bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Essential fatty acids in early life: structural and functional role
Authors: Uauy Ricardo , Mena Patricia , Rojas Cecilia
Published: May 2009

Essential fatty acids (EFA) are structural components of all tissues and are indispensable for cell membrane synthesis; the brain, retina and other neural tissues are particularly rich in long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LCPUFA). These fatty acids serve as specific precursors for eicosanoids that regulate numerous cell and organ functions. Results from animal and recent human studies support the essential nature ofn-3 EFA in addition to the well-established role ofn-6 EFA for human subjects, particularly in early life. The most significant effects relate to neural development and maturation of sensory systems. Recent studies using stable-isotope-labelled tracers demonstrate that even preterm infants are able to form arachidonic acid (AA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), but that synthesis is extremely low. Intracellular fatty acids or their metabolites regulate transcriptional activation of gene expression during adipocyte differentiation, and retinal and nervous system development. Regulation of gene expression by LCPUFA occurs at the transcriptional level and is mediated by nuclear transcription factors activated by fatty acids. These nuclear receptors are part of the steroid hormone receptor family. Two types of polyunsaturated fatty acid responsive transcription factors have been characterized, the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) and the hepatic nuclear factor 4α. DHA also has significant effects on photoreceptor membranes involved in the signal transduction process, rhodopsin activation, and rod and cone development. Comprehensive clinical studies have shown that dietary supplementation with marine oil or single-cell oils, sources of LCPUFA, results in increased blood levels of DHA and AA, as well as an associated improvement in visual function in formula-fed premature infants to match that of human milk-fed infant. Recent clinical trials convincingly support LCPUFA supplementation of preterm infant formulations and possibly term formula to mimic human milk composition.
Morphological and physiological dormancy in seeds of Aegopodium podagraria (Apiaceae) broken successively during cold stratification
Authors: Vandelook Filip , Bolle Nele , Van Assche Jozef A.
Published: May 2009

A low-temperature requirement for dormancy break has been observed frequently in temperate-climate Apiaceae species, resulting in spring emergence of seedlings. A series of experiments was performed to identify dormancy-breaking requirements of Aegopodium podagraria, a nitrophilous perennial growing mainly in mildly shaded places. In natural conditions, the embryos in seeds of A. podagraria grow in early winter. Seedlings were first observed in early spring and seedling emergence peaked in March and April. Experiments using temperature-controlled incubators revealed that embryos in seeds of A. podagraria grow only at low temperatures (5°C), irrespective of a pretreatment at higher temperatures. Seeds did not germinate immediately after embryo growth was completed, instead an additional cold stratification period was required to break dormancy completely. Once dormancy was broken, seeds germinated at a range of temperatures. Addition of gibberellic acid (GA3) had a positive effect on embryo growth in seeds incubated at 10°C and at 23°C, but it did not promote germination. Since seeds of A. podagraria have a low-temperature requirement for embryo growth and require an additional chilling period after completion of embryo growth, they exhibit characteristics of deep complex morphophysiological dormancy.
Pregnancy-related food habits among women of rural Sikkim, India
Authors: Mukhopadhyay Susmita , Sarkar Arpita
Published: May 2009

Objective

Every society follows its own traditional health-care beliefs and practices during and after pregnancy, which is intimately linked to its socio-cultural environment. The objective of the present study was to document pregnancy-related food practices and the social-cultural factors linked with them.

Design

The present study was a cross-sectional one conducted among a group of women residing in five villages in east Sikkim, India. Mothers who had given birth to a child one year before the survey participated in the study. The mothers answered a pre-tested questionnaire on food habits and practices followed antepartum and for 6 weeks postpartum.

Subjects

The study group consisted of 199 women of Nepali caste groups with variations in economic condition.

Results

More than 86 % of mothers consumed special foods during the postpartum period. Taboos on different food categories during the postpartum were reported only by 65·3 % of mothers. Factors found to be significantly associated with special food consumption were literacy status during the antepartum and parity during the postpartum.

Conclusions

The change in consumption patterns reflects the success of a safe motherhood campaign propagated by the government. Detailed investigation in this area, involving per capita daily consumption during pregnancy and the postpartum period, is needed.
Die Bildung prädiktiver Inferenzen von Kindern und Erwachsenen bei der kognitiven Verarbeitung audiovisueller und auditiver Texte
Authors: Unsöld Ilka H. , Nieding Gerhild
Published: May 2009

Zusammenfassung. In den vorliegenden 2 Experimenten wurde mit insgesamt 192 Probanden im Alter von 6, 8, 10, 13 und 22 Jahren untersucht, ob während der Rezeption von Filmen oder Hörspielen prädiktive Inferenzen über den Fortgang der Handlung gebildet werden. In den Experimenten wurden kurze narrative Texte in audiovisueller oder auditiver Form präsentiert. Die Texte wurden durch ein Standbild eines Objekts unterbrochen, das mit einer prädiktiven Inferenz assoziiert ist oder nicht. Die Probanden erhielten die Aufgabe, das eingeblendete Objekt so schnell wie möglich zu benennen. Erfasst wurden die Benennungslatenzen. Die Ergebnisse zeigen, dass nur die jüngsten Probanden bei den audiovisuellen Texten prädiktive Inferenzen generieren.
Generation of parallel electric fields in the Jupiter–Io torus wake region
Authors: Ergun R. E. , Ray L. , Delamere P. A. , Bagenal F. , Dols V. , Su Y.‐J.
Published: May 2009

