bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Direct observation of room-temperature ferromagnetism of single-phase Ga0.962Mn0.038N by magnetic force microscopy
Authors: Chen Z. T. , Yang X. L. , Dai T. , Wang C. D. , Wen Z. C. , Han B. S. , Zhang Y. H. , Lin Z. Y. , Qian Y. Z. , Zhang H. , Zhang G. Y.
Published: November 2010

Magnetic force microscopy (MFM) observations have been performed on artificial structures of single-phase Ga0.962Mn0.038N grown by metal organic chemical vapor deposition, showing room-temperature long range magnetic order of Ga0.962Mn0.038N. The MFM results agree well with the theoretical simulation under assumption of uniform magnetization. The ferromagnetism of Ga1−xMnxN is suggested to be closely related to the configuration of Mnn+ and Mn(n+1)+ (n=2,3). This work indicates potential of effectively applying MFM to a variety of weak magnetic epitaxial thin films.
A tunable ring-type magnetoelectric inductor
Authors: Liu Guoxi , Cui Xiaoxi , Dong Shuxiang
Published: November 2010

An electrostatically tunable magnetoelectric inductor made of ring-type Pb(Zr,Ti)O3(PZT)/MnZn ferrite/Pb(Zr,Ti)O3(PZT) laminated composite has been developed. This tunable inductor worked in converse magnetoelectric effect, and with applying an electric field of 3 kV/cm, it exhibited a large inductance tunability of up to 56.6% in a wide range of frequency. Such a large tunability in inductance was due to the strong electroelastomagnetic coupling between ferrite and piezoelectric layers. An analytical expression on the dependence of permeability μi on applied electric field E was also developed, which predicted the measured results well.
Design and operation of distributed feedback transistor lasers
Authors: Dixon F. , Feng M. , Holonyak N.
Published: November 2010

The design and fabrication methods utilizing soft photocurable nanoimprint lithography to realize single longitudinal mode distributed feedback transistor lasers are investigated. Coupled-mode theory and the effective index method are used to determine accurately the periodic dimensions necessary to integrate a surface grating in the top emitter AlGaAs confining layers of an InGaP/GaAs/InGaAs heterojunction bipolar transistor laser. Electrical and optical device data confirm the design methods. The distributed feedback device produces continuous wave laser operation with a peak wavelength λ=959.75 nm and threshold current IB=13 mA operating at −70 °C. For devices with cleaved ends a side mode suppression ratio >25 dB has been achieved.
Aggregation of amphiphilic polymers in the presence of adhesive small colloidal particles
Authors: Baulin Vladimir A. , Johner Albert , Avalos Josep Bonet
Published: November 2010

The interaction of amphiphilic polymers with small colloids, capable to reversibly stick onto the chains, is studied. Adhesive small colloids in solution are able to dynamically bind two polymer segments. This association leads to topological changes in the polymer network configurations, such as looping and cross-linking, although the reversible adhesion permits the colloid to slide along the chain backbone. Previous analyses only consider static topologies in the chain network. We show that the sliding degree of freedom ensures the dominance of small loops, over other structures, giving rise to a new perspective in the analysis of the problem. The results are applied to the analysis of the equilibrium between colloidal particles and star polymers, as well as to block copolymer micelles. The results are relevant for the reversible adsorption of silica particles onto hydrophilic polymers, used in the process of formation of mesoporous materials of the type SBA or MCM, cross-linked cyclodextrin molecules threading on the polymers and forming the structures known as polyrotaxanes. Adhesion of colloids on the corona of the latter induce micellization and growth of larger micelles as the number of colloids increase, in agreement with experimental data.
Optically controlled holographic beam splitter
Authors: De Sio Luciano , Tedesco Alessandro , Tabirian Nelson , Umeton Cesare
Published: November 2010

We present the results of realization and study of a light beam splitting effect based on a full-optically controlled holographic diffraction grating. The high quality, light responsive, periodic structure, which is exploited as tunable beam splitter, is monitored by combining its zero and first diffracted orders in a Mach–Zehnder geometry interferometer. The interference pattern exhibits a dependence of the fringe visibility on the external optical pump power utilized to drive the splitting effect. The visibility, characterized by means of a standard pump-probe optical setup, reveals a strong dependence on the polarization of the probe radiation and on its incident angle as well. The effect is reversible and repeatable, and shows a continuously adjustable fringe visibility in the range 0.94–0.2, with response times in the millisecond range.
Percolative properties in ferroelectric-dielectric composite ceramics
Authors: Zhang Qiwei , Zhai Jiwei , Kong Lingbing , Yao Xi
Published: November 2010

