bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Innovative managerial control system (IMCS): an application in precast concrete building products industry
Authors: Marasini Ramesh , Dawood Nashwan
Published: April 2007

The monitoring and control of business processes and their variables have strategic importance in order to respond to the dynamics of the world of business. Many monitoring processes are focussed on controlling time and cost and the overall performance is evaluated through a standard set of key performance indicators. These passive approaches do not consider a holistic/system view and therefore ignore the interrelationships between various external and internal variables impacting a business process. This paper investigates an application of multivariate statistical process control techniques
[mainly principal component analysis (PCA) and partial least squares (PLS)] which have been successfully used in process and chemical industries, to model, monitor, control and predict business process variables. A prototype, innovative managerial control system (IMCS), was developed to investigate the application of PCA and PLS techniques to monitor, control and predict business process performance. Data was collected and
analysed using a case study in a precast concrete building products company. This study has proved that the PCA approach can be effectively used to control business processes. Also, the PLS approach is found to provide better forecasts as compared to commonly used decomposition method. The benefits and limitations of using multivariate statistical process control techniques as applied to business process control are highlighted.
Strategy: the motivation for innovation
Authors: Stewart Ian , Fenn Peter
Published: April 2007

This paper proposes that strategy activity is the most necessary form of and foundation for innovation. It is also the real context for any innovation effort that is intended to create competitive advantage, especially in response to three key strategic issues construction industry; changing client demands for value, partnering, and supply integration. Innovation is the profitable exploitation of ideas. Clearly, this requires two things a source of ideas that can lend themselves to profitable exploitation and a goal in pursuit which to exploit the ideas. Those goals are established and met by strategic innovation. The right strategy tools can motivate ideas and insight. However, elements of normal industry practice constitute strong demotivators to profitable strategic innovation, hence the presence of strategy activities noted in the industry. This paper discusses the development of the strategic management discourse and to identify tools for use in construction industry innovation that relate to its strategic challenges; the Value Chain, Game Theory and Delphi Technique. The paper also identifies the process of “Bricolage”, potentially a fourth tool, or process, which could be a source hard to imitate advantage in developing strategic innovation practices which act catalyst for participation and the means to profitably exploit new ideas. With strategically‐oriented innovation, a firm can identify and create new value for its customers and integrate its supply chains. Without it, innovation is at best blind, at worst, will never happen; there no goal to exploit the idea in pursuit of. Without strategy, there is no motivation to innovate.
Finding out: a system for providing rapid and reliable answers to questions in the construction sector
Authors: Robert Jean‐Marc , Moulet Lucie , Lizarralde Gonzalo , Davidson Colin H. , Nie Jian‐Yun , da Sylva Lyne
Published: April 2007

The construction sector is notorious for the dichotomy between its intensive use of information in its decision‐making processes and its limited access to, and insufficient use of, the pertinent information that is potentially available, e.g. on the internet. This paper seeks to examine this issue. To solve this problem (the ‘problem of information aboutinformation’), a multidisciplinary team developed an online question‐answering (Q.‐A.)system that uses natural language for the query and the reply. The system provides a direct answer to questions posed by building industry participants, instead of providing a list of references (as is the case with most online information retrieval systems), much as if onewere asking a question of, and receiving a response from, an expert.It has the capabilitiesto process questions in natural language, to find appropriate fragments of answers indifferent web sites and to condense them into a paragraph, also written in natural language. The main features of the system are that it uses domain‐specific knowledge (in the form ofa hierarchical specialized thesaurus complemented by terms of fieldwork parlance),semantic categorization, a database of filtered and indexed web sites, and an online interface that is adapted to different profiles of actors in the construction sector. The testing process shows that the system goes beyond the lists of references and links provided by traditional search engines on the web.The Q.‐A.system already gives 70% of satisfactory answers. The Q.‐A.system can be applied to other business domains apart from information retrieval and decision‐making in the building sector. It is also possible to apply it to the exploitation of in‐house knowledge management database.
A facility manager's approach to sustainability
Authors: Hodges Christopher P.
Published: April 2007

The benefits of sustainability and green building practices in facility management are well established. Reduction in energy consumption, productivity increases, waste reduction, and many other beneficial effects of sustainability can be quantified and presented to an organisation's leadership in order to defend sustainable practices and their positive effect on the bottom line. Many of the positive economic effects do not show up immediately, however. One must take a long‐term view of most sustainable practices and carefully evaluate green alternatives to traditional construction, operating and maintenance methodologies. Once the life‐cycle cost (LCC) and total cost of ownership (TCO) are taken into account, an organisation can develop a much clearer picture of the benefits of sustainable practices. The facility manager is in a unique position to view the entire process and is often the leader of the only group that has influence over the entire life cycle of a facility. Therefore, the facility manager often becomes the proponent of sustainable and green practices. Armed with the proper financial and strategic planning tools, the facility manager can create long‐lasting value to the organisation by developing, implementing and maintaining sustainable facility practices.
Partnering design and maintenance at State Farm Insurance
Authors: Zook Kristi , Spencer Steve
Published: April 2007

