bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Gold ion implantation induced high conductivity and enhanced electron field emission properties in ultrananocrystalline diamond films
Authors: Sankaran K. J. , Chen H. C. , Sundaravel B. , Lee C. Y. , Tai N. H. , Lin I. N.
Published: February 2013

We report high conductivity of 185 (Ω cm)−1 and superior electron field emission (EFE) properties, viz. low turn-on field of 4.88 V/μm with high EFE current density of 6.52 mA/cm2 at an applied field of 8.0 V/μm in ultrananocrystalline diamond (UNCD) films due to gold ion implantation. Transmission electron microscopy examinations reveal the presence of Au nanoparticles in films, which result in the induction of nanographitic phases in grain boundaries, forming conduction channels for electron transport. Highly conducting Au ion implanted UNCD films overwhelms that of nitrogen doped ones and will create a remarkable impact to diamond-based electronics.
Understanding the Causes of Informal and Formal Discretion in the Delivery of Enterprise Policies: A Multiple Case Study
Authors: Vega Arturo , Chiasson Mike , Brown David
Published: February 2013

This research investigates a relevant gap in the academic literature on enterprise policy—namely, the nature of discretion and the causes that permit it during policy implementation. We found in our case studies that the programme workers who deliver policies exerted considerable discretion. Further evidence suggests that the main influences on what we call informal discretion—discretion clearly outside programme objectives—include the design of programme evaluation and audit as well as the influence of evaluators and auditors in these processes. We also found evidence of formal discretion—discretion allowed within programme objectives—through broad and ambiguous policies and procedures. Our findings and theoretical framework illustrate how discretion cannot be so easily curtailed by the market logics and strict rules of the new public management practice. Instead, we conclude that the possibility of refraining policy statements and evaluation as a learning process, from programme successes and failures, would transform our approach to policy implementation. This would require a number of institutional and incentive changes for policy actors and the public.
Environmental Management Systems and the Third Sector: Exploring Weak Adoption in the UK
Authors: Edwards Rebecca , Smith Graham , Büchs Milena
Published: February 2013

The environment has become an increasingly prominent consideration across the third sector in the UK. However, while there has been an ‘audit explosion’ in relation to demonstrating the social mission of third sector organisations (TSOs), this has not transferred to the management of environmental impacts. This paper offers the first assessment of the development and adoption of environmental management systems (EMSs) across the third sector. Through a comparison with the experience of the private sector, analysis of key documents, interviews with third sector and government actors, and case studies of TSOs that have applied and/or adapted EMSs, the paper provides evidence of a relatively low level of innovation in this area. The paper concludes with reflections on the tensions associated with the future development of EMSs across the third sector, in particular the ambiguous role of government policy.
An Evaluation of Public Spending: The Effectiveness of a Government-Supported Networking Program in Flanders
Authors: Van Cauwenberge Philippe , Bauwhede Heidi Vander , Schoonjans Bilitis
Published: February 2013

Most countries of the world have developed a wide array of government assistance programs for companies. However, it is only recently that researchers have started to evaluate the benefits of these programs empirically. This paper contributes to this emerging area of research by examining whether PLATO—a networking and training program sponsored by the Flemish government—increased the labor productivity of the participating companies. Our regression analysis of a panel dataset of Flemish small and medium-sized enterprises that existed between 1996 and 2008 confirms that PLATO participation indeed increases labor productivity. In addition, from a qualitative analysis of the PLATO program we infer some of its success factors, which could inform governments about how to design company support programs.
Is Public Procurement a Successful Small Business Support Policy? A Review of the Evidence
Authors: Loader Kim
Published: February 2013

Public procurement is a vehicle by which governments can provide direct support to small business. The public sector market is significant and attractive to suppliers of all sizes, yet the current UK government is the latest to feel the need to implement a variety of measures in an attempt to improve the chances of success for smaller suppliers. In this context I have undertaken a critical review of the existing evidence relating to this issue. I have found support for the policy to encourage small and medium-sized enterprise suppliers but also that many barriers, some first identified twenty years ago, still remain. Whilst various remedies have been proposed, it appears that public procurers lack clear priorities and objectives. This, together with a lack of regular and comprehensive supply data, is hindering improvement.
Accommodation, Pattern Glare, and Coloured Overlays
Authors: Allen Peter M , Dedi Sonia , Kumar Dimple , Patel Tanuj , Aloo Mohammed , Wilkins Arnold J
Published: February 2013

We manipulated the accommodative response using positive and negative lenses to study any association between symptoms of pattern glare and accommodation. Two groups of eighteen young adults were selected from seventy-eight on the basis (i) that their rate of reading increased by 5% or more with an overlay compared to their rate without it, and (ii) that they reported more than 2 symptoms of pattern glare (group 1) or had no such increment in reading speed and reported fewer than 2 symptoms (group 2). Under double-masked conditions participants observed at 0.4 m a pattern of stripes while measurements of accommodation were made using an open field autorefractor with and without positive and negative trial lenses (0.75 D), and with and without a coloured overlay. Pattern glare was also assessed with and without the trial lenses. Without lenses, the mean accommodative response in group 1 was 1.55 D, a lag of 0.95 D ± 0.24 D relative to the demand. The lag decreased by 0.43 D ( p < 0.0001) when the chosen overlay was used, an effect that was not shown in group 2 even when lag increased with negative trial lenses ( p = 0.13). In both groups, pattern glare scores were reduced by the trial lenses, but were unaffected by the sign of the lenses. This suggests that symptoms of pattern glare are not strongly associated with accommodative response.
Production and Regulation of Levels of Amidated Peptide Hormones
Authors: Cao Feihua , Easton Christopher J.
Published: February 2013

