Classic LP was most prevalent (53.8%), followed by eruptive (16.5%), hypertrophic (8.2%), linear (6.9%), and lichen planopilaris (6.3%). LP pigmentosus, annular, and atrophic variants were encountered infrequently. Topical corticosteroids were the most common treatment used in 69.5% of patients, 28.8% of whom had excellent response at 6 months, although 38.8% failed to follow up. Dapsone was prescribed in 20% and systemic steroids in 9.8% of patients. We report the largest series to date of LP in childhood, with a more varied clinical presentation than in previous series. The course and response to treatment were similar to those in adults.
Granite emplacement by crustal boudinage: example of the Calmayo and El Hongo plutons (Córdoba, Argentina)
Authors: D'Eramo Fernando , Tubía José M. , Pinotti Lucio , Vegas Néstor , Coniglio Jorge , Demartis Manuel , Aranguren Aitor , Basei Miguel
Published: April 2013

This study deals with the structure and emplacement of the Calmayo and El Hongo trondhjemite plutons (Famatinian belt of Córdoba, Argentina). It provides structural data from the granites and the country rocks and a study of the magnetic fabric in the plutons. New U/Pb geochronological data yield intrusion ages of 512.1 ± 3.4 Ma and 500.6 ± 4.5 Ma for the Calmayo and El Hongo plutons respectively. The El Hongo massif and the southern part of the Calmayo trondhjemite preserve magmatic structures, whereas the northern domain of Calmayo shows the imprint of solid‐state deformation. The main foliation in the country rocks outlines a boudin‐like pattern at the map scale and the granites are located along boudin necks, suggesting that the emplacement of these trondhjemite plutons was linked to large‐scale boudinage of the country rocks.
Contractility and kinetics of human fetal and human adult skeletal muscle
Authors: Racca Alice W. , Beck Anita E. , Rao Vijay S. , Flint Galina V. , Lundy Scott D. , Born Donald E. , Bamshad Michael J. , Regnier Michael
Published: April 2013

Key points

The contractile properties of human fetal skeletal muscle are unknown.

Reductionist approaches such as isolated myofibril and isolated contractile protein biomechanical assays allow study of activation and relaxation properties of skeletal muscle from different sources.

We have tested the contractile properties of human fetal skeletal myofibrils and myosin in comparison with myosin and myofibrils from human adult skeletal muscle and rabbit psoas muscle.

Human fetal skeletal myofibrils have much slower kinetics of activation and relaxation compared to myofibrils from adult human or rabbit psoas skeletal muscle.

Investigations using altered substrate and product conditions for both the in vitro motility assay and myofibril mechanics/kinetics indicate that fetal muscle acto‐myosin crossbridges cycle more slowly than, but with similar rate‐limiting steps to, the adult myosin isoforms.

Abstract  Little is known about the contraction and relaxation properties of fetal skeletal muscle, and measurements thus far have been made with non‐human mammalian muscle. Data on human fetal skeletal muscle contraction are lacking, and there are no published reports on the kinetics of either fetal or adult human skeletal muscle myofibrils. Understanding the contractile properties of human fetal muscle would be valuable in understanding muscle development and a variety of muscle diseases that are associated with mutations in fetal muscle sarcomere proteins. Therefore, we characterised the contractile properties of developing human fetal skeletal muscle and compared them to adult human skeletal muscle and rabbit psoas muscle. Electron micrographs showed human fetal muscle sarcomeres are not fully formed but myofibril formation is visible. Isolated myofibril mechanical measurements revealed much lower specific force, and slower rates of isometric force development, slow phase relaxation, and fast phase relaxation in human fetal when compared to human adult skeletal muscle. The duration of slow phase relaxation was also significantly longer compared to both adult groups, but was similarly affected by elevated ADP. F‐actin sliding on human fetal skeletal myosin coated surfaces in in vitro motility (IVM) assays was much slower compared with adult rabbit skeletal myosin, though the Km(app) (apparent (fitted) Michaelis–Menten constant) of F‐actin speed with ATP titration suggests a greater affinity of human fetal myosin for nucleotide binding. Replacing ATP with 2 deoxy‐ATP (dATP) increased F‐actin speed for both groups by a similar amount. Titrations of ADP into IVM assays produced a similar inhibitory affect for both groups, suggesting ADP binding may be similar, at least under low load. Together, our results suggest slower but similar mechanisms of myosin chemomechanical transduction for human fetal muscle that may also be limited by immature myofilament structure.
Power Augmentation in a Kalina Power Station for Medium Temperature Low Grade Heat
Authors: Shankar Ganesh N. , Srinivas T.
Published: April 2013

Kalina cycle system (KCS) has an efficient heat recovery especially at low and medium temperatures. The current work focuses on thermodynamic development and assessment of a new KCS configuration to augment the power from a heat recovery of solar thermal collectors. Since, the separator is located at low pressure side; there is no need of throttling device in the proposed plant layout. Nearly 130% of extra working fluid has been found in turbine for expansion against the decreased amount in regular design. Strong solution concentration, separator temperature and turbine inlet condition (pressure and concentration) have been identified as key parameters for the plant evaluation. The performance (specific power and efficiencies) is improving with an increase in strong solution concentration and turbine inlet pressure. But it is decreasing with an increase in separator temperature and turbine concentration. At the maximum value of strong solution concentration, turbine inlet pressure and at the minimum separator temperature and turbine concentration, cycle efficiency, plant efficiency and specific power have been found as 20%, 7.5%, and 270 kW, respectively.
Finite Element Modeling of Parabolic Trough Mirror Shape in Different Mirror Angles
Authors: Meiser Siw , Kleine-Büning Christoph , Uhlig Ralf , Lüpfert Eckhard , Schiricke Björn , Pitz-Paal Robert
Published: April 2013

