bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Exploring adolescent development skills through Internet usage: a study of French 11–15 year olds
Authors: Batat Wided
Published: June 2008

In order to develop a better understanding of teenage consumers, who represent the most highly sought after market segment for researchers and marketing practitioners in France, it is important to explore their competencies as consumers. This ethnographic research explores the consumption skills of teenage consumers using the new technologies. By examining how teenagers particularly in the age group of 11–15 year olds define a competent consumer and how they perceive themselves as competent consumers, we should be able to understand the better consumption behaviours they exhibit, the purchase decision they make and the limitations they feel they must overcome to become fully competent consumers. This study begins by exploring teenage social activities and how they engage with and use digital products as part of their subculture. Broad concepts of competence are then discussed from a psychosociological perspective and a marketing perspective. Next, teenage perceptions of what it means to be a competent consumer are explored and what are the behaviours associated with a competent consumer. Findings of this study showed that teenagers are not mere followers of marketing strategies. They develop consumption skills in relation to their experiences, their peers and media, which are more often linked to their consumption learning. The study importantly suggests that nowadays teenagers are active participants and producers of their cultural consumption processes.
The role of image in service promotion: focusing on the influence of film on consumer choice within tourism
Authors: Bolan Peter , Williams Lindsay
Published: June 2008

This paper presents a review and discussion of the role image plays in service promotion and consumer choice in the context of film‐induced tourism. Consumers can be very sensitive to images which are important determinants of what a service customer purchases. In relation to image, the medium of film can have a very influential impact on its audience. Consumers may make purchase choices in a range of areas as a result of what they have seen in the movies. An expanding body of literature suggests that film can influence people's travel decisions and entice them to visit particular destinations they have seen on the cinema screen (reinforced through repeat viewing on video, DVD and television). Tourism is a service industry. Does the image of a destination and how it is represented help overcome some of the challenges of service marketing?

Many regions throughout the British Isles have seen their consumer appeal improve because of their links with respective film and television productions. Although they have benefited tourism‐wise from this, in many cases there still has not been enough real support from tourist authorities to this growth phenomenon, and as such, the full potential of film to tap into the consumer psyche has not yet been fully realized. Academic discourse from several disciplines is examined in this communication culminating in a conceptual model of destination enhancement through film‐induced image, featuring the conscious and unconscious communication factors at work on two sets of consumers (film consumers and destination consumers). As a ‘work in progress’, the paper sets the scene for further empirical research in this interesting area of study.
Using current consumer issues to involve students in research
Authors: Carroll Elizabeth B. , Reichelt Susan A.
Published: June 2008

The value of involving students in research has been well documented. By including students in research, active and independent learning opportunities are provided, the importance of inquiry and investigation is emphasized, and connections between course material and the discipline become evident. Relevant opportunities for involving students in research projects can sometimes be elusive. Faculty time constraints limit the number of projects that can be undertaken and the number of students involved. Furthermore, many students become intimidated when told that they are required to carry out a research project. The purpose of this study was to use current consumer issues to involve undergraduate students in a relevant research project.

The research project was implemented in class settings with teams of students. Faculty selected contemporary consumer issues based upon perceived student interest and experiences as consumers. By using issues of high relevance and familiarity to students and using the team approach within a course that faculty members were already assigned to teach, the issues of time constraint for the faculty members and increased levels of comfort for students were addressed. Prior to undertaking the project, students were instructed in appropriate research methods. Research methods utilized included student development of survey instruments, collection and recording of data, interpretation of data and presentation of results.

Students became familiar with various research practices. By working as team members, the students’ comfort level for being involved in research increased; however, other common group challenges arose. Relevant, contemporary consumer issues carry high relevance and interest for student groups, helping generate enthusiasm for the research process.

