bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Classifying project management resources by complexity and leverage
Authors: Jugdev Kam , Mathur Gita
Published: January 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to present a conceptual framework to classify project management resources as sources of competitive advantage.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper draws on the resource‐based view of the firm and project management literature to explore the level of competitive advantage from 17 project management resources based on their degree of complexity and level of leverage in the project management process. This exploratory study drew on a small sample of practitioners in the classification.

Findings

The paper proposes a conceptual model to show the relationship between four categories of resources and their contribution to competitive advantage by being valuable, rare, inimitable, and organizationally supported.

Research limitations/implications

This paper is exploratory in nature and uses a small sample of practitioners.

Practical implications

The authors believe that the classification of project management resources based on complexity and leverage provides a useful framework for managers considering the impact of investment in these resources for competitive advantage.

Originality/value

This paper provides a classification of project management resources based on the complexity of the resource and its leverage in the project management process. It is posited that resources that are complex and can be highly leveraged to develop further resources warrant attention as sources of competitive advantage.
Managing project problem‐solving patterns
Authors: Cavaleri Steven , Firestone Joseph , Reed Fred
Published: January 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to present a process for managing project problem‐solving patterns. It focuses on shifting the emphasis of project teams toward a more collaborative and knowledge‐based style of dealing with challenges to project performance. The methods proposed in this paper encourage project managers to integrate processes for becoming more agile by tapping into lesson learned and knowledge gained to create higher quality solutions to problems.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper proposes a conceptual framework for recognizing problem‐solving patterns and transforming problem solving from an individual passive event to a more open, agile active, systemic process. Several actual case examples are provided to illustrate applications.

Findings

The paper examines how taking a more open approach to problem solving in projects leads to better solutions. The proposed method and lessons from actual cases offer support to these proposals.

Research limitations/implications

The proposed models in this paper originate from the conclusions and observations drawn by the authors over many years of experience. However, they are not the product of a systematic research effort. This paper is intended to provide a new lens for project managers to view projects. It does not purport to declare findings of any research or analyze any sort of research.

Practical implications

The conceptual framework provided in this paper is a practical one derived from the practices used in leading companies. The paper provides practical guidelines to aid project managers in recognizing and managing problem‐solving patterns to create better solutions to problems.

Social implications

Modern society is plagued by the effects of ineffective problem‐solving initiatives in business, government, and not‐for‐profit organizations. Flawed proposed solutions exact a toll on organizations, their members, and the constituents they serve. This paper proposes a way of improving the quality of problem‐solving processes that may benefit a broad scale of people.

Originality/value

The concept of a problem‐solving pattern and a typology of problem‐solving patterns presented in this paper, provide project managers with a new way of conceiving of how problem solving can be used to improve project performance and adaptability.
Fat pad‐derived mesenchymal stem cells as a potential source for cell‐based adipose tissue repair strategies
Authors: Khan W. S. , Adesida A. B. , Tew S. R. , Longo U. G. , Hardingham T. E.
Published: January 2012

Background:  Mesenchymal stem cells are able to undergo adipogenic differentiation and present a possible alternative cell source for regeneration and replacement of adipose tissue. The human infrapatellar fat pad is a promising source of mesenchymal stem cells with many source advantages over from bone marrow. It is important to determine whether a potential mesenchymal stem‐cell exhibits tri‐lineage differentiation potential and is able to maintain its proliferation potential and cell‐surface characterization on expansion in tissue culture. We have previously shown that mesenchymal stem cells derived from the fat pad can undergo chondrogenic and osteogenic differentiation, and we characterized these cells at early passage. In the study described here, proliferation potential and characterization of fat pad‐derived mesenchymal stem cells were assessed at higher passages, and cells were allowed to undergo adipogenic differentiation.

Materials and methods:  Infrapatellar fat pad tissue was obtained from six patients undergoing total knee replacement. Cells isolated were expanded to passage 18 and proliferation rates were measured. Passage 10 and 18 cells were characterized for cell‐surface epitopes using a range of markers. Passage 2 cells were allowed to undergo differentiation in adipogenic medium.

Results:  The cells maintained their population doubling rates up to passage 18. Cells at passage 10 and passage 18 had cell‐surface epitope expression similar to other mesenchymal stem cells previously described. By staining it was revealed that they highly expressed CD13, CD29, CD44, CD90 and CD105, and did not express CD34 or CD56, they were also negative for LNGFR and STRO1. 3G5 positive cells were noted in cells from both passages. These fat pad‐derived cells had adipogenic differentiation when assessed using gene expression for peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor γ2 and lipoprotein lipase, and oil red O staining.

Discussion:  These results indicate that the cells maintained their proliferation rate, and continued expressing mesenchymal stem‐cell markers and pericyte marker 3G5 at late passages. These results also show that the cells were capable of adipogenic differentiation and thus could be a promising source for regeneration and replacement of adipose tissue in reconstructive surgery.
Evaluation of Nd:YAG and Er:YAG irradiation, antibacterial photodynamic therapy and sodium hypochlorite treatment on Enterococcus faecalis biofilms
Authors: Meire M. A. , Coenye T. , Nelis H. J. , De Moor R. J. G.
Published: January 2012

Meire MA, Coenye T, Nelis HJ, De Moor RJG. Evaluation of Nd:YAG and Er:YAG irradiation, antibacterial photodynamic therapy and sodium hypochlorite treatment on Enterococcus faecalis biofilms. International Endodontic Journal, 45, 482–491, 2012.