Peptide hormones with a C-terminal amide regulate numerous physiological processes and are associated with many disease states. Consequently, the key enzymes involved in their production, peptidylglycine α-amidating monooxygenase and carboxypeptidase E, have been studied intensively. This review surveys what is known about the enzymes themselves and their cofactors, as well as their substrates and competitive and mechanism-based inhibitors.
Building Critical Citizenship through Syncretic Theatre: A Zimbabwean Case Study
Authors: Chinyowa Kennedy C.
Published: February 2013

Community-based theatre in Zimbabwe has played a limited, if not passive, role in promoting active citizenship among its audiences. More often than not, crucial decisions affecting target communities have been made from outside, making it appear as if externally driven interventions are being imposed upon them. The overriding tendency has been that of ‘taking theatre to the people’ rather than ‘making theatre with the people’. The former approach seems to promote passive spectatorship, which is not effective in resolving conflict and building peace in a country characterised by the virtual absence of the rule of law. This article argues that syncretic (or hybridised) theatre can satisfy the need for critical objectivity by staging fictionalised stories that illuminate the specific conflicts affecting target communities. As a means of ‘waging conflict non-violently’, such theatre creates space for critical citizens to assess their problems objectively, to try out theatrically staged options for resolving conflicts and transfer these alternatives to real life.
USA300 Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus Emerging as a Cause of Bloodstream Infections at Military Medical Centers
Authors: Sherwood Jeffrey , Park Matthew , Robben Paul , Whitman Timothy , Ellis Michael W.
Published: February 2013

Background.

USA300 methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a common cause of skin and soft-tissue infection (SSTI) in military personnel. USA300 MRSA has emerged as an important cause of healthcare-associated bloodstream infection (BSI) in metropolitan centers.

Objective.

To determine the prevalence, risk factors, and patient outcomes associated with USA300 MRSA BSI in military tertiary medical centers.

Design.

Retrospective case-control study.

Patients.

Patients admitted during the period 2001–2009 with MRSA BSI.

Setting.

Walter Reed Army Medical Center (Washington, DC) and National Naval Medical Center (Bethesda, MD) tertiary medical centers with 500 inpatient beds combined, which provide care to active duty service members and military beneficiaries.

Methods.

After identifying patients with MRSA BSI, we collected epidemiological data from electronic medical records and characterized bacterial isolates using pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE).

Results.

A total of 245 MRSA BSI cases were identified, and 151 isolates were available for analysis. Epidemiological characteristics for the 151 patients with available isolates included the following: mean age, 61 years; male sex, 70%; white race, 62%; and combat-wounded service members, 11%. The crude in-hospital mortality rate was 17%. PFGE demonstrated that 30 (20%) of 151 MRSA BSI cases with isolates available for analysis were due to USA300, and 27 (87%) of these 30 cases were healthcare-associated infection. USA300 was associated with a significantly increasing proportion of MRSA BSI when examined over sequential time periods: 2 (4%) of 51 isolates during 2001–2003, 9 (19%) of 47 isolates during 2004–2006, and 19 (36%) of 53 isolates during 2007–2009 (P<.001).

Conclusion.

USA300 MRSA is emerging as a cause of healthcare-associated BSI in tertiary military medical centers.
Efficient comparison of sets of intervals with NC-lists
Authors: Zytnicki Matthias , Luo YuFei , Quesneville Hadi
Published: February 2013

Motivation: High-throughput sequencing produces in a small amount of time a large amount of data, which are usually difficult to analyze. Mapping the reads to the transcripts they originate from, to quantify the expression of the genes, is a simple, yet time demanding, example of analysis. Fast genomic comparison algorithms are thus crucial for the analysis of the ever-expanding number of reads sequenced.

Results: We used NC-lists to implement an algorithm that compares a set of query intervals with a set of reference intervals in two steps. The first step, a pre-processing done once for all, requires time , where Q and R are the sets of query and reference intervals. The search phase requires constant space, and time , where M is the set of overlaps. We showed that our algorithm compares favorably with five other algorithms, especially when several comparisons are performed.

Availability: The algorithm has been included to S–MART, a versatile tool box for RNA-Seq analysis, freely available at http://urgi.versailles.inra.fr/Tools/S-Mart. The algorithm can be used for many kinds of data (sequencing reads, annotations, etc.) in many formats (GFF3, BED, SAM, etc.), on any operating system. It is thus readily useable for the analysis of next-generation sequencing data.

