bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Genetic Management of Black Sea Bass: Influence of Biogeographic Barriers on Population Structure
Authors: Roy E. M. , Quattro J. M. , Greig T. W.
Published: July 2012

The black sea bass Centropristis striata is a commercially important perciform fish with a general distribution along the U.S. Atlantic coast from Cape Cod, Massachusetts, to Cape Canaveral, Florida, and in the Gulf of Mexico from Mobile Bay, Alabama, to Tampa Bay, Florida. Currently, black sea bass are managed as three separate stocks: one in the Gulf of Mexico and two along the U.S. Atlantic coast. Fish from the Gulf of Mexico represent a separate subspecies, C. striata melana. The Atlantic subspecies, C. striata striata, is divided into two management units (separated at Cape Hatteras, North Carolina) based on the hypothesis that this subspecies comprises two distinct populations exhibiting life history and morphometric differences. To further investigate this differentiation, we employed mitochondrial sequence data to test whether genetic differences are observed among the three managements units. The DNA sequence analysis revealed a significant amount of genetic variability partitioned among samples from the three management areas. Similar results were observed when the analyses were confined to the two Atlantic coast management units. These results support the designation of two distinct management units for black sea bass along the U.S. Atlantic coast.

Received July 19, 2011; accepted February 17, 2012
The Residence Time of Juvenile Fraser River Sockeye Salmon in the Strait of Georgia
Authors: Preikshot D. , Beamish R. J. , Sweeting R. M. , Neville C. M. , Beacham T. D.
Published: July 2012

Mortality in the early marine period in a particular habitat is related to the severity of the factors causing mortality and the time that juvenile Pacific salmon Oncorhynchus spp. spend in the habitat. Juvenile sockeye salmon O. nerka produced in the Fraser River rear in the Strait of Georgia immediately upon leaving freshwater. We used catches from trawl and purse seine surveys to develop two estimates of their average residence time in the Strait of Georgia and present a third estimate which pertains to Chilko Lake smolts in particular. The average time between the entry of the last 1% of juvenile sockeye salmon into the Strait of Georgia and the departure of the last juveniles was 54 d. The average time between the point when the maximum number of juvenile sockeye salmon entered the Strait of Georgia and the point when the maximum abundance in the strait occurred was 43 d. Individuals from the Chilko Lake population were shown to spend a minimum of 31–43 d in the Strait of Georgia, indicating that an average residence time of about 43–54 d is plausible.

Received October 7, 2011; accepted April 3, 2012
Ultra-precision: enabling our future
Authors: Shore Paul , Morantz Paul
Published: July 2012

This paper provides a perspective on the development of ultra-precision technologies: What drove their evolution and what do they now promise for the future as we face the consequences of consumption of the Earth’s finite resources? Improved application of measurement is introduced as a major enabler of mass production, and its resultant impact on wealth generation is considered. This paper identifies the ambitions of the defence, automotive and microelectronics sectors as important drivers of improved manufacturing accuracy capability and ever smaller feature creation. It then describes how science fields such as astronomy have presented significant precision engineering challenges, illustrating how these fields of science have achieved unprecedented levels of accuracy, sensitivity and sheer scale. Notwithstanding their importance to science understanding, many science-driven ultra-precision technologies became key enablers for wealth generation and other well-being issues. Specific ultra-precision machine tools important to major astronomy programmes are discussed, as well as the way in which subsequently evolved machine tools made at the beginning of the twenty-first century, now provide much wider benefits.
Precision engineering for astronomy: historical origins and the future revolution in ground-based astronomy
Authors: Cunningham Colin , Russell Adrian
Published: July 2012

Since the dawn of civilization, the human race has pushed technology to the limit to study the heavens in ever-increasing detail. As astronomical instruments have evolved from those built by Tycho Brahe in the sixteenth century, through Galileo and Newton in the seventeenth, to the present day, astronomers have made ever more precise measurements. To do this, they have pushed the art and science of precision engineering to extremes. Some of the critical steps are described in the evolution of precision engineering from the first telescopes to the modern generation telescopes and ultra-sensitive instruments that need a combination of precision manufacturing, metrology and accurate positioning systems. In the future, precision-engineered technologies such as those emerging from the photonics industries may enable future progress in enhancing the capabilities of instruments, while potentially reducing the size and cost. In the modern era, there has been a revolution in astronomy leading to ever-increasing light-gathering capability. Today, the European Southern Observatory (ESO) is at the forefront of this revolution, building observatories on the ground that are set to transform our view of the universe. At an elevation of 5000 m in the Atacama Desert of northern Chile, the Atacama Large Millimetre/submillimetre Array (ALMA) is nearing completion. The ALMA is the most powerful radio observatory ever and is being built by a global partnership from Europe, North America and East Asia. In the optical/infrared part of the spectrum, the latest project for ESO is even more ambitious: the European Extremely Large Telescope, a giant 40 m class telescope that will also be located in Chile and which will give the most detailed view of the universe so far.
Jatrophihabitans endophyticus gen. nov., sp. nov., an endophytic actinobacterium isolated from a surface-sterilized stem of Jatropha curcas L.
Authors: Madhaiyan Munusamy , Hu Chuan Jiong , Kim Soo-Jin , Weon Hang-Yeon , Kwon Soon-Wo , Ji Lianghui
Published: July 2012