Aim  To compare the antimicrobial efficacy of two‐high power lasers (Nd:YAG and Er:YAG) and two commercial antimicrobial photodynamic therapy (aPDT) systems with that of sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) action on Enterococcus faecalis biofilms grown on dentine discs.

Methodology  Enterococcus faecalis biofilms were grown on dentine discs in a microtiter plate, incubated for 24 h and subjected to the following treatments: aPDT (Denfotex and Helbo system), Er:YAG laser irradiation (2940 nm, 50 mJ or 100 mJ, 15 Hz, 40 s), Nd:YAG laser irradiation (1064 nm, 2 W, 15 Hz, 40 s) and immersion in 2.5% (w/v) NaOCl for 1, 5, 10 and 30 min. Surviving bacteria were harvested, and the number of CFU per disc was determined by plate counting.

Results  Significant reductions (anova, P ≤ 0.05) in viable counts were observed for aPDT (Helbo) (2 log10 reduction), Er:YAG irradiation using 100 mJ pulses (4.3 log10 reduction) and all NaOCl treatments (>6 log10 reduction). NaOCl (2.5%) for 5 min effectively eliminated all bacteria. aPDT (Denfotex), Er:YAG irradiation using 50 mJ pulses and Nd:YAG treatment caused a reduction in the viable counts of <1 log10 unit; these results were not significantly different from the untreated controls.

Conclusion  Within the limitations of this particular laboratory set‐up, NaOCl was the most effective in E. faecalis biofilm elimination, while Er:YAG laser treatment (100 mJ pulses) also resulted in high reductions in viable counts. The use of both commercial aPDT systems resulted in a weak reduction in the number of E. faecalis cells. Nd:YAG irradiation was the least effective.
The role of DNA damage and caspase activation in cytotoxicity and genotoxicity of macrophages induced by bisphenol‐A‐glycidyldimethacrylate
Authors: Li Y.‐C. , Kuan Y.‐H. , Huang F.‐M. , Chang Y.‐C.
Published: January 2012

Li Y‐C, Kuan Y‐H, Huang F‐M, Chang Y‐C. The role of DNA damage and caspase activation in cytotoxicity and genotoxicity of macrophages induced by bisphenol‐A‐glycidyldimethacrylate. International Endodontic Journal, 45, 499–507, 2012.

Aim  To evaluate the potential toxicological implications of BisGMA on murine macrophage cell line RAW264.7.

Methodology  Lactate dehydrogenase release, flow cytometry, Western blot and fluorometric assays were used to detect cell viability, mode of cell death and caspase activities, respectively. In addition, alkaline single‐cell gel electrophoresis and cytokinesis‐block micronucleus assays were applied to detect genotoxicity. Statistical analyses were performed using anova followed by the Bonferroni’s t‐test for multi‐group comparisons test.

Results  BisGMA demonstrated a cytotoxic effect on RAW264.7 cells in a dose‐dependent and a time‐dependent manner (P < 0.05). BisGMA was found to induce two modes of cell death. The mode of cell death changed from apoptosis to necrosis as the concentrations of BisGMA elevated. Caspase‐3, caspase‐8 and caspase‐9 activities were significantly induced by BisGMA in a dose‐dependent manner (P < 0.05). Moreover, BisGMA exhibited genotoxicity via a dose‐related increase in the numbers of micronucleus and DNA strand breaks (P < 0.05).

Conclusions  Cytotoxicity and genotoxicity induced by BisGMA are mediated by DNA damage and caspase activation.
Spatiotemporal pattern analysis of Cacao swollen shoot virus in experimental plots in Togo
Authors: Oro F. Z. , Bonnot F. , Ngo‐Bieng M.‐A. , Delaitre E. , Dufour B. P. , Ametefe K. E. , Mississo E. , Wegbe K. , Muller E. , Cilas C.
Published: January 2012

In order to quantitatively analyse the spatial pattern of cacao swollen shoot disease, particularly in cases of re‐emergence, three experimental plots were installed in a diseased area of cacao cv. Amelonado in Togo. After thorough cleaning and grubbing, the three plots were planted with less susceptible, hybrid plant material. Twenty years after replanting, a survey of healthy, diseased and dead trees was carried out during 2 consecutive years. Data were analysed using Ripley’s functions and join counts analysis. The re‐emergence of the disease occurred in patches or foci: following analyses with the two statistical methods, diseased trees and dead trees were found to be clearly aggregated on the three observed plots for the 2 years. The observed progress of the disease was not the same on the three plots and seemed dependent on the disease state of the first year: the higher the attack rate of the first year, the faster the disease progression. The use of less susceptible plants helped keep the land productive for 15 years. In conclusion, uprooting of the first infection focus can extend the life of cacao plots.
Allergen Challenge Differentially Affects the Number of Circulating Monocyte Subsets
Authors: Kowal K. , Moniuszko M. , Dabrowska M. , Bodzenta‐Lukaszyk A.
Published: January 2012

