bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Dimensions of uncertainty and their moderating effect on new product development project performance
Authors: Sicotte Hélène , Bourgault Mario
Published: September 2010

In this study, we measure the dimensions of uncertainty, starting from the definitions constructed for and generally used in innovation projects. We then evaluate their direct and indirect effects on the performance of product and service development projects. Four dimensions of uncertainty are delimited with satisfactory validity and reliability, suggesting a differential moderating effect of the four types of uncertainty (technical and project uncertainty, market uncertainty, fuzziness and complexity) depending on the performance dimension (effectiveness and efficiency) and co‐moderator (project methods and human resource adequacy). Of the four dimensions explored, technical and project, and market uncertainty are true moderators and have the largest interactive effect, fuzziness has a strong direct effect on both performance dimensions whereas complexity weakly directly influences effectiveness. The latter two also influence the relations between performance and the factors related to human resources and project management methods.
Impact of new product development (NPD) proficiency and NPD entry strategies on product quality and risk
Authors: Millson Murray R. , Wilemon David
Published: September 2010

This research explores the variation of new product quality and risk associated with New Product Development (NPD) entry strategies (e.g. in‐house developments and joint ventures). Our first two research questions examine the quality of new products and the variation of risk across five NPD entry strategies. Our third and fourth research questions investigate the association of the proficiency with which NPD technical activities are performed with new product quality and the risk involved in developing new products. Our final two research questions explore whether the type of NPD entry strategy mediates the association between the proficiency with which NPD technical activities are performed and the quality and risk associated with the development of new products. Our study focuses on new products developed by three major industries, namely medical devices, electrical equipment, and heavy construction equipment. Our research suggests that there is no difference in the quality or the risk associated with the development of new products across NPD entry strategies. We also found that new product quality was associated with the proficient performance of many NPD technical activities whereas risk was associated with the proficient performance of fewer NPD technical activities. We found that choice of NPD entry strategy mediates the relationship between new product quality and NPD technical activity proficiency. Unlike product quality, NPD entry strategy selection appears to mediate NPD risk minimally. Our study contributes to NPD knowledge and managerial decision making by pointing out that the technical activities performed during the early stages of the NPD process are important to the attainment of a quality product and positively, not negatively, associated with perceived NPD risk. Additionally, our study extends knowledge of the association between proficiently performed NPD technical activities and the resultant product quality and perceived risk felt when individual NPD entry strategies are implemented.
NGO Standing in the European Court of Justice – Does the Aarhus Regulation Open the Door?
Authors: Crossen Teall , Niessen Veronique
Published: September 2010

This article assesses whether the new European Community (EC) Regulation applying the provisions of the Aarhus Convention to EC institutions and bodies provides non‐governmental organizations (NGOs) with access to justice in compliance with the EC's obligations under the Aarhus Convention. We conclude that, notwithstanding the uncertainty over the wording finally adopted in the Aarhus Regulation, the procedural rights granted to NGOs in the Regulation brings NGOs within the standing requirements of the EC Treaty, such that they can seek justice in the European courts. This is a significant development in the field of environmental democracy and procedural rights to the environment – including the ability to seek enforcement of the right to a healthy environment.
The Judiciary, the Environmental Right and the Quest for Sustainability in South Africa: A Critical Reflection
Authors: Kotzé Louis J.
Published: September 2010

The 1996 Constitution of the Republic of South Africa explicitly provides for a comprehensive environmental right. The environmental right is part of the supreme law of the country and the entire environmental law regime. South Africa also has a vigilant judiciary, which has had various opportunities to interpret and give meaning to the environmental right. This article explores the manner in which the environmental right has been interpreted, translated and applied by the judiciary over the past 10 years. The article briefly analyses the environmental right, investigates recent judgments that reflected on the right, and concludes with a critical survey and suggestions as to future developments in this regard.
THE FOUNDING OF THE GLASGOW CHAMBER OF COMMERCE, 1783
Authors: Hamilton H.
Published: September 2010

Glasgow claims the distinction of being the first city in the United Kingdom to have established a Chamber of Commerce. Its first meeting was held on 1st January 1783. Important as this event was, it would be wrong to imagine that it marked an entirely new departure, for before this merchants and manufacturers frequently held meetings to discuss matters of common interest. Professor Redford has shown1 that the founding in 1794 of the Manchester Commercial Society was preceded by that of various other organisations whose purpose was sometimes to represent the interests of the local business community.
PORTFOLIO CHOICE VIA QUANTILES
Authors: He Xue Dong , Zhou Xun Yu
Published: September 2010

A portfolio choice model in continuous time is formulated for both complete and incomplete markets, where the quantile function of the terminal cash flow, instead of the cash flow itself, is taken as the decision variable. This formulation covers a wide body of existing and new models with law‐invariant preference measures, including expected utility maximization, mean–variance, goal reaching, Yaari's dual model, Lopes' SP/A model, behavioral model under prospect theory, as well as those explicitly involving VaR and CVaR in objectives and/or constraints. A solution scheme to this quantile model is proposed, and then demonstrated by solving analytically the goal‐reaching model and Yaari's dual model. A general property derived for the quantile model is that the optimal terminal payment is anticomonotonic with the pricing kernel (or with the minimal pricing kernel in the case of an incomplete market if the investment opportunity set is deterministic). As a consequence, the mutual fund theorem still holds in a market where rational and irrational agents co‐exist.
PRODUCTIVITY IMPROVEMENTS AND FALLING TRADE COSTS: BOON OR BANE?*
Authors: Demidova Svetlana
Published: September 2010