This paper outlines the steps taken by the Interior Design Unit and the Facilities Maintenance Unit to develop a team dynamic and a methodology for defining a company standards programme to be utilised in building projects. The aim is to accent the need for the collaboration of the two units in developing a process ensuring aesthetically pleasing and maintenance‐friendly attributes. The reader will discover proven design/maintenance ideas developed through the partnership that can be applied to their own organisations. The step‐by‐step process utilised by Interior design and Facilities Maintenance to develop a company standard programme is outlined in detail. Vendor/product evaluation, vendor selection, product specifications and timely process review are identified.
Customer relationship management for facility managers
Authors: Hoots Mike
Published: April 2007

Customer relationship management (CRM) means developing a comprehensive picture of customer needs, expectations and behaviours and managing those factors to affect business performance. In the facilities management (FM) world, CRM means looking at the FM function as a customer‐intensive business function instead of merely a facilities services cost centre. And the management part implies an active rather than passive role by the FM in influencing the customer's perception of service success. Finding and closing gaps between customer expectations and service delivery realities becomes the basis for CRM in the FM world. These gaps typically occur in the area of the ‘3 Rs’ — resources, response and respect. Key areas of knowledge and skills covered in this paper include: defining CRM and distinguishing it from customer service; understanding the true measure of service success; uncovering the main impediment to service success and the main source of customer dissatisfaction; discovering and defining resource, response and respect gaps between customer expectations and service delivery realities; revealing unsatisfactory results of gaps; pinpointing strategies to close resource, response and respect gaps between customer expectations and service delivery realities; reliably saying ‘yes’ to every single constructive customer request – never say ‘no’ again.
Clinical governance: its origins and its foundations
Authors: Nicholls S. , Cullen R. , O’Neill S. , Halligan A.
Published: April 2007

This article from the NHS Clinical Governance Support Team (NCGST) outlines the development of quality concerns since the NHS was founded in 1948. It traces the development of clinical governance as a means of achieving continuous quality improvement and describes what the implementation of clinical governance means for patients and professionals. It analyses features of the cultural shift necessary to underpin quality improvement initiatives and describes with practical examples the constituents of the culture necessary for successful clinical governance. Future articles in this series will address other issues around clinical governance and will explain the model being followed by delegates to the NCGST’s Clinical Governance Development Programme as they implement clinical governance “on the ground”.
The Use of fraud examiners in the battle against occupational fraud and abuse
Authors: Machen Monika J. , Richards Robert E.
Published: April 2007

In 2002, it was estimated that occupational fraud and abuse cost organizations $600 billion, or roughly 6 per cent of their revenues. While there are various ways a company can protect itself from becoming a victim of fraud, one solution toward which many companies are turning is the use of fraud examiners to help monitor and detect fraudulent activities within their organizations.
Intelligent process‐planning system or optimal CNC programming – a step towards complete automation of CNC programming
Authors: Yeung Millan K.
Published: April 2007

One of the bottle‐necks of computer numerical control (CNC) machining is the CNC programming. It relies on the experience and skills of the CNC programmer for the generation of the CNC program. The intelligent process‐planning system described in this paper generates a process plan automatically for CNC programming. It utilizes artificial intelligent technologies such as knowledge base, blackboard system and machine learning to extract machineable features, and proposes and selects optimal tools for the machining of the given part. Its flexibility and simplicity provide a convenient way to include new techniques and knowledge. The incorporation of this system with other CAD/CAM tools could effectively automate the CNC programming process.
Story selling: how LEGO told a story and sold a toy
Authors: Fonnesbaek Jeppe , Melbye Andersen Morten
Published: April 2007

Introduces LEGO’s Bionicle toy: it was aimed at boys aged 7‐12 and was developed as part of a new ongoing epic story, with the emphasis on this “movie” aspect rather than on the constructional aspects of the toy: constructional toys are a shrinking market because boys no longer want to take the time to complete them. Relates the Bionicle concept to LEGO’s previous successful toys Slizer and RoboRiders, and to its existing success in buying into stories like Star Wars. Describes how LEGO worked closely with Advance to develop the story and to market the concept in advance of the product; this was very successful. Moves on to the next step, which was to market the “movie” by a wide range of media, such as posters and cinema advertisements, plus media that could carry the parts of the story itself – a website, a CD‐ROM and comics; this carefully designed mosaic of media was accompanied by compelling graphics, phasing the story to maintain involvement, and getting the children to pass on the story parts to each other (i.e. peer‐to‐peer marketing). Concludes with how the campaign has benefited the overall perception of LEGO and led to a wider product range.
Advertising to children in South Africa
Authors: Cassim Shahida
Published: April 2007

Emphasises the youth of South Africa’s population of almost 45 million: 43 per cent are under 20 years old, but 60 per cent of children live below the poverty line and are therefore outside the target area of marketers. Contrasts the freedom that food advertisers have in South Africa for targeting children with the position in developed countries: whereas obesity is an issue in the latter, in South Africa the problem has been one of under‐nutrition. Describes the South African Advertising Research Foundation’s Living Standards Measure studies which aim to estimate the size of the youth market; they are a heterogeneous and media‐rich segment. Outlines the regulatory environment: there is a mix of legal regulation and sophisticated self‐regulation based on the Code of Advertising Practice of the Advertising Standards Authority of South Africa. Concludes that marketers will need to attend to the worldwide debate on food advertising to children: incidence of obesity is higher than expected, and this is complicated by the stunting phenomenon, where chronic undernutrition in early life results in abdominal obesity from energy‐rich western diets.
Advertising to children and social responsibility
Authors: Preston Chris
Published: April 2007