Infrared and ultraviolet images have established that auroral emissions at Jupiter caused by the electromagnetic interaction with Io not only produce a bright spot, but an emission trail that extends in longitude from Io's magnetic footprint. Electron acceleration that produces the bright spot is believed to be dominated by Alfvén waves whereas we argue that the trail or wake aurora results from quasi‐static parallel electric fields associated with large‐scale, field‐aligned currents between the Io torus and Jupiter's ionosphere. These currents ultimately transfer angular momentum from Jupiter to the Io torus. We examine the generation and the impact of the quasi‐static parallel electric fields in the Io trail aurora. A critical component to our analysis is a current‐voltage relation that accounts for the low‐density plasma along the magnetic flux tubes that connect the Io torus and Jupiter. This low‐density region, ∼ 2 RJ from Jupiter's center, can significantly limit the field‐aligned current, essentially acting as a “high‐latitude current choke.” Once parallel electric fields are introduced, the governing equations that couple Jupiter's ionosphere to the Io torus become nonlinear and, while the large‐scale behavior is similar to that expected with no parallel electric field, there are substantial deviations on smaller scales. The solutions, bound by properties of the Io torus and Jupiter's ionosphere, indicate that the parallel potentials are on the order of 1 kV when constrained by peak energy fluxes of a few milliwatts per square meter. The parallel potentials that we predict are significantly lower than earlier reports.
Formation and maintenance of single‐thread tie channels entering floodplain lakes: Observations from three diverse river systems
Authors: Rowland J. C. , Dietrich W. E. , Day G. , Parker G.
Published: May 2009

Tie channels connect rivers to floodplain lakes on many lowland rivers and thereby play a central role in floodplain sedimentology and ecology; yet they are generally unrecognized and little studied. Here we report the results of field studies focused on tie channel origin and morphodynamics in the following three contrasting systems: the Middle Fly River (Papua New Guinea), the Lower Mississippi River, and Birch Creek in Alaska. Across these river systems, tie channels vary by an order of magnitude in size but exhibit the same characteristic morphology and appear to develop and evolve by a similar set of processes. In all three systems, the channels are characterized by a narrow, leveed, single‐thread morphology with maximum width approximately one tenth the width of the mainstem river. The channels typically have a V‐shaped cross section, unlike most fluvial channels. These channels develop as lakes become isolated from the river by sedimentation. Narrowing of the connection between river and lake causes a sediment‐laden jet to develop. Levees develop along the margins of the jet leading to channel emergence and eventual levee aggradation to the height of the mainstem levees. Bidirectional flow in these channels is common. Outflows from the lake scour sediment and prevent channel blockage. We propose that channel geometry and size are then controlled by a dynamic balance between channel narrowing by suspended sediment deposition and incision and widening by mass failure of banks during outflows. Tie channels are laterally stable and may convey flow for hundreds to a few thousand of years.
Pathogen recognition in the innate immune response
Authors: Kumar Himanshu , Kawai Taro , Akira Shizuo
Published: May 2009

Immunity against microbial pathogens primarily depends on the recognition of pathogen components by innate receptors expressed on immune and non-immune cells. Innate receptors are evolutionarily conserved germ-line-encoded proteins and include TLRs (Toll-like receptors), RLRs [RIG-I (retinoic acid-inducible gene-I)-like receptors] and NLRs (Nod-like receptors). These receptors recognize pathogens or pathogen-derived products in different cellular compartments, such as the plasma membrane, the endosomes or the cytoplasm, and induce the expression of cytokines, chemokines and co-stimulatory molecules to eliminate pathogens and instruct pathogen-specific adaptive immune responses. In the present review, we will discuss the recent progress in the study of pathogen recognition by TLRs, RLRs and NLRs and their signalling pathways.
Establishing a Pedagogical Framework for the Multicultural Course in Communication Sciences and Disorders
Authors: Horton-Ikard RaMonda , Munoz Maria L. , Thomas-Tate Shurita , Keller-Bell Yolanda
Published: May 2009

Purpose

To provide an overview of a model for teaching a foundational course in multicultural (MC) issues and to demonstrate how it can be modified for use in communication sciences and disorders (CSD) by integrating 3 primary dimensions of cultural competence: awareness, knowledge, and skills.

Method

This tutorial begins by establishing the need for a basic foundational course in MC issues for CSD. Next, the authors describe a framework for MC instruction developed in the field of clinical counseling. Finally, the framework is modified and applied to the implementation of an MC course in CSD.

Conclusion

The MC course in CSD can provide a useful foundation for facilitating the cultural competence of students in university training programs that have infused MC material across the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association’s 9 content areas.
When “Simon Says” Doesn’t Work: Alternatives to Imitation for Facilitating Early Speech Development
Authors: DeThorne Laura S. , Johnson Cynthia J. , Walder Louise , Mahurin-Smith Jamie
Published: May 2009

Purpose

To provide clinicians with evidence-based strategies to facilitate early speech development in young children who are not readily imitating sounds. Relevant populations may include, but are not limited to, children with autism spectrum disorders, childhood apraxia of speech, and late-talking toddlers.