Percolative properties in dielectric (DE) tunability were observed in three ferroelectric (FE)-DE composite ceramics as follows: xBa0.5Sr0.5TiO3–MgO, xBa0.4Sr0.6TiO3–Mg2TiO4, and xBa0.5Sr0.5TiO3–Mg3B2O6. Dielectric constants of the composites increased monotonously with increasing volume fractions of FE component. Comparatively, their DE tunabilities exhibited a weak dependence on FE concentrations over a wide range. However, their tunabilities started to decrease substantially below a critical concentration of FE. The critical concentrations were 40 vol % for Ba0.5Sr0.5TiO3–MgO, 38 vol % for Ba0.4Sr0.6TiO3–Mg2TiO4, and 33 vol % for Ba0.5Sr0.5TiO3–Mg3B2O6. These results could be used as a guide to tailor the properties of FE-DE composites for tunable device applications.
Zinc concentration dependence study of solution processed amorphous indium gallium zinc oxide thin film transistors using high-k dielectric
Authors: Nayak Pradipta K. , Busani Tito , Elamurugu Elangovan , Barquinha Pedro , Martins Rodrigo , Hong Yongtaek , Fortunato Elvira
Published: November 2010

The effects of zinc concentration on the performance of solution processed amorphous indium gallium zinc oxide (a-IGZO) thin film transistors (TFTs) have been investigated using high-k aluminum titanium oxide as gate dielectric. The x-ray diffraction results confirmed that all the IGZO channel layers are amorphous. The performance of a-IGZO TFTs were investigated in the linear regime operation. Highest linear field-effect mobility of 5.8 cm2/V s with an Ion/Ioff ratio of 6×107 and subthreshold swing of 0.28 V/dec were obtained for the a-IGZO (311) TFTs. The obtained performance of the a-IGZO TFTs is very promising for low-voltage display applications.
Two mechanisms of ion selectivity in protein binding sites
Authors: Yu Haibo , Noskov Sergei Yu. , Roux Benoît
Published: November 2010

A theoretical framework is presented to clarify the molecular determinants of ion selectivity in protein binding sites. The relative free energy of a bound ion is expressed in terms of the main coordinating ligands coupled to an effective potential of mean force representing the influence of the rest of the protein. The latter is separated into two main contributions. The first includes all the forces keeping the ion and the coordinating ligands confined to a microscopic subvolume but does not prevent the ligands from adapting to a smaller or larger ion. The second regroups all the remaining forces that control the precise geometry of the coordinating ligands best adapted to a given ion. The theoretical framework makes it possible to delineate two important limiting cases. In the limit where the geometric forces are dominant (rigid binding site), ion selectivity is controlled by the ion-ligand interactions within the matching cavity size according to the familiar “snug-fit” mechanism of host-guest chemistry. In the limit where the geometric forces are negligible, the ion and ligands behave as a “confined microdroplet” that is free to fluctuate and adapt to ions of different sizes. In this case, ion selectivity is set by the interplay between ion-ligand and ligand-ligand interactions and is controlled by the number and the chemical type of ion-coordinating ligands. The framework is illustrated by considering the ion-selective binding sites in the KcsA channel and the LeuT transporter.
Monitoring biological and psychological measures throughout an entire season in male handball players
Authors: Bresciani Guilherme , Cuevas María J. , Garatachea Nuria , Molinero Olga , Almar Mar , De Paz José A. , Márquez Sara , González‐Gallego Javier
Published: November 2010

The aim of this study was to monitor biological markers of inflammation and oxidative stress, mood states, and recovery‐stress states throughout an entire season in male handball players. Fourteen handball players (age 20.1±2.5 years) with a regular training and competitive background in handball (11.0±3.7 years) from the same club volunteered to participate. All participants completed 40 weeks of training. The training load was increased progressively throughout the season. Blood samples were collected and questionnaires were administered during preparatory, competitive, and recovery periods. Blood C‐reactive protein and oxidized glutathione (GSSG) concentrations increased during periods of high load, while the reduced/oxidized glutathione ratio (GSH/GSSG) decreased. These changes were accompanied by a significant increase in total leukocyte count. Positive correlations were found between C‐reactive protein, GSSG, GSH/GSSG ratio, and training load. No changes were observed in the Total Mood Disturbance score of the Profile of Mood States (POMS). However, scores on some Recovery‐Stress Questionnaire for Athletes subscales, such as Injury, Physical Recovery, and Being in Shape, correlated with training load. Findings indicate that during periods of high training load, handball players developed a low grade of inflammation and oxidative state. Results support the usefulness of monitoring psychological and biological markers of inflammation, oxidative stress, and training load during season.
Vertical whole‐body vibrations improve the total volume of a biceps curl set to failure
Authors: Marín Pedro J. , Herrero Azael J. , Zarzosa Fernando , Rhea Matthew R. , García‐López David
Published: November 2010

The purpose of this study was to examine the acute effects of using whole‐body vibrations exposure during a biceps curl set to failure (70% one‐repetition maximum load) on number of repetitions performed, perceived exertion, as well as velocity‐ and acceleration‐related parameters. Twenty‐three recreationally active students (19 males and 4 females) completed one set of the biceps curl exercise with and without vibration applied. Results indicate that the vibration platform provides additional stimulus for biceps curl performance, enhancing the number of maximal repetitions achieved throughout a set to volitional exhaustion at 70% one‐repetition maximum. These findings suggest that vibration can have a significant influence on exercise performance, even when the stimulus is not applied directly to the muscle group being stressed.
Kinetics of volatile organic compounds during papaya juice fermentation by three commercial wine yeasts
Authors: Lee Pin‐Rou , Yu Bin , Curran Philip , Liu Shao‐Quan
Published: November 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to assess the potential of papaya juice fermentation and to evaluate the kinetic changes of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) produced during fermentation by three commercial wine yeasts.