Discusses the ethics of marketing to children and the concept of social responsibility, in particular the question of what counts as responsible advertising in a society where consumption is essential to the capitalist system and children are socialised into consumers. Shows how advertising helps children learn the tools of social interaction and the social significance of brands. Asks whether advertising deceives children, reporting research that shows that eight‐year‐olds do not believe all advertising but nevertheless value some of the advertisements. Moves on to the pressure that advertisements may put on parents to supply children with the products advertised. Notes that over half the advertisements shown in children’s television are for food related products, and that advertisers are accused of promoting unhealthy food. Concludes with children as a macro audience, i.e. one to which advertising has not been explicitly targeted but which is recognised as an inevitable recipient of the message.
Concerned Children’s Advertisers leads the way
Authors: Clarke Barbie , Gardner Catherine
Published: April 2007

Interviews Cathy Loblaw and Diana Carradine, who established Concerned Children’s Advertisers in Canada 15 years ago; its aim is to inform children about social issues, advertising and the media. Lists the four platforms in the CCA process: The Broadcast Code for Advertising to Children (television), the Canadian Code of Advertising Standards (all media), media literacy education, and social messaging. Indicates interest in CCA from Singapore and the UK. Explains CCA’s success as due to consistent campaigns, the commitment of a group of companies to empowering children, and support from government and independent agencies. Outlines CCA’s latest campaign, which is “Long Live Kids” and focuses on children’s obesity; the target age is six to 12.
Resolving issues in children’s research
Authors: Solomon Debbie , Peters Jo
Published: April 2007

Discusses ethical and practical considerations in conducting market research with children. Outlines some relevant differences between children and adults which pose challenges to research: children are often shy and inarticulate, physically unable to perform some tasks, are concrete and egocentric in their thinking with short attention spans, have difficulty when asked to put experiences in a time frame or quantify them, and lack a strong sense of responsibility. Relates this to the fact that children’s memories, reading skills and vocabulary are limited compared with adults’, and also that they develop at different rates; this has important implications for marketing as well as research. Adds that there are often regulations affecting communication with children, so that parents are often interviewed instead, although parents’ involvement can create bias. Outlines new electronic devices, like Arbitron’s Personal People Meter, MindSet, and online studies, which all make it easier for children to take part in research. Concludes with the use of qualitative techniques for studying children, such as focus groups, and observational research using video and still photographs.
Costs, incentives and changing resource allocations in health care organisations: comparing the UK and Canada
Authors: Llewellyn Sue , Eden Ron , Lay Colin
Published: April 2007

Management accounting, inter alia, gives information on how resources are allocated within organisations. If managers wish to change patterns of resource allocation, accounting knowledge is pivotal to any change processes. In health care organisations resources follow decisions made by clinicians, hence to have an impact on resource allocations managers must influence them. Direct managerial control over clinicians is not possible or desirable in health care organisations. This article suggests that incentives are an alternative to control in health care and investigates the impact of financial incentives within hospitals, utilising a naturally occurring experimental situation that has arisen between the UK and Canada.
Influence of Plasma Spray Parameters on In‐Flight Characteristics of ZrO2–8 wt% Y2O3 Ceramic Particles
Authors: Kucuk Ahmet , Lima Rogerio S. , Berndt Christopher C.
Published: April 2007

Yttria‐partially‐stabilized zirconia was atmospherically plasma sprayed by systematically varying the process conditions including carrier gas flow rate, torch power, standoff distance, and Ar/H2 ratio in the plasma gas mixture. The in‐flight particle parameters such as temperature, velocity, number, and size were determined using a commercially available diagnostic system. The particle parameters were controlled by the particle trajectory in the plume and plasma jet characteristics. The average temperature and the velocity of particles, which reached their maximum at an intermediate carrier gas flow rate of 3.5 L/min, varied as much as 6% and 25%, respectively, with a 75% variation in the carrier gas flow rate by going from the lowest to the intermediate rates. The average temperature and the velocity of particles were lower for a lower torch power, a higher Ar/H2 ratio, and a larger standoff distance. It was necessary to obtain data on particle populations larger than 1000 for statistically reliable and reproducible information from the diagnostic system.
Seamless Joining of Silicon Nitride Ceramics
Authors: Gopal Mani , Sixta Mark , De Jonghe Lutgard , Thomas Gareth
Published: April 2007

High‐strength joining of Si3N4 ceramics has been achieved by developing a process that effectively eliminates the seam, and may allow for fabrication of large or complex silicon nitride bodies. This approach to joining is based on the concept that when sintering aids are effective in bonding individual grains, they could be equally effective in joining bulk pieces of Si3N4. Optimization of the process led to Si3N4/Si3N4 joints with room‐temperature bend strengths as high as 950 MPa, corresponding to more than 90% of the bulk strength of the Si3N4. At elevated temperatures of 1000° and 1200°C joint strengths of 666 and 330 MPa, respectively, were obtained, which are the highest values reported to date for these temperatures. These bend strengths are also more that 90% of the strength of bulk Si3N4 measured at these temperatures.
Feedstock Formulations for Direct Consolidation of Porcelains with Polysaccharides
Authors: Olhero Susana M. , Tarì Giuliano , Ferreira José M. F.
Published: April 2007