A short rod-shaped Gram-stain-positive actinobacterium was isolated as an endophyte from the tissues of Jatropha curcas cv. KB27 and was investigated by means of a polyphasic taxonomic approach. An analysis of its 16S rRNA gene sequence indicated that strain S9-650T forms an individual line of descent and is related to certain members of the suborder

Frankineae

, order

Actinomycetales

(<95 % sequence similarity). Distance-matrix and neighbour-joining analyses set the branching point of the novel isolate between two clades, one being represented by members of the genera

Frankia

(family

Frankiaceae

) and

Acidothermus

(family

Acidothermaceae

) and the other by members of the genera

Geodermatophilus

,

Blastococcus

and

Modestobacter

(family

Geodermatophilaceae

). The organism had meso-diaminopimelic acid as the diagnostic diamino acid in the cell-wall peptidoglycan. The acyl type was found to be N-glycolylated. The major menaquinone was MK-9(H4) and the fatty acid profile was characterized by the predominance of iso-C16 : 0, C18 : 1ω9c, anteiso-C17 : 0 and C17 : 1ω8c. The polar lipids comprised diphosphatidylglycerol, an unidentified glycolipid, phospholipids and aminolipids. The G+C content of the genomic DNA was 71.2 mol%. The distinct phylogenetic position and the phenotypic markers that clearly separate the novel organism from all other members of the suborder

Frankineae

indicate that strain S9-650T represents a novel species in a new genus, for which the name Jatrophihabitans endophyticus gen. nov., sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain of the type species is S9-650T ( = DSM 45627T = KACC 16232T).
Neisseria oralis sp. nov., isolated from healthy gingival plaque and clinical samples
Authors: Wolfgang William J. , Passaretti Teresa V. , Jose Reashma , Cole Jocelyn , Coorevits An , Carpenter Andrea N. , Jose Sherly , Van Landschoot Anita , Izard Jacques , Kohlerschmidt Donna J. , Vandamme Peter , Dewhirst Floyd E. , Fisher Mark A. , Musser Kimberlee A.
Published: July 2012

A polyphasic analysis was undertaken of seven independent isolates of Gram-negative cocci collected from pathological clinical samples from New York, Louisiana, Florida and Illinois and healthy subgingival plaque from a patient in Virginia, USA. The 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity among these isolates was 99.7–100 %, and the closest species with a validly published name was

Neisseria lactamica

(96.9 % similarity to the type strain). DNA–DNA hybridization confirmed that these isolates are of the same species and are distinct from their nearest phylogenetic neighbour,

N. lactamica

. Phylogenetic analysis of 16S and 23S rRNA gene sequences indicated that the novel species belongs in the genus

Neisseria

. The predominant cellular fatty acids were C16 : 0, summed feature 3 (C16 : 1ω7c and/or iso-C15 : 0 2-OH) and C18 : 1ω7c. The cellular fatty acid profile, together with other phenotypic characters, further supports the inclusion of the novel species in the genus

Neisseria

. The name Neisseria oralis sp. nov. (type strain 6332T  = DSM 25276T  = LMG 26725T) is proposed.
Mariniflexile jejuense sp. nov., isolated from the junction between seawater and a freshwater spring, and emended description of the genus

Mariniflexile
Authors: Jung Yong-Taek , Yoon Jung-Hoon
Published: July 2012

A Gram-negative, non-spore-forming, non-flagellated, motile-by-gliding rod, designated SSK2-3T, was isolated from the junction between seawater and a freshwater spring at Jeju island, South Korea. Strain SSK2-3T grew optimally at 25–30 °C, at pH 7.0–7.5 and in the presence of 2 % (w/v) NaCl. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed that strain SSK2-3T clustered with type strains of species of the genus

Mariniflexile

, with which it exhibited 97.2–97.8 % 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity. Sequence similarity between the isolate and the other strains used in the phylogenetic analysis was <95.6 %. Strain SSK2-3T contained MK-6 as the predominant menaquinone and iso-C15 : 0, iso-C15 : 1 G and C15 : 0 as the major fatty acids. The major polar lipids of strain SSK2-3T were phosphatidylethanolamine and one unidentified lipid. The DNA G+C content of strain SSK2-3T was 32.4 mol%. DNA–DNA relatedness between the isolate and

Mariniflexile gromovii

KCTC 12570T,

Mariniflexile fucanivorans

DSM 18792T and

Mariniflexile aquimaris

HWR-17T was 19, 15 and 20 %, respectively. The differential phenotypic properties, together with the phylogenetic and genetic distinctiveness, revealed that strain SSK2-3T is separate from other members of the genus

Mariniflexile

. On the basis of the data presented, strain SSK2-3T is considered to represent a novel species of the genus

Mariniflexile

, for which the name Mariniflexile jejuense sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is SSK2-3T ( = KCTC 23958T  = CCUG 62414T). An emended description of the genus

Mariniflexile

is given.
Sphingopyxis rigui sp. nov. and Sphingopyxis wooponensis sp. nov., isolated from wetland freshwater, and emended description of the genus Sphingopyxis
Authors: Baik Keun Sik , Choe Han Na , Park Seong Chan , Hwang Yeoung Min , Kim Eun Mi , Park Chul , Seong Chi Nam
Published: July 2012