Design/methodology/approach

Laboratory‐scale fermentations were carried out in papaya juice using three commercial wine yeasts Saccharomyces cerevisiae var. bayanus strains EC‐1118 and R2, and S. cerevisiae MERIT.ferm. Brix, pH, optical density and yeast cell count were determined during fermentation. VOCs were analysed by headspace‐solid phase microextraction with gas chromatography‐mass spectrometry‐flame ionization detector (HS‐SPME‐GC‐MS/FID).

Findings

During fermentation, the three wine yeasts grew actively and showed similar growth patterns. Changes in Brix and pH were similar among the three yeasts. A range of VOCs were produced during fermentation including fatty acids, alcohols, acetaldehyde, esters and acetoin. Esters were the most abundant VOCs produced. Some VOCs indigenous to the papaya juice such as benzaldehyde, β‐damascenone and benzyl isothiocyanate were consumed during fermentation. Some VOCs increased initially, and then decreased during fermentation. Overall, the profiles of VOC changes during fermentation were similar among the three yeasts with some differences observed.

Originality/value

The paper suggests that papaya fermentation with S. cerevisiae yeasts are likely to result in papaya wine with similar flavours. New approaches are required to produce papaya wine with distinct flavours and to enable differentiation of papaya wines by exploiting non‐Saccharomyces yeasts in conjunction with Saccharomyces yeasts and/or by adding selected nitrogen sources.
CALIS, CASHL and library consortium trend in China
Authors: Xu Diqiu
Published: November 2010

Purpose

This paper aims to provide suggestions and predictions on library consortium development trends in China under new circumstances, as summarised from observations made of CALIS and CASHL.

Design/methodology/approach

From an overview and comparative analyses of the similar and different characteristics of CALIS and CASHL – two of the most influential library consortia in China – mainly on sources of funds, organisational management, cooperative collection development, collection character, resource sharing and services, this paper summarises the main advantages and disadvantages of the consortia to gain valuable insights.

Findings

Seven advantages and three disadvantages in CALIS and CASHL are summarised, and from the insights gained, the following suggestions and predictions on library consortium trends in China arise: the cost‐reducing and highly effective models of CALIS and CASHL will be promoted; uniformity and standardisation of construction will earn more respect and be realised; library consortia will develop in the digital library direction; the scope of consortia will be broadened; and different library consortia will move toward integration.

Practical implications

The advantages and disadvantages of the CALIS and CASHL consortia summarised by this paper, and the suggestions of this paper with regard to trends for library consortia in China provide valuable inspiration and reference for decision‐makers. Library consortium practices in China will develop and change in the directions suggested by this paper.

Originality/value

The comparative analysis of of the characteristics of the CALIS and CASHL consortia characteristics is original. The summary of the main advantages and disadvantages of the two consortia, together with suggestions and predictions regarding the trends for library consortia in China, provide useful references for researchers, the public and decision‐makers in China as well as other countries regarding library consortium experiences and improving and developing consortia.
Internal‐market orientation: a misconceived aspect of marketing theory
Authors: Gounaris Spiros , Vassilikopoulou Aikaterini , Chatzipanagiotou Kalliopi C.
Published: November 2010

Purpose

Although many authors argue that practising marketing internally facilitates the implementation of the market orientation concept, systematic empirical research to explore the validity of the argument remains surprisingly scarce. Hence, the purpose of this paper is to investigate empirically the relationship between market orientation (MO) and internal‐market orientation (IMO) as well as their joint effect on customer satisfaction.

Design/methodology/approach

The findings ground on data collected from dyads of financial services providers and their customers. The former provided the information pertaining to the company's degree of MO and IMO adoption as well as on perceived employee value, while the latter were asked about perceived customer value, perceived service quality and their satisfaction with their provider. In total 127 dyads are employed in the analysis.

Findings

The findings show that MO and IMO are two inter‐related concepts, probably falling under the marketing philosophy umbrella. Through MO adoption, customer perceived value and customer perceived quality of the service increase. Through IMO adoption, the company improves the level of employee perceived value, which also results in higher levels of customer perceived service quality. Interestingly enough, IMO adoption is also found to have a direct impact on customer perceived service quality.

Research limitations/implications

The major implication from the study is that adopting a market orientation does help improve customer satisfaction but this objective is better served when developing a more holistic view of marketing and trying to simultaneously offer value to other company stakeholders, such as the employees. The major limitation of the study is the focus on services. When it comes to manufactured goods, customers receive significant value from the tangible parts of the product and consequently further investigation is required before any generalization can be made on the basis of the strength of the relationships that this study reveals.