Direct‐consolidation methods are becoming well‐established forming techniques for advanced ceramics, because of their advantages in terms of shape capability. These advantages could also be exploited to consolidate traditional ceramics, such as stoneware or porcelain pottery requiring handles, which could be potentially manufactured in a single step. The most limiting factor in the transfer of these technologies from advanced to traditional ceramics is related to the moderate solids loading usually achievable with clay‐based suspensions. In this work, new porcelain feedstocks are proposed that use either milled rejected pieces (MRP) of porcelain or a kaolinitic stoichiometric mixture of SiO2 and Al2O3, i.e., pseudokaolin (PK). The replacement of the clay component by MRP or PK makes it possible to obtain 60 vol% aqueous porcelain suspensions, which can be directly consolidated using a relatively low amount (1 wt%, based on liquid volume fraction) of a mixture of polysaccharides. Steady shear viscosity measurements show that these highly concentrated suspensions are fluid enough for pouring operations. The green and presintered bodies show similar values of shrinkage and relative density, because of the low amount of organic additives used. The total replacement of the clay component in the starting composition enables a decrease in the firing temperature. Otherwise, for a given firing schedule, the enhancement of quartz dissolution in the glass phase and the decrease of the aspect ratio of mullite needles lead to an increase of the pyroplastic deformation index.
Determination and Control of Metallic Impurities in Alumina Deposits Obtained by Aqueous Electrophoretic Deposition
Authors: Ferrari Begoña , Fariñas Juan Carlos , Moreno Rodrigo
Published: April 2007

Electrophoretic deposition (EPD) is a suitable manufacturing method for depositing thin and thick films onto conducting materials. Usually, EPD is performed in organic vehicles, where handling difficulties and health hazards are important problems. These difficulties can be solved using aqueous suspensions; however, the high voltages that develop during EPD increase the rate of hydrolysis and galvanic reactions. As a result, pores or metallic contamination can be retained in the ceramic deposit. The deposition of Al2O3 onto zinc electrodes in water is described in this work. The formation and characteristics of Al2O3 deposits and the effect of Zn2+ contamination have been studied as a function of the processing conditions (current density and deposition time) and the slurry properties (dispersing state and solids content). A neodymium:yttrium aluminum garnet (Nd:YAG) laser, coupled to an inductively coupled plasma spectrometer, has been used to determine the contamination profile in the ceramic coatings. By controlling the intensity of the electric field applied to the slurry, as well as the slurry conductivity and solids content, the contaminating effect of the electrode can be reduced significantly.
Structure and Magnetic Properties of La0.7Ca0.3MnO3−δ for (3 −δ) < 3.0
Authors: Li Ying Hai , Damay Françoise , Cohen Lesley F. , Thomas Kodenkandath A. , Hossain Akther K. M. , MacManus‐Driscoll Judith L.
Published: April 2007

Annealing studies were conducted on bulk La0.7Ca0.3MnO3−δ to determine the sensitivity of its structural and magnetic properties to oxygenation conditions. Standard bulk sintering conditions, thin‐film annealing conditions for obtaining good magnetoresistive properties, and a reducing anneal, which corresponded to the onset of phase decomposition, were conducted. The main phase formed was a face‐centered (fcc) pseudocubic double‐perovskite structure, with cell parameters of a∼ 2ap∼ 0.772 nm, where ap is the single‐perovskite cubic cell parameter. A minor superstructure—body‐centered pseudotetragonal, with lattice parameters of c= 4ap and a=√2ap—was observed in samples with (3 −δ) < 3. A maximum of 20% of the superstructure was formed using the most‐reducing conditions. The superstructure had a lower critical temperature than the main phase and depressed ferromagnetic order.
Toughened Oxide Composites Based on Porous Alumina‐Platelet Interphases
Authors: Lee Sang‐Jin , Kriven Waltraud M.
Published: April 2007

A novel mechanism for debonding at a weak interphase in an all‐oxide composite is introduced. This methodology involves the use of alumina platelets that have a diameter of 10–15 or 5–10 μm and a thickness of 1 μm. The platelets induce constrained sintering of the ceramic powder, which results in permanent porosity. For room‐temperature properties, only minor additions (0–3 vol%) of matrix powder yield sufficiently weak debonding interphases. The platelets lie in random, three‐dimensional orientations and provide a debonding mechanism that is independent of temperature, in chemically compatible matrixes. Laminated composites with two types of matrixes—mullite and alumina—have been fabricated with modified fibrous monoliths of alumina in a triple‐layer “core/interphase/matrix” arrangement. In the laminated systems, the intimate mixing of strong versus tough microstructures has been tailored by alternating various matrix:interphase thickness ratios. Preliminary load–displacement curves clearly demonstrate characteristics of “graceful failure” and notable improvements in the work of fracture. Scanning electron microscopic observation of the crack paths confirms the viability of platelets for producing permanently porous, debondable interphases at elevated temperatures in air.
Thermal Softening Behavior and Application to Transparent Thick Films of Poly(benzylsilsesquioxane) Particles Prepared by the Sol–Gel Process
Authors: Matsuda Atsunori , Sasaki Teruyuki , Hasegawa Koichi , Tatsumisago Masahiro , Minami Tsutomu
Published: April 2007