This article looks at two features of globalization, namely, productivity improvements and falling trade costs, and explores their effect on welfare in a monopolistic competition model with heterogenous firms and technological asymmetries. Contrary to received wisdom, and for reasons different from adverse terms of trade effects, it is shown that improvements in a partner's productivity must hurt us. Moreover, falling trade costs can raise welfare in the technologically advanced country while reducing it in the backward one, if technological asymmetries are large enough.
A GENERALIZED GIBRAT'S LAW*
Authors: Córdoba Juan Carlos
Published: September 2010

Many economic and non‐economic variables such as income, wealth, firm size, or city size often distribute Pareto in the upper tail. It is well established that Gibrat's law can explain this phenomenon, but Gibrat's law often does not hold. This note characterizes a class of processes, one that includes Gibrat's law as a special case, that can explain Pareto distributions. Of particular importance is a parsimonious generalization of Gibrat's law that allows size to affect the variance of the growth process but not its mean. This note also shows that under plausible conditions Zipf's law is equivalent to Gibrat's law.
SOCIALLY IMPROVING TAX REFORMS*
Authors: Duclos Jean‐Yves , Makdissi Paul , Wodon Quentin
Published: September 2010

This article proposes graphical methods to determine whether commodity tax changes are “socially improving,” in the sense of improving social welfare or decreasing poverty for large classes of social welfare and poverty indices. It also shows how estimators of critical poverty lines and economic efficiency ratios can be used to characterize socially improving tax reforms. The methodology is illustrated using Mexican data.
A peace built on forgetting demobilised combatants in post‐war El Salvador
Authors: Garibay David
Published: September 2010

The negotiated end of the civil war in El Salvador was built around a double process of demilitarisation and democratisation. It put an end to the armed conflict while giving the guerrillas the chance to become a political party and participate in the elections. The exemplary nature of this process, from the military and institutional points of view, has however hampered the demobilisation of former combatants, soldiers, and guerrillas. Individual rehabilitation programmes, plagued by delays and poor implementation, have not allowed the former combatants to find a place in post‐war society. These difficulties have been exacerbated by the memories of the years of conflict maintained by political actors of a very strong ideological opposition, marginalising the image of those in the ranks who actually fought. The mobilisation of former soldiers and guerrillas are therefore either controlled by political parties or repressed by the state. In post war El Salvador, which suffers from very high levels of violence linked to delinquency, it is particularly difficult for the role and actions of former combatants to be valued positively. It is equally difficult for them to develop a collective identity linked to their participation in the armed conflict.
Autistic symptomatology and language ability in autism spectrum disorder and specific language impairment
Authors: Loucas Tom , Charman Tony , Pickles Andrew , Simonoff Emily , Chandler Susie , Meldrum David , Baird Gillian
Published: September 2010

Background:  Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and specific language impairment (SLI) are common developmental disorders characterised by deficits in language and communication. The nature of the relationship between them continues to be a matter of debate. This study investigates whether the co‐occurrence of ASD and language impairment is associated with differences in severity or pattern of autistic symptomatology or language profile.

Methods:  Participants (N = 97) were drawn from a total population cohort of 56,946 screened as part of study to ascertain the prevalence of ASD, aged 9 to 14 years. All children received an ICD‐10 clinical diagnosis of ASD or No ASD. Children with nonverbal IQ ≥80 were divided into those with a language impairment (language score of 77 or less) and those without, creating three groups: children with ASD and a language impairment (ALI; N = 41), those with ASD and but no language impairment (ANL; N = 31) and those with language impairment but no ASD (SLI; N = 25).

Results:  Children with ALI did not show more current autistic symptoms than those with ANL. Children with SLI were well below the threshold for ASD. Their social adaptation was higher than the ASD groups, but still nearly 2 SD below average. In ALI the combination of ASD and language impairment was associated with weaker functional communication and more severe receptive language difficulties than those found in SLI. Receptive and expressive language were equally impaired in ALI, whereas in SLI receptive language was stronger than expressive.