Method

Through multifaceted search procedures, we found experimental support for 6 treatment strategies that have been used to facilitate speech development in young children with developmental disabilities. Each strategy is highlighted within this article through a summary of the underlying rationale(s), empirical support, and specific examples of how it could be applied within intervention.

Conclusions

Given the relatively sparse experimental data focused on facilitating speech in children who do not readily imitate, theoretical support emerges as particularly key and underscores the need for clinicians to consider why they are doing what they are doing. In addition, this review emphasizes the need for the research community to bridge the gap between pressing clinical needs and the limited evidence base that is currently available.
A Noninvasive Imaging Approach to Understanding Speech Changes Following Deep Brain Stimulation in Parkinson’s Disease
Authors: Narayana Shalini , Jacks Adam , Robin Donald A. , Poizner Howard , Zhang Wei , Franklin Crystal , Liotti Mario , Vogel Deanie , Fox Peter T.
Published: May 2009

Purpose

To explore the use of noninvasive functional imaging and “virtual” lesion techniques to study the neural mechanisms underlying motor speech disorders in Parkinson’s disease. Here, we report the use of positron emission tomography (PET) and transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) to explain exacerbated speech impairment following subthalamic nucleus deep brain stimulation (STN-DBS) in a patient with Parkinson’s disease.

Method

Perceptual and acoustic speech measures, as well as cerebral blood flow during speech as measured by PET, were obtained with STN-DBS on and off. TMS was applied to a region in the speech motor network found to be abnormally active during DBS. Speech disruption by TMS was compared both perceptually and acoustically with speech produced with DBS on.

Results

Speech production was perceptually inferior and acoustically less contrastive during left STN stimulation compared to no stimulation. Increased neural activity in left dorsal premotor cortex (PMd) was observed during DBS on. “Virtual” lesioning of this region resulted in speech characterized by decreased speech segment duration, increased pause duration, and decreased intelligibility.

Conclusions

This case report provides evidence that impaired speech production accompanying STN-DBS may result from unintended activation of PMd. Clinical application of functional imaging and TMS may lead to optimizing the delivery of STN-DBS to improve outcomes for speech production as well as general motor abilities.
Congruence of morphologically-defined genera with molecular phylogenies
Authors: Jablonski David , Finarelli John A.
Published: May 2009

Morphologically-defined mammalian and molluscan genera (herein “morphogenera”) are significantly more likely to be monophyletic relative to molecular phylogenies than random, under 3 different models of expected monophyly rates: ≈63% of 425 surveyed morphogenera are monophyletic and 19% are polyphyletic, although certain groups appear to be problematic (e.g., nonmarine, unionoid bivalves). Compiled nonmonophyly rates are probably extreme values, because molecular analyses have focused on “problem” taxa, and molecular topologies (treated herein as error-free) contain contradictory groupings across analyses for 10% of molluscan morphogenera and 37% of mammalian morphogenera. Both body size and geographic range, 2 key macroevolutionary and macroecological variables, show significant rank correlations between values for morphogenera and molecularly-defined clades, even when strictly monophyletic morphogenera are excluded from analyses. Thus, although morphogenera can be imperfect reflections of phylogeny, large-scale statistical treatments of diversity dynamics or macroevolutionary variables in time and space are unlikely to be misleading.
Maternal mortality and severe morbidity from sepsis in the Netherlands
Authors: KRAMER HANNAH M.C. , SCHUTTE JOKE M. , ZWART JOOST J. , SCHUITEMAKER NICO W.E. , STEEGERS ERIC A.P. , VAN ROOSMALEN JOS
Published: May 2009

Objective. To assess incidence and risk factors of maternal mortality and severe morbidity from sepsis in the Netherlands. Design. A nationwide confidential enquiry into maternal mortality from 1993 to 2006 and severe maternal morbidity from 2004 to 2006. Setting. All 98 Dutch maternity units in the Netherlands. Population. All pregnant women in the Netherlands from 1993 to 2006. Methods. All reported cases of maternal death from sepsis during 1993–2006 were reported to the Maternal Mortality Committee. Cases of severe maternal morbidity from sepsis from 2004 to 2006 were collected in a nationwide design. Main outcome measures. Incidence, case fatality rates, and possible risk factors. Results. The maternal mortality ratio from direct maternal mortality from sepsis was 0.73 per 100,000 live births (20/2,742,265). The incidence of severe maternal morbidity from sepsis was 21 per 100,000 deliveries (78/371,021), of which 79% was admitted to the intensive care unit. High age, multiple pregnancies, and the use of artificial reproduction techniques were significant risk factors for developing sepsis in univariate analysis. The overall case fatality rate for sepsis during 2004–2006 was 7.7% (6/78). Group A streptococcal infection was in 42.9% (9/21), the cause of direct maternal mortality from sepsis (1993–2006). In 31.8% (14/44), Group A streptococcal infection was the cause of obstetric morbidity from sepsis (2004–2006). Conclusions. With a case fatality rate of 7.7%, sepsis is a life threatening condition for women during pregnancy, childbirth, and puerperium.
The Swedish Birth Defects Registry: Ascertainment and incidence of spina bifida and cleft lip/palate
Authors: AMINI HASHEM , AXELSSON OVE , OLLARS BIRGITTA , ANNEREN GÖRAN
Published: May 2009