Thick films of poly(benzylsilsesquioxane) (BnSiO3/2) particles, prepared by the sol–gel process, were deposited onto indium‐tin‐oxide‐coated glass substrates by electrophoresis for the application to the micropatterning of the films. BnSiO3/2 particles were thermally softened and sintered at ∼50°C, which was above the glass transition temperature of the particles. The films prepared by the electrophoretic sol–gel deposition consisted of aggregates of particles with diameters of 0.2–1 μm and were opaque. The film shrank from 2.5 μm to 1.4 μm in thickness and became transparent upon sintering of the particles during heat treatment at temperatures >100°C.
Influence of Strong Fiber/Coating Interfaces on the Mechanical Behavior and Lifetime of Hi‐Nicalon/(PyC/SiC)n/SiC Minicomposites
Authors: Bertrand Sebastien , Pailler Rene , Lamon Jacques
Published: April 2007

Hi‐Nicalon fiber‐reinforced silicon carbide matrix minicomposites (Hi‐Nicalon/SiC) with nanoscale multilayered (PyC/SiC)n fiber coatings (also referred to as interphases) have been manufactured via pressure pulse chemical vapor infiltration (P‐CVI). Fiber/coating interfaces were strengthened by using treated fibers. The microstructures of the interphases as well as the propagation and deflection of cracks in the interfacial region were investigated by SEM and TEM. Interfacial shear stress was estimated using various methods based on either the width of hysteresis loops on unloading–reloading, crack spacing, or fitting of the force–deformation curve using a micromechanics‐based model. Tensile behavior at room temperature and lifetime in static fatigue in air at 700°C were related to the interphase/interface characteristics.
125Te, 27Al, and 71Ga NMR Study of M2O3–TeO2 (M = Al and Ga) Glasses
Authors: Sakida Shinichi , Hayakawa Satoshi , Yoko Toshinobu
Published: April 2007

The structures of M2O3–TeO2 (M = Al and Ga) glasses have been investigated by means of 125Te, 27Al, and 71Ga NMR spectroscopies. The structural units of respective cations in M2O3–TeO2 glasses were quantitatively analyzed. The fractions of TeO4 trigonal bipyramid, AlO6 and GaO6 octahedra decreased and those of TeO3 trigonal pyramid, AlO4, AlO5, and GaO4 polyhedra increased with increasing M2O3 content. Based on the local structures around Te, Al, and Ga atoms, the structure models of M2O3–TeO2 glasses were proposed.
Fracture Behavior of SiC‐Whisker‐Reinforced Barium Aluminosilicate Glass‐Ceramic Matrix Composites
Authors: Ye Feng , Yang Jue Ming , Zhang Li Tong , Zhou Wan Cheng , Zhou Yu , Lei Ting Chuan
Published: April 2007

Barium aluminosilicate (BAS) glass‐ceramic composites reinforced with various volume percents (0, 10, 20, 30, 40 vol%) of SiC whiskers were fabricated by hot pressing. The microstructure, the whisker/matrix interface structure, the phase constitution, and the mechanical properties of the composites were systematically studied by means of SEM, TEM, and XRD techniques as well as by indentation crack microfracture and single‐edge‐notched‐beam bend testing. It was demonstrated that the incorporation of SiC whiskers could significantly increase the flexural strength and fracture toughness of BAS glass‐ceramic matrices. The addition of active Al2O3 to the BAS matrix reduced the amount of SiO2 in the matrix, forming needlelike mullite, which further improved the mechanical properties.
Boron Nitride–Aluminum Nitride Ceramic Composites Fabricated by Transient Plastic Phase Processing
Authors: Cheng Jihong , Zeng Zhaoqiang , Wu Chongjun , Hu Xiaoqing , Miao Hezhuo
Published: April 2007

BN–AlN ceramic composites have been successfully fabricated by a novel process referred to as transient plastic phase processing (TPPP). The process used BN as both the reactant phase and the matrix and Al as the transient plastic phase. The products AlN and AlB12 were regarded as the reinforcing phases. With the addition of Al powder in BN, both the mechanical and thermal properties were improved. Relatively high green density (2.03 g/cm3, 82.0% of theoretical density (TD)) and as‐sintered density (2.18 g/cm3, 92.6%TD), high bending strength (106 MPa), and high thermal conductivity (72 W/(m·K)) were attained for one kind of BN–AlN composite. A low thermal expansion coefficient of 2.0 × 10−6/K was also achieved.
Novel anticancer agent, benzyldihydroxyoctenone, isolated from Streptomyces sp. causes G1 cell cycle arrest and induces apoptosis of HeLa cells
Authors: Lee Chul‐Hoon , Lim Haeyoung , Moon Sangik , Shin Choonshik , Kim Seunghyun , Kim Bum‐Joon , Lim Yoongho
Published: April 2007