Conclusions:  Co‐occurrence of ASD and language impairment is not associated with increased current autistic symptomatology but appears to be associated with greater impairment in receptive language and functional communication.
THE QUALITY OF BLENDED RAW MILK IN CREAMERIES IN SOUTH‐WEST SCOTLAND
Authors: MUIR D. D. , KELLY M. E. , PHILLIPS J. D. , WILSON A. G.
Published: September 2010

The quality of raw blended milk going to manufacture at five creameries in southwest Scotland has been surveyed over a two‐year period. Analyses of gross composition, somatic cell count, numbers and types of bacteria present and the concentration of free fatty acid in the milk show that milk quality was of a high standard. However, extended storage of the milk at 6°C indicated that the bacteria in the milk were actively multiplying and the results showed that extended storage of milk at creameries could seriously jeopardize milk quality. The development of lipolysis on extended storage of the milks was associated with the numbers and types of bacteria present in the milk before storage.
A selective medium for mastitis streptococci in milk
Authors: WILSON J , JEFFREY D C
Published: September 2010

Since the introduction by Milk Marketing Boards throughout the UK of automated systems which enable total bacterial counts to be carried out economically and at frequent intervals on bulk milk consignments, streptococci associated with subclinical mastitis are more readily detected. In many cases the presence of these organisms has resulted in heavy financial penalties being imposed. We describe an improved selective medium which could assist in the rapid detection of such cases and allow prompt remedial action to be taken.
Aversive Effects of Ethanol in Adolescent Versus Adult Rats: Potential Causes and Implication for Future Drinking
Authors: Schramm‐Sapyta Nicole L. , DiFeliceantonio Alexandra G. , Foscue Ethan , Glowacz Susan , Haseeb Naadeyah , Wang Nancy , Zhou Cathy , Kuhn Cynthia M.
Published: September 2010

Background:  Many people experiment with alcohol and other drugs of abuse during their teenage years. Epidemiological evidence suggests that younger initiates into drug taking are more likely to develop problematic drug seeking behavior, including binge and other high‐intake behaviors. The level of drug intake for any individual depends on the balance of rewarding and aversive effects of the drug in that individual. Multiple rodent studies have demonstrated that aversive effects of drugs of abuse are reduced in adolescent compared to adult animals. In this study, we addressed 2 key questions: First, do reduced aversive effects of ethanol in younger rats correlate with increased ethanol consumption? Second, are the reduced aversive effects in adolescents attributable to reduced sensitivity to ethanol’s physiologic effects?

Methods:  Adolescent and adult rats were tested for ethanol conditioned taste aversion (CTA) followed by a voluntary drinking period, including postdeprivation consumption. Multivariate regression was used to assess correlations. In separate experiments, adolescent and adult rats were tested for their sensitivity to the hypothermic and sedative effects of ethanol, and for blood ethanol concentrations (BECs).

Results:  We observed that in adolescent rats but not adults, taste aversion was inversely correlated with postdeprivation consumption. Adolescents also exhibited a greater increase in consumption after deprivation than adults. Furthermore, the age difference in ethanol CTA was not attributable to differences in hypothermia, sedation, or BECs.

Conclusions:  These results suggest that during adolescence, individuals that are insensitive to aversive effects are most likely to develop problem drinking behaviors. These results underscore the importance of the interaction between developmental stage and individual variation in sensitivity to alcohol.
The Obsessive Compulsive Drinking Scale Is a Valid Measure of Alcohol Craving in Young Adults
Authors: Connor Jason P. , Feeney Gerald F. X. , Jack Alyssa , Young Ross McD.
Published: September 2010

Background:  Alcohol craving is associated with greater alcohol‐related problems and less favorable treatment prognosis. The Obsessive Compulsive Drinking Scale (OCDS) is the most widely used alcohol craving instrument. The OCDS has been validated in adults with alcohol use disorders (AUDs), which typically emerge in early adulthood. This study examines the validity of the OCDS in a nonclinical sample of young adults.

Methods:  Three hundred and nine college students (mean age of 21.8 years, SD = 4.6 years) completed the OCDS, Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT), and measures of alcohol consumption. Subjects were randomly allocated to 2 samples. Construct validity was examined via exploratory factor analysis (n = 155) and confirmatory factor analysis (n = 154). Concurrent validity was assessed using the AUDIT and measures of alcohol consumption. A second, alcohol‐dependent sample (mean age 42 years, SD 12 years) from a previously published study (n = 370) was used to assess discriminant validity.

Results:  A unique young adult OCDS factor structure was validated, consisting of Interference/Control, Frequency of Obsessions, Alcohol Consumption and Resisting Obsessions/Compulsions. The young adult 4‐factor structure was significantly associated with the AUDIT and alcohol consumption. The 4 factor OCDS successfully classified nonclinical subjects in 96.9% of cases and the older alcohol‐dependent patients in 83.7% of cases. Although the OCDS was able to classify college nonproblem drinkers (AUDIT <13, n = 224) with 83.2% accuracy, it was no better than chance (49.4%) in classifying potential college problem drinkers (AUDIT score ≥13, n = 85).