Objectives. To assess the ascertainment of spina bifida and cleft lip/palate (CLP) in newborns and in fetuses from terminated pregnancies (ToPs) in the Swedish Birth Defects Registry (BDR) and to estimate the true incidences of these two anomalies. Design. Retrospective register study. Setting. Center for Epidemiology at the Swedish National Board of Health and Welfare, and Uppsala University Hospital. Population. Newborns and fetuses from ToPs with spina bifida (1999–2004) and CLP (1999–2002) in Sweden. Methods. Data from four registries/sources were used to estimate ascertainment in BDR and incidences of spina bifida and CLP. Main outcome measure: Ascertainment, under‐ascertainment, and true incidence. Results. For newborns, under‐ascertainment of spina bifida and CLP were 6 and 13%, respectively, in BDR after record linkage with the Medical Birth Registry. Ascertainment of cleft palate increased when accompanied by cleft lip. The under‐ascertainment of spina bifida in ToPs after 18 gestational weeks was 27%. Ascertainment of CLP in all ToPs and of spina bifida in ToPs before the 18th gestational week could not be estimated. The majority (109/155, 70%) of ToPs with spina bifida occurred before the 18th week. The estimated incidence of spina bifida per 10,000 births was 6.1 (2.4 newborns and 3.7 ToPs) and of CLP 20.1 (18.9 newborns and 1.2 ToPs). Conclusion. The ascertainments are relatively high for newborns in BDR, but lower or unknown for ToPs, which has an impact on the surveillance of spina bifida in view of the high proportion of ToPs.
Prevalence of cervical human papillomavirus infection and types among women immigrated to Sicily, Italy
Authors: GIOVANNELLI LUCIA , VASSALLO ROSITA , MATRANGA DOMENICA , AFFRONTI MARIO , CALECA MARIA PIA , BELLAVIA CARMELINA , PERINO ANTONIO , AMMATUNA PIETRO
Published: May 2009

We determined the prevalence of human papillomavirus (HPV) cervical infection and HPV genotypes among 115 women immigrating to Sicily (Italy), with regard to abnormal cytology and socio‐behavioral characteristics in a cross‐sectional, observational study. Information was collected with the help of cultural mediators/translators. HPV‐DNA was assayed by the INNOLiPA HPV assay and a nested PCR/sequencing method. Sixty (52.2%) women came from sub‐Saharan Africa and 55 (47.8%) from Eastern Europe. HPV infection was found in 55 (47.8%) women. The most frequent types were the oncogenic types HPV‐16 (7.8%), HPV‐18 and 51 (6.0% each), HPV‐52 (5.2%), 31, 53, and 68 (4.3% each). Twenty‐seven (23.5%) women had cytological abnormalities associated with HPV infection (p = 0.04). Being single (OR = 2.98; 95%CI: 1.30–6.84) and parity (OR = 0.29; 95%CI: 0.12–0.65) were consistent predictors of HPV infection. Only 21 (18.2%) women returned to collect the results of their Pap and HPV tests.

The high prevalence of HPV infection and oncogenic types among immigrant women make them a priority group for cervical cancer screening. Linguistically and culturally appropriate prevention efforts are needed to sensitize immigrant women regarding HPV‐related issues and to conduct vaccine strategies for cervical cancer prevention.
An intrinsic source of radial electric field and edge flows in tokamaks
Authors: Aydemir A.Y.
Published: May 2009

We propose a new mechanism for radial electric fields and edge flows in tokamaks that will also serve as an intrinsic momentum source in systems without an up–down symmetry. An essential feature of toroidal plasmas is that charge-dependent ∇
B and curvature drifts would lead to a vertical polarization of the discharge if it were not for the Pfirsch–Schlüter currents that neutralize the resulting charge separation. However, in the presence of collisions, there is a residual vertical electric field that drives an
E
×
B
flow in the direction of increasing major radius, regardless of the orientation of the fields and currents. This flow is excluded from the hot core and is localized to the more collisional edge plasma. It has many features in common with the edge flows observed in tokamaks such as C-Mod. In an up–down symmetric geometry it carries no net toroidal angular momentum; however, its viscous interaction with asymmetric boundaries leads to a net momentum input to the plasma. Both this momentum input, and the residual vertical electric field, the source of these flows, may play an important role in the ∇
B direction-dependence of the power threshold for the L–H transition.
On impurity handling in high performance stellarator/heliotron plasmas
Authors: Burhenn R. , Feng Y. , Ida K. , Maassberg H. , McCarthy K.J. , Kalinina D. , Kobayashi M. , Morita S. , Nakamura Y. , Nozato H. , Okamura S. , Sudo S. , Suzuki C. , Tamura N. , Weller A. , Yoshinuma M. , Zurro B.
Published: May 2009