Practical implications

The most significant implication for practitioners is the need to strike the right balance between the company's internal and external orientation. To achieve this, companies have to invest in integrating the marketing and the human resource functions, in much the same manner in which they attempt to integrate marketing with other company functions that also influence customers' experiences.

Originality/value

This is the first empirical study to investigate the inter‐relationship and the joint effect of two well established notions, i.e. that between MO and IMO, and thus offers the required support to normative arguments regarding the need to sustain a balance between the company's external and internal focus.
The risk reduction role of advertising in relation to price rigidity
Authors: Chen Guan‐Ru
Published: November 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to investigate the relationship between advertising and price rigidity. The result can help marketing managers to launch price promotions on appropriate products.

Design/methodology/approach

The approach used in the paper is a rational expectations model. The equilibrium price can provide marketing implications for coordinating strategies of advertising and pricing.

Findings

In the presence of price movements, consumers cannot use the retail price as an efficient predictor because they cannot distinguish whether lower prices reflect lower quality or just greater retail supply. A rational expectations model shows that advertising can reduce the conditional risks resulting from price promotions, while preserving the desired effect of increasing store traffic. Therefore, less price rigidity can be found in products with more advertising expenditure, due to advertising's role in risk reduction.

Originality/value

The link between advertising and price rigidity studied in the research has critical implications for making marketing decisions. Practitioners can use the model to design appropriate marketing strategies regarding advertising and pricing.
Libraries selling withdrawn books on TradeMe
Authors: Calvert Philip James
Published: November 2010

Purpose

Some public libraries have experimented with selling withdrawn books via online auction sites, but there has been little exchange of information about the benefits of this and whether it is a practice other libraries could follow. This paper aims to address this issue.

Design/methodology/approach

Original data are collected through interviews with six practitioners.

Findings

All libraries were using TradeMe for opportunistic reasons. They had withdrawn books to sell and hoped that a national market would realise better prices than in‐house sales. Although prices were usually better, not all books sold and the staff costs were often higher than the revenues brought in.

Research limitations/implications

The research is limited to six public libraries in New Zealand.

Practical implications

Library managers learn from experience that they can generate some revenue by selling withdrawn books through online auction sites, but only if staff costs are kept down. Partnerships with dealers or interested individuals have potential. Organisations should think about integrating web activity into an e‐commerce strategy.

Originality/value

This is the first thorough assessment of the benefits and drawbacks to the activity of public libraries selling withdrawn books via an online auction site.
Scholarly and professional journals in the digital environment
Authors: Nicholas David
Published: November 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to provide evidence, comment and speculation as to the future role and shape of professional and scholarly journals.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper is evidence‐based with forecasts; employing deep log analysis evidence to obtain use and information use and seeking behaviour of journal users.

Findings

It is found that scholarly and professional journals are doing extremely well as a result of the digital transition but they will have to adapt to the behaviour of the new digital consumer, especially the Google generation.

Research limitations/implications

There is a pressing need to monitor and evaluate change in journal use patterns because of the introduction of new mobile and digital reading devices.

Practical implications

Advice is provided on journal and web site design.

Social implications

Extending a journal's reach is discussed.

Originality/value

The paper considers the future role and shape of the journal on the basis of information seeking behaviour obtained from transactional log analysis.
Balanced score card implementation for IP rights management in a public research institution
Authors: Smandek Bernhard , Barthel Andreas , Winkler Jens , Ulbig Peter
Published: November 2010

Purpose

There is a growing awareness of intellectual property (IP) rights in European public research institutes. Since 2008 a non‐binding recommendation of the European Commission has been, in effect, proposing a consistent policy for IP in research and development (R&D). While there is a broad consensus on the overall goal – achieving a higher competitiveness of European industry in the international market place – there are, however, conflicting expectations on the micro‐management: are technology transfer agencies to be considered as profit‐centers, cost‐centers, mediators or all of the above? This paper seeks to provide an answer

Design/methodology/approach

The Physikalisch‐Technische Bundesanstalt (PTB) is the national metrology institute of Germany with 1,900 employees and an annual budget of €145 million. It has established a micro‐management policy for IP rights, which is successfully fostering the development of modern instrumentation for metrology and may serve as an example for other public institutions as well. While it is obliged by law to operate as a regular market participant when licensing patents, there are additional conditions, some with the status of a law or a binding government decision as well.

Findings

The BSC approach, implemented at PTB, provides guidelines to reconcile seemingly conflicting requirements for a public entity while at the same time generating economic benefits in terms of additional income from licensing. In the authors' opinion this approach keeps costs at a reasonable level, fosters inventors' motivation and furnishes data for decisions for the technology transfer office as well as for the leadership of the institution.