The focus on involving students in research continues to be emphasized. By using research topics related to student's experiences as consumers, students are more readily engaged in undertaking research projects. Through these relevant research projects, students’ consumer decision making is positively impacted.
Income differences among elderly in Malaysia: a regional comparison
Authors: Masud Jariah , Haron Sharifah A.
Published: June 2008

Malaysian economic development, formally launched in 1970 through a series of 5‐year development plans, has tremendously improved the quality of life of its citizens. Unfortunately, varying degrees of regional development that lead to regional imbalances produce differential impact on different sets of population in each region. This is especially true for the poverty‐prone groups, which include the elderly, women and children. This study attempts to assess regional differences (between West and East Malaysia) in the well‐being of the elderly as indicated by the income inequality. Specifically, the objectives of this study are to identify sources of elderly income, to determine the mean monthly income and to examine elderly income disparity in the three regions of Peninsular, Sabah, and Sarawak in Malaysia. A total of 2327 elderly respondents were randomly selected nationwide using the stratified random sampling technique. The study indicated that generally, the income of the elderly in Malaysia is very low as most of them had received no formal education or had only obtained primary school education. In terms of income disparity, the elderly income distribution in Sabah showed an interesting pattern, whereby a high percentage of the elderly was clustered in the bottom 20 and top 20 percentile. However, the distribution of the elderly in Peninsular Malaysia was clustered around the bottom 40 percentile, the middle 60 and the top 40 percentile.
Consumers’ perceptions and awareness of food safety practices in Barbados and Trinidad, West Indies – a pilot study
Authors: Odwin Ranate , Badrie Neela
Published: June 2008

The objectives of this pilot study were to determine perception and awareness of food safety practices of consumers in Trinidad and Barbados. A structured questionnaire was self‐administered to 148 respondents. Data were analysed by descriptive and chi‐square analysis. Most (92%) consumers rated having safe food practices as ‘very important’. Only 25.7% heard of the acronym ‘HACCP’ (Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point), associated the HACCP approach to safe food preparation (25.7%) and reported it recommendatory in homes (19.6%). More than one‐third (45.6%) felt that up to 20% of food poisoning was associated to the home. Over the last 12 months, 18.2% of consumers and/or family members had experienced food‐borne illness, but no one associated it to the home. More (P < 0.01) consumers in Trinidad than in Barbados were aware of the HACCP, experienced food‐borne illness and allowed pets in the kitchen. This study identified many gaps in proper food safety practices in the homes.
Understanding the effect of stigmatization on food consumer knowledge, perception and behaviour in Northern Ireland
Authors: Potts Michelle , Nelson Roy
Published: June 2008

Stigmatization has only recently been linked with the perception of risk, and research into this area has mainly concentrated on measuring the differences between nationalities, gender and socio‐economic status. The concept of stigmatization helps us understand why the public views certain places, products, technology and environments as dangerous and in a negative manner. To date, little has been done to assess the relationships between the effects of stigmatization on situations and people's decision‐making capabilities with regard to food. The aim of this research is to examine food consumers’ knowledge of food‐related risk issues to provide insight into the process of stigmatization and its relationship to food risk management, thereby improving awareness of the information consumers require from food risk communication. To meet this aim, two phases of data collection were implemented. Phase 1 used a baseline survey to investigate consumer knowledge of food‐risk‐related issues, identify how much attention consumers pay to information and what they remember about the particular issues. Factors affecting participant's recollection included how recently the event associated with the issue occurred, the level of media coverage and the reported severity of risk outcome. Phase 2 involved a follow‐up survey to investigate consumer knowledge of food risk issues and determine any changes in consumer behaviour. Research results and conclusions of Phases 1 and 2 of the study will be presented to highlight the relationships between participant recollection of particular food issues and whether knowledge of such issues caused any change in behaviour.
Lipid biomarker and phylogenetic analyses to reveal archaeal biodiversity and distribution in hypersaline microbial mat and underlying sediment
Authors: JAHNKE L. L. , ORPHAN V. J. , EMBAYE T. , TURK K. A. , KUBO M. D. , SUMMONS R. E. , DES MARAIS D. J.
Published: June 2008