The Large Helical Device (LHD) and Wendelstein 7-X (W7-X, under construction) are experiments specially designed to demonstrate long-pulse (quasi steady state) operation, which is an intrinsic property of stellarators and heliotrons. Significant progress has been made in establishing high performance plasmas. A crucial point is the increasing impurity confinement at high density observed at several machines (TJ-II, W7-AS, LHD) which can lead to impurity accumulation and early pulse termination by radiation collapse. In addition, theoretical predictions for non-axisymmetric configurations predict the absence of impurity screening by ion temperature gradients in standard ion-root plasmas. Nevertheless, scenarios were found where impurity accumulation was successfully avoided in LHD and W7-AS due to the onset of friction forces in the (high density and low temperature) scrape-off-layer (SOL), the generation of magnetic islands at the plasma boundary and to a certain degree also by edge localized modes, flushing out impurities and reducing the net impurity influx into the core. In both the W7-AS high density H-mode regime and in the case of application of sufficient electron cyclotron radiation heating power a reduction in impurity core confinement was observed. The exploration of such purification mechanisms is a demanding task for successful steady-state operation. Impurity transport at the plasma edge/SOL was identified to play a major role for the global impurity behaviour in addition to the core confinement.
Vascular endothelial function predicts mortality risk in patients with advanced ischaemic chronic heart failure†
Authors: Shechter Michael , Matetzky Shlomi , Arad Michael , Feinberg Micha S. , Freimark Dov
Published: May 2009

Aims

Endothelial function is impaired in advanced chronic heart failure (ACHF) patients. We explored a possible association between endothelial function and subsequent mortality risk in ACHF.

Methods and results

We prospectively assessed brachial flow‐mediated dilation (FMD) in 82 consecutive New York Heart Association class IV ischaemic ACHF patients with a mean left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) of 22 ± 3%. Following overnight fasting and discontinuation of all medications for ≥12 h, percent increase in FMD (%FMD) and nitroglycerin‐mediated vasodilation were assessed using linear array ultrasound. All patients were followed for 14 ± 2 months for adverse cardiovascular events, including death, hospitalization for CHF exacerbation, or myocardial infarction. Patients were divided into two groups: those with an FMD lesser than or equal to the median %FMD of 4.6% (n = 41) and those with an FMD above the median (n = 41). Both groups were comparable regarding cardiovascular risk factors, LVEF, and concomitant medications. During follow‐up, 22 (53.6%) patients with FMD lesser than or equal to the median had composite adverse cardiovascular events compared with only eight patients (19.5%) with FMD above the median (P < 0.01). Furthermore, fiver deaths (12.1%) occurred in patients with FMD lesser than or equal to the median, compared with no deaths in patients with FMD above the median (P < 0.03). Cox regression analyses revealed that FMD was an independent predictor for these events.

Conclusion

Flow‐mediated dilation is associated with increased mortality risk in ischaemic ACHF patients.
Effect of Some Extrusion Variables on Residual Quantity of Cyanogenic Compounds in an Organic Breakfast Cereal Containing Passion Fruit Fiber
Authors: Vernaza Gabriela , Matsuura Fernando C. A. U. , Chang Yoon K. , Steel Caroline J.
Published: May 2009

Organic passion fruit fiber is obtained from organic passion fruit rind and is an interesting source of dietary fiber with potential for use in food products such as breakfast cereals. However, various researchers have confirmed the presence of cyanogenic compounds in passion fruit. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of the thermoplastic extrusion process on the residual quantity of total cyanogenic compounds (TCC) in extruded organic breakfast cereal produced with corn flour and different levels of passion fruit fiber added to the formulation. For the production of the extrudates, a 23 complete factorial design was followed, that permitted the analysis of the results by response surface methodology. The effects of the quantity of passion fruit fiber (0–30%), feed moisture content (18–28%) and barrel temperature (120–160°C) on the residual quantity of TCC were studied. The raw passion fruit fiber presented 748.3 mg/kg of TCC. The extruded products presented TCC contents of 0–254.1 mg/kg, increasing significantly with the increase of the quantity of passion fruit fiber. The residual quantity of TCC was influenced by feed moisture, while temperature had no significant effect on this response. Nevertheless, only a small reduction of cyanogenic compounds was verified in the breakfast cereals produced by thermoplastic extrusion. Thus, it was concluded that the toxicity of the cereal blends was not improved by the extrusion process.
Comparative analysis of Alu repeats in primate genomes
Authors: Liu George E. , Alkan Can , Jiang Lu , Zhao Shaying , Eichler Evan E.
Published: May 2009

Using bacteria artificial chromosome (BAC) end sequences (16.9 Mb) and high-quality alignments of genomic sequences (17.4 Mb), we performed a global assessment of the divergence distributions, phylogenies, and consensus sequences for Alu elements in primates including lemur, marmoset, macaque, baboon, and chimpanzee as compared to human. We found that in lemurs, Alu elements show a broader and more symmetric sequence divergence distribution, suggesting a steady rate of Alu retrotransposition activity among prosimians. In contrast, Alu elements in anthropoids show a skewed distribution shifted toward more ancient elements with continual declining rates in recent Alu activity along the hominoid lineage of evolution. Using an integrated approach combining mutation profile and insertion/deletion analyses, we identified nine novel lineage-specific Alu subfamilies in lemur (seven), marmoset (one), and baboon/macaque (one) containing multiple diagnostic mutations distinct from their human counterparts—Alu J, S, and Y subfamilies, respectively. Among these primates, we show that that the lemur has the lowest density of Alu repeats (55 repeats/Mb), while marmoset has the greatest abundance (188 repeats/Mb). We estimate that ∼70% of lemur and 16% of marmoset Alu elements belong to lineage-specific subfamilies. Our analysis has provided an evolutionary framework for further classification and refinement of the Alu repeat phylogeny. The differences in the distribution and rates of Alu activity have played an important role in subtly reshaping the structure of primate genomes. The functional consequences of these changes among the diverse primate lineages over such short periods of evolutionary time are an important area of future investigation.
Microinjection of Bichir (Polypterus) Embryos
Authors: Takeuchi Masaki , Okabe Masataka , Aizawa Shinichi
Published: May 2009