In the course of screening for anticancer agents, a novel active compound, F3‐2‐5, was isolated from culture broth of Streptomyces sp., KACC91015. Its structure was identified using nuclear magnetic resonance, mass spectrometry, and molecular modeling experiments, and confirmed by total synthesis. The growth of various human cancer cell lines was inhibited in a dose‐dependent manner by 0.06–0.48 mM F3‐2‐5 over 24 h. Its IC50 values were estimated at 37 µM on HeLa, 72 µM on A549, and 190 µM on HT‐29 cells. However, F3‐2‐5 had no antiproliferative effect on normal lymphocytes and normal fibroblasts used as controls. Moreover, it affected cell cycle regulation and caused apoptosis of the HeLa cells; chromatin condensation and DNA fragmentation were observed in cells exposed to 80 µM F3‐2‐5. Western blot analysis revealed that F3‐2‐5 inhibited phosphorylation of retinoblastoma protein (pRb) and reduced expression of cyclin‐dependent kinase‐4 and ‐6, and cyclin D1 and E, while levels of p53 and p21WAF1/CIP1 increased. Taken together, these findings show that F3‐2‐5 inhibits proliferation of HeLa cells by inducing G1 phase arrest as a consequence of inhibition of pRb phosphorylation following up‐regulation of p21WAF1/CIP1 and p53. Furthermore, apoptosis in HeLa cells treated with F3‐2‐5 was associated with an increase in Bax and p53, leading to release of cytochrome c, activation of caspase‐3, and ‐8, and cleavage of poly (ADP‐ribose) polymerase. (Cancer Sci 2007; 98: 795–802)
Elimination of a specialised facultative symbiont does not affect the reproductive mode of its aphid host
Authors: SIMON J.‐C. , SAKURAI M. , BONHOMME J. , TSUCHIDA T. , KOGA R. , FUKATSU T.
Published: April 2007

Abstract 1. Microorganisms that manipulate the reproduction of their hosts through diverse mechanisms including the induction of parthenogenesis are widespread among arthropods.

2. The pea aphid, Acyrthosiphon pisum, shows a variation in its reproductive mode, with lineages reproducing by cyclical parthenogenesis (obligate alternation of parthenogenetic and sexual generations each year) and others by obligate parthenogenesis (continuous asexual reproduction all year round). In addition, the pea aphid harbours, along with Buchnera the primary aphid endosymbiont, several facultative symbionts whose prevalence differs among host populations.

3. The possible influence of a Rickettsia facultative symbiont on the reproductive mode of its host was tested on two pea aphid clones by comparing the response of infected and uninfected individuals with the same genetic background to conditions that typically induce the production of sexual morphs.

4. No significant effect of the Rickettsia infection was found on the type of reproductive morphs produced (sexual vs. asexual) or on their quantities for the two clones.

5. However, the Rickettsia had a detrimental effect on the fitness of its aphid host, in apparent contradiction to the high prevalence of this symbiont in some host populations. It is suggested that this negative impact may disappear under specific environmental conditions, transforming a parasitic association into a mutualistic one.
Characterization of Phosphatase and Tensin Homolog expression in the mosquito Aedes aegypti: Six splice variants with developmental and tissue specificity
Authors: Riehle Michael A. , Brown Jessica M.
Published: April 2007

Phosphatase and tensin homologue (PTEN), an inhibitor of insulin signalling, was characterized in Aedes aegypti. Surprisingly, six splice variants were identified: three with alternative terminal exons (AaegPTEN2 : 3 : 6) and three formed by intron retention (AaegPTEN1 : 4 : 5). All variants encoded active phosphatase domains. Variants with alternative terminal exons also encoded C2 and COOH‐domains, and AaegPTEN6 encoded a PDZ binding motif. These three variants also had unique expression patterns. AaegPTEN2 was expressed primarily in the ovary. AaegPTEN3 was predominant in heads and midguts, and throughout development, except early embryogenesis. AaegPTEN6 was expressed in fat body, ovaries, and throughout development. Intron retention variants were weakly expressed in most samples. These expression patterns suggest that AaegPTEN variants play unique roles in regulating insulin's pleiotropic effects.
Impaired subcutaneous adipocyte lipogenesis is associated with systemic insulin resistance and increased apolipoprotein B/AI ratio in men and women
Authors: Hoffstedt J. , Förster D. , Löfgren P.
Published: April 2007

Objectives.  To study the association between subcutaneous fat cell lipogenesis and components of the metabolic syndrome (systemic insulin resistance, dyslipidaemia and hypertension).

Design and setting.  A university hospital‐based cross‐sectional study of 383 subjects (303 women and 80 men) with a wide range of BMI (18–53 kg m−2).