Peripheral blood monocyte (PBM) subsets play different roles in inflammatory response and tissue remodelling. The aim of this study was to investigate how allergen challenge affects the number of circulating PBMs in Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus (Dp) allergic patients (Dp‐APs). Among 34 Dp‐APs challenged, in 22 patients significant bronchoconstriction was demonstrated [responders (Rs)], while in 12, only upper respiratory symptoms were seen [non‐responders (NRs)]. Twelve healthy, non‐atopic subjects were used as controls (HCs). Expression of CD14, CD16 and CCR4 was evaluated by flow cytometry on the whole‐blood samples before (T0), 6 h (T6) and 24 h (T24) after the challenge. Plasma concentrations of CCL2, CX3CL1 and CCL17 were evaluated using ELISA. At T0, the mean percentage of CD14++ CD16+ PBMs in Rs (35.4%; 95%CI 26.9–43.9%) was significantly greater than in HCs (14.6%; 95%CI 7.3–21.8%; P = 0.006) and in NRs (17.5%; 95%CI 9.6–25.4%; P = 0.001). The baseline number of CD14++ CD16+ PBMs correlated with airway hyper responsiveness (AHR) (r = −0.507; 95%CI −0.834 to −0.432, P < 0.001). At T24, the number of CD14++ CD16+ PBMs significantly decreased in Rs but not in NRs and the numbers inversely correlated with plasma CCL17 concentration. Changes in the number of circulating CD14++ CD16+ cells after Dp challenge correlated with AHR (r = 0.706, 95%CI 0.43–0.861; P < 0.001). In all subjects, the greatest expression of CCR4 was found on CD14++ CD16+ PBMs. Expansion of CD14++ CD16+ monocytes in the peripheral blood with subsequent mobilization of those cells after allergen challenge may facilitate the development of AHR in Dp‐APs.
Early experiences of vasodilators and hypotensive anesthesia in children
Authors: Brown T.C.K.
Published: January 2012

The physiological application of OHMS LAW explains the basis of hypotensive anesthesia.

V = IR translates into:

Pressure = Flow × Resistance or

Blood pressure = Cardiac Output × Peripheral Resistance.

If peripheral resistance is reduced by a vasodilator such as sodium nitroprusside (a short acting, vascular smooth muscle relaxant) or phenoxybenzamine (a long acting α adrenoreceptor antagonist), blood pressure will fall and vasoconstriction and bleeding will be reduced. A less desirable alternative to lowering blood pressure could be to reduce cardiac output by suppressing myocardial contractility using a ß1 adrenoceptor antagonist or an inhalational agent such as isoflurane.
Developing a Human‐centred and Science‐based Approach to Design: The Knowledge Management Platform Project
Authors: Pascal Amandine , Thomas Catherine , Romme A. Georges L.
Published: January 2012

The gap between theory and practice is a persistent problem in management and organization research. In this respect, several scholars have suggested that ‘design’ is an ideal‐typical form of mode 2 knowledge production. Design research develops knowledge in the service of action and problem solving in organizational settings. In this paper, we connect two perspectives on design that can be considered to be largely complementary but have hardly been combined and integrated in practice:science‐based designdrawing on design propositions grounded in research andhuman‐centred designemphasizing an active and systematic participation by users and other stakeholders. An integrated approach that builds on both perspectives is developed and subsequently applied to designing and developing a portal for mapping competencies in an information technology cluster. This project involves creating problem awareness and articulating design propositions as well as developing scenarios of use, experimenting with prototypes, and organizational transformation. As such, this methodology addresses the dual challenge of rigour and relevance by producing both scientific and practical knowledge.
Studies on serum 8‐hydroxy guanosine (8‐OHdG) as reliable biomarker for psoriasis
Authors: Basavaraj K.H. , Vasu Devaraju P. , Rao K.S.
Published: January 2012

Background  Oxidative stress was implicated in the psoriasis disease development and may damage DNA leading to keratinocytes cell death. No serum biomarker was available for the oxidative DNA damage.

Objectives  To evaluate the 8‐OHdG (8‐Hydroxy guanosine) as reliable biomarker for the oxidative stress in psoriatic patients with severity.

Methods  A total of 30 patients were considered for the study and graded according to the Psoriasis Area Severity Index (PASI) and 10 healthy controls. Blood was collected under aseptic condition, and serum was separated. Serum 8‐OHdG and total antioxidant capacity was measured by competitive enzyme linked immunosorbent assay using `8‐OHdG Check’ and PAO kit (JaICA, Fukuroi City, Japan).

Results  The average serum 8‐OHdG level in the control, mild, moderate and severe groups were 1.18 ± 0.93 ng/mL, 3.46 ± 0.82 ng/mL, 3.68 ± 0.67 ng/mL and 4.86 ± 1.7 ng/mL respectively. There was no significant difference in the average level of total antioxidant capacity of control, mild, moderate and severe groups, and the values presented were 295.88 ± 206 μmol/L, 1392.20 ± 225 μmol/L, 1199.57 ± 257 μmol/L and 1184.24 ± 207 μmol/L respectively.

