bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effects of ULTRAfiltration vs. DIureticS on clinical, biohumoral and haemodynamic variables in patients with deCOmpensated heart failure: the ULTRADISCO study
Authors: Giglioli Cristina , Landi Daniele , Cecchi Emanuele , Chiostri Marco , Gensini Gian Franco , Valente Serafina , Ciaccheri Mauro , Castelli Gabriele , Romano Salvatore Mario
Published: December 2010

Aims

To evaluate the clinical, biohumoral, and haemodynamic effects of ultrafiltration vs. intravenous diuretics in patients with decompensated heart failure (HF). Signs and symptoms of volume overload are often present in these patients and standard therapy consists primarily of intravenous diuretics. Increasing evidence suggests that ultrafiltration can be an effective alternative treatment.

Methods and results

Thirty patients with decompensated HF were randomly assigned to diuretics or ultrafiltration. Haemodynamic variables, including several novel parameters indicating the overall performance of the cardiovascular system, were continuously assessed with the Pressure Recording Analytical Method before, during, at the end of treatment (EoT) and 36 h after completing treatment. Aldosterone and N‐terminal pro‐B‐type natriuretic peptide (NT‐proBNP) plasma levels were also measured. Patients treated with ultrafiltration had a more pronounced reduction in signs and symptoms of HF at EoT compared with baseline, and a significant decrease in plasma aldosterone (0.24 ± 0.25 vs. 0.86 ± 1.04 nmol/L; P < 0.001) and NT‐proBNP levels (2823 ± 2474 vs. 5063 ± 3811 ng/L; P < 0.001) compared with the diuretic group. The ultrafiltration group showed a significant improvement (% of baseline) in a number of haemodynamic parameters, including stroke volume index (114.0 ± 11.7%; P < 0.001), cardiac index (123.0 ± 20.8%; P < 0.001), cardiac power output (114.0 ± 13.8%; P < 0.001), dP/dtmax (129.5 ± 19.9%; P < 0.001), and cardiac cycle efficiency (0.24 ± 0.54 vs. −0.14 ± 0.50 units; P < 0.05), and a significant reduction in systemic vascular resistance 36 h after the treatment (88.0 ± 10.9%; P < 0.001), which was not observed in the diuretic group.

Conclusions

In patients with advanced HF, ultrafiltration facilitates a greater clinical improvement compared with diuretic infusion by ameliorating haemodynamics (assessed using a minimally invasive methodology) without a marked increase in aldosterone or NT‐proBNP levels.
Prostate Cancer Screening and the PSA Test
Authors: Qureshi Sadia
Published: December 2010

‘What about that article in the Guardian about the study on the PSA test? Can I please have the new urine test (PCA3) instead? Will I be OK if the test result is normal?’ are the kind of questions that I have been asked about the prostate cancer screening and the prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test. This article should help the reader to have an informed discussion with men requesting the PSA test.
Hair Disorders
Authors: Towersey Laura
Published: December 2010

There are many causes of hair disorders and it is important to distinguish normal physiological processes from abnormal pathology. It is therefore useful to understand the normal changes associated with the hair follicle cycle, as well as adopting a systematic approach to a patient's presentation. Like many other conditions in dermatology, hair problems can be extremely distressing for the patient and are not always easy to remedy. This article aims to provide an overview of the common causes of hair loss and hair excess and their management in primary care.
Assessing Mental Capacity
Authors: de Ferrars Fiona , Shankar Rohit
Published: December 2010

Mental capacity is the ability to make decisions, and this ability becomes especially important when the decisions may have legal ramifications. Since the Mental Capacity Act 2005 (MCA) and the accompanying Code of Practice (The Code) came into force in 2007, there has been an increased emphasis on the assessment of mental capacity. GPs are now expected to be able to assess mental capacity regarding a wide range of matters. This article gives an overview of the legal background, the ways in which capacity can be assessed and the occasions when it may be necessary.
Management of Behavioural Problems in People with Dementia
Authors: Vardy Emma , Robinson Louise
Published: December 2010

There are currently 700 000 people with dementia in the UK, and this is projected to rise to over a million by 2025. Dementia can occur at any age, but is most common in older people, affecting one in six people over the age of 80 years. The most common form of dementia is Alzheimer's disease, other forms include vascular dementia and dementia with Lewy bodies. Behavioural and psychological symptoms in dementia are common. As well as causing distress to the person with dementia, they are a significant cause of distress to carers and are a common factor leading up to institutionalization of the person with dementia.
Low Back Pain—Should I Image?
Authors: Evans Joseph D M
Published: December 2010

Low back pain is a common reason for patients to visit their GP. Following initial assessment, the GP is often presented with a dilemma of whether to get an x-ray or not. Imaging is often requested to reassure both the patient and the clinician that there is no serious underlying cause. The purpose of this article is to explain the merits of the common imaging modalities and enable the clinician to request imaging appropriately, with knowledge of the limitations of each technique. See curriculum statement below.
Acidovorax radicis sp. nov., a wheat-root-colonizing bacterium
Authors: Li Dan , Rothballer Michael , Schmid Michael , Esperschütz Jürgen , Hartmann Anton
Published: December 2010