Conclusions:  Using the 4‐factor structure, the OCDS is a valid measure of alcohol craving in young adult populations. In this nonclinical set of students, the OCDS classified nonproblem drinkers well but not problem drinkers. Studies need to further examine the utility of the OCDS in young people with alcohol misuse.
The Meaning of Good Parent–Child Relationships for Mexican American Adolescents
Authors: Crockett Lisa J. , Brown Jill , Russell Stephen T. , Shen Yuh‐Ling
Published: September 2010

Perceptions of good parent–adolescent relationships were explored among 19 Mexican American high school students aged 14–17 who participated in focus group interviews on what it means for Mexican American teenagers to have good relationships with parents. Using a grounded theory approach, five general themes emerged in the responses, corresponding to open communication, instrumental and emotional support, indirect expressions of caring, parental control, and valued relationship qualities. Both genders described distinct relationships with mothers and fathers. Relationships with mothers were closer and more open than relationships with fathers, and mothers were seen as being more affectionate, lenient, and emotionally supportive, whereas fathers tended to express caring indirectly by providing instrumental and financial support and by just being there. Parental upbringing, culture, gender, and parental role expectations emerged as explanations for parents' behavior. Theoretical, methodological, and practical implications are discussed.
Failure Mode and Bending Moment of Canine Pancarpal Arthrodesis Constructs Stabilized with Two Different Implant Systems
Authors: WININGER FRED A. , KAPATKIN AMY S. , RADIN ALEX , SHOFER FRANCES S. , SMITH GAIL K.
Published: September 2010

Objective— To compare failure mode and bending moment of a canine pancarpal arthrodesis construct using either a 2.7 mm/3.5 mm hybrid dynamic compression plate (HDCP) or a 3.5 mm dynamic compression plate (DCP).

Study Design— Paired in vitro biomechanical testing of canine pancarpal arthrodesis constructs stabilized with either a 2.7/3.5 HDCP or 3.5 DCP.

Sample Population— Paired cadaveric canine antebrachii (n=5).

Methods— Pancarpal arthrodesis constructs were loaded to failure (point of maximum load) in 4‐point bending using a materials‐testing machine. Using this point of failure, bending moments were calculated from system variables for each construct and the 2 plating systems compared using a paired t‐test. To examine the relationship between metacarpal diameter and screw diameter failure loads, linear regression was used and Pearson' correlation coefficient was calculated. Significance was set at P<.05.

Results— HDCP failed at higher loads than DCP for 9 of 10 constructs. The absolute difference in failure rates between the 2 plates was 0.552±0.182 N m, P=.0144 (95% confidence interval: −0.58 to 1.68). This is an 8.1% mean difference in bending strength. There was a significant linear correlation r=0.74 (P‐slope=.014) and 0.8 (P‐slope=.006) between metacarpal diameter and failure loads for the HDCP and 3.5 DCP, respectively.

Conclusion— There was a small but significant difference between bending moment at failure between 2.7/3.5 HDCP and 3.5 DCP constructs; however, the difference may not be clinically evident in all patients.

Clinical Relevance— The 2.7/3.5 HDCP has physical and mechanical properties making it a more desirable plate for pancarpal arthrodesis.
Assessment of Histomorphological Features of the Sternal End of the Fourth Rib for Age Estimation in Koreans*
Authors: Kim Yi‐Suk , Kim Deog‐Im , Park Dae‐Kyoon , Lee Je‐Hoon , Chung Nak‐Eun , Lee Won‐Tae , Han Seung‐Ho
Published: September 2010

Abstract:  The aim of this study was to assess the histomorphological features of the fourth rib and to develop age‐predicting equations for Koreans. Sixty‐four rib samples (36 males and 28 females) obtained from forensic cases were used for developing equations. Two thin sections (<100‐μm thick) per sample were prepared by manual grinding. Multivariate analysis of covariance revealed statistically significant differences in age‐adjusted histomorphological variables between sexes. Using stepwise regression analysis, osteon population density and average osteon area were correlated with unknown sex (r2 = 0.826), and sex plus two histomorphological variables provided the best results for an age‐predicting equation given the assumption of knowing the sex of a specimen (r2 = 0.839). Average Haversian canal area had little influence on age estimation for male or female samples, and relative cortical area was not significantly related to age for any specimen.
A Comparison of Criminal Sexual Conduct Defendants Based on Victim Age*
Authors: Poortinga Ernest , Lemmen Craig , Majeske Karl
Published: September 2010

Abstract:  This study compared defendants charged with Criminal Sexual Conduct whose victims were <6 years of age with defendants whose victims were 12 or more years of age. The study included 163 men referred to the evaluation unit of a state center for forensic psychiatry. Thirty‐eight men had younger victims (YVs) and 125 men had older victims (OVs). The variables of comparison were defendant demographic and psychiatric variables frequently identified in the sex offender literature. Controlling for other demographic and psychiatric variables by use of logistic regression modeling, elderly defendants (60 years or greater), and incest offenders were three times more likely to have YVs (Odds Ratio [OR] 3.08 and 3.11, respectively). Unlike previous studies defendants with serious psychiatric pathology (psychosis or mania) were no more likely to have YVs (OR 0.66) than were defendants without psychosis.
Serbian Population Data at the CODIS Core STR Loci
Authors: Veselinović Igor S. , Zgonjanin Dragana M. , A.Simić Milan , Stojiljković Goran B. , Tasić Miloš M.
Published: September 2010

Population:  Two hundred healthy unrelated adult persons from Serbia.
A novel HLA‐DRB1*15 allelic sequence isolated from the Han population of Guangdong, China
Authors: Hu Z. H. , Liu Z. H. , Xiong Y. J. , Zhu Q. Y. , Fu Y. G. , Liu Y. L. , Xu A. L.
Published: September 2010