Two yellow-pigmented, Gram-reaction-negative strains, designated 01SU5-PTand 03SU3-PT, were isolated from the freshwater of Woopo wetland, Republic of Korea. Both strains were aerobic, non-motile and catalase-negative. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that the two isolates belong to the genusSphingopyxis, showing the highest level of sequence similarity with respect toSphingopyxis witflariensisW-50T(95.4–95.7 %). The two novel isolates shared 99.4 % sequence similarity. DNA–DNA hybridization between the isolates and the type strain ofS. witflariensisclearly suggested that strains 01SU5-PTand 03SU3-PTrepresent two separate novel species in the genusSphingopyxis. The two strains displayed different fingerprints after PCR analysis using the repetitive primers BOX, ERIC and REP. Several phenotypic characteristics served to differentiate these two isolates from recognized members of the genusSphingopyxis. The data from the polyphasic study presented here indicated that strains 01SU5-PTand 03SU3-PTshould be classified as representing novel species in the genusSphingopyxis, for which the namesSphingopyxis riguisp. nov. andSphingopyxis wooponensissp. nov., respectively, are proposed. The type strain ofSphingopyxis riguisp. nov. is 01SU5-PT( = KCTC 23326T = JCM 17509T) and the type strain ofSphingopyxis wooponensissp. nov. is 03SU3-PT( = KCTC 23340T = JCM 17547T).
Stappia taiwanensis sp. nov., isolated from a coastal thermal spring
Authors: Kämpfer P. , Arun A. B. , Frischmann A. , Busse H.-J. , Young Chiu-Chung , Rekha P. D. , Chen Wen-Ming
Published: July 2012

A beige-coloured, Gram-stain-negative, aerobic, non-motile moderately thermotolerant, rod-shaped organism, strain CC-SPIO-10-1T, was isolated from a coastal hot spring of Green Island (Lutao), located off Taituang, Taiwan, on Marine Agar 2216. Based on 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis, this organism was grouped into the genus

Stappia

, showing 98.3 % sequence similarity to

Stappia indica

B106T and 98.2 % gene sequence similarity to

Stappia stellulata IAM 12621T

. Ubiquinone Q-10 was the major respiratory quinone and C18 : 1ω7c and C18 : 1ω7c 11-methyl were detected as the major fatty acids. The hydroxylated fatty acid C18 : 0 3-OH was detected as well. Predominant polar lipids were diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylglycerol, unidentified aminolipid AL1 and unidentified phospholipid PL1. Minor amounts of several unidentified lipids (PL2 and L1–L7) were present as well. The polyamine pattern contained the major compounds spermidine and spermine. Strain CC-SPIO-10-1T could be differentiated from the type strains of

S. stellulata

and

S. indica

by a set of biochemical tests. On the basis of the 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis and the chemotaxonomic and physiological data, it is concluded that strain CC-SPIO-10T represents a novel species of the genus

Stappia

for which the name Stappia taiwanensis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is CC-SPIO-10 T ( = CCUG 59208T = LMG 25538 T = CCM 7757T).
Oncogenic cooperation between SOCS family proteins and EGFR identified using a Drosophila epithelial transformation model
Authors: Herranz Héctor , Hong Xin , Hung Nguyen Thanh , Voorhoeve P. Mathijs , Cohen Stephen M.
Published: July 2012

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are emerging as cooperating factors that promote the activity of oncogenes in tumor formation and disease progression. This poses the challenge of identifying the miRNA targets responsible for these interactions. In this study, we identify the growth regulatory miRNA bantam and its target, Socs36E, as cooperating factors in EGFR-driven tumorigenesis and metastasis in a Drosophila model of epithelial transformation. bantam promotes growth by limiting expression of Socs36E, which functions as a negative growth regulator. Socs36E has only a modest effect on growth on its own, but behaves as a tumor suppressor in combination with EGFR activation. The human ortholog of SOCS36E, SOCS5, behaves as a candidate tumor suppressor in cellular transformation in cooperation with EGFR/RAS pathway activation.
Tyrosyl phosphorylation toggles a Runx1 switch
Authors: Neel Benjamin G. , Speck Nancy A.
Published: July 2012

The Runx1 transcription factor is post-translationally modified by seryl/threonyl phosphorylation, acetylation, and methylation that control its interactions with transcription factor partners and epigenetic coregulators. In this issue of Genes & Development, Huang and colleagues (pp. 1587–1601) describe how the regulation of Runx1 tyrosyl phosphorylation by Src family kinases and the Shp2 phosphatase toggle Runx1's interactions between different coregulatory molecules.
Perfectionism, self‐efficacy and OCB: the moderating role of gender
Authors: Alexandra Beauregard T.
Published: July 2012

Purpose

This paper aims to examine personality as an alternative explanation to social exchange in predicting OCB, and investigate the moderating role of gender in the link between personality and OCB.

Design/methodology/approach

A survey was conducted among 223 UK public sector employees. Multiple regression analysis tested main effects of personality and main and moderating effects of gender on OCB.

Findings

Findings indicate that personality has significant explanatory power beyond that of social exchange in predicting OCB. Employees with high levels of adaptive perfectionism report higher levels of OCB. General self‐efficacy also predicted more participation in citizenship behaviours, but only for men. Women appear to carry out citizenship behaviours regardless of how confident they feel in being able to successfully perform. This may be attributable to social and organizational norms that place women in the role of “helper” and expect more communal behaviours from them than from men.