Contact:  matthias.zytnicki@versailles.inra.fr

Supplementary information:  Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Acoustic monitoring of Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua) in Massachusetts Bay: implications for management and conservation
Authors: Hernandez Keith M. , Risch Denise , Cholewiak Danielle M. , Dean Micah J. , Hatch Leila T. , Hoffman William S. , Rice Aaron N. , Zemeckis Douglas , Van Parijs Sofie M.
Published: February 2013

Hernandez, K. M., Risch, D., Cholewiak, D. M., Dean, M. J., Hatch, L. T., Hoffman, W. S., Rice, A. N., Zemeckis, D., and Van Parijs, S. M. 2013. Acoustic monitoring of Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua) in Massachusetts Bay: implications for management and conservation. – ICES Journal of Marine Science, 70: 628–635. Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua) stocks in northeastern US waters are depleted and stock recovery has been slow; research into the spawning behaviour of this species can help inform conservation and management measures. Male cod produce low-frequency grunts during courtship and spawning. Passive acoustic monitoring (PAM) offers a different perspective from which to investigate the occurrence, spatial extent and duration of spawning cod aggregations. A marine autonomous recording unit was deployed in the “Spring Cod Conservation Zone” (SCCZ) located in Massachusetts Bay, western Atlantic, to record cod grunts from April–June 2011. Cod grunts were present on 98.67% of the recording days (n = 75 days). They occurred across all 24 h, although significantly more grunts were found during the day than night-time (p = 0.0065). Grunt durations ranged from 57–360 ms, and the fundamental frequency and second harmonic had mean peak frequencies of 49.7 ± 5.6 and 102.9 Hz ± 10.9 sd, respectively. Cod grunt rates were low compared with those reported for other spawning fish, and may be indicative of diel movement patterns. Next steps will focus on expanding PAM coverage within the SCCZ, alongside prospecting for unknown spawning grounds within existing archival data.
Modelling dispersal of eggs and quantifying connectivity among Norwegian coastal cod subpopulations
Authors: Myksvoll Mari S. , Jung Kyung-Mi , Albretsen Jon , Sundby Svein
Published: February 2013

The Norwegian coast is populated by two cod populations: Northeast Arctic cod and Norwegian Coastal cod. In this paper, we use a further division based on life history: oceanic cod, coastal cod, and fjord cod. A numerical ocean model was implemented for the northern Norwegian coast where all these populations have spawning areas. The model results were used to simulate connectivity and retention of cod eggs from the different subpopulations. The model reproduced the observed variability and mesoscale activity in the Norwegian Coastal Current. Eggs released at an oceanic spawning area were transported northwards along the coastline. Coastal cod eggs had intermediate connectivity with each other and fjord cod eggs had high local retention. Although the high retention of eggs in fjord areas is mainly caused by a subsurface distribution of eggs, the intermediate retention of eggs from coastal spawning areas is caused by small-scale eddies in-between many small islands. The high-resolution ocean model made it possible to reveal these specific dispersal patterns. The high retention of early life stages in fjords combined with strong homing to spawning areas indicates that fjord subpopulations may be described as a metapopulation.
Gender ideology, microcredit participation and women's status in rural Bangladesh
Authors: Rabiul Karim K.M. , Kong Law Chi
Published: February 2013

Purpose

Microcredit has become a popular tool for women's socioeconomic development across the globe. The purpose of this study is to examine the influences of gender ideology on women's microcredit participation and their status within the household in rural Bangladesh.

Design/methodology/approach

The study adopted a cross‐sectional design. Data were collected from 342 randomly selected married men in five northwest villages. A path analysis was conducted to test the hypothesized model.

Findings

Almost 52 percent of the married women were microcredit‐borrowers. However, in 81 percent of cases the loans were fully controlled by their husbands. This study indicates that low socioeconomic status influences women borrowing loans while conservative gender ideology constrain them from using the loans. It also appears that their husbands' liberal gender ideology facilitates women's use of loans (active microcredit participation), which in turn improves their status as household co‐breadwinner.

Research limitations/implications

Though the study is based on men's reports and also correlational (not inferential) by nature, it provides a comprehensive understanding about the way microcredit intervention has been practiced in rural Bangladesh. This may have significant policy and practical implications.

Practical implications

The study discuses under what conditions microcredit intervention can contribute to improve women's status in rural Bangladesh. It is recommended that microcredit intervention should address patriarchal ideology by creating an environment where people may have a chance to re‐think the importance of women's roles and contributions.

Originality/value

The study is original in the linking of theory, policy and practice in the context of patriarchal ideology and microcredit interventions for enhancing women's status in rural Bangladesh.
Predictors of workplace deviant behaviour: HRD agenda for Malaysian support personnel
Authors: Alias Mazni , Mohd Rasdi Roziah , Ismail Maimunah , Abu Samah Bahaman
Published: February 2013

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to develop a theoretical model of the determinants of workplace deviant behaviour among support personnel in Malaysian Public Service organisations.

Design/methodology/approach

– This study is based on reviews of past studies on workplace deviant behaviour. To conduct the literature review, several keywords were identified. Several electronic databases available at the university ' s library such as Springer, Proquest, SAGE, Emerald, EBSCOHost, Science Direct, and Blackwell Synergy were used to search for supporting materials and resources.

Findings

– In the reviews, the authors found three potential groups of workplace deviant behaviour determinants among support personnel. The determinants are individual-related factors, organisational-related factors, and work-related factors. The paper established job satisfaction as a mediating variable between the three potential groups of determinants and workplace deviant behaviour.