A novel DRB1*15 allele, DRB1*1516, has been identified in a Guangdong Han individual. Its sequence was confirmed by sequencing of polymerase chain reaction products and clones. This allele differed by one nucleotide from DRB1*150101 at position 220 (G→A), resulting in an amino acid substitution from Gly to Arg at codon 45.
Epistatic effect of C‐reactive protein (CRP) single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) +1059 and interleukin‐1B SNP +3954 on CRP concentration in healthy male blood donors
Authors: Eklund C. , Lehtimäki T. , Hurme M.
Published: September 2010

Baseline C‐reactive protein (CRP) concentrations are indicative of persons prone to cardiovascular diseases and are about 40–50% heritable. We have previously shown that interleukin (IL)‐1B +3954 allele T is associated with lower CRP concentration. In this study, we aimed to examine the effect of this polymorphism together with the CRP +1059 gene polymorphism on baseline CRP concentrations, and genotyped 336 healthy blood donors for CRP +1059 (G→C) and IL‐1B +3954 (C→T) polymorphisms. In men, the carriers of the CRP +1059 C‐allele had significantly lower CRP values than GG homozygotes (0.66 versus 0.43 mg l−1, up to −35%, P = 0.009). No significant difference was found in women. When the data were stratified for both of these polymorphisms in men, CRP +1059 GG homozygotes had low CRP concentrations only if they were allele‐T carriers of IL‐1B +3954 simultaneously (0.93 versus 0.50 mg l−1, P = 0.013). Genotype CRP +1059 GG/IL‐1B +3954 CC was associated with an almost 3‐fold risk of a higher baseline CRP value [odds ratio (OR) 2.84 (CI 1.03–6.07)]. Thus, both IL‐1B +3954 (C→T) and CRP +1059 (G→C) polymorphisms influence baseline CRP values and act independently of each other in male subjects. These polymorphisms might be predictive markers of persons prone to cardiovascular diseases.
Distribution of KIR genes in the Czech population
Authors: Pavlova Y. , Kolesar L. , Striz I. , Jabor A. , Slavcev A.
Published: September 2010

Killer cells immunoglobulin‐like receptors (KIRs) are a family of inhibitory and activating receptors expressed mainly by natural killer (NK) cells and few subsets of T lymphocytes. KIRs regulate NK cells’ activity through interactions with specific HLA class I molecules and other yet unknown ligands presented on target cells. At present, 17 KIR genes and pseudogenes have been identified. As the number of KIR genes in different haplotypes varies, a wide range of genotypes in different ethnic populations may be observed. In our study, 125 healthy non‐related Czech individuals were KIR typed both by sequence‐specific primers and by sequence‐specific oligonucleotide KIR genotyping methods. Thirty‐eight different genotypes were observed in the Czech population and all 16 KIR genes known to date were found. Framework genes KIR 3DL3, KIR 2DL4, KIR 3DL2 and the pseudogene KIR 3DP1 were present in all individuals. The most frequent non‐framework KIR genes detected in the Czech population were: KIR 2DL1 (95%), KIR 3DL1 (94%), KIR 2DS4 (92%) and the pseudogene 2DP1 (94%). Human leucocyte antigen (HLA)‐C typing demonstrated prevalence of the C1/C2 heterozygosity (43%) and C1 homozygosity (41%) over the C2 heterozygosity. One hundred and twenty individuals from our panel carried at least one inhibitory KIR for the corresponding HLA‐C group found in the genotype. Gene frequencies and found genotypes demonstrated similarity of the Czech population's KIR repertoire with the KIR repertoires of other Caucasian populations studied before.
Lack of association between HLA‐A, ‐B and ‐DRB1 alleles and the development of SARS: a cohort of 95 SARS‐recovered individuals in a population of Guangdong, southern China
Authors: Xiong P. , Zeng X. , Song M. S. , Jia S. W. , Zhong M. H. , Xiao L. L. , Lan W. , Cai C. , Wu X. W. , Gong F. L. , Wang W.
Published: September 2010

Severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), caused by infection with a novel coronavirus (SARS‐CoV), was the first major novel infectious disease at the beginning of the 21st century, with China especially affected. SARS was characterized by high infectivity, morbidity and mortality, and the confined pattern of the disease spreading among the countries of South‐East and East Asia suggested the existence of susceptible factor(s) in these populations. Studies in the populations of Hong Kong and Taiwan showed an association of human leucocyte antigen (HLA) polymorphisms with the development and/or severity of SARS, respectively. The aim of the present study was to define the genotypic patterns of HLA‐A, ‐B and ‐DRB1 loci in SARS patients and a co‐resident population of Guangdong province, southern China, where the first SARS case was reported. The samples comprised 95 cases of recovered SARS patients and 403 unrelated healthy controls. HLA ‐A, ‐B and ‐DRB1 alleles were genotyped using polymerase chain reaction with sequence‐specific primers. The severity of the disease was assessed according to the history of lung infiltration, usage of assisted ventilation and occurrence of lymphocytopenia. Although the allelic frequencies of A23, A34, B60, DRB1*12 in the SARS group were slightly higher, and A33, ‐B58 and ‐B61 were lower than in the controls, no statistical significance was found when the Pc value was considered. Similarly, no association of HLA alleles with the severity of the disease was detected. Thus, variations in the major histocompatibility complex are unlikely to have contributed significantly to either the susceptibility or the severity of SARS in the population of Guangdong.
Positive plant microbial interactions
Authors: Andrews M. , Hodge S. , Raven J.A.
Published: September 2010