INTRODUCTION

Axis and germ-layer formations are central issues in vertebrate embryology. An intriguing question is how the mechanisms that existed in an ancestral vertebrate have been modified during vertebrate evolution. A major stream of vertebrates (Osteichthyes) evolved in two monophyletic lineages: the Sarcopterygii and Actinopterygii. There are many differences in the molecular and cellular mechanisms of embryogenesis between teleosts (actinopterygians) and amphibians (sarcopterygians), including the differences in bauplan (body plan). Polypterus diverged from all other actinopterygians ~400 million years ago (Mya) during the Devonian period, soon after the divarication of an ancestral bony fish into Actinopterygii and Sarcopterygii. Polypterus is thus uniquely well suited for studies assessing the ancestral state or bauplan of Osteichthyes and Actinopterygii, as well as the divergence of embryogenetic processes in teleosts and amphibians. This protocol describes the collection of Polypterus embryos and the method for microinjection.
Re-evaluation of formulae for X-ray stress analysis in polycrystalline specimens with fibre texture. Erratum
Authors: Yokoyama Ryouichi , Harada Jimpei
Published: May 2009

Errors in the paper by Yokoyama & Harada [J. Appl. Cryst.(2009),42, 185–191] are corrected.
Absolute structure determination as a reference for the enantiomeric resolution of racemic mixtures of cyclophosphazenes via chiral high-performance liquid chromatography
Authors: Coles Simon , Davies David , Hursthouse Michael , Yeşilot Serkan , Çoşut Bünyemin , Kılıç Adem
Published: May 2009

Reversed-phase chiral high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) is a potentially powerful technique for the enantiomeric resolution of racemic mixtures, although the elution order of enantiomers is only relative and it is necessary to fully characterize reference systems for this method to provide absolute configurational information. The enantiomeric resolution of a series of racemic di-spiro cyclotriphosphazene derivatives, N3P3
X
2[O(CH2)3NH]2 (X = Cl, Ph, SPh, NHPh, OPh) [(1)–(5), respectively] was carried out by reversed-phase chiral HPLC on a commercially available Pirkle-type chiral stationary phase (R,R)-Whelk-01 using 85:15 (v/v) hexane–thf as the mobile phase. The absolute configurations of the resulting enantiomers of compounds (3) (X = SPh) and (5) (X = OPh) were determined unambiguously by X-ray crystallography. For both (3) and (5) it was found that the SS enantiomer eluted before the RR enantiomer, indicating a convenient method to determine the absolute configurations of enantiomers of this series of cyclophosphazene derivatives and providing the first set of enantiomeric reference compounds for cyclophosphazene derivatives. These structures demonstrate an interesting anomaly in that the pair of enantiomers of (3) crystallize in enantiomorphically paired space groups whilst, under the same conditions, the solid-state forms of the enantiomers of (5) form structures in Sohncke space groups that are not enantiomorphous.
Charge density and electrostatic potential analyses in paracetamol
Authors: Bouhmaida Nouzha , Bonhomme François , Guillot Benoît , Jelsch Christian , Ghermani Nour Eddine
Published: May 2009

The electron density of monoclinic paracetamol was derived from high-resolution X-ray diffraction at 100 K. The Hansen–Coppens multipole model was used to refine the experimental electron density. The topologies of the electron density and the electrostatic potential were carefully analyzed. Numerical and analytical procedures were used to derive the charges integrated over the atomic basins. The highest charge magnitude (−1.2 e) was found for the N atom of the paracetamol molecule, which is in agreement with the observed nucleophilic attack occurring in the biological media. The electric field generated by the paracetamol molecule was used to calculate the atomic charges using the divergence theorem. This was simultaneously applied to estimate the total electrostatic force exerted on each atom of the molecule by using the Maxwell stress tensor. The interaction electrostatic energy of dimers of paracetamol in the crystal lattice was also estimated.
Efficient weld seam detection for robotic welding based on local image processing
Authors: Shi Fanhuai , Lin Tao , Chen Shanben
Published: May 2009

Purpose

The weld seam detection is required for a welding robot to preplan the weld seam track before the actual welding. The purpose of this paper is to investigate this subject in natural lighting conditions.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper presents an efficient algorithm of weld seam detection for butt joint welding from a single image. The basic idea of the approach is to find a pair of weld seam edges in local area first. Then, starting from the two endpoints of each edge, search for the remnant edge by iterative edge detection and edge linking.