Practical implications

– Future research could provide a more definitive theoretical statement of workplace deviant behaviour and develop an additional proposition which may be derived from a more refined theory. Practical interventions for HRD professionals were suggested to assist individuals and organisations towards reducing the prevalence of workplace deviant behaviour.

Originality/value

– The research yields a theoretical framework that outlines the predictive potential of the three key factors in explaining workplace deviant behaviour among support personnel. The factors can be considered in developing HRD practices.
Measuring supply chain visibility in the apparel industry
Authors: Caridi Maria , Perego Alessandro , Tumino Angela
Published: February 2013

Purpose

The aim of this paper is to propose an innovative quantitative approach to measure visibility in outbound supply chains and to implement it in order to evaluate the current degree of visibility that focal companies operating in the apparel industry have on their supply chains.

Design/methodology/approach

The study is based on an in‐depth literature review on supply chain visibility and on 11 case studies in the apparel industry.

Findings

The outcome of the paper is twofold. First, it proposes a metric for measuring visibility in complex outbound supply chains. Second, it analyses the quantity and quality of visible information in eleven companies belonging to the apparel industry, comparing visibility on outbound supply chains vs inbound supply chains.

Research limitations/implications

Although the paper shows the usefulness of the proposed metrics in supporting value assessment, a structured tool is still to be developed. Moreover, the visibility metric is suitable for benchmarking analyses, but the sample presented in the study is still limited and should be enlarged by further studies, also considering other industries.

Originality/value

The metrics so far proposed by researchers to assess the level of visibility in complex supply networks are mainly focused on the upstream supply chain; this paper fills the gap by proposing a quantitative metric for assessing the degree of visibility on the outbound supply chain. Moreover, some interesting insights about visibility in the apparel industry have been found on the basis of 11 case studies.
Meaning‐generating propositions of reality by media
Authors: Gertler Martin
Published: February 2013

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to pose questions about quality indicators, describe the fields of reference of communicators and the instruments currently being used in quality assurance of journalism, especially in Germany.

Design/methodology/approach

Due to their relevance to the questions being posed in media ethics, the paper deals with the meaning‐conferring functions of media offerings and with reasonable expectations toward media courses that prepare young communicators for their field of occupation.

Findings

This paper reveals that a more in‐depth involvement with constructivist epistemologies can impart to the media students a particular understanding of the dimensions of ethics, norms, law and the associated sets of rules.

Originality/value

This paper is focusing on the latently present, meaning‐generating aspects of the media, just not discussing them in terms of “effects” including their measurability, but in terms of reception and epistemology, underscoring the responsibility of all related communicators.
Understanding scales of movement: animals ride waves and ripples of environmental change
Authors: van Moorter Bram , Bunnefeld Nils , Panzacchi Manuela , Rolandsen Christer M. , Solberg Erling J. , Sæther Bernt‐Erik
Published: February 2013

Animal movements are the primary behavioural adaptation to spatiotemporal heterogeneity in resource availability. Depending on their spatiotemporal scale, movements have been categorized into distinct functional groups (e.g. foraging movements, dispersal, migration), and have been studied using different methodologies. We suggest striving towards the development of a coherent framework based on the ultimate function of all movement types, which is to increase individual fitness through an optimal exploitation of resources varying in space and time.

We developed a novel approach to simultaneously study movements at different spatiotemporal scales based on the following proposed theory: the length and frequency of animal movements are determined by the interaction between temporal autocorrelation in resource availability and spatial autocorrelation in changes in resource availability. We hypothesized that for each time interval the spatiotemporal scales of mooseAlces alcesmovements correspond to the spatiotemporal scales of variation in the gains derived from resource exploitation when taking into account the costs of movements (represented by their proxies, forage availabilityNDVIand snow depth respectively). The scales of change inNDVIand snow were quantified using wave theory, and were related to the scale of moose movement using linear mixed models.

In support of the proposed theory we found that frequent, smaller scale movements were triggered by fast, small‐scale ripples of changes, whereas infrequent, larger scale movements matched slow, large‐scale waves of change in resource availability. Similarly, moose inhabiting ranges characterized by larger scale waves of change in the onset of spring migrated longer distances.

We showed that the scales of movements are driven by the scales of changes in the net profitability of trophic resources. Our approach can be extended to include drivers of movements other than trophic resources (e.g. population density, density of related individuals, predation risk) and may facilitate the assessment of the impact of environmental changes on community dynamics and conservation.
Relationship between asthma and cognition: the Cooper Center Longitudinal Study
Authors: Caldera‐Alvarado G. , Khan D. A. , DeFina L. F. , Pieper A. , Brown E. S.
Published: February 2013

Background

Minimal data are available on the relationship between asthma and cognitive performance. In this report, we examine the relationship between asthma and cognitive performance in older adults, a subpopulation with elevated risk of cognitive impairment.

Methods

We conducted a cross‐sectional, retrospective analysis of 1380 participants age ≥55 who completed preventive health examinations at the Cooper Clinic in Dallas, TX. Cognition was assessed using the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), a brief test for mild cognitive impairment. Data were analyzed in a multiple logistic regression using MoCA scores suggestive of cognitive impairment as the dependent variable.