Problems and concerns in relation to the use of inorganic fertilisers, irrigation, herbicides and pesticides have led to the search for alternative strategies to combat limiting soil nutrient and water levels and the effect of weeds and pests on crops. Greater utilisation of microorganisms in agricultural systems could possibly allow reductions in the use of inorganic fertilisers, water, herbicides and pesticides with no impact on crop yield. Positive plant microbial interactions which are currently under study are considered here.
Dimensions of the meal
Authors: Meiselman Herbert L.
Published: September 2010

The Five Aspects Meal Model (FAMM) integrates the main elements of the meal experience. But there is a need to put the meal into a much broader perspective in order to fully understand and appreciate the complexity of the meal. This paper will present the meal from a multidisciplinary perspective, with many different yet complementary views of meals.
Perceptions of food hygiene risk in a group of Tamil food handlers living in the UK
Authors: Howard Michael , Wignarajah Keerthana
Published: September 2010

In this study, two groups of people were asked about their perceptions of the public health risks associated with poor food hygiene practices. One group consisted of commercial food handlers (n = 60) who had undergone food hygiene training; the other group consisted of people (n = 60) who only handled food at home. Data were gathered using a self‐completed questionnaire based upon those parameters commonly believed to determine public perceptions of risk. It was found that general awareness of the risk of food‐borne disease was elevated in the commercial food handlers and optimistic bias was reduced. These two factors might be expected to militate towards positive food hygiene behaviour. However, the respondents also reported a marked increase in their perception of the degree of control available concerning their vulnerability and the vulnerability of others to food‐borne disease. This increase in perceived control would be expected to reduce their overall perception of the importance of the risk of food‐borne disease. The relevance of the two potentially conflicting outcomes of training, described previously, is discussed.
DISSOLVING STOCK DISCRETENESS WITH SATELLITE TRACKING: BOWHEAD WHALES IN BAFFIN BAY
Authors: Heide‐JØrgensen M. P. , Laidre K. L. , Jensen M. V. , Dueck L. , Postma L. D.
Published: September 2010

Abstract

Nine bowhead whales (Balaena mysticetus) were instrumented with satellite transmitters in West Greenland in May 2002 and 2003. Transmitters were either encased in steel cans or imbedded in floats attached to wires. Transmitters mounted in steel cans had a high initial failure rate, yet those that were successful provided tracking durations up to seven months. Float tags had a low initial failure rate and initially provided large numbers of positions; however, they had deployment durations of only 2–33 d. All tracked whales departed from West Greenland and headed northwest towards Lancaster Sound in the end of May. Three tags with long tracking durations (197–217 d) recorded movements of whales (1 ♂, 2 ♀) into December in 2002 and 2003. All of these individuals remained within the Canadian High Arctic or along the east coast of Baffin Island in summer and early fall. By the end of October, all three whales moved rapidly south along the east coast of Baffin Island and entered Hudson Strait, an apparent wintering ground for the population. One of the whales did not visit Isabella Bay on east Baffin Island, the locality used for abundance estimation from photographic reidentification of individuals. The movements of whales tagged in this study raise critical questions about the assumed stock discreteness of bowhead whales in Foxe Basin, Hudson Strait, and Davis Strait and indicate current estimates of abundance are negatively biased.
DIETARY AND SEASONAL INFLUENCES ON BLOOD CHEMISTRY AND HEMATOLOGY IN CAPTIVE HARBOR SEALS
Authors: Trumble Stephen J. , Castellini Michael A. , Mau Tamara L. , Castellini Judith M.
Published: September 2010

Abstract

It has become increasingly important to understand the relationship between dietary intake and blood chemistry and hematological profiles in pinniped populations, especially where nutritional stress has been implicated in population declines. Blood chemistry and hematology reference ranges have been commonly reported for both free‐ranging and captive harbor seals, but seasonal and dietary fluctuations are limited to only a few studies. We quantified changes in plasma metabolites and hematology values in captive harbor seals on different diets over two years. Of 29 blood chemistry and hematology variables examined in captive harbor seals, ALT, AST, GGT, creatinine, and BUN:creatinine were influenced by diet. BUN, Na+, Cl−, Hct, and Hb were influenced by season. Diet did not affect hematology variables. While these data were collected on captive animals, we assume seasonal and dietary influences would be comparable in free‐ranging seals. According to this study, controlling for season during sampling becomes important when assessing blood chemistry values as an index of foraging status or health.
Pleiotropy, plasticity, and the evolution of plant abiotic stress tolerance
Authors: Des Marais David L. , Juenger Thomas E.
Published: September 2010