This study has utilized the tools of lipid biomarker chemistry and molecular phylogenetic analyses to assess the archaeal contribution to diversity and abundance within a microbial mat and underlying sediment from a hypersaline lagoon in Baja California. Based on abundance of ether‐linked isoprenoids, archaea made up from 1 to 4% of the cell numbers throughout the upper 100 mm of mat and sediment core. Below this depth archaeal lipid was two times more abundant than bacterial. Archaeol was the primary archaeal lipid in all layers. Relatively small amounts of caldarchaeol (dibiphytanyl glyceroltetraether) were present at most depths with phytanyl to biphytanyl molar ratios lowest (~10 : 1) in the 4–17 mm and 100–130 mm horizons, and highest (132 : 1) in the surface 0–2 mm. Lipids with cyclic biphytanyl cores were only detected below 100 mm. A novel polar lipid containing a C30 isoprenoid (squalane) moiety was isolated from the upper anoxic portion of the core and partially characterized. Hydrocarbon biomarker lipids included pentamethylicosane (2–10 mm) and crocetane (primarily below 10 mm). Archaeal molecular diversity varied somewhat with depth. With the exception of samples at 0–2 mm and 35–65 mm, Thermoplasmatales of marine benthic group D dominated clone libraries. A significant number of phylotypes representing the Crenarchaeota from marine benthic group B were generally present below 17 mm and dominated the 35–65 mm sample. Halobacteriaceae family made up 80% of the clone library of the surface 2 mm, and consisted primarily of sequences affiliated with the haloalkaliphilic Natronomonas pharaonis.
Characterization and spatial distribution of methanogens and methanogenic biosignatures in hypersaline microbial mats of Baja California
Authors: ORPHAN V. J. , JAHNKE L. L. , EMBAYE T. , TURK K. A. , PERNTHALER A. , SUMMONS R. E. , DES MARAIS D. J.
Published: June 2008

Well‐developed hypersaline cyanobacterial mats from Guerrero Negro, Baja California Sur, sustain active methanogenesis in the presence of high rates of sulfate reduction. Very little is known about the diversity and distribution of the microorganisms responsible for methane production in these unique ecosystems. Applying a combination of 16S rRNA and metabolic gene surveys, fluorescence in situ hybridization, and lipid biomarker analysis, we characterized the diversity and spatial relationships of methanogens and other archaea in the mat incubation experiments stimulated with methanogenic substrates. The phylogenetic and chemotaxonomic diversity established within mat microcosms was compared with the archaeal diversity and lipid biomarker profiles associated with different depth horizons in the in situ mat. Both archaeal 16S rRNA and methyl coenzyme M reductase gene (mcrA) analysis revealed an enrichment of diverse methanogens belonging to the Methanosarcinales in response to trimethylamine addition. Corresponding with DNA‐based detection methods, an increase in lipid biomarkers commonly synthesized by methanogenic archaea was observed, including archaeol and sn‐2‐hydroxyarchaeol polar lipids, and the free, irregular acyclic isoprenoids, 2,6,10,15,19‐pentamethylicosene (PMI) and 2,6,11,15‐tetramethylhexadecane (crocetane). Hydrogen enrichment of a novel putative archaeal polar C30 isoprenoid, a dehydrosqualane, was also documented. Both DNA and lipid biomarker evidence indicate a shift in the dominant methanogenic genera corresponding with depth in the mat. Specifically, incubations of surface layers near the photic zone predominantly supported Methanolobus spp. and PMI, while Methanococcoides and hydroxyarchaeol were preferentially recovered from microcosms of unconsolidated sediments underlying the mat. Together, this work supports the existence of small but robust methylotrophic methanogen assemblages that are vertically stratified within the benthic hypersaline mat and can be distinguished by both their DNA signatures and unique isoprenoid biomarkers.
Vascular α1D‐adrenoceptors are overexpressed in aorta of the aryl hydrocarbon receptor null mouse: role of increased angiotensin II
Authors: Villalobos‐Molina R. , Vázquez‐Cuevas F. G. , López‐Guerrero J. J. , Figueroa‐García M. C. , Gallardo‐Ortiz I. A. , Ibarra M. , Rodríguez‐Sosa M. , Gonzalez F. J. , Elizondo G.
Published: June 2008