Strain N35T was isolated from surface-sterilized wheat roots and is a Gram-negative, aerobic, motile straight rod. Strain N35T tested oxidase-positive and catalase-negative and grew optimally at pH 7.0, 30 °C and in the absence of NaCl. 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis showed over 97 % sequence similarity to strains of the environmental species Acidovorax delafieldii, A. facilis, A. defluvii, A. temperans, A. caeni and A. soli, as well as Acidovorax valerianellae, A. anthurii and Simplicispira metamorpha. DNA–DNA hybridization between strain N35T and phylogenetically closely related type strains was 25.3–55.7 %, which clearly separates the strain from these closely related species. Additionally, phenotypic properties, such as substrate metabolism profiles as determined by a Biolog GN2 assay and cell-wall fatty acid profiles, particularly contents of the fatty acids C16 : 0, C16 : 1ω7c/t, C17 : 0, C17 : 0 cyclo, C18 : 0 cyclo and C19 : 0 cyclo, facilitated the differentiation of the newly isolated strain N35T from its closest relatives. The isolate underwent phenotypic variation at high frequency in laboratory media. The DNA G+C content was 64.9 mol%. We propose that strain N35T is classified as a representative of a novel species within the genus Acidovorax, and suggest the name Acidovorax radicis sp. nov. The type strain is strain N35T ( = DSM 23535T  = LMG 25767T).
Thalassomonas agariperforans sp. nov., an agarolytic bacterium isolated from marine sand
Authors: Park Sooyeon , Choi Won-Chan , Oh Tae-Kwang , Yoon Jung-Hoon
Published: December 2010

A Gram-staining-negative, motile, agarolytic bacterium, designated M-M1T, was isolated from marine sand obtained from Geoje Island, South Sea, Korea, and its taxonomic position was investigated using a polyphasic taxonomic approach. Strain M-M1T grew optimally at pH 7.0–8.0, at 30 °C and in the presence of 2 % (w/v) NaCl. It did not grow in the presence of >7 % (w/v) NaCl. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain M-M1T fell within the clade comprising members of the genus Thalassomonas, clustering with Thalassomonas agarivorans TMA1T, Thalassomonas loyana CBMAI 722T and Thalassomonas ganghwensis JC2041T, with which it exhibited 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity values of 96.4, 96.0 and 94.9 % respectively. Strain M-M1T exhibited 94.7–95.2 % 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity to the other species of the genus Thalassomonas. Strain M-M1T contained Q-8 as the predominant ubiquinone and C16 : 1ω7c and/or iso-C15 : 0 2-OH, C16 : 0 and C18 : 1ω7c as the major fatty acids. The DNA G+C content was 44.2 mol%. Strain M-M1T could be differentiated from phylogenetically related species of the genus Thalassomonas by differences in some phenotypic properties. On the basis of the phenotypic, chemotaxonomic and phylogenetic data, strain M-M1T is considered to represent a novel species of the genus Thalassomonas, for which the name Thalassomonas agariperforans sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is M-M1T ( = KCTC 23343T  = CCUG 60020T).
Citreicella aestuarii sp. nov., isolated from a tidal flat
Authors: Park Moon Su , Chung Bok-Sil , Lee Hyo Jung , Jin Hyun Mi , Lee Sang-Suk , Oh Young Kyoon , Jeon Che Ok
Published: December 2010

A Gram-negative bacterium, designated AD8T, was isolated from a tidal flat of the Taean coast in South Korea. Cells were strictly aerobic, motile, ovoid rods or rods, with two lateral flagella on one side. Strain AD8T was catalase- and oxidase-positive and able to oxidize thiosulfate and reduce nitrate to nitrite. Growth of strain AD8T was observed at 15–40 °C (optimum 25–30 °C), at pH 5.0–9.5 (optimum pH 6.0–7.5) and with 1.0–11.0 % (w/v) NaCl (optimum 2.0–4.0 %). The predominant fatty acids were C18 : 1ω7c and C19 : 0 cyclo ω8c. The G+C content of the genomic DNA was 67.5 mol% and the major quinone was Q-10. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that strain AD8T belonged to the genus Citreicella and was most closely related to Citreicella marina CK-I3-6T within the class Alphaproteobacteria (96.9 % 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity). On the basis of phenotypic, chemotaxonomic and phylogenetic analysis, strain AD8T represents a novel species within the genus Citreicella, for which the name Citreicella aestuarii sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is AD8T ( = KACC 13699T  = DSM 22011T).
Alu repeat discovery and characterization within human genomes
Authors: Hormozdiari Fereydoun , Alkan Can , Ventura Mario , Hajirasouliha Iman , Malig Maika , Hach Faraz , Yorukoglu Deniz , Dao Phuong , Bakhshi Marzieh , Sahinalp S. Cenk , Eichler Evan E.
Published: December 2010