Progress in understanding the mechanisms of adaptive plant abiotic stress response has historically come from two separate fields. Molecular biologists employ mutagenic screens, experimental manipulations, and controlled stress treatment to identify genes that, when perturbed, have fairly large effects on phenotype. By contrast, quantitative and evolutionary geneticists generally study naturally occurring variants to inform multigenic models of trait architecture in an effort to predict, for example, the evolutionary response to selection. We discuss five emerging themes from the molecular study of osmotic stress response: the multigenic nature of adaptive response, the modular organization of response to specific cues, the pleiotropic effects of key signaling proteins, the integration of many environmental signals, and the abundant cross‐talk between signaling pathways. We argue that these concepts can be incorporated into existing models of trait evolution and provide examples of what may constitute the molecular basis of plasticity and evolvability of abiotic stress response. We conclude by considering future directions in the study of the functional molecular evolution of abiotic stress response that may facilitate new discoveries in molecular biology, evolutionary studies, and plant breeding.
Global change and the evolution of phenotypic plasticity in plants
Authors: Matesanz Silvia , Gianoli Ernesto , Valladares Fernando
Published: September 2010

Global change drivers create new environmental scenarios and selective pressures, affecting plant species in various interacting ways. Plants respond with changes in phenology, physiology, and reproduction, with consequences for biotic interactions and community composition. We review information on phenotypic plasticity, a primary means by which plants cope with global change scenarios, recommending promising approaches for investigating the evolution of plasticity and describing constraints to its evolution. We discuss the important but largely ignored role of phenotypic plasticity in range shifts and review the extensive literature on invasive species as models of evolutionary change in novel environments. Plasticity can play a role both in the short‐term response of plant populations to global change as well as in their long‐term fate through the maintenance of genetic variation. In new environmental conditions, plasticity of certain functional traits may be beneficial (i.e., the plastic response is accompanied by a fitness advantage) and thus selected for. Plasticity can also be relevant in the establishment and persistence of plants in novel environments that are crucial for populations at the colonizing edge in range shifts induced by climate change. Experimental studies show taxonomically widespread plastic responses to global change drivers in many functional traits, though there is a lack of empirical support for many theoretical models on the evolution of phenotypic plasticity. Future studies should assess the adaptive value and evolutionary potential of plasticity under complex, realistic global change scenarios. Promising tools include resurrection protocols and artificial selection experiments.
Safety and Quality Assessment during the Ozonation of Cloudy Apple Juice
Authors: Patil S. , Torres B. , Tiwari B.K. , Wijngaard Hilde H. , Bourke P. , Cullen P.J. , O’ Donnell C.P. , Valdramidis V.P.
Published: September 2010

Abstract:  Traditionally, ozone processing within the food industry has focused on solid foods by either gaseous treatment or washing with ozonized water. However, with the FDA's approval of ozone as a direct additive to food, the potential for liquid applications has emerged. This study investigates the effect of ozone processing on microbial inactivation (E. coli ATCC 25922 and NCTC 12900) and quality parameters (color, phenolic content) of cloudy apple juice. Apple juice samples were ozonated at room temperature (20 ± 1.5 °C) with a generated ozone concentration of 0.048 mg O3 at a constant flow rate of 0.12 L/min and treatment time of 0 to 10 min. E. coli inactivation kinetics in apple juice were described quantitatively by using the Shoulder log‐linear and the Weibull model. Ozone treatment of E. coli in apple juice demonstrate that a desired 5 log reduction can be achieved within 5 min. Apple juice color (L*, a*, and b*) and total phenols were significantly affected by ozone concentration and treatment time.
Molecular Epidemiology of Microorganisms Isolated from Food Workers and Enteral Feeding of Public Hospitals
Authors: Borges Liana J. , Campos Maria Raquel H. , Cardoso Juliana L. , André Maria Cláudia D.P.B. , Serafini Álvaro B.
Published: September 2010

Abstract:  This study aimed to compare strains of Staphylococcus aureus and E. coli isolated from food workers and enteral diet samples obtained from 2 public hospitals (H1/H2) in Goiania, Goias, Brazil, by the means of antibiogram and pulsed field gel electrophoresis (PFGE). In the H1, strains of S. aureus were present in 2 enteral diet samples and in 13 food worker swabs. Strains of E. coli were found in an enteral diet sample from H1 and in 2 enteral diet samples from H2 and in 6 food worker swabs in the H1 and in 12 food worker swabs from H2. According to the antibiogram, the 6 susceptibility profiles (A to F) of 15 S. aureus strains colonizing personnel and enteral feeding did not allow the identification of the probable source of diet contamination. All 20 E. coli strains isolated from the H1 and H2 were grouped in 4 phenotypic profiles (A to D). The phenotypes A (H1) and C (H2) showed the same profile for microorganisms isolated from handlers and diets, suggesting more phenotypic similarity among these samples. PFGE genotyping showed that S. aureus isolates from diets were related to a single strain isolated from a food worker suggesting that in this case the reason for the diet contamination may be a result of food handling. The food worker appears to be the most probable source of E. coli contamination for enteral feeding from H2. This fact emphasizes on the food workers as a risk of bacterial transmission for the diets and that the diet chain production must be controlled.