Research limitations/implications

The cross‐sectional design of the study does not permit firm conclusions regarding causality, and the use of self‐report data carries with it the potential for common method bias.

Practical implications

The study's results suggest that encouraging adaptive perfectionistic behaviours and cognitions among employees (e.g. setting high personal standards for performance while taking setbacks in stride) may yield dividends in terms of OCB. Investing in general self‐efficacy training, especially for male employees, may also improve participation in citizenship behaviours.

Originality/value

This study extends previous work on personality by demonstrating that adaptive perfectionism can predict OCB. Existing research on gender and OCB was extended by the discovery that the role of self‐efficacy in predicting OCB may be particularly significant for men. Findings suggest that the use of social exchange theory as the predominant explanation for employees' performance of OCB may need to be reconsidered.
The present value model and Thailand's current account balance
Authors: Zubaidi Baharumshah Ahmad , Bin Ismail Hamizun
Published: July 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to determine whether current account imbalances – surpluses or deficits – are “excessive” and hence constitute a valid concern. The second objective is to assess the degree of capital mobility by comparing the variance of the current account derived from the intertemporal model with that of the actual current account.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper addresses the issues by constructing the intertemporal model using annual data between 1960 and 2006. The authors applied the F‐test, the Bartlett test and the Siegel‐Tukey test to formally validate for equality of the variances of the optimal and actual consumption smoothing current accounts.

Findings

Based on vector autoregressive model, it was found that the present value of future net output closely reflects the evolution of the current account series with a small (insignificant) deviation between the actual and the estimated consumption‐smoothing current account. The results show that the hypothesis of full‐consumption smoothing could not be rejected by the data for the full sample period, implying that the degree of capital mobility was quite high, even during the post‐1997 period. The variance ratio of the actual current account to the optimal current account is not statistically greater than one. Therefore, it is concluded that there is no evidence to suggest inappropriate use of capital flows over the entire sample period under investigation.

Originality/value

The authors relied on a more general framework, as suggested by Bergin and Sheffrin, which allows real interest rate to affect current account in order to provide a new perspective on Thailand's current account balance.
Development of a design feature database to support design for additive manufacturing
Authors: Bin Maidin Shajahan , Campbell Ian , Pei Eujin
Published: July 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to propose a method to aid design practitioners and students towards the design of additive manufactured products or parts produced using laser sintering (LS).

Design/methodology/approach

A design feature taxonomy was first developed as a guide for the development of a computer‐based design support tool. It comprised four taxons based on the reasons for utilising additive manufacturing (AM). These were user fit requirement, improved product functionality, parts consolidation and improvement of aesthetics or form. Each of the requirements was further expanded into 13 sub‐categories that contained examples of various design features that was then represented in the form of an MS Access database.

Findings

Results from user trials of the database provide evidence to show the potential of the database, as it enables users to easily visualise and gather information about AM design features.

Originality/value

The paper describes a database, the aim of which is to serve as a collective source of information for design features produced by AM and as a method to aid the conceptual design process of AM parts or products.
A comparison of humor styles in US and Mexican television commercials
Authors: Cruthirds Kevin W. , Wang Valerie L. , Wang Yong J. , Wei Jie
Published: July 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to conduct a content analysis of humor styles used in US and Mexican television advertising.

Design/methodology/approach

A total of 97 television commercials broadcasted by major US and Mexican national television networks were classified under the four humor styles described by Martin et al.

Findings

Humor styles used in television advertising significantly differ between the two countries. US commercials use more affiliative, aggressive, and self‐defeating humor than do Mexican advertisements, while self‐enhancing humor is the predominant humor style of Mexican commercials and is used more frequently in Mexico when compared to the USA.

Practical implications

The findings reveal the frequency and types of humorous television commercials used in the USA and Mexico.

Originality/value

The study suggests that cultural differences should be taken into consideration when humorous advertising is used across borders.
How understanding workforce data can invigorate your organization
Authors: by Gareth Bell Interview
Published: July 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to provide an interview with Tim Ringo.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper interviews Tim Ringo, co‐author of Calculating Success: How the New Workplace Analytics will Revitalize your Organization.

Findings

The paper tells how Ringo came to co‐author the book, outlines the four key questions companies must ask themselves in order to be successful, and discusses future trends.

Originality/value

The paper discusses the six‐step framework that will allow for a meaningful evaluation and application of workforce data.
Technological discontinuities, outsiders and social capital: a case study from Formula 1
Authors: Smith David J.
Published: July 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine how and why outsiders, rather than incumbents, are able to take advantage of technological discontinuities.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper employs a case study of a single innovation that transformed the technology of Formula 1 motor racing.

Findings

The findings show how social capital made up of “weak ties” in the form of informal personal networks, enabled an outsider to successfully make the leap to a new technological regime.

Practical implications

The findings show that where new product development involves a shift to new technologies, social capital can have an important part to play.

Originality/value

It is widely accepted that radical innovations are often competence destroying, making it difficult for incumbents to make the transition to a new technology. The paper's findings show how the social capital of outsiders can place them at a particular advantage in utilizing new technologies.
Reflections from a Black female in the promotion and tenure process
Authors: Cox Edmondson Vickie
Published: July 2012

Purpose

Navigating the tenure and promotion process can be a daunting task for faculty members regardless of race or gender at institutions of higher learning. The purpose of this paper is to reflect the experiences of a Black female as she navigates the tenure and promotion process at a predominantly White institution (PWI), most of which have an organizational culture dominated by males.