Human genomes are now being rapidly sequenced, but not all forms of genetic variation are routinely characterized. In this study, we focus on Alu retrotransposition events and seek to characterize differences in the pattern of mobile insertion between individuals based on the analysis of eight human genomes sequenced using next-generation sequencing. Applying a rapid read-pair analysis algorithm, we discover 4342 Alu insertions not found in the human reference genome and show that 98% of a selected subset (63/64) experimentally validate. Of these new insertions, 89% correspond to AluY elements, suggesting that they arose by retrotransposition. Eighty percent of the Alu insertions have not been previously reported and more novel events were detected in Africans when compared with non-African samples (76% vs. 69%). Using these data, we develop an experimental and computational screen to identify ancestry informative Alu retrotransposition events among different human populations.
Distance, information asymmetry, and mergers: evidence from Canadian firms
Authors: Basu Nilanjan , Chevrier Mathieu
Published: December 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the impact of the distance between the acquiror and the target on merger outcomes.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors use the distance between acquiror and target headquarters for a sample of 134 Canadian mergers to proxy for the impact of information asymmetry due to distance. They use an ordinary least squares regression to examine the impact of this distance on the abnormal returns earned by the acquiror and the operating performance of the acquiror. They also use a logistic regression to test for the impact of distance on the choice of the medium of exchange.

Findings

The results suggest that a larger distance between the acquiror and the target is related to lower abnormal returns for the acquiror, poorer post‐merger operating performance, as well as to a greater use of stock as the medium of exchange. The results are robust to several alternate specifications.

Research limitations/implications

The findings of this paper extend existing research that suggests that distance affects investment decisions. Moreover, by analyzing the choice of the medium of exchange, this paper provides evidence that indicates that the distance matters due to its impact on information. As such, the paper suggests a potential empirical approach to measuring information asymmetry. Future research could help us better understand the role of distance in various other aspects of corporate decision making.

Originality/value

This paper, by analyzing a sample of Canadian firms, provides an out‐of‐sample test for prior research that has focused almost exclusively on US firms. Moreover, by looking at the choice of the medium of exchange, it provides direct evidence that distance affects corporate decision making.
Lead‐lag relationship, volatility asymmetry, and overreaction phenomenon
Authors: Chang Chih‐Hsiang , Cheng Hsin‐I , Huang I‐Hsiang , Huang Hsu‐Huei
Published: December 2010

Purpose

The purpose of the paper is to investigate the price interrelationship between the Taiwanese and US financial markets.

Design/methodology/approach

The trivariate GJR‐GARCH (1,1) model and event study were employed to investigate volatility asymmetry and overreaction phenomenon, respectively.

Findings

The empirical results show that return volatility reveals the asymmetric phenomenon, and the holding period returns on US index futures from the opening of the US index futures electronic trading to the opening of the Taiwanese stock market are an important reference for investors in the Taiwanese stock market. Additionally, the paper presents an overreaction of the Taiwan Stock Exchange Capitalization Weighted Stock Index to a drastic price rise of E‐min NASDAQ 100 Index futures at the opening of the Taiwanese stock market.

Research limitations/implications

This paper deletes the observations arising from the different national holidays of the USA and Taiwan, to have the same number of observations in both markets, which might contaminate the empirical results.

Practical implications

Investors in the Taiwanese stock market tend to pay more attention to the fluctuations in the share prices of high‐technological companies in the USA.

Originality/value

Most of the previous studies regarding price transmission between the Taiwanese and US stock markets focused mainly on the Taiwanese market reactions to the overnight returns of the US market. This paper enlarges the current field by examining the lead‐lag relationship, the volatility asymmetry, and the overreaction phenomenon between the Taiwanese and US financial markets according to the most updated US stock index information.
Hysteresis loss in vector Preisach models
Authors: Della Torre E. , Cardelli E. , Bennett L.H.
Published: December 2010

Purpose

The magnetic modeling of materials has been focused on computing magnetization and forces in devices. With increasing efforts to make energy efficient devices, attention must now be paid to hysteresis losses in magnetizing processes. The purpose of this paper is to discuss the pertinent parameters that determine these losses and a method of identifying them.

Design/methodology/approach

A vector model was used that is designed to compute losses correctly, to focus on hysteresis losses in models that compute the same magnetization, but have different losses.

Findings

The model computes the same cyclic losses as expected.

Research limitations/implications

The analysis of this paper is limited to isotropic media, but it can be generalized to anisotropic media. The accuracy of the Della Torre, Pinzaglia and Cardelli (DPC) model is also limited.

Practical implications

Once the model has been validated, the designer can minimize the instantaneous as well as the average dissipation. This will permit the design of more reliable devices.