Findings

The proposed method is insensitive to the variance of the background image and can apply to most shapes of weld seams in butt joint welding.

Research limitations/implications

The proposed method is designed only for butt joint welding, and it is performed before actual welding.

Practical implications

The system is applicable to preplan the weld trajectory for most shapes of weld seams in butt joint welding. In addition, the proposed technique may have some potential applications in the field of tailor‐welded blanks.

Originality/value

The proposed algorithm is based on local image processing and detects the whole weld seam from a single image without giving any initial seam, which is insensitive to the variance of the background image and has low‐computation cost.
The consumer‐perceived value of non‐traditional media: effects of brand reputation, appropriateness and expense
Authors: Dahlén Micael , Granlund Anton , Grenros Mikael
Published: May 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to test the consumer‐perceived value of non‐traditional media, and the moderating effects of brand reputation, appropriateness and expense.

Design/methodology/approach

The approach takes the form of an experimental study of six (real) campaigns, manipulating media type and brand reputation (with appropriateness and expense measured within subjects).

Findings

Non‐traditional media enhance consumer‐perceived value. The effects are greater for low‐ than for high‐reputation brands. High‐reputation brands are more sensitive to the appropriateness and expense of the marketing. Consumer‐perceived value leads to higher purchase and word‐of‐mouth intentions.

Research limitations/implications

The analysis of the mediating effects of consumer‐perceived value is exploratory and requires follow‐up. Being a first test of the effects of non‐traditional media, no discrimination was made between different types. This requires further attention.

Practical implications

The paper shows that non‐traditional media enhance the consumer‐perceived value of marketing, and suggests that consumer‐perceived value is important in generating purchase and word‐of‐mouth intentions. The approach also gives advice with respect to brand reputation, budget (expense) and appropriateness of marketing.

Originality/value

The paper is a first academic test of non‐traditional media/guerrilla marketing; it argues that marketing must generate consumer‐perceived value in order to be successful and finds support for this; and employs previously neglected (but highly current) variables such as appropriateness and expense. The paper is valuable in its high action‐orientation.
A comparison of brand personality and brand user‐imagery congruence
Authors: Parker Brian T.
Published: May 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to compare the brand personality and brand user‐imagery constructs in congruity theory to examine their relationship in the image congruence model as a basis of modeling brand attitudes for publicly and privately consumed brands.

Design/methodology/approach

A total of 272 surveys measured subjects' self‐image perceptions and subjects' perceptions of brand personality and user‐imagery. Congruence measures were used as indicators of the difference between respondent self‐image and each brand's image, and served as independent variables in stepwise regressions with brand attitude as the dependent variable.

Findings

The results indicated that, for publicly consumed brands, user‐imagery‐based congruence measures contributed more often to the explanatory power of the model. For privately consumed brands, brand personality congruity produced significant regressions but did not account for a large portion of explained variance, while user‐imagery only entered one private brand model.

Originality/value

Brand personality and brand user‐imagery are often used interchangeably in self‐congruity theory research. Although both constructs have received past research attention, no studies have compared them in the same study. The study fills the gap in the literature and enhances the usefulness of the self‐brand congruity model, providing a knowledge base for determining an overall brand positioning strategy.
The consumer inside: at its heart, all marketing speaks to human beings
Authors: Ferguson Rick
Published: May 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine how the current trends in B2B loyalty, technology and analytics can aid marketers in creating profitable relationships with small business owners by exploring their consumer mind.

Design/methodology/approach

This approach takes the form of a discussion, with practical examples and commentary from leaders in the marketing industry, of the top tips and trends for marketers to establish a consumer‐minded B2B relationship with small‐business clients.

Findings

Loyalty‐marketing efforts that focus solely on the hard‐benefit tactics still dominate, but companies are beginning to realize that small businesses, estimated at 16.7 million firms in the USA alone, come with individual needs and are not only business‐minded but consumer‐minded as well.

Practical implications

B2B marketers have the tools to delve deeper into their relationships with small‐business clients by examining them as they would consumers – by building a loyalty platform on a foundation of customer data.

Originality/value

The paper employs exclusive interviews with representatives from some of the largest marketing firms in the industry today and reports expert analysis and breakdown on loyalty marketing strategies.
An assessment of quality costs within electronic adverse incident reporting and recording systems
Authors: Walsh Kerry , Antony Jiju
Published: May 2009

Purpose

There are three main objectives of the research presented in this paper: to examine the challenges of using an electronic adverse incident recording and reporting system; to assess the method of using a prevention appraisal and failure model; and to identify the benefits of using quality costs in conjunction with incident reporting systems.

Design/methodology/approach

Action diary, documentation and triangulation are used to obtain an understanding of the challenges and critical success factors in using quality costing within an adverse incident recording and reporting system.

Findings

The paper provides healthcare professionals with the critical success factors for developing quality costing into an electronic adverse incident recording and reporting system. This approach would provide clinicians, managers and directors with information on patient safety issues following the effective use of data from an electronic adverse incident reporting and recording system.