Results

When controlling for demographic characteristics, self‐rated health status, inhaled corticosteroid use, and FEV1/FVC, asthma were associated with 78% increased risk of cognitive impairment (P = 0.02) as defined by MoCA score.

Conclusions

In the largest sample examined to date, we have identified a significant relationship between asthma and cognitive impairment in older people.
Prospective evaluation of the pyramid plus psychosocial intervention for shy withdrawn children: an assessment of efficacy in 7‐ to 8‐year‐old school children in Northern Ireland
Authors: McKenna Áine E. , Cassidy Tony , Giles Melanie
Published: February 2013

Background

Social withdrawal is known to precede and contribute to the development of internalization problems in shy children. This study examined the efficacy of a selective primary school‐based psychosocial intervention for withdrawn children.

Method

The sample comprised 82 Primary 4 children aged between 7 and 8 years from 7 schools across Northern Ireland. There were 31 children in the comparison group (50.6% male) and 57 children received the intervention (41.7% male). A 2 × 2 mixed‐model design was used: group (intervention group vs. comparison group) × 3 time points (pre‐ vs. 10 postintervention vs. 12‐week follow‐up) with repeated measures on the time factor. Teachers completed the SDQ at the three time points to assess participants' socio‐emotional health status.

Results

Pyramid participants showed greater reductions than the comparison group on the Emotional Symptom and Peer Problem factors following the intervention and their scores did not return to baseline levels at follow‐up. Pyramid attendance accounted for approximately 12% and 9% of the variance in the Emotional Symptom and Peer Problems decreases respectively.

Conclusions

Pyramid Plus helped to alleviate internalization problems in participants and initially had a positive impact on social re‐integration. The incorporation of cognitive restructuring techniques may be a necessary intervention modification to affect participants' emotion regulation strategies.
A convenient luminescence assay of ferroportin internalization to study its interaction with hepcidin
Authors: Song Ge , Jiang Qian , Xu Ting , Liu Ya‐Li , Xu Zeng‐Guang , Guo Zhan‐Yun
Published: February 2013

Hepcidin is a liver‐secreted small disulfide‐rich peptide that plays a key role in iron homeostasis by binding and mediating the internalization and degradation of the only iron efflux transporter so far known, ferroportin (Fpn). To study hepcidin–Fpn interactions, in the present study we established a convenient luminescence assay for the quantitative measurement of hepcidin‐induced Fpn internalization by fusing a small nanoluciferase (NanoLuc, 171 amino acids) at the Fpn C‐terminus. Once the NanoLuc‐tagged Fpn was internalized, the measured luminescence was significantly decreased when assayed with the intact transiently transfected cells and an inducible expression system. Through the coexpression of a NanoLuc‐tagged Fpn and an enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP)‐tagged Fpn by the use of an inducible bidirectional promoter, we could measure the hepcidin‐induced Fpn internalization qualitatively and quantitatively on the basis of the fluorescence of the tagged EGFP and the luminescence of the tagged NanoLuc. Thus, our present study provides a novel and convenient assay for measuring the hepcidin–Fpn interaction qualitatively and quantitatively. Through coexpression of a NanoLuc‐tagged wild‐type Fpn and an EGFP‐tagged hepcidin‐insensitive mutant [C326S]Fpn, we demonstrated that the mutant Fpn had no effect on hepcidin‐induced internalization of wild‐type Fpn, suggesting that wild‐type Fpn and mutant Fpn are functionally independent.
Nutritional status and quality of life in current patients with liver cirrhosis as assessed in 2007–2011
Authors: Shiraki Makoto , Nishiguchi Shuhei , Saito Masaki , Fukuzawa Yoshitaka , Mizuta Toshihiko , Kaibori Masaki , Hanai Tatsunori , Nishimura Kayoko , Shimizu Masahito , Tsurumi Hisashi , Moriwaki Hisataka
Published: February 2013

Aim

Current guidelines recommended adequate nutritional support for patients with liver cirrhosis to improve clinical outcome and quality of life (QOL). However, these evidences were obtained more than 10 years ago when malnutrition prevailed. In recent years, the impact of obesity on liver damage and carcinogenesis has grown. We attempted to elucidate the nutritional state and QOL in present cirrhotics.

Methods

A research group supported by the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare of Japan recruited 294 cirrhotics between 2007 and 2011. Subjects comprised 171 males and 123 females, 158 of whom had hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and Child–Pugh grades A : B : C were 154:91:49. Anthropometry, blood biochemistry and indirect calorimetry were conducted, and QOL was measured using Short Form‐8.

Results

The mean body mass index (BMI) of all patients was 23.1 ± 3.4 kg/m2, and 31% showed obesity (BMI ≥ 25.0). In subjects without ascites, edema or HCC, mean BMI was 23.6 ± 3.6, and 34% had obesity. Protein malnutrition defined as serum albumin of less than 3.5 g/dL and energy malnutrition as respiratory quotient of less than 0.85 appeared in 61% and 43%, respectively, and protein‐energy malnutrition (PEM) in 27% of all subjects. Among subjects without HCC, each proportion was 67%, 48% and 30%, respectively. QOL was significantly lower on all subscales than Japanese national standard values, but was similar regardless the presence or absence of HCC.