Conclusion  Serum 8‐OHdG levels could be used as good biomarker for the early diagnosis of psoriasis and its management.
Brain insulin resistance accelerates Aβ fibrillogenesis by inducing GM1 ganglioside clustering in the presynaptic membranes
Authors: Yamamoto Naoki , Matsubara Teruhiko , Sobue Kazuya , Tanida Mamoru , Kasahara Rika , Naruse Kaori , Taniura Hideo , Sato Toshinori , Suzuki Kenji
Published: January 2012

J. Neurochem. (2012) 121, 619–628.

Type 2 diabetes mellitus is thought to be a significant risk factor for Alzheimer’s disease. Insulin resistance also affects the central nervous system by regulating key processes, such as neuronal survival and longevity, learning and memory. However, the mechanisms underlying these effects remain uncertain. To investigate whether insulin resistance is associated with the assembly of amyloid β‐protein (Aβ) at the cell surface of neurons, we inhibited insulin‐signalling pathways of primary neurons. The treatments of insulin receptor (IR)‐knockdown and a phosphatidylinositol 3‐kinase inhibitor (LY294002), but not an extracellular signal‐regulated kinase inhibitor, induced an increase in GM1 ganglioside (GM1) levels in detergent‐resistant membrane microdomains of the neurons. The aged db/db mouse brain exhibited reduction in IR expression and phosphorylation of Akt, which later induced an increase in the high‐density GM1‐clusters on synaptosomes. Neurons treated with IR knockdown or LY294002, and synaptosomes of the aged db/db mouse brains markedly accelerated an assembly of Aβs. These results suggest that ageing and peripheral insulin resistance induce brain insulin resistance, which accelerates the assembly of Aβs by increasing and clustering of GM1 in detergent‐resistant membrane microdomains of neuronal membranes.
Theory, Ideal Theory and the Theory of Ideals
Authors: Hamlin Alan , Stemplowska Zofia
Published: January 2012

The recent prominence of the ideal/non-ideal debate is largely due to the fact that it offers a vocabulary in which to diagnose what many see as a key problem of political theory: its relative unwillingness to provide solutions to urgent problems facing people here and now; or for people as they are rather than as they should be. The primary aim of this article is to offer an improved understanding of the territory that the ideal/non-ideal debate relates to.
The Right Tool for the Job: The Canalization of Presidential Policy Attention by Policy Instrument
Authors: Larsen‐Price Heather A.
Published: January 2012

This article investigates how presidential policy attention is allocated across policy tools and whether there is a channeling of tool use by policy area. I also examine whether there is evidence of disproportionate information processing within presidential policy attention allocation and whether it is common across presidential policy tools. Presidential messages, hearings on administrations' legislative proposals, amicus briefs, and executive orders are employed to capture presidential policy tools. The allocation of attention via these four instruments is examined from 1957–2007 in the policy areas of defense and foreign affairs, macroeconomics, banking and commerce, civil rights, law and crime, and labor and immigration. I find that there is a canalization of presidential policy attention by instrument, and that the opportunity structure of policy tools shapes attention allocation. Additionally, I find evidence for punctuated equilibrium theory in the allocation of presidential policy attention via these four tools. When presidents do shift their attention to an issue area, they often attack the issue with some coordination of their policy instruments.
Integrating Prior Knowledge in Multiple Testing under Dependence with Applications to Detecting Differential DNA Methylation
Authors: Kuan Pei Fen , Chiang Derek Y.
Published: January 2012

Summary DNA methylation has emerged as an important hallmark of epigenetics. Numerous platforms including tiling arrays and next generation sequencing, and experimental protocols are available for profiling DNA methylation. Similar to other tiling array data, DNA methylation data shares the characteristics of inherent correlation structure among nearby probes. However, unlike gene expression or protein DNA binding data, the varying CpG density which gives rise to CpG island, shore and shelf definition provides exogenous information in detecting differential methylation. This article aims to introduce a robust testing and probe ranking procedure based on a nonhomogeneous hidden Markov model that incorporates the above‐mentioned features for detecting differential methylation. We revisit the seminal work of Sun and Cai (2009, Journal of the Royal Statistical Society: Series B (Statistical Methodology) 71, 393–424) and propose modeling the nonnull using a nonparametric symmetric distribution in two‐sided hypothesis testing. We show that this model improves probe ranking and is robust to model misspecification based on extensive simulation studies. We further illustrate that our proposed framework achieves good operating characteristics as compared to commonly used methods in real DNA methylation data that aims to detect differential methylation sites.
The impact of nesting cormorants on plant and arthropod diversity
Authors: Kolb Gundula S. , Jerling Lenn , Essenberg Carolina , Palmborg Cecilia , Hambäck Peter A.
Published: January 2012

Seabirds can strongly affect several major factors correlated with species diversity by concentrating marine nutrients on their nesting islands and by physically disturbing island vegetation. In this study, we investigated the effects of nesting cormorants on the abundance, species richness, and composition of plants and arthropods (Coleoptera, Heteroptera, Araneae, and Chironomidae) on islands in Stockholm archipelago, Sweden. Nesting cormorants negatively affected plant species richness and vegetation cover and that changed plant species composition. The effect of nesting cormorants on island arthropods varied between feeding groups and sampling methods. Most orders did not change in abundance or species richness but some, such as coleopterans and spiders changed in species composition. Herbivorous coleopterans were generally negatively affected by cormorants whereas fungivorous species and scavengers were generally positively affected. In structural equation modeling we found that the effect of cormorants was sometimes direct, such as on scavengers, but many effects on island consumers were mediated by changes in vegetation caused by cormorant presence. Overall, arthropod communities were highly dissimilar between cormorant and reference islands, and we therefore conclude that nesting cormorants not only affect the diversity of their nesting islands but also of the archipelago as a whole. The total diversity in the archipelago may increase through regional increased habitat heterogeneity and by adding species which are favored by seabirds (e.g. scavenging and fungivorous coleopterans).
Fluctuations in plant populations: role of exogenous and endogenous factors
Authors: Hernández Plaza Eva , Navarrete Luis , Lacasta Carlos , González‐Andujar José Luis
Published: January 2012