Originality/value

To manage this conflict of goals the authors developed and implemented a balanced score card (BSC) system for IP management in order to optimize licensing income generation, cut costs, keep the inventor's motivation high and simultaneously realize macro‐economic technology transfer tasks. The BSC was originally introduced for the private sector by Norton and Kaplan in 1992, in response to a failure of purely monitoring financial indicators. The balanced score card considers economic and non‐economic factors, often denoted as “soft”. It is balanced with respect to result‐oriented indicators, like licensing income, and with respect to process‐oriented indicators, like the acceptance rate of inventions for patenting. And it tries to deduce from a trend of an indicator in the past a prediction of future development, associated with recommendations for actions to influence the ongoing process. The paper discusses the issues.
Organizational and business impacts of RFID technology
Authors: Barjis Joseph , Fosso Wamba Samuel
Published: November 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to briefly discuss some aspects of radio frequency identification (RFID) technology, potential applications, and challenges including scientific methods that will help to study the impacts of RFID implementation on businesses.

Design/methodology/approach

As an introductory paper, this paper conducts a brief literature review, provides personal reflection on RFID technology, and consolidates expert opinions.

Findings

This paper identifies a set of research topics that seem relevant for a large‐scale implementation of RFID systems. It brings up the importance of business impacts as a result of new RFID systems introduced to organizations.

Originality/value

The paper is original in the sense that it combines literature review, personal reflections, and expert opinions to draw a set of research topics that contribute to both acceptance and large‐scale implementation of RFID systems.
Understanding management control systems in call centers
Authors: Desai Renu
Published: November 2010

Purpose

The present paper attempts to integrate three streams of alternative approaches to provide a contingency‐based framework to understand the management control systems (MCS) that are operating in call centers. Specifically, the paper's aim is to analyse the work practices of call center employees from three different lenses: the radical approach using Braverman's labor process theory; the Foucauldian approach, which explains the governance of the self; and the naturalistic approach, which explains the governance of the built environment.

Design/methodology/approach

The data for the case study were collected by conducting interviews. The data were gathered to identify if the work experience of the call center operators reflects the Tayloristic principles of scientific management, whether their responses reflect evidence of internalizing norms and adjusting their selves to fit to the norm, and lastly whether their work conditions are shaped in the manner described above to facilitate control of their work lives.

Findings

Prior academic studies have relied on either one of the approaches and the author's contention is that neither of the theories in isolation can explain the complexities that characterize the contemporary call center operator's labor process.

Research limitations/implications

The study of control and its resistance can add to the understanding of the modern workplace. Since the call center environment is unique, the results of this study may have limited generalizability.

Practical implications

Future researchers can extend the approach used in this research to areas other than call centers that may have similar overlapping paradigms. Such an endeavor will enrich the understanding of complex phenomena, where multiple theories may be espoused to explain a particular research question.

Originality/value

A significant contribution of this study is to recognize that there is concentration of limited control and power in the hands of those who are controlled. Such an understanding may revive the “emancipatory tradition” of labour process theory and though it may not lead to the revolutionary overthrow of capitalism, it may lead to the awareness that strategies aimed at improving the lives of workers within the capitalist political economy are desirable.
The contribution of structural‐, psittacofulvin‐ and melanin‐based colouration to sexual dichromatism in Australasian parrots
Authors: TAYSOM A. J. , STUART‐FOX D. , CARDOSO G. C.
Published: November 2010

Colour ornamentation in animals is exceptionally diverse, but some colours may provide better signals of individual quality or more efficient visual stimuli and, thus, be more often used as sexual signals. This may depend on physiological costs, which depend on the mechanism of colour production (e.g. exogenously acquired colouration in passerine birds appears to be most sexually dichromatic). We studied sexual dichromatism in a sample of 27 Australasian parrot species with pigment‐ (melanin and psittacofulvin) and structural‐based colouration, to test whether some of these types of colouration are more prominent in sexual ornamentation. Unlike passerines, in which long wavelength colouration (yellow to red) usually involves exogenous and costly carotenoid pigments, yellow to red colouration in parrots is based on endogenously synthesized psittacofulvin pigments. This allows us to assess whether costly exogenous pigments are necessary for these plumage colours to have a prominent role in sexual signalling. Structural blue colouration showed the largest and most consistent sexual dichromatism, both in area and perceptually relevant chromatic differences, indicating that it is often ornamental in parrots. By contrast, we found little evidence for consistent sexual dichromatism in melanin‐based colouration. Unlike passerines, yellow to red colouration was not strongly sexually dichromatic: although the area of colouration was generally larger in males, colour differences between the sexes were on average imperceptible to parrots. This is consistent with the idea that the prominent yellow to red sexual dichromatism in passerines is related to the use of carotenoid pigments, rather than resulting from sensory bias for these colours.
The common cuckoo Cuculus canorus is not locally adapted to its reed warbler Acrocephalus scirpaceus host
Authors: AVILÉS J. M. , VIKAN J. R. , FOSSØY F. , ANTONOV A. , MOKSNES A. , RØSKAFT E. , SHYKOFF J. A. , MØLLER A. P. , JENSEN H. , PROCHÁZKA P. , STOKKE B. G.
Published: November 2010