Originality/value

The DPC model used in this work has not been fully explored previously.
A modified elliptic model of anisotropy in nonlinear magnetic materials
Authors: Bíró Oszkár , Außerhofer Stefan , Preis Kurt , Chen Yu
Published: December 2010

Purpose

Grain‐oriented steel has a distinctly anisotropic and nonlinear behaviour. Only in rare cases is the magnetisation curve known for directions other than the principal ones. The paper aims at providing a model to obtain these curves for any direction if those in the easy and hard directions are only given.

Design/methodology/approach

The well‐known elliptic model is modified in order to correctly mimic the typical behaviour of grain‐oriented steel which is not described correctly by the original elliptic model. An additional condition is introduced to fix the angle between the flux density and magnetic field intensity.

Findings

The model is found to yield good agreement with measurements in case of a special material for which measured curves for intermediate angles are available.

Research limitations/implications

Further research is necessary to establish whether the model is applicable to other materials.

Originality/value

The new model can be used in numerical analyses of devices comprising saturated grain‐oriented steel material if the magnetisation curves are given in the principal directions.
Energetic model of ferromagnetic hysteresis
Authors: Fulmek P. , Haumer P. , Wegleiter H. , Schweighofer B.
Published: December 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to present a model to describe the nonlinear and hysteretic properties of ferromagnetic materials.

Design/methodology/approach

The energetic model of ferromagnetic hysteresis evolved from some well‐known concepts in ferromagnetism in the last years. The magnetisation process is calculated from energy balance and statistical domain behaviour. Based on vectorial, anisotropic, multi‐domain considerations an isotropic, scalar model is derived, which gives quite simple equations to describe the nonlinear, hysteretic magnetisation process.

Findings

The presented simulations for steel samples and ferrite samples show very nice correspondence with measurements.

Originality/value

The scalar model seems to be especially suited for integration into finite element modelling or into simulations of electro‐magnetic circuits.
Niching evolution strategy finding global and Pareto optimal solutions
Authors: Magele Christian , Jaindl Michael , Köstinger Alice , Renhart Werner , Cranganu‐Cretu Bogdan , Smajic Jasmin
Published: December 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to extend a (μ/ρ, λ) evolution strategy to perform remarkably more globally and to detect as many solutions as possible close to the Pareto optimal front.

Design/methodology/approach

A C‐link cluster algorithm is used to group the parameter configurations of the current population into more or less independent clusters. Following this procedure, recombination (a classical operator of evolutionary strategies) is modified. Recombination within a cluster is performed with a higher probability than recombination of individuals coming from detached clusters.

Findings

It is shown that this new method ends up virtually always in the global solution of a multi‐modal test function. When applied to a real‐world application, several solutions very close to the front of Pareto optimal solutions are detected.

Research limitations/implications

Stochastic optimization strategies need a very large number of function calls to exhibit their ability to reach very good local if not the global solution. Therefore, the application of such methods is still limited to problems where the forward solutions can be obtained with a reasonable computational effort.

Originality/value

The main improvement is the usage of approximate number of isolated clusters to dynamically update the size of the population in order to save computation time, to find the global solution with a higher probability and to use more than one objective function to cover a larger part of the Pareto optimal front.
Interlaced resolution scheme for the simultaneous analysis of brain electric activity and conductivity with combined EEG/MEG diagnostics
Authors: Caminiti I.M.V. , Formisano A. , Martone R. , Ferraioli F.
Published: December 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the performances of a resolution scheme able to follow the dynamics of brain tissue properties in combined ElectroEncefaloGraphic (EEG) – MagnetoEncefaloGraphic (MEG) techniques for the brain analysis, minimizing the computation burden.

Design/methodology/approach

The estimation process in combined EEG‐MEG is performed by a Moore‐Penrose pseudo‐inverse computation. This is affected by the uncertain knowledge of the living tissues' electric properties. In principle, it is possible to estimate those properties from the EEG‐MEG signals. The estimation process becomes in this case non‐linear. A resolution scheme is proposed, based on the exploitation of the different dynamics characterizing sources and tissues properties.

Findings

The proposed resolution scheme provides a reasonable estimate of the sources for a computationally affordable frequency of non‐liner estimations.

Research limitations/implications

The proposed approach has not been tested yet on experimental data, and as such, its sensitivity to environmental uncertainty is not known yet.

Practical implications

The proposed strategy can be easily implemented to perform realistic measurement processing.

Originality/value

The paper presents a novel strategy to estimate tissues properties and EEG‐MEG signal sources based on the exploitation of their different dynamics, possibly taking advantages from an impedance tomography preliminary analysis for the tissue properties dynamics.
Convolution approach for analysis of magnetic forces in electrical machines
Authors: Rothe R. , van der Giet M. , Hameyer K.
Published: December 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to present a method for analyzing higher magnetic force harmonics in electrical machines based on electromagnetic finite element simulation.

Design/methodology/approach

Sampling of air gap field solution data allows for a Fourier decomposition of magnetic forces and flux densities. A two‐dimensional convolution gives insight into the spectral decomposition of forces responsible for acoustic noise, vibration and higher torque harmonics.