Question

What is the role of exogenous and endogenous factors in determining fluctuations in plant populations?

Methods

A total of 29 long‐term time series from different plant species was analysed. Data were obtained from the literature as well as from our own surveys. For each series we calculated the autocorrelation function to identify the presence of cyclic dynamics. The existence and the order of density‐dependent processes were examined by calculating the partial rate correlation function to obtain the global Lyapunov exponent to assess whether populations exhibited chaotic dynamics. To test the effect of exogenous factors on each population, we used regression analyses to relate mean annual temperature and total annual precipitation to population abundance. Finally, we employed a Mann‐Whitney U‐test to analyse whether populations that showed endogenous regulation occurred in less variable environments.

Results

We found no evidence for periodicity in the long‐term time series analysed. Endogenous factors appeared to contribute to abundance fluctuations in eight plant populations, with three showing evidence of direct density‐dependent regulation (first‐order negative feedback) and five showing evidence for delayed density dependence (second‐order negative feedback). The majority of populations were characterized by stable dynamics, although in five cases a positive global Lyapunov exponent suggested the possibility of chaotic dynamics. The exogenous factors that were considered contributed to explaining the temporal dynamics for four populations. Populations that showed evidence for endogenous regulation were not more frequently found in less variable environments.

Conclusions

In this study the effects of direct and delayed density dependence were negative in eight of 29 populations, suggesting intra‐specific competition, delayed competition or inhibitory non‐resource‐based effects as the regulating mechanisms. The climate variables considered helped to explain the temporal variation in the abundance of only four of 29 populations, and neither density dependence nor environmental control were detected for 19 of the 29 populations. Inability to detect exogenous regulation may be because key environmental drivers were not included in the analysis. Regarding endogenous processes, longer records could increase the probability of detection.
Can receipt of a regular postcard reduce suicide‐related behaviour in young help seekers? A randomized controlled trial
Authors: Robinson Jo , Yuen Hok Pan , Gook Sara , Hughes Alison , Cosgrave Elizabeth , Killackey Eoin , Baker Kathryn , Jorm Anthony , McGorry Patrick , Yung Alison
Published: January 2012

Aim:Suicide attempt, ideation and deliberate self‐harm are common among adolescents. Limited evidence exists regarding interventions that can reduce risk; however, research indicates that maintaining contact with at‐risk adults following discharge from services via letter or postcard can reduce risk. The aim of the study was to test a postcard intervention among people aged 15–24 who presented to mental health services but were not accepted, yet were at risk of suicide.

Methods:A randomized controlled trial of 3 years in duration was used. The intervention consisted of 12 postcards sent once a month for 12 months following presentation to the service. Key outcomes of interest were reduced rates of suicide attempt, suicidal ideation and deliberate self‐harm, assessed at 12 and 18 months.

Results:Participants reported that they liked receiving the postcard and that they used the strategies recommended. However, no significant effect of the postcard intervention was found on suicide risk, although participants in both groups improved on measures of mental health over the course of the study.

Conclusions:There remains a need for further research into youth‐friendly interventions for young people at risk of suicide.
Attentional bias in anxiety and depression: The role of awareness
Authors: Mogg Karin , Bradley Brendan P. , Williams Rachel
Published: January 2012

Attentional biases were assessed with a probe detection task in anxious (N = 17), depressed (N = 17) and normal control (N = 15) subjects. Word pairs were presented visually, with a dot probe following one word of each pair. Allocation of attention to the spatial position of the words was determined from response latencies to the probes. Half the word pairs were presented supraliminally, half subliminally. The anxious and depressed groups showed an attentional bias towards supraliminal negative words, in comparison with normal controls. The depressed group unexpectedly showed greater vigilance for supraliminal anxiety‐relevant words than the anxious group. The anxious group shifted their attention towards the spatial location of negative words presented subliminally. The results support the hypothesis of an anxiety‐related bias in preconscious processes.
The nature and long‐term effects of childhood sexual abuse: A survey of adult women survivors in Britain
Authors: Ussher Jane M. , Dewberry Christopher
Published: January 2012