Design/methodology/approach

The author describes the process that many faculty members undertake, identifies three levels of peer involvement, and discusses some of the issues that she faced during her efforts to advance from Assistant Professor to Associate Professor to Full Professor and the lessons learnt along the way.

Findings

The goal is to illuminate: the impact of personality and communication style on career advancement for Black women in academe, the feelings of apprehension that some Black female faculty at PWIs have regarding the impact of speaking candidly about their experiences and about diversity issues impacting the work environment, and the need for peer coaching to gain tenure and promotion.

Practical implications

There are no guarantees that peer involvement will make the process less daunting or improve the chances of success for Black female faculty members at PWIs. However, this reflexive account provides insights into the process that can be useful to other Black females at PWIs, as well as, the faculty who mentor them and the administrators who seek to retain them.

Originality/value

Six tips for Black females who are going through the promotion and tenure process are set forth. Additionally, a model is proposed that describes peer involvement in faculty development.
Motherhood and its impact on career progression
Authors: McIntosh Bryan , McQuaid Ronald , Munro Anne , Dabir‐Alai Parviz
Published: July 2012

Purpose

After many years of equal opportunities legislation, motherhood still limits womens' career progress even in a feminized occupation such as nursing. While the effect of motherhood, working hours, career breaks and school aged children upon career progression has been discussed widely, its actual scale and magnitude has received less research attention. The purpose of this paper is to examine the impact of these factors individually and cumulatively.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper considers the impact of the above through a longitudinal analysis of a demographically unique national database, comprising the 46,565 registered nursing workforces in NHS Scotland from 2000‐2008. The variables examined include gender, employment grades, number and length of career breaks, lengths of service, age, working patterns, the number and age of dependent children.

Findings

The results indicate: motherhood has a regressively detrimental effect on women's career progression. However, this is a simplistic term which covers a more complex process related to the age of dependent children, working hours and career breaks. The degree of women's restricted career progression is directly related to the school age of the dependent children: the younger the child the greater the detrimental impact. Women who take a career break of greater than two years see their careers depressed and restricted. The results confirm that whilst gender has a relatively positive effect on male career progression; a women's career progression is reduced incrementally as she has more children, and part‐time workers have reduced career progression regardless of maternal or paternal circumstances.

Originality/value

This paper is the only example internationally, of a national workforce being examined on this scale and therefore its findings are significant. For the first time the impact of motherhood upon a women's career progression and the related factors – dependent children, career breaks and part‐time working are quantified. These findings are relevant across many areas of employment and they are significant in relation to broadening the debate around equal opportunities for women.
Impacts of a social support intervention for Somali and Sudanese refugees in Canada
Authors: Stewart Miriam , Simich Laura , Beiser Morton , Makumbe Knox , Makwarimba Edward , Shizha Edward
Published: July 2012

Purpose

The aim of this paper is to design and pilot test a culturally tailored intervention that meets the support needs and preferences of two refugee groups.

Design/methodology/approach

The study employed a multi‐method participatory research design and was conducted in two urban centres in western and central Canada. Support was delivered to Sudanese and Somali refugees (n=58), by trained peer and professional helpers, in face‐to‐face groups matched by gender and ethnicity and in telephone dyads. Participants completed three quantitative measures before (pre‐test) and following (post‐test) the intervention. Group interviews with refugee participants and individual interviews with peer and professional helpers conducted at post‐test, elicited qualitative data on perceived impacts and factors influencing impacts of the intervention. Service providers and policy influencers (n=22) were interviewed in groups about the implications of this intervention study for services, programs and policies.

Findings

There were significant increases in perceived support and social integration and significant decreases in loneliness following the intervention. Participants reported that they learned how to seek services and supports and how to cope with challenges faced by refugees. Service providers and policy influencers were impressed by the success of the intervention.

Originality/value

No peer support intervention studies focused on the unique support needs of African refugees have been reported. This pilot intervention study demonstrates the supportive power of like‐ethnic peers and could guide subsequent community‐based intervention trials and the design of culturally appropriate health‐related programs.
The effect of SFAS No. 123(R) on executive incentive pay
Authors: Mohan Nancy , Fall Ainina M.
Published: July 2012

Purpose

Until 2005, corporations could choose whether to expense incentive options or to disclose the value in the financial footnotes. During 2004, however, the Financial Accounting Standards Board adopted the revised Statement No. 123, which requires public corporations to measure the cost of stock options on grant‐date and expense that cost over the vesting period of the grant. This study investigates the impact of SFAS 123(R) on the type of executive incentive pay‐option versus restricted stock.

Design/methodology/approach

Comprehensive compensation data was collected from Standard & Poors ExecuComp data base for the period 2002‐2006 for two industries identified by SIC codes 73 (business services) and 35 (electronics). The study tracks the percentage of pay in the form of incentive stock options or restrictive stock grants before and after SFAS No. 123(R) was adopted in 2004. A series of multivariate regression models test whether the restricted stock percentage of total compensation can be partially explained by the adoption of SFAS 123(R).