Findings

The proposed approach seems especially suitable for synchronous machine models. The influence of magnetic circuit design parameters that are difficult to calculate analytically on the harmonic air gap content can be analyzed and the spectral force decomposition illustrated by means of space vectors.

Originality/value

The approach is generalized to the convolution and analysis of arbitrarily sampled two‐dimensional data in this paper.
Evaluation of a quasi‐coaxial printed circuit board transformer
Authors: Pentz D.C. , Hofsajer I.W.
Published: December 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the possibility of utilizing printed circuit board (pcb) technology to manufacture coaxial transformers and to increase the predictability, accuracy and repeatability of the transformers leakage inductance.

Design/methodology/approach

The geometry of a coaxial transformer is approximated using pcb techniques. Several different geometries are presented with the outer coaxial conductor being approximated by discrete conductors varying from four to 36 in number. Finite element methods as well as experimental results are used to support the proposed ideas. A planar transformer is also analyzed in the same way to emphasize the design advantages offered by the proposed quasi‐coaxial transformer.

Findings

The proposed multi‐conductor structures can be applied as co‐axial transformers. The experimental values obtained for the leakage inductance of the coaxial structures correspond well to the predicted values. This is not the case for conventional planar structure where adjustments need to be made in the finite element analysis simulations to accommodate the shortcomings of the analytical calculations.

Originality/value

In applications where the prediction of the leakage inductance of a transformer is important, this method may be applied and has the advantage of conventional pcb manufacture techniques.
A non‐destructive testing application solved with A‐χ geometric eddy‐current formulation
Authors: Codecasa Lorenzo , Dular Patrick , Specogna Ruben , Trevisan Francesco
Published: December 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to introduce a perturbation method for the A‐χ geometric formulation to solve eddy‐current problems and apply it to the feasibility design of a non‐destructive evaluation device suitable to detect long‐longitudinal volumetric flaws in hot steel bars.

Design/methodology/approach

The effect of the flaw is accurately and efficiently computed by solving an eddy‐current problem over an hexahedral grid which gives directly the perturbation due to the flaw with respect to the unperturbed configuration.

Findings

The perturbation method, reducing the cancelation error, produces accurate results also for small variations between the solutions obtained in the perturbed and unperturbed configurations. This is especially required when the tool is used as a forward solver for an inverse problem. The method yields also to a considerable speedup: the mesh used in the perturbed problem can in fact be reduced at a small fraction of the initial mesh, considering only a limited region surrounding the flaw in which the mesh can be refined. Moreover, the full three‐dimensional unperturbed problem does not need to be solved, since the source term for computing the perturbation is evaluated by solving a two‐dimensional flawless configuration having revolution symmetry.

Originality/value

A perturbation method for the A‐χ geometric formulation to solve eddy‐current problems has been introduced. The advantages of the perturbation method for non‐destructive testing applications have been described.
Experimental validation of a numerical multiphysics technique for electro‐thermo‐mechanical problem
Authors: Delprete Cristiana , Freschi Fabio , Repetto Maurizio , Rosso Carlo
Published: December 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to present an electro‐thermo‐structural analysis based on the cell method (CM).

Design/methodology/approach

CM is useful for solving coupled problems when the same geometrical discretization can be adopted for different phenomena. In this case, the same geometrical structures and operators can be used, leading to a simplification of the numerical model.

Findings

In order to asses the performance of the proposed coupling scheme, results have been compared with values measured on a carbon‐fiber specimen heated by an electric current and with an applied the mechanical load.

Originality/value

A new dynamic coupling scheme based on the CM has been proposed and assessed with respect to measurements. A good agreement between model results and measurements has been shown, at least until second order effects appears, like the breaking of some fibers of the specimen or high‐temperature effects on epoxy resin.
Adopting quality management principles to revitalise the facilities maintenance practices at a port
Authors: Fai Pun Kit , Nurse Akil H.
Published: December 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to review the total quality management (TQM) philosophy and the quality management principles (QMPs) in facilities management (FM), and presents the findings of a recent FM study at the Port Authority of Trinidad and Tobago (PATT).

Design/methodology/approach

Empirical data were acquired via interviews with the FM management and maintenance personnel and questionnaire survey with port employees.

Findings

In Trinidad and Tobago (T&T), many facilities at the port have been operated below optimum ability, and there has been no consistent FM methodology being utilised by PATT. Findings showed that QMPs could be used to revitalise the facilities maintenance practice at PATT. The management philosophy should adhere to the fundamental QMPs where the inspection‐oriented practices would be superseded by prevention‐oriented FM.

Research limitations/implications

Future research would identify key determinants of the TQM approach in FM and institute the approach to refine the maintenance processes and procedures in port operations in T&T and the Caribbean region.