The nature and long‐term effects of childhood sexual abuse (CSA) were examined in 775 women survivors who responded to a survey in a women's magazine. Compared to existing research, there was a high rate of CSA involving sexual intercourse (46 %), a high rate of intra‐familial abuse (80%), a younger age of onset of abuse (8.5 years), and a longer duration of abuse (5.2 years). In univariate analyses, the reporting of a range of long‐term psychological effects was significantly related to experience of abuse involving sexual intercourse or sexual contact, abuse perpetrated by a father or stepfather, abuse which was repeated or prolonged, presence of threats or violence, blaming of the child, saying disclosure would split the family, and a younger age of onset. In logistic and multiple regression analyses, the most important predictor variables were presence of threats or violence, and verbal coercion, followed by abuse being repeated or prolonged. It is suggested that future researchers should use a range of assessment instruments and multivariate analyses to examine the nature and long‐term effects of child sexual abuse in both women and men.
Community care for people with challenging behaviours and mild learning disability: An evaluation of an assessment and treatment unit
Authors: Gaskell George , Dockrell Julie , Rehman Hamid
Published: January 2012

This paper reports a three‐year evaluation of the Mental Impairment Evaluation and Treatment Service (MIETS). MIETS, a hospital‐based unit, seeks to prepare clients with a mild learning disability and challenging behaviours for resettlement in the community. The evaluation focuses on the progress of 34 clients from preadmission to six months post‐discharge. The majority of clients came from hospitals or prisons, were on medication and were referred for serious challenging behaviours. For a subsample of the clients the Vineland and the Adaptive Behaviour Scale, Part II were used to assess changes in behaviour and a general trend of statistically significant decreases in maladaptive behaviour was observed. In contrast to the comprehensive assessment and treatments, behavioural observations on eight clients show that levels of participation and social engagement are not high. Twenty of the 34 clients were resettled in the community and maintained a community placement for a least six months. Some districts were unable to implement the placement recommendations; had they done so the rate of community placement would have been 80 per cent. It is concluded that community care is a viable option for people with challenging behaviour; without the specialist inputs of MIETS few of the clients would have achieved community placements, but questions are raised about the length of admission.
A psychological analysis of menopausal hot flushes
Authors: Hunter Myra S. , Liao K. Lih‐Mei
Published: January 2012

Hot flushes and night sweats are one of the main symptoms accompanying the menopause, and are a main reason for seeking medical help at this time. This study of 61 women (reporting hot flushes once a week or more) investigates dimensions of subjective reporting using open questions and rating scales. Two separate factors were delineated using a principal component factor analysis ‐ frequency (of hot flushes and night sweats) and problem ratings (of distress, interference and perception of flushes as problematic) ‐ which had high test‐retest reliability. The frequency ratings correlated highly with prospective daily monitoring. Depressed mood, anxiety and low self‐esteem, but not frequency, discriminated between those who regarded flushes as problematic and those who did not. It is suggested that these two subjective measures should be used in assessment and in evaluation of hormonal and psychological interventions.
Different patterns of pulmonary vascular disease induced by type 1 diabetes and moderate hypoxia in rats
Authors: Moral‐Sanz Javier , Lopez‐Lopez Jose G. , Menendez Carmen , Moreno Enrique , Barreira Bianca , Morales‐Cano Daniel , Escolano Lucia , Fernandez‐Segoviano Pilar , Villamor Eduardo , Cogolludo Angel , Perez‐Vizcaino Francisco , Moreno Laura
Published: January 2012

Although type 1 and type 2 diabetes are strongly associated with systemic cardiovascular morbidity, the relationship with pulmonary vascular disease had been almost disregarded until recent epidemiological data revealed that diabetes might be a risk factor for pulmonary hypertension. Recent experimental studies suggest that diabetes induces changes in lung function insufficient to elevate pulmonary pressure. The aim of this study was to assess the effects of diabetes on the sensitivity to other risk factors for pulmonary hypertension. We therefore analysed the effects of the combination of diabetes with exposure to moderate hypoxia on classical markers of pulmonary hypertension. Control (saline‐treated) and diabetic (70 mg kg−1 streptozotocin‐treated) male Wistar–Kyoto rats were followed for 4 weeks and exposed to normoxia or moderate normobaric hypoxia (14%) for another 2 weeks. Hypoxia, but not diabetes, strongly reduced voltage‐gated potassium currents, whereas diabetes, but not hypoxia, induced pulmonary artery endothelial dysfunction. Both factors independently induced pulmonary vascular remodelling and downregulated the lung bone morphogenetic protein receptor type 2. However, diabetes, but not hypoxia, induced pulmonary infiltration of macrophages, which was markedly increased when both factors were combined. Diabetes plus hypoxia induced a modest increase in diastolic and mean pulmonary artery pressure and right ventricular weight, while each of the two factors alone had no significant effect. The pattern of changes in markers of pulmonary hypertension was different for moderate hypoxia and diabetes, with no synergic effect except for macrophage recruitment, and the combination of both factors was required to induce a moderate elevation in pulmonary arterial pressure.
A Study on Design Criteria and Matching of Turbomachines: Part A—Similarity Relations and Design Criteria of Turbines
Authors: Balje´ O. E.
Published: January 2012

Only four parameters are needed to describe the characteristics of turbomachines completely. This concept is used to present maximum obtainable efficiencies and the optimum design geometry of turbines as function of specific speed, specific diameter, Mach number, and Reynolds number, based on the state-of-the-art knowledge. Additionally, other aspects such as unit weight and rotor stresses are discussed. Some of the information is preliminary because of limited information on loss relations for turbines, particularly at low Reynolds number and high Mach numbers.
Current Technology of Radial-Inflow Turbines for Compressible Fluids
Authors: Wood Homer J.
Published: January 2012