The obligate avian brood parasitic common cuckoo Cuculus canorus comprises different strains of females that specialize on particular host species by laying eggs of a constant type that often mimics those of the host. Whether cuckoos are locally adapted for mimicking populations of the hosts on which they are specialized has never been investigated. In this study, we first explored the possibility of local adaptation in cuckoo egg mimicry over a geographical mosaic of selection exerted by one of its main European hosts, the reed warbler Acrocephalus scirpaceus. Secondly, we investigated whether cuckoos inhabiting reed warbler populations with a broad number of alternative suitable hosts at hand were less locally adapted. Cuckoo eggs showed different degrees of mimicry to different reed warbler populations. However, cuckoo eggs did not match the egg phenotypes of their local host population better than eggs of other host populations, indicating that cuckoos were not locally adapted for mimicry on reed warblers. Interestingly, cuckoos exploiting reed warblers in populations with a relatively larger number of co‐occurring cuckoo gentes showed lower than average levels of local adaptation in egg volume. Our results suggest that cuckoo local adaptation might be prevented when different cuckoo populations exploit more or fewer different host species, with gene flow or frequent host switches breaking down local adaptation where many host races co‐occur.
Is sigmoidoscopy sufficient for evaluating inflammatory status of ulcerative colitis patients?
Authors: Kato Jun , Kuriyama Motoaki , Hiraoka Sakiko , Yamamoto Kazuhide
Published: November 2010

Background and Aims:  An adequate range of colonic observations for precise evaluation of inflammation in ulcerative colitis (UC) patients has not been reported.

Methods:  Retrospective analysis of 545 colonoscopic examinations of UC patients was carried out. Severity of mucosal inflammation was evaluated using the Mayo score of endoscopic index at each location (rectum, sigmoid colon, descending colon, and the oral side of the splenic flexure) in each patient. The colonic site with maximum inflammation was determined for each patient.

Results:  Of 545 patients, 319 (59%) had maximum inflammation in the rectum, 79 (14%) in the sigmoid colon, 70 (13%) in the descending colon, and 77 (14%) on the oral side of the splenic flexure. Severe inflammatory activity (Mayo 3) was observed more frequently in patients who had maximum activity in the descending colon or the more proximal portion than those who had this in the rectum or sigmoid colon (42% vs 25%, P < 0.0001). The first‐attack patients were significantly more frequently found in patients with maximum severity in the descending colon or the oral side of splenic flexure than those with maximum severity in the rectum or sigmoid colon (P = 0.016). Moreover, among 134 patients with no inflammation in the rectum and sigmoid colon, 54 (40%) had inflamed mucosa in the descending colon or the more proximal portion.

Conclusions:  Sigmoidoscopy is not sufficient for evaluating inflammation in UC patients. In particular, colonoscopy is necessary for first‐attack patients and patients who have a discrepancy between rectosigmoid observation and symptoms.
Impaired postprandial releases/syntheses of ghrelin and PYY3‐36 and blunted responses to exogenous ghrelin and PYY3‐36 in a rodent model of diet‐induced obesity
Authors: Xu Junying , McNearney Terry A , Chen JDZ
Published: November 2010

Background and Aim:  This study investigated the effects of peripheral administration of ghrelin and PYY3‐36 on food intake and plasma and tissue fasting and postprandial ghrelin and PYY3‐36 levels in normal‐weight (NW) and diet‐induced‐obese (DIO) rats.

Methods:  In experiment one, NW and DIO rats received a single intraperitoneal injection of saline, PYY3‐36 or ghrelin; food intake was measured for 4 h. In experiment two, total plasma ghrelin and PYY3‐36, gastric fundus ghrelin, and ascending colon PYY3‐36 were measured either after a 20‐h fast or 2 h after refeeding in NW and DIO rats by radioimmunoassay.

Results:  Compared to the NW rats, findings in the DIO rats revealed: (i) a reduced sensitivity to both the anorectic effect of exogenous PYY3‐36 and the orexigenic effect of exogenous ghrelin; (ii) the postprandial plasma ghrelin levels were significantly higher; and (iii) refeeding decreased endogenous plasma ghrelin levels by 53% in the NW rats and 39% in DIO rats. Refeeding increased the plasma PYY3‐36 level by 58% in the NW rats versus 9% in the DIO rats (P = 0.003).

Conclusions:  Compared with regular rats, DIO rats exhibit blunted responses in food intake to exogenous ghrelin and PYY3‐36. Although endogenous ghrelin and PYY3‐36 in DIO rats are not altered in the fasting state, their responses to food ingestion are blunted in comparison with regular rats.
Impact of amino acid substitutions in hepatitis C virus genotype 1b core region on liver steatosis and glucose tolerance in non‐cirrhotic patients without overt diabetes
Authors: Sumida Yoshio , Kanemasa Kazuyuki , Hara Tasuku , Inada Yutaka , Sakai Kyoko , Imai Shunsuke , Yoshida Naohisa , Yasui Kohichiroh , Itoh Yoshito , Okanoue Takeshi , Yoshikawa Toshikazu
Published: November 2010

Background and Aim:  The hepatitis C virus (HCV) core protein induces hepatic steatosis and glucose intolerance in transgenic mice. The aim of this study was to clarify the impact of mutations in the HCV core region on hepatic steatosis and glucose tolerance in patients with chronic hepatitis C.