1The hypothesis that α1D‐adrenoceptors may mediate the pro‐hypertensive actions of angiotensin II (Ang II) was tested in isolated aorta (α1D‐adrenoceptor bearing tissue) of the aryl hydrocarbon receptor null mouse (AhR−/−), which shows increased levels of Ang II, cardiac hypertrophy and hypertension.

2The effect of captopril (an angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor) on both blood pressure and aortic α1D‐adrenoceptor expression and function in mice were determined.

3Basal blood pressure was higher in AhR−/−mice, while captopril therapy decreased it to wild‐type (WT) values.

4Aortas of adult WT and AhR−/−mice were stimulated by phenylephrine or noradrenaline to induce contraction; the maximal effect was higher in AhR−/−mice, without a significant change in pEC50.

5PA2values for the selective α1D‐adrenoceptor antagonist BMY 7378 (8‐[2‐[4‐(2‐methoxyphenyl)‐1‐piperazynil]ethyl]‐8‐azaspiro [4.5]decane‐7,9‐dione) were 9.19 and 8.94 for WT and AhR−/−, respectively; while Schild slopes were not different from 1.

6PCR experiments showedc.77% increase in AhR−/−α1D‐adrenoceptors cDNA compared with WT mice; while western blot analysis demonstratedc.88% increase in α1D‐adrenoceptor protein in AhR−/−mice.

7Captopril therapy decreased α1D‐adrenoceptor‐induced contraction and protein in AhR−/−mice to WT levels.

8These data support the hypothesis that under conditions where Ang II is elevated, vascular α1D‐adrenoceptors are increased, and further suggest that both Ang II and vascular α1D‐adrenoceptors could be related in the onset of hypertension.
α1D‐Adrenoceptors mediate nerve and agonist‐evoked contractions in mouse vas deferens: evidence obtained from knockout technology
Authors: Bexis S. , Cleary L. , McGrath J. C. , Tanoue A. , Tsujimoto G. , Docherty J. R.
Published: June 2008

1It has been demonstrated that nerve‐evoked contractions of the rat vas deferens involve α1D‐adrenoceptors. Definitive evidence for a similar α1D‐adrenoceptor‐mediated response in mouse vas deferens has been more difficult to obtain. In this study, we have used α1D‐adrenoceptor knockout (α1D‐KO) mice to aid in the pharmacological characterization.

2Mouse whole vas deferens was stimulated with a single pulse every 5 min. Once a stable response had been obtained, vehicle or antagonist was administered cumulatively at 5‐min intervals and a response to stimulation obtained 5 min later. Cumulative concentration‐response curves were also obtained for noradrenaline.

3In vas deferens from α1D‐KO mice, the contractile response to low concentrations of noradrenaline and the contractile response to a single stimulus were significantly reduced as compared to wild type (WT).

4The α1D‐adrenoceptor selective antagonist, BMY 7378, produced a concentration‐dependent inhibition of single pulse‐evoked contractions of vas deferens from WT and α1D‐KO mice. BMY 7378 was significantly less potent in inhibiting stimulation‐evoked contractions in vas deferens from α1D‐KO mice.