Radial turbines have been used for hydraulic, steam, and gas turbine service. In hydraulic turbine practice, a substantial regime of specific speed is reserved exclusively for Francis turbines. No similar situation is found with compressible fluids, where axial turbines are used for the entire specific speed range of practical interest. Francis turbines consistently achieve efficiencies of 90–94 percent, but their counter parts in compressible fluid machines generally are thought to be inferior to axial turbines in performance. Review of available data indicates that radial inflow turbines with compressible fluids can approach or equal the performance of equivalent hydraulic turbines and that, in the specific speed range to which they are applicable, they can match axial turbine performance. Criteria are given which may be used for determination of the suitability of radial turbines for specific requirements.
Selective Radiation Properties of Particulate Coatings
Authors: Williams D. A. , Lappin T. A. , Duffie J. A.
Published: January 2012

The variation with wavelength of thermal radiation properties of coated surfaces is important for solar energy absorbers and in other applications, and depends on the optical properties of the coating material and the substrate, and on the structure of the coating. Theoretical considerations indicate that, for homogeneous coatings, the good optical properties of semiconductors can be improved if the coating contains a high fraction of voids. This improvement has been shown by experimental particulate PbS coatings which are not homogeneous; the selective properties of particulate coatings are better than those calculated for solid coatings at the same coating weight. PbS coatings on aluminum substrates show absorptances for solar radiation of 0.9 and long wave emittance of 0.2 to 0.3. The feasibility of selective paints has been demonstrated; PbS can be mixed with a transparent binder, silicone, to make a paint which shows a good degree of selectivity, and absorptances of 0.9 and emittances less than 0.4 have been obtained.
A Method for Predicting the Performance of Steam Turbine-Generators....: 16,500 kw and Larger
Authors: Spencer R. C. , Cotton K. C. , Cannon C. N.
Published: January 2012

A method is presented for predicting the performance of modern steam turbine-generator units designed for high efficiency levels. This method is based on recent developmental and analytical results. The necessary curves, tables, and instructions are provided for the application of the method to a large variety of units of various kilowatt ratings, types, and steam conditions. Relative heat-rate curves are presented and mathematical expressions are provided for computer applications.
The Effect of Longitudinal Heat Conduction on Periodic-Flow Heat Exchanger Performance
Authors: Bahnke G. D. , Howard C. P.
Published: January 2012

A numerical finite-difference method of calculating the effectiveness for the periodic-flow type heat exchanger accounting for the effect of longitudinal heat conduction in the direction of fluid flow is presented. The method considers the metal stream in crossflow with each of the gas streams as two separate but dependent heat exchangers. To accommodate the large number of divisions necessary for accuracy and extrapolation to zero element area, use was made of a general purpose digital computer. The values of the effectiveness thus obtained are good to four significant figures while those values for the conduction effect are good to three significant figures. The exchanger effectiveness and conduction effect have been evaluated over the following range of dimensionless parameters. 1.0⩾Cmin/Cmax⩾0.901.0⩽Cr/Cmin⩽∞1.0⩽NTU0⩽1001.0⩾(hA)*⩾0.251.0⩾As*⩾0.250.01⩽λ⩽0.32
Upscaling Statistical Methodology for Radiative Transfer in Porous Media: New Trends
Authors: Taine Jean , Iacona Estelle
Published: January 2012

The morphology of a porous medium is now generally known from X and γ ray tomography techniques. From these data and radiative properties at the pore scale, a homogenized medium associated with a porous medium phase is exhaustively characterized by radiative statistical functions, i.e., by a statistical cumulative extinction distribution function, absorption, and scattering cumulative probabilities and a general scattering phase function. The accuracy is only limited by the tomography resolution or the geometrical optics validity. When this homogenized medium follows the Beer’s laws, extinction, absorption, and scattering coefficients are identified from these statistical functions; a classical radiative transfer equation (RTE) can then be used. In all other cases, a generalized radiative transfer equation (GRTE) is directly expressed from the radiative statistical functions. When the homogenized medium is optically thick at a spatial scale such as it is practically isothermal, the radiative transfer can simply be modeled from a radiative Fourier’s law. The radiative conductivity is directly determined by a perturbation technique of the GRTE or RTE. An accurate validity criterion of the radiative Fourier’s law has recently been defined. Some paths for future research are finally given.
Cover Requirement and Stability of Horizontally Bent Buried Pipelines
Authors: Al-Ghamedy Hamdan N. , Abduljauwad Sahel N. , Siddiqui Junaid A. , Al-Shayea Naser A. , Asi Ibrahim M.
Published: January 2012

A method of calculating soil cover requirements for horizontally bent buried pipelines is described. In sequence, the results of a comprehensive three-dimensional finite element analysis are used to develop regression models for two dependent variables: maximum allowed temperature change and minimum overburden height. Other variables considered include the pipe diameter and thickness, the radius and angle of the bend, the internal pressure, the fluid specific weight, and the material used. Relationships among the different variables are determined. Finally, the results are checked with respect to several buckling modes to consider elastic instability conditions.
Engineering Design of a Multiple-Use Spherical Explosion Containment Vessel Subjected to Internal Blast Loading From 25 kg TNT High Explosive
Authors: Dong Q. , Hu B. Y. , Chen S. Y. , Gu Y.
Published: January 2012