Methods:  Seventy‐four Japanese patients (27 men, 47 women; mean age, 61.9 years) infected with HCV 1b with high viral load (>5 log IU/ml), without cirrhosis and overt diabetes, were enrolled. Substitutions in amino acids 70 and 91 of the HCV genotype 1b core region, the percentage of hepatic steatosis by liver histology, and glucose tolerance evaluated by the oral glucose tolerance test were investigated in all patients.

Results:  Steatosis was observed in 40 patients (54%). Transaminase activities, γ‐glutamyl‐transpeptidase, serum ferritin levels, homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance index, and substitutions of amino acid 70 were significantly associated with the presence of steatosis, upon univariate analysis. Glucose intolerance was more prevalent in patients with steatosis (63%) than in those without steatosis (32%, P = 0.012). Multivariate analysis showed that substitution of amino acid 70 (odds ratio: 4.924; 95% confidence interval: 1.442–16.815; P = 0.014) and glucose intolerance (odds ratio: 3.369; 95% confidence interval: 1.076–10.544; P = 0.040) were independent factors related to liver steatosis. Levels of plasma glucose and serum insulin after glucose load were similar between patients with and without substitutions of amino acids 70 and 91.

Conclusions:  Amino acid substitutions in the HCV genotype 1b core region are associated with hepatic steatosis in patients with chronic hepatitis C, independent of glucose intolerance.
Attributional style of Egyptians with schizophrenia
Authors: Elnakeeb Mayar , Abdel‐Dayem Samia , Gaafar Maha , Mavundla Thandisizwe R.
Published: November 2010

The attributional style is one domain of social cognition that involves perceiving, interpreting, and generating responses to others' intentions and behaviours in different situations. This study describes the attributional style of Egyptians with schizophrenia. The study took place in a psychiatric hospital in Egypt. Eight psychiatric wards were randomly selected, and all participants (150) with a diagnosis of schizophrenia participated. Data were collected using the Ambiguous Intention Hostility Questionnaire (AIHQ), the attributional style interview schedule, and the sociodemographic/clinical data sheet. Participants' scores on the AIHQ varied significantly between different situations (intentional, accidental, and ambiguous). The attributional style of the studied participants regarding their perceived psychosocial problems tended to be related to specific causes. These causes were mostly externally attributed to other people and to circumstances, and were perceived not to persist in the future. It would seem that Egyptians with schizophrenia tend to blame other people for negative events if these events are perceived to cause intentional harm.
Children’s word fluency strategies
Authors: TALLBERG I. M. , CARLSSON S. , LIEBERMAN M.
Published: November 2010

Tallberg, I.M., Carlsson, S. & Lieberman, M. (2011). Children’s word fluency strategies. Scandinavian Journal of Psychology 52, 35–42.

Two word fluency tasks, the FAS letter fluency task and the “animal” semantic fluency task, were administered to 130 healthy Swedish‐speaking children between 6 and 15 years of age. The main aim was to gather normative data on these word fluency tasks for Swedish‐speaking children. Another purpose was to examine the switching and clustering strategies used, along with the occurrence of erroneous responses, in relation to demographic data and number of words retrieved. Both phonological and semantic analyses of switching and clustering were conducted. Higher age was found to be related to a more effective use of phonological and semantic switching and clustering strategies. The reference data resulting from this study may be of clinical value in examinations of children with various diagnoses, including language impairment.
Quantifying the Cost of Passive Smoking on Child Health: Evidence from Children’s Cotinine Samples
Authors: Frijters Paul , Shields Michael A. , Wheatley Price Stephen , Williams Jenny
Published: November 2010

We document the main risk factors that determine children’s exposure to passive smoke, and we use econometric techniques to provide a new economic quantification of the effect of this exposure on child health. One of our main contributions is the use of a large nationally representative sample of children drawn from the Health Survey for England, for whom we match parental and household smoking and demographic characteristics. We use an objective measure of children’s exposure, namely the level of cotinine in their saliva. We find that both parental and child carer smoking behaviour are major risk factors in determining children’s exposure to passive smoke. For a child who is exposed to a high number of passive smoking risk factors, the income equivalence of such exposure is £16000 per year. Finally, comprehensively controlling for child passive smoking does not explain the observed gradient between household income and parental-reported child health in England.
Teledermatology with an integrated nurse – led clinic on the Faroe Islands – 7 years’ experience
Authors: Bryld L.E. , Heidenheim M. , Dam T.N. , Dufour N. , Vang E. , Agner T. , Jemec G.B.E.
Published: November 2010

Background  Telemedicine is an increasingly suggested answer to the problem of providing high‐class medical service to rural and remote areas in a modern society. Dermatology is a promising candidate for telemedical service, because it is well suited for clinical questions forwarded together with photographs.