Conclusion

While PEM is still present in liver cirrhosis, an equal proportion has obesity in recent patients. Thus, in addition to guidelines for PEM, establishment of nutrition and exercise guidelines seems essential for obese patients with liver cirrhosis.
Knowledge of pulse oximetry: comparison among intensive care, anesthesiology and emergency nurses
Authors: Kiekkas Panagiotis , Alimoutsi Adelaida , Tseko Floralmpa , Bakalis Nick , Stefanopoulos Nikolaos , Fotis Theofanis , Konstantinou Evangelos
Published: February 2013

Aims and objectives.  To evaluate pulse oximetry knowledge of nurses employed in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU), Anesthesiology Department (AD) and Emergency Department (ED) and to compare knowledge among these departments/units.

Background.  Although pulse oximetry has been widely used in clinical practice, previous studies have reported knowledge deficits among nurses, which may adversely affect patient outcomes.

Design.  Prospective, cross‐sectional, multicentre study.

Methods.  All nurses employed in the ICU, AD and ED of six hospitals were asked to complete in private a 21‐item, knowledge‐evaluating questionnaire, which was evaluated for content‐related validity and reliability.

Results.  Two hundred and seven questionnaires were completed (a response rate of 74·5%). Mean pulse oximetry knowledge score was 12·8 ± 3·2, with ICU nurses having significantly higher scores than ED nurses (p = 0·001) and those with more than 10 years of experience having significantly higher scores than less experienced ones (p = 0·015). Correct responses did not exceed 50% for six questionnaire items, five of which covered principles of pulse oximetry function. ICU nurses had significantly more correct responses in five items compared to ED nurses, and in two of them compared to AD nurses.

Conclusions.  Longer professional experience and being employed in the ICU were associated with higher pulse oximetry knowledge of Greek nurses. Considering knowledge deficits and differences among nurses, pulse oximetry knowledge seems to mainly develop through clinical experience.

Relevance to clinical practice.  These findings highlight the need for pregraduate education to follow clinical advances, and especially for the implementation of high‐quality, continuing education programmes to provide systematic learning and support professional development of nurses.
Characterization of AQP‐2 gene mutation (R254Q) in a family with dominant nephrogenic DI
Authors: Shida Yoko , Matsuoka Hisafumi , Chiga Motoko , Uchida Shinichi , Sasaki Sei , Sugihara Shigetaka
Published: February 2013

We identified the AQP‐2 gene mutation (R254Q) in a family with dominant NDI. The patient studied here has NDI with partial response to the anti‐diuretic effect of AVP and dDAVP. Hereditary NDI seems to have the uniform clinical manifestations, but this might only reflect the information on screened patients with clear clinical presentations. It may be that a milder form of NDI has been overlooked due to a lack of genetic identification. Gene mutation analysis should be considered even in patients with mild NDI symptoms. Fortunately, both V2R and AQP2 genes are small and can be easily analyzed.
Law, Social Policy, and the Constitution of Markets and Profit Making
Authors: Veitch Kenneth
Published: February 2013

This article explores the relationship between law, society, and economy in the context of the contemporary British welfare state. Drawing on themes in Polanyi's The Great Transformation, it identifies the constitutive role of contemporary social policy and law in the creation and maintenance of markets and opportunities for the private sector in the field of welfare, focusing on the institutional mechanisms being put in place to encourage this. What emerges is a reformulation of the function of the welfare state and related law, as these are no longer predominantly driven by a logic of social protection via redistribution to those in need, but increasingly reflect the state's desire to create openings for the private sector within welfare. The institutions that once contributed to ensuring the embeddedness of the market economy in society now play an important role in processes of disembedding – with potentially detrimental consequences for those seeking assistance from the welfare state.
The Legal Construction of Economic Rationalities?
Authors: Lang Andrew T.F.
Published: February 2013

This article makes the claim that certain strands of thinking within the sociology of knowledge, including the sociology of science, may provide some of the most powerful intellectual resources for rethinking the role of law within economic life. Starting with an understanding of the ‘rationality’ of economic actors as a situated social construction, this literature encourages us to explore law's role in the construction, dissemination, and evolution of the structures of knowledge which form the foundation of particular market rationalities. It offers one potential avenue for answering recent calls for further research into the constitutive role of law in economic life.
Ant mosaics occur in SE Asian oil palm plantation but not rain forest and are influenced by the presence of nest‐sites and non‐native species
Authors: Fayle Tom M. , Turner Edgar C. , Foster William A.
Published: February 2013