Results.  Strong negative correlations between in vitro fat cell lipogenesis (basal and after maximal insulin stimulation) and HOMA‐IR were present in both genders (r = −0.42 to −0.56, P < 0.0001 and r = −0.37 to −0.44, P < 0.001, for women and men respectively). Insulin sensitivity measured using the insulin tolerance test (KITT) was also correlated with adipocyte lipogenesis (r = 0.47–0.57, P < 0.0001, women, r = 0.52–0.70, P < 0.001, men). Plasma apolipoprotein B/AI‐ratio negatively associated with fat cell lipogenesis in women (r = −0.41 to−0.51, P < 0.0001,) and men (r = −0.49 to −0.55, P < 0.0001). The negative relationship of fat cell lipogenesis with blood pressure was significant in women (r = −0.27 to −0.28, P < 0.0002,) but not in men (P = 0.08–0.09). All correlations remained significant after adjusting for differences in fat cell volume, body mass index, waist‐ to hip‐ ratio or age (P < 0.01).

Conclusions.  Subcutaneous adipocyte lipogenesis is negatively associated with systemic insulin resistance, plasma apolipoprotein B/AI‐ratio and blood pressure supporting the view that impaired fat cell function per se may contribute to the development of the metabolic syndrome.
Size at birth and its relation to muscle strength in young adult women
Authors: Inskip H. M. , Godfrey K. M. , Martin H. J. , Simmonds S. J. , Cooper C. , Aihie Sayer A. ,   the Southampton Women's Survey Study Group
Published: April 2007

Objective.  To assess the relationship between development in utero, assessed by birth weight, and muscle strength in young adult women as assessed by grip strength.

Methods.  A total of 1563 participants aged 20–40 years in the Southampton Women's Survey had their grip strength measured during pregnancy. At recruitment to the survey the women had been asked to recall their birth weight or obtain it from their parents. For 536 women born in Southampton, birth weight was obtained from hospital records. Grip strength was related to birth weight using multiple linear regression analysis, adjusting for age, height, weight and reported physical activity.

Results.  Grip strength increased with age, height, weight, physical activity and birth weight. In the mutually‐adjusted model, grip strength increased by 1.10 kg per kilogram of birth weight (95% CI: 0.58–1.61 kg). In women with hospital birth weight data the relationship strengthened to 1.44 kg per kilogram of birth weight (95% CI: 0.50–2.38 kg).

Conclusions.  Grip strength in women in their twenties and thirties is at or approaching its peak. The association between grip strength and birth weight was remarkably similar to findings from other studies of women at younger and older ages. This indicates that in utero development has consequences for muscle strength throughout the life course, even allowing for the increase to peak muscle strength and then its decline as a woman ages.
Legal basis for ethical withholding and withdrawing life‐sustaining medical treatment from infants and children
Authors: Tibballs James
Published: April 2007

Abstract:  Withholding and withdrawing life‐sustaining medical treatment is common in hospitals, particularly in intensive care unit environments. Usually, decisions regarding limitation of therapy are based on ethical considerations and derived by discussion and mutual agreement between parents and clinicians. However, disputes sometimes arise. When such disputes are settled in court, the judgements constitute common law and may serve as the basis for ethical decisions. All cases have been decided in the ‘best interests’ of the unfortunate child. Although each case has its own circumstances, a composite view reveals three legal criteria for withholding or withdrawing treatment. These are based on the present and future ‘quality of life’, ‘futility’ of present treatment and a comparison of ‘burdens versus benefits’ of present and future treatment and its discontinuance. These legal principles may facilitate difficult ethical decisions. This article identifies a number of common law cases which establishes these principles.
Psychosocial adjustment and physical health of children living with maternal chronic pain
Authors: Evans Subhadra , Keenan Thomas R , Shipton Edward A
Published: April 2007

Aim:  There is limited research examining the functioning of children living with parental chronic pain and illness. The aim of this study was to examine the psychosocial adjustment and physical health of children living with a mother experiencing chronic pain.

Methods:  One‐hundred and three children aged 6–12 years served as participants, with approximately equal numbers of children in maternal chronic pain (n = 55) and control groups (n = 48). Children completed self‐reports about their internalising behaviour, health and attachment security. Mothers, fathers and teachers completed questionnaires relating to children’s internalising and externalising behaviour, social behaviour and physical health.

Results:  Reports from children, mothers and fathers indicated significantly more internalising, externalising, insecure attachment and social and health problems for children in the maternal chronic pain group compared with control children. Teachers reported decreased social skills and increased pain complaints for children in the maternal chronic pain group. Boys in the maternal chronic pain group appear to be affected more than girls. Boys reported more anxiety and insecure attachment, while mothers reported greater social problems and increased illness behaviour for boys. Characteristics of the mother’s pain condition, such as, severity, length and frequency were generally unrelated to child functioning.

Conclusions:  The study demonstrates the importance of maternal and family variables to child outcomes. The results are discussed in terms of maternal chronic pain comprising a considerable, yet rarely studied, influence in the lives of young children.
Early infant crying and sleeping problems: A pilot study of impact on parental well‐being and parent‐endorsed strategies for management
Authors: Smart Jayne , Hiscock Harriet
Published: April 2007

Aims:  Infant sleeping and crying problems are common and impact adversely on maternal mental health but their impact on paternal mental health is unknown. A consistent approach to managing such problems has not been identified. Parents may be able to identify useful management strategies, which could then inform the content of a prevention/early intervention approach to such problems. We aimed to determine the impact of infant behaviour problems on maternal and paternal mental health and management strategies that parents find useful.