5It is concluded that α1D‐adrenoceptors mediate a component of nerve‐ and agonist‐evoked contractions of the vas deferens of WT mice.
Body fat related to daily physical activity and insulin concentrations in non‐diabetic children
Authors: Dencker Magnus , Thorsson Ola , Karlsson Magnus K. , Lindén Christian , Eiberg Stig , Wollmer Per , Andersen Lars Bo , Ahrén Bo
Published: June 2008

This study explored the associations between body fat versus daily physical activity and insulin concentrations in non‐diabetic young children in a cross‐sectional study of 172 children (93 boys and 79 girls) aged 8–11 years. Blood samples were analysed for serum insulin and daily physical activity was measured by accelerometers. Time spent performing vigorous activity was estimated from accelerometer data by using established cut‐off points. Dual‐energy x‐ray absorptiometry (DXA) was used to quantify abdominal fat mass (AFM) and total body fat (TBF), also calculated as percentage of body weight (BF%). Body fat distribution was calculated as AFM/TBF. Body fat distribution was independently linked to both insulin concentrations and physical activity. In contrast, TBF, AFM, and BF% were linked to physical activity only and not to insulin concentrations. In conclusion in this population of non‐diabetic children, body fat distribution was independently associated with increased concentrations of insulin and deceased amount of vigorous activity per day. Also, AFM, TBF, and BF% were independently related to minutes of vigorous activity per day.
Influence of emotional facial expressions on binocular rivalry
Authors: Bannerman Rachel L. , Milders Maarten , De Gelder Beatrice , Sahraie Arash
Published: June 2008

Three experiments investigated whether emotional information influences perceptual dominance during binocular rivalry. In Experiment 1, rival emotional and neutral faces in the background were coupled with grating stimuli in the foreground. Results showed that gratings paired with emotional faces dominated over those paired with neutral faces. In Experiment 2, emotional and neutral faces were presented dichoptically, without being paired with other stimuli. Dominance of emotional faces was observed. Fusion and low‐level image differences were ruled out by examining dominance periods of upright and inverted emotional and neutral faces presented as face‐house pairs (Experiment 3). Here, face stimuli dominated over house stimuli only for upright face conditions. In addition, upright emotional faces were perceived for significantly longer durations than upright neutral faces. The results provide further support for the influence of emotional meaning on binocular rivalry.
Brief intermittent light stimulation disrupts saccadic oculomotor control
Authors: Alvarez Tara L. , Beck Kevin D. , Ciuffreda Kenneth J. , Chua Florence B. , Daftari Anuj , DeMarco Robert M. , Bergen Michael T. , Servatius Richard J.
Published: June 2008

Purpose:  This study sought to determine the effect of very brief, single and multiple pulses of light on spatial and temporal aspects of saccadic eye movements.

Methods:  Twelve visually normal, young adult subjects participated in the experiments. Horizontal eye position was monitored as subjects attempted to track target step displacements in the presence of either single or multiple brief flashes of light in the visual field.

Results:  Three primary findings were observed: (1) increased saccadic latency, (2) increased time for target acquisition and (3) increased initial saccadic error.

Conclusion:  The present findings suggest the influence of attentional processes and/or visual masking effects on saccadic eye movement control.
Does the niqab (veil) wearer satisfy the minimal visual field for driving?
Authors: Pearce E. Ian , Walsh Glyn , Dutton Gordon N.
Published: June 2008

Visual field testing of subjects wearing a niqab was carried out using the approved (Esterman) test on a Humphrey perimeter to determine if visually normal subjects met the European driving standard. Measurement of aperture dimensions of the niqab when worn was recorded. When wearing the niqab, all subjects achieved a visual field adequate to satisfy UK/European driving standards. A measurement of the limiting aperture size was obtained and a self‐test method for niqab wearers was determined.
Comparison of rebound and applanation tonometry in the management of patients treated for glaucoma or ocular hypertension
Authors: Rehnman Jeannette B. , Martin Lene
Published: June 2008

Aim:  To compare intraocular pressure (IOP) values obtained with the iCare rebound tonometer (RBT) with values obtained with the Goldmann applanation tonometer (GAT) in patients with glaucoma and ocular hypertension, and to evaluate the impact of possible differences on management decisions.