Interaction networks within biotic communities can be dramatically altered by anthropogenic habitat modification. Ants, an important ecological group, often interact competitively to form mosaic‐like patterns in disturbed plantation habitats, in which dominant species form mutually exclusive territories. However, the existence of these ant mosaics in pristine forests is contentious. Here we assess the relative strengths of ant competitive interactions in oil palm plantation and primary rain forest in Sabah, Malaysia, using null models of species co‐occurrence. We use two metrics: the C‐score, which measures mean degree of overall co‐occurrence, and a novel metric, the Cvar‐score, which measures the variance in degree of co‐occurrence. We also investigate the role of nest sites by collecting ants from canopy and leaf litter microhabitats, and from epiphytic ferns, an important nest site for canopy ants. Furthermore, we assess whether non‐native species, which were widespread in oil palm plantation (61 occurrences vs five in rain forest) are important in driving the formation of ant mosaics. We found no evidence for ant mosaics in any primary forest microhabitat. In oil palm plantation, segregation between species was pronounced in epiphytes, weak in the rest of the canopy and absent in leaf litter communities. Intriguingly, exclusion of non‐native ant species from analyses increased the degree of negative species co‐occurrence in all three microhabitats, with species segregation in the oil palm canopy becoming statistically significant. Our results suggest that invasion of plantation habitats by non‐native species does not drive increased species segregation in ant communities. Rather, high degrees of species segregation might relate to changes in the importance of canopy nest sites, with colonies competing more strongly for these in plantations. In primary forests, weaker nest‐site limitation and the highly complex, more vertically stratified, non‐uniform canopy could lead to random co‐occurrence between ant species at the scales studied here.
Why do we Perceive Logarithmically?
Authors: Varshney Lav R. , Sun John Z.
Published: February 2013

Why do small children place 3 halfway between 1 and 10? Why do two light bulbs not seem twice as bright as one? Why do we perceive so many things logarithmically? Lav R. Varshney and John Z. Sun can explain it, through evolution, the statistics of nature – and reducing error.
Spironolactone Improves the Arrhythmogenic Substrate in Heart Failure by Preventing Ventricular Electrical Activation Delays Associated with Myocardial Interstitial Fibrosis and Inflammation
Authors: ESPOSITO CHRISTINE TANAKA , VARAHAN SUBHA , JEYARAJ DARWIN , LU YUAN , STAMBLER BRUCE S.
Published: February 2013

MR Blockade Reduces Electrical Delays and Fibrosis

 Introduction

Mineralocorticoid receptor antagonism reduces sudden cardiac death in heart failure, but the underlying mechanism is unclear. Our previous studies indicate that treatment with a mineralocorticoid receptor antagonist prevents adverse ventricular electrophysiological remodeling and reduces ventricular tachyarrhythmia inducibility in the rapid ventricular pacing‐induced heart failure model. This study's aim was to determine whether chronic spironolactone treatment prevents formation of local electrical activation delays in the cardiomyopathic ventricle by attenuating inflammatory pathways and myocardial fibrosis.

Methods and Results

Dogs subjected to rapid ventricular pacing at 220 bpm for 5 weeks in the absence or presence of spironolactone treatment were assessed by echocardiography, electrophysiology study, ventricular fibrosis measurements and inflammatory cytokine mRNA expression analysis. Spironolactone failed to prevent LV systolic dysfunction or chamber enlargement in dogs that underwent rapid ventricular pacing. Spironolactone prevented ventricular electrogram widening after premature stimulation at short coupling intervals, electrogram fractionation, interstitial fibrosis, and inflammatory cytokine (interleukin‐6, tumor necrosis factor‐α) gene overexpression in ventricular paced dogs with heart failure.

Conclusions

Our findings establish an important link between inflammatory cytokine gene expression, interstitial fibrosis and myocardial electrical activation delays during premature excitation and provide insight into the mechanisms by which mineralocorticoid receptor antagonism may prevent development of an arrhythmogenic ventricular substrate in systolic heart failure.
Factors from Durkheim's Family Integration Related to Suicidal Ideation among Men with Histories of Child Sexual Abuse
Authors: Easton Scott D. , Renner Lynette M.
Published: February 2013

Men who were sexually abused during childhood represent a highly stigmatized, marginalized population at risk for a variety of long‐term mental health problems. Using the family integration dimension of Durkheim's theory of suicide, factors associated with suicidal ideation among a purposive sample of 487 men with histories of child sexual abuse were examined. Four variables—length of cohabitation, maternal support after disclosure, parental divorce, and older age—were negatively related to suicidal ideation. The analysis provides partial support for Durkheim's model. Implications for education, clinical practice, and future research are presented.
A new method to evaluate the weed‐suppressing effect of mulches: a comparison between spruce bark and cocoa husk mulches
Authors: Arentoft B W , Ali A , Streibig J C , Andreasen C
Published: February 2013

To suppress weeds in an apple (Malus sp.) orchard, we placed spruce (Picea spp.) bark mulch and cocoa (Theobroma cacao) husk mulch for 3 months in thicknesses of 0, 2.5, 5, 10 and 15 cm. To assess the development of weed cover, an innovative use of log‐logistic dose–response models was applied, with mulch thickness as the independent variable. Weed cover was measured by non‐destructive image analysis by estimating the relationship between the number of green pixels and the total number of pixels in each experimental plot. The thickness of mulch layer required to attain a 50 and 90% weed suppression (ED50 and ED90) differed significantly within and between mulch types. In all except one instance, the cocoa mulch was superior in suppressing weeds. This method was useful for the evaluation, but further research is needed to give a more general conclusion about the suppression ability of the two mulches under other climatic and growing conditions.
Early Detection of Brucella Canis via Quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction Analysis
Authors: Kauffman L. K. , Bjork J. K. , Gallup J. M. , Boggiatto P. M. , Bellaire B. H. , Petersen C. A.
Published: February 2013