Methods:  Design: Pre–post intervention pilot. Setting: Paediatric outpatient clinic at the Royal Children’s Hospital, Melbourne. Participants: 71 mothers and 60 fathers of infants aged 2 weeks to 7 months recruited from July 2004 to April 2005. Main outcome measures: Pre and post questionnaires measuring maternal and paternal well‐being (Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS)), parent report of infant behaviour problems, usefulness of consultation strategies.

Results:  Three weeks post consultation, fewer parents reported that their infant’s behaviour was still a problem (64% of mothers and 55% of fathers). Thirty per cent fewer mothers reported an EPDS score >12 (45% pre vs. 15% post clinic) while 11% fewer fathers reported an EPDS score >9 (30% pre vs. 19% post clinic). Most parents (80% or more) rated exclusion of medical causes and information about normal sleeping/crying as useful.

Conclusions:  Problem infant behaviours are associated with poor parental mental health. An intervention/prevention approach to infant behaviour problems should include fathers and contain information about normal infant sleeping and crying patterns and exclusion of medical causes.
Alcoholic cerebellar degeneration: A clinicopathological study of six Japanese autopsy cases and proposed potential progression pattern in the cerebellar lesion
Authors: Yokota Osamu , Tsuchiya Kuniaki , Terada Seishi , Oshima Kenichi , Ishizu Hideki , Matsushita Masaaki , Kuroda Shigetoshi , Akiyama Haruhiko
Published: April 2007

Alcoholic cerebellar degeneration (ACD) is one of the most common neurological complications in alcoholics. As far as we know, however, only four Japanese autopsy cases of ACD have been reported, and only limited clinicopathological data on this disease are now available in Japan. The aims of this study were: (i) to examine the clinicopathological correlation of six Japanese autopsy cases of ACD, including three asymptomatic cases; and (ii) to elucidate the pattern of progression of the cerebellar lesion in ACD. All six alcoholics were histopathologically diagnosed as having “pure” ACD without Wernicke’s encephalopathy. The characteristics of the topographical distribution of the cerebellar lesion were as follows. Symptomatic cases (cases 1–3) showed more severe and widespread change than asymptomatic cases (cases 4–6). Even in case 6, which had the mildest lesion, the anterior vermis developed a moderate change (Purkinje cell loss and narrowing of the molecular layer). In cases 4 and 5 with more severe and widespread lesions, the superior and posterior vermis and the adjacent regions of the superior hemisphere, including the anterior lobe and simple lobule, were involved. In all symptomatic cases, the anterior superior hemisphere had severe lesions involving the granular cell layer. In contrast to asymptomatic cases, all symptomatic cases also had severe to moderate lesions in the anterior inferior hemisphere. In cases 1 and 2 with the most severe lesions, the moderate to severe changes were distributed in the posterior and inferior portions of both the vermis and hemisphere. These findings suggest that in ACD, severe lesions successively develop: (i) in the anterior superior vermis; (ii) anterior superior hemisphere; (iii) anterior inferior hemisphere; and (iv) anterior inferior vermis. In addition, cerebellar symptoms may frequently occur if the anterior superior hemisphere and anterior inferior hemisphere, in addition to the anterior superior vermis, are involved.
Birthweight and risk factors for cardiovascular diseases in Japanese schoolchildren
Authors: KANESHI TAKUYA , YOSHIDA TOMOHIDE , OHSHIRO TATSUO , NAGASAKI HIRAKU , ASATO YOSHIHIDE , OHTA TAKAO
Published: April 2007

Background: Low birthweight (LBW) is associated with an increased risk for atherosclerotic coronary heart disease (ACHD) later in life. However, little information is currently available on the relationship between birthweight (BW) and risk factors for ACHD in children.

Methods: The relationship between BW and risk factors for ACHD was evaluated in 330 Japanese children (187 boys and 143 girls) aged between 7 and 12 years, who underwent screening for lifestyle‐related diseases in Okinawa, Japan. Routine chemical methods were used to determine the serum concentrations of lipids, apolipoproteins, uric acid and glucose. Serum insulin and adiponectin were measured by sandwich enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay.

Results: BW was significantly correlated with serum concentrations of adiponectin (r= 0.163, P= 0.003) and uric acid (r=−0.166. P= 0.003), but not with insulin, lipids or apolipoproteins. These correlations were still significant even after adjusting for age, gender and body mass index (BMI) percentile (BW and adiponectin, r= 0.239, P= 0.000; BW and uric acid, r=−0.247, P= 0.000). In addition, BW was correlated with high‐density lipoprotein‐cholesterol (HDL‐C) only after adjusting for age, gender and BMI percentile (r= 0.117, P= 0.034). In a stepwise multiple regression analysis, BW was a significant predictive variable for adiponectin and uric acid. However, weight velocity (weight gain/year) was a stronger predictive variable than BW for both adiponectin and uric acid. BW was not a significant predictive variable for HDL‐C. Adiponectin was the strongest predictive variable for HDL‐C.

Conclusion: BW is related to serum concentrations of adiponectin and uric acid. However, weight velocity was a stronger determinant of serum adiponectin and uric acid levels than BW in Japanese schoolchildren. Thus, it may be important to control weight gain to prevent the development of ACHD in children, especially in children with LBW.