Objectives  To describe the patient population of the Faroe Islands dermatology clinic with respect to distribution of diagnoses, treatment, duration, response time and patient flow.

Methods  Case notes were drawn from all dermatology consultations managed during 2003–2009 through the national teledermatology system. These were compared with case notes drawn from the same journal system from the regular outpatient clinic.

Results  Over the last 7 years, a total of 9161 consultations in 7.7% of the population have been performed. The demography of the patient population reflects the underlying population apart for an over‐representation of the female gender in younger years. The disease spectrum is comparable with what has been reported in other outpatient clinics, except for the relative absence of skin cancer and pigmented lesions, for which regular outpatient consultation is reserved.

Limitations  The study is descriptive.

Conclusions  The experience derived suggests that teledermatology may serve as a near‐adequate alternative to a regular private practice, if abstaining from treating minor common skin conditions and purely cosmetic conditions is acceptable.
EFFECT OF HIGH‐PRESSURE HOMOGENIZATION ON THE FUNCTIONAL PROPERTY OF PEANUT PROTEIN
Authors: DONG XINHONG , ZHAO MOUMING , YANG BAO , YANG XIAOQUAN , SHI JOHN , JIANG YUEMING
Published: November 2010

The effect of high‐pressure homogenization (HPH) at 0.1 (control), 40 or 80 MPa on the denatured peanut protein were investigated. Solubility, emulsifying property, foaming property, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) characteristic, water‐holding capacity (WHC) and scanning electron microscope (SEM) analysis of the peanut protein isolates (PPIs) from the peanut flour after various HPH treatments were analyzed. Increased solubility of the denatured peanut protein by HPH treatment depended on the pH value. In the range of pH 4−7, the HPH‐treated peanut protein exhibited a higher solubility than the non‐HPH‐treated protein, but the HPH treatment did not affect significantly the solubility in the range of pH 8−10. HPH treatment improved the emulsifying activity index (EAI) and foaming capacity (FC) but reduced the emulsifying stability index and foaming stability. In addition, HPH treatment markedly improved the WHC but slightly affected the DSC parameter. Based on the observation of SEM, many irregular fine crackles in the peanut protein after HPH treatment appeared, which showed that the treatment resulted in the change in the surface microstructure of the protein. These results indicated that the HPH treatment led to the modification of the microstructure of peanut protein and, thus, improved its functional properties such as EAI, FC and WHC.

PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS

Functional properties of plant and animal proteins are important in food processing and production formulation. Peanut exhibits an excellent potential as a source of plant proteins. Improvement of functional or nutritional properties of proteins can help produce some novel food products in food industry. The use of high‐pressure homogenization (HPH) is one of the most efficient means to improve the functional properties of plant proteins. The study exhibited that application of HPH treatment resulted in the changed the microstructure of peanut protein and, thus, improved its functional properties such as the emulsifying activity index, foam capacity and water‐holding capacity, which might be utilized in food industry.
A COMPARISON OF HEAT‐INDUCED CHANGES OF INTRAMUSCULAR CONNECTIVE TISSUE AND COLLAGEN OF BEEF SEMITENDINOSUS MUSCLE DURING WATER BATH AND MICROWAVE HEATING
Authors: CHANG H.J. , XU X.L. , LI C.B. , HUANG M. , LIU D.Y. , ZHOU G.H.
Published: November 2010

The main objective of this study was to characterize the thermal properties of intramuscular connective tissue (IMCT) and collagen in beef semitendinosus (ST) muscle from Chinese yellow bulls during water bath and microwave heating. Beef ST muscle was heated to internal endpoint temperature of 40, 50, 60, 70, 80 and 90C by water bath and microwave oven, respectively. The results indicated that insoluble collagen contents of microwave‐heated meat were higher than water bath heated except for 90C, and showed significant differences at 80 and 90C (P < 0.05). Mechanical strength of IMCT showed significant difference (P < 0.05) at 60C between water bath‐ and microwave‐heated meat. Perimysial portion content of microwave‐heated meat was significantly higher than water bath heated at 60, 70, 80 (P < 0.05) and 90°C (P < 0.01), and endomysial portion content showed a gradual decrease during heating. A heating temperature of 60C was critical, and affects the maximum shrinkage temperatures (Tmax) of IMCT for both heated meat. With the increase in heating temperature, granulation changes of IMCT and disorderly changes of collagenous fibers arrangement have resulted.

PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS

It is well known that the characteristics of intramuscular connective tissue (IMCT) and collagen are related to meat quality, especially for the meat tenderness. Besides, heating is an important step for the conversion of inedible (raw) meat to edible meat, and can make remarkable effects on the eating quality of meat. Based on those viewpoints, we reported the comparative research of water bath and microwave heating on the effects of meat quality and thermal characteristics of IMCT and collagen. Results reported in this article would be useful either for the science community or for the food industry of beef production. Moreover, our study can provide the reference for the systematic researches for Chinese yellow bulls in the future.