Practical Application:  The study emphasizes the importance of monitoring the enteral diet microbiological quality and the factors associated to its contamination. The study highlights the use of molecular biology as an instrument to correlate strains to determine the origin of the final product contamination.
Microscopic Quantification of Cell Integrity in Raw and Processed Onion Parenchyma Cells
Authors: Gonzalez M.E. , Jernstedt J.A. , Slaughter D.C. , Barrett D.M.
Published: September 2010

Abstract:  A cell viability assessment method based computer vision analysis of the uptake of neutral red dye was used to quantify cell membrane integrity in raw and processed parenchyma cells of onion tissues. The presence of stained vacuoles was used as an indicator of tonoplast membrane integrity and photomicrographs were acquired for microscopic image analysis and cell integrity quantification. Two different image analysis methods, involving the analysis of the saturation and green components of RGB (red, green, blue) images, were compared to the conventional cell count method. Use of the saturation component of RGB images allowed for the visualization and quantification of viable and inviable cells as well as extracellular air spaces. The combination of neutral red uptake, as visualization by light field microscopy, and saturation image analysis, allowed for quantitative determination of the effects of high pressure processing on onion cell integrity.

Practical Application:  Preservation of vegetable tissues may involve heating or other methods that result in the loss of tissue integrity and potentially quality deterioration. In this study, we stained unprocessed and processed onion tissues with neutral red dye and then used a microscope and a computer imaging program to quantify how many cells were intact or ruptured.
The Impact of Non‐ and Genetically Modified Soybean Diets in Aorta Wall Remodeling
Authors: Daleprane Julio B. , Chagas Mauricío A. , Vellarde Guillermo C. , Ramos Cristiane F. , Boaventura Gilson T.
Published: September 2010

Abstract:  The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of nongenetically modified soybean (non‐GMS) and genetically modified soybean (GMS) meal on growth and cardiometabolic parameters in rats. Thirty male Wistar rats were divided into 3 groups (n= 10): non‐GMS, GMS, and control group (CG). All animals received water and an isocaloric diet ad libitum for 455 d. Blood was drawn by cardiac puncture, and serum was separated for subsequent biochemical analyses (total cholesterol, triacylglycerols, insulin, glucose, and testosterone). The aorta was quickly harvested and fixed; the body fat mass was removed and weighed. Non‐GMS and GMS had a growth index (GI) similar to CG but with a lower body weight (P < 0.05) and a lower amount of body fat mass (P < 0.05). Total cholesterol, triacylglycerol, glucose concentrations, and aortic tunics were reduced (P < 0.05) in non‐GMS and GMS compared to CG. Non‐GMS and GMS are able to reduced serum cholesterol, triacylglycerols, glucose, and aortic remodeling in aged rats. No differences were observed between non‐GMS and GMS in all parameters.
Effect of Organic Poultry Purchase Frequency on Consumer Attitudes Toward Organic Poultry Meat
Authors: Van Loo Ellen , Caputo Vincenzina , Nayga, Jr. Rodolfo M. , Meullenet Jean‐Francois , Crandall Philip G. , Ricke Steven C.
Published: September 2010

Abstract:  Because of the growing consumers' interest in organic meat, consumers’ (N= 976) attitude toward organic meat was evaluated. Most respondents (59%) occasionally purchased organic chicken. To determine the organic chicken consumer profile, the organic chicken consumption frequencies of different demographic groups were compared. The results show dependence on age (P= 0.039) and ethnicity (P= 0.015). Older respondents as well as respondents who identified themselves as Caucasians tended to buy organic chicken more frequently. However, many other socio‐demographic factors were not correlated with organic chicken consumption: gender (P= 0.185), education (P= 0.235), household income (0.867), living with partner or not (P= 0.235), and number of children (P= 0.883). Taste was identified as the most important meat quality attribute (perceived as [very] important by 94% of the respondents). Other important meat quality criteria were: general appearance, overall health, price, nutritional value, and containing no medical residues. “Organically produced” appeared to not be that important compared with other criteria. When respondents bought organic chicken more often, the importance of most of the meat quality attributes shifted to higher levels of importance, except for the price where an adverse effect was shown. The main motivation factors to buy organic chicken were the perception that organic chicken has fewer residues (pesticides, hormones, antibiotics), is safer, and healthier. The high price for organic meats was the strongest limiting factor for organic meat purchases followed by poor availability. Approximately 41% of the non‐buyers and 30% of the occasional buyers perceived organic meat as not or hardly likely to be available in their supermarket.

Practical Application:  This study obtained a better knowledge of consumers' attitudes and perception of organic chicken as well as the effect of various demographics on the likelihood of buying organic chicken. For marketing purposes of organic meats, it helps to know which attributes consumers perceive as important, where the consumer purchases organic chicken, and what the perceived availability of organic chicken is. Additionally, the motivation and deterrent factors are described indicating why the consumer does or does not purchase organic chicken. This information can be valuable to help promoting organic meats to the consumers.