Methods:  The IOP was measured with the iCare RBT and GAT in 45 consecutive patients in a nurse‐led glaucoma unit. The outcome measures were the IOP difference between the methods and the 95% limits of agreement (LoA) for IOP measurements. In all subjects where the IOP readings differed by >3 mmHg between the RBT and GAT, two ophthalmologists were independently asked to recommend treatment and/or follow‐up intervals, based on the patients’ clinical data and the IOP values.

Results:  The RBT overestimated the IOP compared with GAT in 67% of the cases (30/45). In 78% (35/45) the IOP difference was within ±3 mmHg. When an extreme value of 15 mmHg difference was excluded, the 95% LoA was ±4.31 mmHg. In five of the 10 patients with an IOP difference of > ± 3 mmHg the difference would have led to change in therapy; in three more patients the follow‐up interval would have been changed. In the remaining two patients the difference in IOP would not have led to any change in management.

Conclusions:  The mean difference between RBT and GAT was small (1.5 ± 3 mmHg) compared with the published repeatability of GAT values. Yet, the difference was found to have clinical implications in 18% (8/45) of the patients.
Compatibility of two new silicone hydrogel contact lenses with three soft contact lens multipurpose solutions*
Authors: Santodomingo‐Rubido Jacinto , Barrado‐Navascués Eva , Rubido‐Crespo María‐José , Sugimoto Keiji , Sawano Tadashi
Published: June 2008

Purpose:  The purpose of this study is to assess corneal staining and subjective symptom ratings with six different silicone hydrogel contact lens/multipurpose solution combinations, including the recently launched Menicon PremiO silicone hydrogel contact lens, after the first night of soaking the lenses in solution.

Methods:  This study is a prospective, single‐centre, subject‐masked, contralateral, crossover, daily wear clinical trial in which subjects were randomly fitted in the morning with a different lens/solution combination in each eye, asked to wear the lenses for the whole day (at least 12 h), soak each of the lenses overnight in one of the test solutions and insert the lenses on the following morning. Subjects were asked to come on that morning for assessment of corneal staining and subjective ratings. All subjects repeated this procedure on another two occasions in order to collect the results of the six different lens/solution combinations: Menicon PremiO/MeniCare Soft; Menicon PremiO/Complete 10; Menicon PremiO/OptiFree Express; Acuvue Oasys/MeniCare Soft; Acuvue Oasys/Complete 10; Acuvue Oasys/OptiFree Express.

Results:  Menicon PremiO lenses were associated with a lower level of corneal staining overall, and in the nasal and temporal locations, compared with Acuvue Oasys lenses (p < 0.05). No significant differences were found in corneal staining between solutions (p > 0.05). An overall rate of solution‐induced corneal staining per eye of 12% was found. Symptoms were very similar among the six different lens/solution combinations (p > 0.05).

Discussion:  The lower level of corneal staining found with Menicon PremiO lenses compared with Acuvue Oasys lenses might be attributed to material, surface and design differences between lens types. The overall rate of solution‐induced corneal staining and symptomatology found between the different lens/solutions combinations is consistent with previous studies.
How good are we at advising appropriate patients with glaucoma to inform the DVLA? A closed audit loop
Authors: Puvanachandra N. , Kang C. Y. , Kirwan J. F. , Jeffrey M. N.
Published: June 2008

Purpose:  To establish how good we are as clinicians at advising glaucoma patients with bilateral visual field defects of their legal responsibility to inform the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA). By using a sticker placed in the patients’ notes to highlight driving status and visual fields, we sought to improve our success in providing and documenting this advice.

Methods:  We interviewed and examined the notes of two groups of 100 consecutive glaucoma patients before and after the introduction of a ‘driver sticker’ placed into patients’ notes at the time of visual field testing. We examined the documentation of driving status, and the provision and documentation of advice regarding the DVLA.