Findings

The results show that the average fair value of stock awards is higher and the average fair value of option awards is lower after 2004. In addition, after 2004, stock compensation as a percentage of total pay is positively related to stock price volatility. The data also suggest that those companies substituting restricted stock for options actually increase total incentive pay.

Social implications

The study's findings may suggest that those companies substituting restricted stock for options increase total executive pay. This would be a side effect from the adoption of SFAS 123(R), in that most companies use the Black‐Scholes model to value executive options. Given the long life of these options and the high volatility in certain industries the option value is quite high. Therefore, the amount of substituted restricted stock is also inflated.

Originality/value

The adoption of SFAS 123(R) was highly contested by executives in industries with high stock price volatility. The authors document that, in the case of two industries, executive incentive pay structure was affected.
‘Better off alone than in bad company’: agonistic colour display in mimetic juveniles of two ephippid species
Authors: Barros B. , Sakai Y. , Hashimoto H. , Gushima K. , Vallinoto M.
Published: July 2012

Comparative field observations of agonistic interactions in juvenile leaf‐mimickingPlatax orbicularisandChaetodipterus faber(Ephippidae) were conducted in coastal waters of the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans. Similar agonistic behaviour was observed in the two species, in which individuals stopped displaying their mimetic colouration during encounters with conspecifics, to display conspicuous colours, such as transverse stripes along the body. These events were observed occasionally, almost invariably in individuals of smaller body size. Larger‐bodied individuals of both species spent less time in agonistic displays. The absolute size of the fish, however, did not appear to affect the outcome of the encounter, suggesting that dominance is a temporary condition, based on the relative size of the opponents during encounters.
Risk factors associated with a decrease ≥2 g/dL in haemoglobin and/or ≥10% haematocrit in osteoarthritis patients taking celecoxib or a nonselective NSAID plus a PPI in a large randomised controlled trial (CONDOR)
Authors: Lanas A. , Goldstein J. L. , Chan F. K. L. , Wilcox C. M. , Peura D. A. , Li C. , Sands G. H. , Scheiman J. M.
Published: July 2012

Background

Nonsteroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs are associated with gastrointestinal (GI) damage. The Celecoxib vs. Omeprazole and Diclofenac for At‐Risk Osteoarthritis and Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients (CONDOR) trial showed that a haemoglobin drop ≥2 g/dL adjudicated as either of defined or presumed GI origin was the most frequent component/event for the composite GI primary end point. This adverse event is potentially clinically relevant in long‐term NSAID treatment.

Aim

To define potential risk factors associated with a decrease in haemoglobin/haematocrit.

Methods

Post hoc analysis of the CONDOR trial was conducted in the intention‐to‐treat population. Clinically significant blood loss was defined as: (i) a haemoglobin drop ≥2 g/dL and/or a haematocrit drop ≥10%; and (ii) blood loss adjudicated as either of defined or presumed GI origin. Fifteen risk factors were evaluated by stepwise logistic regression. Each factor had to be significant at <0.20 α to be included in the model.

Results

A total of 64/3774 (1.7%) osteoarthritis (OA) patients had decreased haemoglobin/haematocrit and were adjudicated to the GI endpoint. Significant risk factors, at the 0.20 α level found to be associated with clinically significant blood loss in OA patients included [odds ratio (80% CI)] baseline C‐reactive protein (CRP) levels [2.27 (1.46–3.53)], history of gastritis and history of GI intolerance [1.55 (1.06–2.28)], positive Helicobacter pylori at screening [1.54 (1.07–2.22)], increasing age [1.17 (1.04–1.32)] and body mass index [BMI; 1.03 (1.00–1.06)].

Conclusions

Monitoring for decreases in haemoglobin should be considered for all OA patients and especially those with an increased age, BMI, history of gastritis and GI intolerance, CRP levels >1 mg/dL and/or positive
H. pylori status, as this may affect their clinical management.
The effect of the European Working Time Directive on anaesthetic working patterns and training
Authors: Paul R. G. , Bunker N. , Fauvel N.J. , Cox M.
Published: July 2012

There is concern that the European Working Time Directive 2009 has led to reduced time available for training, and this study examined if this has been the case. For two identical six‐month periods in 1999 (pre‐Directive) and 2009 (post‐Directive), weekly data were collected on the total number of sessions attended by trainees, the number of supervised sessions and the leave days taken. A total of 5925 theatre sessions were analysed (2353 in 1999 and 3572 in 2009). For ST1‐2 trainees, there was a 37% increase in theatre sessions attended (p = 0.02), with a 77% increase in the number of these sessions supervised by a consultant (p = 0.02). For ST3‐7 trainees, there was a reduction in the number of theatre sessions attended of 27% (p = 0.03), but this was not accompanied by a significant increase in the number of consultant‐supervised sessions (11% increase; p = 0.18). The aggregate median increase in weekly consultant‐supervised theatre sessions per trainee increased for ST1‐2 trainees (70% increase; p = 0.0016) but not for ST3‐7 trainees (11% increase; p = 0.31). For neither trainee group did training time decline. Our data contradict the hypothesis that the European Working Time Directive has reduced access to training, or suggest that if it has, other factors (such as improved trainee rostering) have overridden its effect.
A national service evaluation of the impact of alcohol on admissions to Scottish intensive care units*
Authors: Geary T. , O’Brien P. , Ramsay S. , Cook B.
Published: July 2012