Originality/value

As facilities projects become more varied and complex in nature, a fresh management paradigm seems imperative. It is anticipated that the use of TQM approach accompanied with the QMPs would broaden the prevention‐oriented FM process and impact management efficiency positively at PATT for years to come.
Environmental quality index (EQI) for industrial ventilation and occupational safety and health evaluation in manufacturing plant
Authors: Leman A.M. , Yusof M.Z.M. , Omar A.R. , Jung W.
Published: December 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to define an environmental quality index (EQI) for a clean manufacturing process. The categorized clean and sustainable manufacturing process in a small and medium enterprise, and the indoor air quality (IAQ) parameter and air pollution in manufacturing were monitored and evaluated using the EQI index.

Design/methodology/approach

Two main methods of measurements used are subjective measurements and physical measurements. Questionnaires were used to gauge subjects' level of understanding in issues related to IAQ and to determine types of activities, process and material involved in each working section. Physical measurements and testing methods employed were based on widely used and accepted scientific practice, as described in standards. The Malaysian code of practice on IAQ was also used as a reference.

Findings

The EQI in various workstations were calculated and ranged between four and 16 (i.e. four to 16, from good to unhealthy) depending on the nature of activities taking place in those work stations.

Research limitations/implications

In this paper, the monitoring of pollutants used a scale of one to five to denote the level of pollution by individual pollutants and assumed those pollutants are additive in the mixture of the EQI. The working environment is important to productivity and has a direct impact on human health.

Originality/value

The paper shows how the EQI will have a significant impact on occupational safety and health in the workplace and how an uncondusive work environment will be a potential health hazard and result in less productivity.
Strategic selecting of public projects using fuzzy real option
Authors: Lee Hyeon‐Lo , Beom Moon Jong , Jin Yoo Wang , Myung Lee Dong
Published: December 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to apply the real option method with fuzzy logic to value the government‐sponsored projects of advanced technology development for strategic selection in an uncertain competitive environment.

Design/methodology/approach

For strategic selection of government‐sponsored industrial R&D projects, in this paper, Carlsson and Fúller's model was adopted which employs fuzzy logic to estimate the benefits and costs calculated from various scenarios and utilizes Black‐Scholes‐Merton model. The model of strategic selection is suggested for government R&D with fuzzy real option valuation (FROV) and the portfolio planning model from GE‐Mckinsey matrix as well.

Findings

FROV was found to be more appropriate to measure the strategic value than the traditional financial method (net present value, NPV, etc.). When the NPV is ambiguous in deciding whether to go or not to go, for instance, just below zero NPV and high volatility of expected benefit, FROV can offer the additive value of the project reflecting volatility of benefit due to the volatility.

Research limitations/implications

Based on insufficient practical data, this methodology should be verified with various projects and measuring volatility of pay‐off requires precise analysis. In addition, research opportunities are in the stepwise R&D project with fuzzy compound real option.

Originality/value

Many papers on economic analysis of R&D project are focused on NPV or cost‐benefit analysis in the public sector. Several attempts with real option have been conducted in the pharmaceutical field or the aerospace (NASA) industry but are not concerned with the fuzziness of expected benefit. Hence, in this paper, fuzzy logic is added to handle imprecise information on the Black‐Scholes‐Merton model with dividend paying.
A study of the effect of oil price fluctuation on industrial and agricultural products in Iran
Authors: Moradi Mehdi , Salehi Mahdi , Keivanfar Mohammad
Published: December 2010

Purpose

Fluctuations of oil price and petroleum products have had different effects on great economic variables. One of these cases would be Dutch Disease in some countries. The aim of this paper is to investigate the effect of price fluctuation on the amount of industrial and agricultural value added in GDP and the amount of non‐oil GDP in Iran by using counteraction method separately.

Design/methodology/approach

The effect of oil volatility and the share of agricultural value added and the share of manufacturing value added in GDPs as well as the share of agricultural and manufacturing value added in non‐oil GDP have been studied by using time‐series estimations method. In all of the cases the Eviews 5 software was used during the period 1979‐2009.

Findings

While research results support previous studies about the relationship between the agricultural sector and oil revenues in the developing and oil‐exporting countries, the results show a relationship between oil price and the share of manufacturing value added with no‐oil GDP.

Research limitations/implications

The paper has considered only oil price fluctuation on industrial and agricultural products in Iran. However, Iran has several exporting goods such as gas but the study only considered oil price.

Originality/value

So far, several studies have been conducted in different countries regarding the subject of the study. While Iran is an important oil exporting country, the current research is the first study in Iran which gives more strength to the Iranian economy as well to other oil exporting countries.
Understanding transnational MBA students’ instructional communication preferences
Authors: Bambacas Mary , Sanderson Gavin , Feast Vicki , Yang Song
Published: December 2010