Originality/value

This paper makes an attempt of using a prevention, appraisal and failure model (PAF) within a quality‐costing framework in relation to improving patient safety within an electronic adverse incident reporting and recording system.
Relational benefits and loyalty in retailing: an inter‐sector comparison
Authors: Ruiz‐Molina Maria‐Eugenia , Gil‐Saura Irene , Berenguer‐Contrí Gloria
Published: May 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to empirically a model that reflects the different types of relational benefits perceived by customers, as well as the benefits obtained by the organization in terms of customer loyalty.

Design/methodology/approach

In order to achieve the aim of this paper, a quantitative analysis through a personal survey to consumers for four types of retailing activities is performed. Data are analyzed through factor analysis and a structural equation model is estimated.

Findings

Confidence benefits and special treatment benefits have major influence on customer loyalty towards the retailer. These results are consistent across retail activities.

Research limitations/implications

The present study is limited in its scope and a first approach is considered that it might inspire further research adding new constructs into the model in order to deepen into the analysis of the relationship between customer and retailer relational benefits.

Practical implications

Since the benefits related to purchase risk reduction and confidence are the most influencing on customer loyalty, the retailer should concentrate his efforts in offering guarantees for his products and carrying out communication campaigns for improving corporate image. Also actions providing special treatment benefits might have a positive influence on customer loyalty.

Originality/value

Relational benefits and results for the retailer are studied in four different retail activities.
A measurement scale of “aesthetic style” applied to luxury goods stores
Authors: Godey Bruno , Lagier Joëlle , Pederzoli Daniele
Published: May 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to address the recent evolution of the luxury goods sector as well as the distribution strategy of some major companies. The distribution strategy must consider two different issues: first, the need to control the value chain in order to gain a competitive advantage in a sector that is becoming concentrated; second, the need to meet a desire for emotions and for aesthetic experience, as expressed by the customers of luxury goods.

Design/methodology/approach

For this exploratory phase, the paper chooses to draw the data from a convenience sample made of undergraduate students from the Rouen School of Management. Slides presenting a varied selection of luxury goods stores are exposed. On the basis of this sample, a principal component factor analysis with Varimax rotation is performed. This enabled us to find a three‐factor structure. As a preliminary, tests are carried out on the suitability of the data sample for factor analysis. The paper also testes the internal reliability of this scale.

Findings

The paper introduces and validates a scale measuring the aesthetic style of consumers of luxury goods and an extension of this scale to the outlets selling these papers.

Originality/value

As for the academic aspect, it is the first application of a measurement scale of aesthetic perception to retail. Concerning the managerial aspect, the three dimensions of the scale could bring important indications to luxury goods firms as well as to shop designers concerning the elements which influence consumer perception.
Ruthenium dioxide doped manganite‐based NTC thermistors for low‐resistance applications
Authors: Jagtap Shweta , Rane Sunit , Gosavi Suresh , Amalnerkar Dinesh
Published: May 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to study the properties of disc type negative temperature coefficient (NTC) thermistors based on the spinel system Mn‐Co‐Ni‐O with the doping of RuO2for the low‐resistance applications.

Design/methodology/approach

Emphasis was placed on the properties of ruthenium dioxide doped manganite spinel system for low‐resistance applications. The properties such as microstructure, X‐ray diffraction analysis and electrical properties are reported.

Findings

The prepared NTC thermistor compositions revealed the room temperature resistance and thermistor constant in the range of 28‐2,950 Ω and 1,539‐3,428 K, respectively. Hence, the prepared NTC thermistors with low resistance and moderate sensitivity are suitable from an industrial applications point of view.

Originality/value

The paper reports upon a synthesis procedure which is a straightforward preparation of highly densified ternary oxide (Mn‐Co‐No‐O) thermistors.
The impact of alignment between supply chain strategy and environmental uncertainty on SCM performance
Authors: Sun Szu‐Yuan , Hsu Meng‐Hsiang , Hwang Wen‐Jin
Published: May 2009

Purpose

The right supply chain (SC) strategy is widely believed to be able to improve supply chain management (SCM) performance. Ignoring the important concept of alignment means that failures in SCM resulting from a mismatch between two or more crucial factors remain common. Accordingly, Lee proposed an environmental uncertainty framework to devise the right SC strategy. However, the proposed framework has thus far remained conceptual. Therefore, this study seeks to empirically investigate Lee's uncertainty framework and examine how alignment between SC strategy and environmental uncertainty impacts perceived SCM performance.

Design/methodology/approach

A survey was designed and used to collect 243 usable responses from manufacturers. A profile deviation approach was applied to compute the alignment between SC strategy and environmental uncertainty.

Findings

The results of the study verify that the alignment between SC strategy and environmental uncertainty is positively associated with SCM performance.

Research limitations/implications

The data were collected from a cross‐sectional survey and represented a snapshot of practice. Replication from a longitudinal perspective would better reflect long‐term impacts of alignment on SCM performance.

Practical implications

Different SC strategies are appropriate for distinct environmental uncertainties. It is not enough to simply form an SC strategy for improving SCM performance without considering the alignment between SC strategies and environmental uncertainties.

Originality/value

The study empirically examines Lee's uncertainty framework, which has received considerable attention in relation to SCM, but has not previously been clearly verified. The study also develops the a priori theoretical profiles for SC strategies by using an integrated perspective that incorporates both manufacturing and information system capabilities.