Alcohol‐related disease adversely affects the outcome of critically ill patients. The burden of this in Scotland is higher than elsewhere in the United Kingdom. In a prospective observational study of all patients admitted to the 24 intensive care units in Scotland we assessed the proportion of admissions in which alcohol‐related disease was implicated. Of 771 admissions, 642 (83.3%) were unplanned and 196 (25.4%) were related to alcohol. There was a significantly higher proportion of men in the alcohol‐related admissions group (140 (71.4%) vs 291 (50.6%), p = 0.009). This group was also significantly younger with median (IQR [range]) ages of 51 (38–63 [16–89]) vs 63 (48–73 [16–92]) years (p < 0.001). The alcohol‐related group had a significantly longer period of ventilation with a median (IQR [range]) of 2 (1–6 [0–176]) vs 1 (0–4 [0–136]) days (p < 0.005). Admissions from an area of deprivation were more likely to be related to alcohol. Alcohol‐related admissions have a significant impact on Scottish intensive care services, with an extrapolated cost of £8.9 million per year.
Epidural catheter connectors: a laboratory‐based comparison of the Portex Tuohy‐Borst and EpiFuse™ designs*
Authors: Richardson P. B. , Turner M. W. , Wilkes A. R.
Published: July 2012

Disconnection of an epidural catheter from its connector may result in patient harm and commonly requires resiting of the epidural. Clamp‐connector designs such as the novel Portex EpiFuse™ potentially offer an improved safety profile over screw‐cap designs such as the Tuohy‐Borst, but comparative studies are limited. We therefore compared the tensile strength of EpiFuse and Tuohy‐Borst connectors in a laboratory setting. We further sought to establish whether operator modification of the EpiFuse increased its vulnerability to disconnection. The median (IQR [range]) force to induce disconnection was 8.0 (4.1–12.8 [0.0–22.6]) N for Tuohy‐Borst connectors and 16.4 (15.2–17.7 [5.7–18.9]) and 15.9 (15.0–16.9 [5.8–18.1]) N for standard and modified EpiFuse connectors, respectively (p < 0.0001). The Tuohy‐Borst was also less likely to meet British Standard requirements (13/20 sets vs 19/20 and 20/20, p = 0.002). Modification of the EpiFuse did not affect lumen patency or connection strength. We conclude that under controlled conditions, EpiFuse connectors are superior to Tuohy‐Borst connectors.
Pharmacokinetics of eribulin mesylate in patients with solid tumours receiving repeated oral rifampicin
Authors: Devriese Lot A. , Witteveen Petronella (Els) O. , Wanders Jantien , Law Kenneth , Edwards Geoff , Reyderman Larisa , Copalu William , Peng Fuping , Marchetti Serena , Beijnen Jos H. , Huitema Alwin D. R. , Voest Emile E. , Schellens Jan H. M.
Published: July 2012

Aim

Eribulin mesylate is a non‐taxane microtubule dynamics inhibitor that was recently approved for treatment of metastatic breast cancer. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of rifampicin, a CYP3A4 inducer, on the plasma pharmacokinetics of eribulin in patients with solid tumours.

Methods

An open‐label, non‐randomized phase I study was carried out. Patients received intravenous 1.4 mg m−2 eribulin mesylate on days 1 and 15 and oral rifampicin 600 mg on days 9 to 20 of a 28 day cycle. Pharmacokinetic sampling for determination of eribulin plasma concentrations was performed up to 144 h following administration. AUC(0,∞) and Cmax for eribulin exposure without or with co‐administration of rifampicin were subjected to an analysis of variance (anova) and corresponding 90% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated. Subsequently, patients were allowed to continue eribulin mesylate treatment with 1.4 mg m−2 eribulin mesylate on days 1 and 8 of a 21 day cycle. Also the adverse event profile and anti‐tumour activity were assessed.

Results

Fourteen patients were included and 11 patients were evaluable for pharmacokinetic analysis. Co‐administration of rifampicin had no effect on single dose exposure to eribulin (geometric least square means ratio: AUC(0,∞) = 1.10, 90% CI 0.91, 1.34 and Cmax = 0.97, 90% 0.81, 1.17). The most common treatment‐related grade ≥3 adverse events were grade 3 neutropenia (4/14, 29%), leucopenia and fatigue (both 3/14, 21%).

Conclusions

These results indicate that eribulin mesylate may be safely co‐administered with compounds that are CYP3A4 inducers.
Effects of atomoxetine on the QT interval in healthy CYP2D6 poor metabolizers
Authors: Loghin Corina , Haber Harry , Beasley Charles M. , Kothare Prajakti A. , Kauffman Lynnette , April John , Jin Ling , Allen Albert J. , Mitchell Malcolm I.
Published: July 2012

Aim

The effects of atomoxetine (20 and 60 mg twice daily), 400 mg moxifloxacin and placebo on QTc in 131 healthy CYP2D6 poor metabolizer males were compared.

Methods

Atomoxetine doses were selected to result in plasma concentrations that approximated expected plasma concentrations at both the maximum recommended dose and at a supratherapeutic dose in CYP2D6 extensive metabolizers. Ten second electrocardiograms were obtained for time‐matched baseline on days −2 and −1, three time points after dosing on day 1 for moxifloxacin and five time points on day 7 for atomoxetine and placebo. Maximum mean placebo‐subtracted change from baseline model‐corrected QT (QTcM) on day 7 was the primary endpoint.