This paper reports on a preliminary investigation into the instructional preferences of students from Confucian‐heritage backgrounds studying in a transnational Master of Business Administration (MBA) program of an Australian university. This is part of a long‐term undertaking to ensure that teaching and learning arrangements in the MBA program are improved. The teaching and learning environment of the program is characterised by an intensive teaching regime which utilises a mixed mode of face‐to‐face and online delivery which promotes independent and collaborative learning. The aim of the investigation was to provide lecturers with an understanding of the students’ instructional preferences so that, where possible and appropriate, they can better assist the students to meet the learning objectives of the MBA program. Questionnaire data was collected from students studying the MBA in English (EMBA) in both Hong Kong and Singapore, as well as students studying the MBA in Chinese (CMBA) in Hong Kong, Singapore and Taiwan. The findings demonstrate that whilst students ranked teacher‐directed, face‐to‐face instructional delivery highly, some students also indicated that an independent, online learning environment had advantages even though it was their least‐preferred approach to learning. These findings provide lecturers with insights into their students as learners and this is particularly useful in terms of informing planning processes for how to best assist students to work productively and successfully in the face‐to‐face and online teaching and learning environment.
Emerging issues in international education in business contexts
Authors: Crossman Joanna , Bordia Sarbari
Published: December 2010

This paper identifies and explores some of the emerging research topics that assist in conceptualising and mapping the field of international education in business. The identified issues include the commercialisation of international education, the role of institutional promises in creating student expectations, student satisfaction, developing international and cultural leadership, cultural identity and adaptation in the new socio‐educational context as well as teaching with spirit and about spiritual issues. These diverse agendas illustrate the broad and inter‐disciplinary nature of the subject matter particularly where issues surrounding international education in business are approached holistically.
International and domestic students’ perspectives on teaching and learning
Authors: Soosay Claudine
Published: December 2010

The increasing mix of international and domestic students in many Australian universities provides more challenges and opportunities for those who are responsible for students, their successful interactions, and understanding of differences in their identity development. It also compels increased pedagogical reflections in teaching and learning strategies. This exploratory study investigates students’ perspectives on teaching and learning in a third year undergraduate course they had recently completed. Semi‐structured interviews were conducted with five international and five domestic students to seek their views on the current teaching and learning methods and activities. The findings depict several implications and opportunities to improve the course delivery to enable more effective learning outcomes. It was also found that cultural diversity in the classroom can impact on student engagement; and therefore as educators, we need to examine and take action on ensuring equity, access and culturally appropriate pedagogy and curriculum.
Online blogs: teaching the cultural aspects of international business
Authors: Kelm Orlando R.
Published: December 2010

This paper reports on the use of online blogs to promote student participation in the learning of the cultural aspects of international business. The focus is to report on a course that was conducted with forty‐two Masters of Business Administration (MBA) students from the Pontificia Universidad Católica in Santiago, Chile. Examples from student posts, comments, and projects in the blog suggest an increased participation and interaction among the members of the class and a successful implementation of the blog features.
How unique is Japanese culture? A critical review of the discourse in intercultural communication literature
Authors: Noma Hiroko
Published: December 2010

Literature and textbooks about intercultural communication and management often feature cultural differences rather than similarities. Japanese culture is frequently distinguished in business and management contexts from Western culture. This process arguably leads to an overemphasis of the uniqueness of Japanese culture. A review of relevant literature, however, reveals that the tendency to overemphasise the uniqueness of Japanese culture is one shared by both Western and Japanese scholars. This paper discusses how the discourse has emerged in business and intercultural literature by tracing the influence of historical and economic factors. It also explores the implications of describing Japanese business culture in relation to practices in the West for both managers and students internationally. International students of business, who are grappling with intercultural communication literature as it pertains to Japan and the West, need to engage in critical ways with the discourse adopted in the literature. The intention therefore of the paper is to illuminate how a “differences‐focused” approach in texts could promote a stereotypical and potentially facile view of Japanese culture rather than one that encourages a more meaningful and informed understanding that appreciates the context in which the uniqueness of Japanese culture has hitherto been presented.
Vegetarian diet improves insulin resistance and oxidative stress markers more than conventional diet in subjects with Type 2 diabetes
Authors: Kahleova H. , Matoulek M. , Malinska H. , Oliyarnik O. , Kazdova L. , Neskudla T. , Skoch A. , Hajek M. , Hill M. , Kahle M. , Pelikanova T.
Published: December 2010

Diabet. Med. 28, 549–559 (2011)

Aims  The aim of this study was to compare the effects of calorie‐restricted vegetarian and conventional diabetic diets alone and in combination with exercise on insulin resistance, visceral fat and oxidative stress markers in subjects with Type 2 diabetes.

Methods  A 24‐week, randomized, open, parallel design was used. Seventy‐four patients with Type 2 diabetes were randomly assigned to either the experimental group (n = 37), which received a vegetarian diet, or the control group (n = 37), which received a conventional diabetic diet. Both diets were isocaloric, calorie restricted (‐500 kcal/day). All meals during the study were provided. The second 12 weeks of the diet were combined with aerobic exercise. Participants were examined at baseline, 12 weeks and 24 weeks. Primary outcomes were: insulin sensitivity measured by hyperinsulinaemic isoglycaemic clamp; volume of visceral and subcutaneous fat measured by magnetic resonance imaging; and oxidative stress measured by thiobarbituric acid reactive substances. Analyses were by intention to treat.