Explosion containment vessels have been widely used to contain the internal blast effects. In this paper, we present engineering design and experimental results of a real multiple-use spherical explosion containment vessel, which has been employed to withstand internal blast loading from 25 kg trinitrotoluene (TNT) high explosive in the past 10 years. It is shown that strain growth should be considered in the analysis and design of multiple-use explosion containment vessels, and the dynamic load factor (DLF) method with the consideration of strain growth may achieve a safe and proper design.
Characterization of the Proteomic Profiles of the Brown Tide Alga Aureoumbra lagunensis under Phosphate- and Nitrogen-Limiting Conditions and of Its Phosphate Limitation-Specific Protein with Alkaline Phosphatase Activity
Authors: Sun Ming-Ming , Sun Jin , Qiu Jian-Wen , Jing Hongmei , Liu Hongbin
Published: January 2012

The persistent bloom of the brown tide alga
Aureoumbra lagunensis
has been reported in coastal embayments along southern Texas, but the molecular mechanisms that sustain such algal bloom are unknown. We compared the proteome and physiological parameters of
A. lagunensis
grown in phosphate (P)-depleted, P- and nitrogen (N)-depleted, and nutrient-replete cultures. For the proteomic analysis, samples from three conditions were subjected to two-dimensional electrophoresis and tandem mass spectrometry analysis. Because of the paucity of genomic resources in this species, a
de novo
cross-species protein search was used to identify the differentially expressed proteins, which revealed their involvement in several key biological processes, such as chlorophyll synthesis, antioxidative protection, and protein degradation, suggesting that
A. lagunensis
may adopt intracellular nutrient compensation, extracellular organic nutrient regeneration, and damage protection to thrive in P-depleted environments. A highly abundant P limitation-specific protein, tentatively identified as a putative alkaline phosphatase, was further characterized by enzyme activity assay on nondenaturing gel and confocal microscopy, which confirmed that this protein has alkaline phosphatase activity, is a cytoplasmic protein, and is closely associated with the cell membrane. The abundance, location, and functional expression of this alkaline phosphatase all indicate the importance of organic P utilization for
A. lagunensis
under P limitation and the possible role of this alkaline phosphatase in regenerating phosphate from extra- or intracellular organic phosphorus.
Effects of UV-B Radiation on the Structural and Physiological Diversity of Bacterioneuston and Bacterioplankton
Authors: Santos Ana L. , Oliveira Vanessa , Baptista Inês , Henriques Isabel , Gomes Newton C. M. , Almeida Adelaide , Correia António , Cunha Angela
Published: January 2012

The effects of UV radiation (UVR) on estuarine bacterioneuston and bacterioplankton were assessed in microcosm experiments. Bacterial abundance and DNA synthesis were more affected in bacterioplankton. Protein synthesis was more inhibited in bacterioneuston. Community analysis indicated that UVR has the potential to select resistant bacteria (e.g.,Gammaproteobacteria), particularly abundant in bacterioneuston.
Identification and Characterization of Psychrotolerant Sporeformers Associated with Fluid Milk Production and Processing
Authors: Ivy Reid A. , Ranieri Matthew L. , Martin Nicole H. , den Bakker Henk C. , Xavier Bruno M. , Wiedmann Martin , Boor Kathryn J.
Published: January 2012

Psychrotolerant spore-forming bacteria represent a major challenge to the goal of extending the shelf life of pasteurized dairy products. The objective of this study was to identify prominent phylogenetic groups of dairy-associated aerobic sporeformers and to characterize representative isolates for phenotypes relevant to growth in milk. Analysis of sequence data for a 632-nucleotide fragment of
rpoB
showed that 1,288 dairy-associated isolates (obtained from raw and pasteurized milk and from dairy farm environments) clustered into two major divisions representing (i) the genus
Paenibacillus
(737 isolates, including the species
Paenibacillus odorifer
,
Paenibacillus graminis
, and
Paenibacillus amylolyticus
sensu lato) and (ii)
Bacillus
(
n
= 467) (e.g.,
Bacillus licheniformis
sensu lato,
Bacillus pumilus
,
Bacillus weihenstephanensis
) and genera formerly classified as
Bacillus
(
n
= 84) (e.g.,
Viridibacillus
spp.). When isolates representing the most common
rpoB
allelic types (ATs) were tested for growth in skim milk broth at 6°C, 6/9
Paenibacillus
isolates, but only 2/8 isolates representing
Bacillus
subtypes, grew >5 log CFU/ml over 21 days. In addition, 38/40
Paenibacillus
isolates but only 3/47
Bacillus
isolates tested were positive for β-galactosidase activity (including some isolates representing
Bacillus licheniformis
sensu lato, a common dairy-associated clade). Our study confirms that
Paenibacillus
spp. are the predominant psychrotolerant sporeformers in fluid milk and provides 16S rRNA gene and
rpoB
subtype data and phenotypic characteristics facilitating the identification of aerobic spore-forming spoilage organisms of concern. These data will be critical for the development of detection methods and control strategies that will reduce the introduction of psychrotolerant sporeformers and extend the shelf life of dairy products.