Deviations from the ideal shape of reflector panels for parabolic trough solar power plants can have relevant impact on field efficiency and thus on the performance of the whole power plant. Analyzing the gravity-induced deformation of mirror shape for different mirror angles is relevant for performance calculation of solar parabolic trough collectors and identifying optimization potential of the mirror panels. Two mirror model cases (stiff and elastic supports) are evaluated in four angles: in horizontal laboratory angle (mirrors facing upward with mounting points horizontally aligned), and in 0 deg, 45 deg, and 90 deg collector angle. The resulting slope maps are calculated in a separate postprocessing. In order to evaluate the effect of gravity load on mirror shape, the deformed mirror in each evaluated angle is compared to the nondeformed mirror shape, and to the shapes in 0 deg (zenith) collector angle, respectively. The resulting slope deviation maps show the mirror deformation in different mirror angles. Stiffness of the mounting to the support structure has a relevant impact. Mirror deformation on elastic brackets (SDx up to 1.6 mrad) is much more pronounced than on an ideal stiff support structure (SDx up to 1.0 mrad).
Po‐Poster ‐ 33: A finite element model for bioluminescence imaging in small animals
Authors: Diplock R , Brooksby B , Dehghani H , Davis S , Patterson M , Pogue B
Published: April 2013

Bioluminescence imaging is a powerful technique for visualizing gene expression in small animals but it suffers a serious limitation: the absorption and scattering of light in tissue. Several factors influence the image: source strength and depth, effective numerical aperture of the imaging optics, and attenuation by the tissue between the source and the camera. Our overall goal is to account for these effects and to recover the actual strength and spatial location of the bioluminescence sources in vivo. An essential first step in this research is to develop a physical model that accurately predicts the light reaching the surface of the animal for an arbitrary distribution of sources and optical absorption and scattering coefficients. The calculations must be fast, so that the model can be used eventually in an iterative algorithm to solve the inverse problem. We use the diffusion approximation, valid when scattering dominates absorption and when it is not necessary to calculate the light field close to sources. The diffusion equation expresses the light fluence rate as a function of position and the spatially dependent absorption coefficient, scattering coefficient, and source function. A finite element code called NIRFAST has been developed to generate numerical solutions. NIRFAST has been implemented in MATLAB and uses a 2 or 3 dimensional model to represent the object. The absorption and scattering coefficients are specified at each node of the mesh. We have assigned “reasonable” values of the absorption and scattering coefficients to each node based on tissue identification by x‐ray CT.
Sci‐PM Fri ‐ 03: Potential use of diffusion theory for quantitative in vivo fluorescence and bioluminescence imaging
Authors: Comsa D , Farrell T , Patterson M
Published: April 2013

In recent years, there has been increasing interest in the potential of optical methods to detect and monitor in vivo minimal residual disease and metastasis in animal cancer models. The overall objective of the present work is to develop analytical methods and instrumentation to construct quantitative bioluminescence and fluorescence images of bone metastases. The diffusion approximation was investigated as a mathematical model of light propagation in tissue. Testing of the model against Monte Carlo simulation data showed that the optical properties could be retrieved from a reflectance curve with an accuracy of better than 2%. The evaluation of the model was also performed on liquid tissue‐simulating phantoms by using the tip of an optical fiber to simulate a point source. A charge‐coupled device (CCD) camera was used to acquire images of the surface of the phantom with the point source inserted at different depths. In addition, a non‐invasive measurement of the optical properties of the phantom was performed. Results showed that, for the depth ranges where diffusion theory was expected to be valid, the depth could be reconstructed with 15% accuracy and the fitted relative intensities of the source were consistent to expected values within 30%.
Sci‐PM Fri ‐ 06: Neutron‐activation revisited: The depletion and depletion‐activation models
Authors: Abdel‐Rahman W , Podgorsak E
Published: April 2013

The growth of a radioactive daughter in neutron‐activation is commonly described with the saturation model that ignores the consumption of parent nuclei during the radio‐activation process. This approach is not valid when radioactive sources with high specific activities are produced or when the particle fluence rates used in the activation process are very high. Assuming a constant neutron fluence rate throughout the activation target, neutron‐activation model that accounts for the depletion in parent nuclei is introduced. This depletion model is governed by relationships similar to those describing the parent‐daughter‐granddaughter decay series, and, in contrast to the saturation model, correctly predicts the practical limit of the daughter specific activity, irrespective of the particle fluence rate. Also introduced is a neutron‐activation model that in addition to parent depletion accounts for the neutron‐activation of daughter nuclei in situations where the cross section for this effect is high. The model is referred to as the depletion‐activation model and it provides the most realistic description for the daughter specific activity in neutron‐activation. Three specific neutron activation examples of interest to medical physics are presented: activation of molybdenum‐98 into molybdenum‐99 described by the saturation model; activation of cobalt‐59 into cobalt‐60 described by the depletion model; and activation of iridium‐191 into iridium‐192 described by the depletion‐activation model.