Results  Forty‐three per cent of participants in the experimental group and 5% of participants in the control group reduced diabetes medication (P < 0.001). Body weight decreased more in the experimental group than in the control group [–6.2 kg (95% CI –6.6 to –5.3) vs. –3.2 kg (95% CI –3.7 to –2.5); interaction group × time P = 0.001]. An increase in insulin sensitivity was significantly greater in the experimental group than in the control group [30% (95% CI 24.5–39) vs. 20% (95% CI 14–25), P = 0.04]. A reduction in both visceral and subcutaneous fat was greater in the experimental group than in the control group (P = 0.007 and P = 0.02, respectively). Plasma adiponectin increased (P = 0.02) and leptin decreased (P = 0.02) in the experimental group, with no change in the control group. Vitamin C, superoxide dismutase and reduced glutathione increased in the experimental group (P = 0.002, P < 0.001 and P = 0.02, respectively). Differences between groups were greater after the addition of exercise training. Changes in insulin sensitivity and enzymatic oxidative stress markers correlated with changes in visceral fat.

Conclusions  A calorie‐restricted vegetarian diet had greater capacity to improve insulin sensitivity compared with a conventional diabetic diet over 24 weeks. The greater loss of visceral fat and improvements in plasma concentrations of adipokines and oxidative stress markers with this diet may be responsible for the reduction of insulin resistance. The addition of exercise training further augmented the improved outcomes with the vegetarian diet.
Retinal microaneurysm count predicts progression and regression of diabetic retinopathy. Post‐hoc results from the DIRECT Programme
Authors: Sjølie A. K. , Klein R. , Porta M. , Orchard T. , Fuller J. , Parving H. H. , Bilous R. , Aldington S. , Chaturvedi N.
Published: December 2010

Diabet. Med. 28, 345–351 (2011)

Objective  To study the association between baseline retinal microaneurysm score and progression and regression of diabetic retinopathy, and response to treatment with candesartan in people with diabetes.

Methods  This was a multicenter randomized clinical trial. The progression analysis included 893 patients with Type 1 diabetes and 526 patients with Type 2 diabetes with retinal microaneurysms only at baseline. For regression, 438 with Type 1 and 216 with Type 2 diabetes qualified. Microaneurysms were scored from yearly retinal photographs according to the Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study (ETDRS) protocol. Retinopathy progression and regression was defined as two or more step change on the ETDRS scale from baseline. Patients were normoalbuminuric, and normotensive with Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes or treated hypertensive with Type 2 diabetes. They were randomized to treatment with candesartan 32 mg daily or placebo and followed for 4.6 years.

Results  A higher microaneurysm score at baseline predicted an increased risk of retinopathy progression (HR per microaneurysm score 1.08, P < 0.0001 in Type 1 diabetes; HR 1.07, P = 0.0174 in Type 2 diabetes) and reduced the likelihood of regression (HR 0.79, P < 0.0001 in Type 1 diabetes; HR 0.85, P = 0.0009 in Type 2 diabetes), all adjusted for baseline variables and treatment. Candesartan reduced the risk of microaneurysm score progression.

Conclusions  Microaneurysm counts are important prognostic indicators for worsening of retinopathy, thus microaneurysms are not benign. Treatment with renin‐angiotensin system inhibitors is effective in the early stages and may improve mild diabetic retinopathy. Microaneurysm scores may be useful surrogate endpoints in clinical trials.
NONREPLICATION OF OPTIONS
Authors: Kountzakis Christos , Polyrakis Ioannis A. , Xanthos Foivos
Published: December 2010

In this paper, we study the replication of options in security markets X with a finite number of states. Specifically, we prove that in security markets without binary vectors, for any portfolio, at most m − 3 options can be replicated where m is the number of states. This is an essential improvement of the result of Baptista where it is proved that the set of replicated options is of measure zero. Additionally, we extend the results of Aliprantis and Tourky on the nonreplication of options by generalizing their condition that markets are strongly resolving. Our results are based on the theory of lattice‐subspaces and positive bases.
Exploring antecedents and consequences of consumer ethnocentrism: evidence from Asian immigrants in the US
Authors: Watchravesringkan Kittichai (Tu)
Published: December 2010

The US is a multicultural society due to its growing number of ethnic minorities. These ethnic populations have made intracultural studies more difficult because of the different senses of identity and degrees of acculturation the varied groups possess. The current study examined the impact of perceived ethnicity (Asian vs. Asian American) and acculturation level (low vs. high) on consumer ethnocentrism towards the country of immigration (the US) and its consequences with respect to Asian immigrants, the fastest growing minority in the US. One hundred and eighty‐five responses from Asian immigrants were collected through a convenience sample from a university campus located in the southwest US as well as a snowball sampling technique. Results revealed that perceived ethnicity and acculturation play an important role in influencing Asian immigrants' ethnocentrism towards the US, which in turn affects their attitudes and behavioural intentions towards products made in the US. Implications and future research directions are suggested.