Results

QTcM differences for atomoxetine 20 and 60 mg twice daily were 0.5 ms (upper bound of the one‐sided 95% confidence interval 2.2 ms) and 4.2 ms (upper bound of the one‐sided 95% confidence interval 6.0 ms), respectively. As plasma concentration of atomoxetine increased, a statistically significant increase in QTc was observed. The moxifloxacin difference from placebo met the a priori definition of non‐inferiority. Maximum mean placebo‐subtracted change from baseline QTcM for moxifloxacin was 4.8 ms and this difference was statistically significant. Moxifloxacin plasma concentrations were below the concentrations expected from the literature. However, the slope of the plasma concentration−QTc change observed was consistent with the literature.

Conclusion

Atomoxetine was not associated with a clinically significant change in QTc. However, a statistically significant increase in QTc was associated with increasing plasma concentrations.
Between subjects variability in haemoglobin and dose are not associated with the erythropoiesis‐stimulating agent used to treat anaemia in dialysis: a meta‐analysis
Authors: Pérez‐Ruixo Juan José , Cucala‐Ramos Mercedes , García‐Gonzalo Ester , Del Val Romero Beatriz , Valveny Neus
Published: July 2012

Aims

We aimed to compare mean and between subject variability in haemoglobin (Hb) and erythropoiesis‐stimulating agents (ESA) dose across the ESA compounds used to treat anaemia in dialysis patients.

Methods

We performed a meta‐analysis of randomized trials evaluating ESA in adult patients with chronic kidney disease on dialysis (target Hb 9–13.5 g dl−1), and compared mean Hb and its standard deviation (SD), and ESA dose and its coefficient of variation (CV) between the different agents [rHuEPO alfa or beta, darbepoetin alfa, pegylated‐epoetin beta (PEG‐EPO) or other epoetins]. The effect of route and frequency of administration, frequency of dose adjustments, study blinding and type, baseline value, Hb target and sampling frequency were also assessed.

Results

Among 4983 patients from 16 studies, pooled Hb mean and SD during the evaluation phase were 11.5 g dl−1 (95% CI 11.3, 11.7) and 0.99 g dl−1 (0.88, 1.09), respectively. The Hb mean and SD were not significantly influenced by the covariates tested. Only Hb SD was significantly lower in maintenance studies relative to correction studies. No differences in mean ESA dose and CV were found across the covariates, except that PEG‐EPO monthly dose was 42% higher than the every 2 weeks dose and the rHuEPO i.v. dose was 32% higher than the s.c. dose.

Conclusions

Between subject variability in haemoglobin and ESA dose in dialysis patients is not associated with the type of ESA, nor with the dosing interval or route of administration, except for higher dose requirements in PEG‐EPO monthly administration relative to every 2 weeks or rHuEPO i.v. relative to s.c.
Tadpoles enhance microbial activity and leaf decomposition in a neotropical headwater stream
Authors: RUGENSKI AMANDA T. , MÚRRIA CESC , WHILES MATT R.
Published: July 2012

1. Relationships between biodiversity and ecosystem function are of increasing interest, particularly in freshwater ecosystems where species losses are occurring at unprecedented rates. Amphibian declines have been associated with a loss of ecosystem function in neotropical streams, but little is known of the potential roles of stream‐dwelling tadpoles in leaf decomposition. Leaf litter is an important energy source to streams, and the breakdown of this material to fine particulate organic matter (FPOM) is a key ecosystem function.

2. We used mesocosms in a natural stream setting to quantify the effects of grazing tadpoles, shredding macroinvertebrates and a combination of the two on leaf decomposition and associated microbial activity. We measured respiration rates of decomposing leaves, particulate organic matter (POM) and leaf biofilm biomass and C : N : P ratios, and leaf area loss in 4 treatments: Control, tadpole only (TP), tadpole and shredding macroinvertebrates (TP + INV) and shredding macroinvertebrates only (INV). We hypothesised that tadpoles would enhance leaf decomposition by changing nutrient availability and stimulating microbial activity.

3. Respiration rates ranged from 3.1 to 6.0 mg O2 dry mass−1 h−1 and were significantly higher in the TP and TP + INV treatments than in the control. The TP + INV treatment had significantly higher POM in chambers than the control and INV treatments. The TP treatment had significantly lower leaf biofilm biomass than the control and INV treatments.

4. Tadpoles influenced the elemental balance of C and N in POM and leaf biofilm. In contrast to our prediction, molar C : N ratios were higher in the TP + INV treatment than in the control. Mean molar N : P ratios in POM were higher in the TP + INV treatment than in any other treatment. Leaf biofilm followed a similar pattern, but both TP and TP + INV had significantly higher N : P ratios than the control and INV treatments. Leaf area loss was greatest when tadpoles and invertebrates were together (TP + INV = 0.6% leaf area loss per mg organism) than separate (TP = 0.1%, INV = 3%), indicating facilitation.

5. Tadpoles indirectly affected leaf decomposition by influencing microbial communities and macroinvertebrate feeding. As such, ongoing amphibian declines may adversely affect a critical ecosystem function in freshwater habitats.