Canine brucellosis is a reportable zoonotic disease that can lead to canine reproductive losses and human infection through contact with infected urine or other genitourinary secretions. Although many locations require testing and euthanasia of positive dogs, current diagnosis is limited by the time required for seroconversion, for example, presence of B. canis‐specific antibodies. The goal of this study was to determine the diagnostic ability of Brucella canis‐specific quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) assay to detect B. canis in field samples prior to serological positivity for faster diagnosis and prevention of transmission within kennels or in households. Two kennels, one of which was located in the owner's home, were sampled following observation of suggestive clinical signs and positive serology of at least one dog. Specimens obtained were comparatively analysed via serology and qPCR analysis. 107 dogs were analysed for B. canis infection via qPCR: 105 via whole‐blood samples, 65 via vaginal swab, six via urine and seven via genitourinary tract tissue taken at necropsy. Forty‐five dogs were found to be infected with canine brucellosis via qPCR, of which 22 (48.89%) were seropositive. A statistically significant number (P = 0.0228) of qPCR‐positive dogs, 5/25 (20.00%), seroconverted within a 30‐day interval after initial serologic testing. As compared to serology, qPCR analysis of DNA from vaginal swabs had a sensitivity of 92.31% and specificity of 51.92%, and qPCR analysis of DNA from whole‐blood samples had a sensitivity of 16.67% and specificity of 100%. B. canis outer membrane protein 25 DNA qPCR from non‐invasive vaginal swab and urine samples provided early detection of B. canis infection in dogs prior to detection of antibodies. This assay provides a critical tool to decrease zoonotic spread of canine brucellosis, its associated clinical presentation(s), and emotional and economic repercussions.
Multiple Instances of Ancient Balancing Selection Shared Between Humans and Chimpanzees
Authors: Leffler Ellen M. , Gao Ziyue , Pfeifer Susanne , Ségurel Laure , Auton Adam , Venn Oliver , Bowden Rory , Bontrop Ronald , Wall Jeffrey D. , Sella Guy , Donnelly Peter , McVean Gilean , Przeworski Molly
Published: February 2013

Balancing Humans with Apes

Shared ancestral polymorphisms between species tend to be relatively rare, and studies of trans-species polymorphisms have focused on just a few regions known for balancing selection.

Leffler
et al.

(p.
1578
, published online 14 February) performed genome-wide scans among humans and great apes and found shared polymorphisms between chimps and humans. Many of the identified variants seem to be associated with genes involved in pathogen response or defense, suggesting that this widespread balancing selection may reflect the ongoing arms race between pathogens and hosts.
Genome Sequence of the Hepatitis C Virus Subtype 6n Isolated from Malaysia
Authors: Ng Kim Tien , Lee Yeat Mei , Al-Darraji Haider Abdulrazzaq Abed , Xia Xueshan , Takebe Yutaka , Chan Kok Gan , Lu Ling , Mahadeva Sanjiv , Kamarulzaman Adeeba , Tee Kok Keng
Published: February 2013

We report the full genome sequence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) subtype 6n from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Phylogenetic analysis of the isolate 10MYKJ032 suggests that Southeast Asia might be the origin for the HCV subtype 6n and highlights the possible spread of this lineage from Southeast Asia to other regions.
Draft Genome Sequence of a Clostridium botulinum Isolate from Water Used for Cooling at a Plant Producing Low-Acid Canned Foods
Authors: Basavanna Uma , Gonzalez-Escalona Narjol , Timme Ruth , Datta Shomik , Schoen Brianna , Brown Eric W. , Zink Donald , Sharma Shashi K.
Published: February 2013

Clostridium botulinum
is a pathogen of concern for low-acid canned foods. Here we report draft genomes of a neurotoxin-producing
C. botulinum
strain isolated from water samples used for cooling low-acid canned foods at a canning facility. The genome sequence confirmed that this strain belonged to
C. botulinum
serotype B1, albeit with major differences, including thousands of unique single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) compared to other genomes of the same serotype.
Seronegative lyme neuroborreliosis in a patient using rituximab
Authors: van Dop Willemijn Alexandra , Kersten Marie-José , de Wever Bob , Hovius Joppe Willem
Published: February 2013

A 66-year-old woman presented with severe shooting pains throughout her back and legs, followed by progressive deafness, weight loss and headache. She had a history of marginal zone B-cell lymphoma stage IV-B, for which she was successfully treated with immunochemotherapy and rituximab maintenance therapy. A relapse was suspected, but chemotherapy was not administered, since, despite elaborate investigations, malignancy could not be proven. Because of a history of tick bites she was tested for antibodies againstBorrelia burgdorferiin serum and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), which were negative. However, aB burgdorferiPCR on CSF came back positive. The patient was treated for seronegative Lyme neuroborreliosis with ceftriaxone intravenously and dramatically improved. This case presentation demonstrates that, in immunocompromised patients, it is important not to solely rely on antibody testing and to use additional diagnostic tests to avoid missing or delaying the diagnosis.