Results:  In the first audit, we found only 9% of patients had driving status documented. Only 20% of drivers with bilateral field defects were advised to inform the DVLA with 11.4% documentation of this advice. After the introduction of the sticker, we succeeded in improving the documentation of driving status to 99%. We advised and documented the advice to inform the DVLA in 97% of drivers with bilateral field defects.

Conclusions:  We found that as a unit we were poor at documenting driving status and advising glaucoma patients with bilateral field defects to inform the DVLA. By the simple measure of introducing a sticker into patients’ notes, we were able to highlight this critical group and improve our provision and documentation of appropriate advice regarding informing the DVLA.
The effect of retinal defocus on golf putting
Authors: Bulson Ryan C. , Ciuffreda Kenneth J. , Hung George K.
Published: June 2008

The purpose of this experiment was to determine the effect of type and magnitude of retinal defocus on golf putting accuracy, and on the related eye, head, and putter movements. Eye, head, and putter movements were assessed objectively along with putting accuracy in 16 young adult, visually normal inexperienced golfers during a fixed 9‐foot golf putt. Convex spherical (+0.50 D, +1.00 D, +1.50 D, +2.00 D, +10.00 D) and cylindrical (+1.00 D × 90, +2.00 D × 90) lenses were added binocularly to create various types and magnitudes of retinal defocus. Putting accuracy was significantly reduced only under the highest spherical blur lens condition (+10.00 D). No significant differences were found between any other lens conditions for eye, head or putter movements. Small amounts of spherical and astigmatic retinal defocus had a minimal impact on overall golf putting performance, except for putting accuracy under the highest blur condition. This is consistent with the findings of related studies. For a fixed putting distance, factors other than quality of the retinal image, such as blur adaptation and motor learning, appeared to be sufficient to maintain a high level of motor performance.
Axes of astigmatism in fellow eyes show mirror rather than direct symmetry
Authors: Guggenheim Jeremy A. , Zayats Tetyana , Prashar Ankush , To Chi Ho
Published: June 2008

Purpose:  Most astigmats have a similar level of astigmatism in each eye. However, there is controversy over whether the astigmatic axes in fellow eyes typically show direct or mirror symmetry. We carried out a statistical analysis designed to address this issue.

Methods:  The median absolute difference in the astigmatic axes of fellow eyes was calculated for a sample of 50 995 astigmats (subjects with at least 0.25 D of astigmatism in each eye). This was done, firstly, for a ‘direct symmetry model’ in which the difference in axis was calculated as |AxisR – AxisL| and secondly, for a ‘mirror symmetry model’ in which the difference in axis was calculated as |AxisR – (180 – AxisL)|.

Results:  Under the direct symmetry model, the median absolute difference in the axis of astigmatism between fellow eyes was 20 degrees. Under the mirror symmetry model, the median absolute difference in the axis of astigmatism between fellow eyes was significantly lower, at 10 degrees (p < 10e–100). Comparable results were found when the analysis was restricted to subjects with: lower levels of astigmatism (≤1.00 D), higher levels of astigmatism (>1.00 D), against‐the‐rule astigmatism, with‐the‐rule astigmatism or oblique astigmatism (all p < 10e–100).

Conclusion:  Our results show that mirror, rather than direct, symmetry is the norm.
Spontaneous blinking in healthy persons: an optoelectronic study of eyelid motion
Authors: Sforza Chiarella , Rango Mario , Galante Domenico , Bresolin Nereo , Ferrario Virgilio F.
Published: June 2008

Purpose:  To develop a method for the non‐invasive detection and quantification of eyelid movements during spontaneous blinking.

Methods:  Spontaneous eyelid movements were monitored using an optoelectronic motion analyzer with passive markers in a younger group aged 20–30 years (13 men, 12 women) and in an older group over 50 years (10 men and nine women). Blink rate, eyelid displacement as a percentage of maximum excursion, and maximum eyelid velocity in closing and opening were calculated.

Results:  Spontaneous blink rate was significantly larger in women than in men (19 vs 11 blinks per minute); older women blinked more frequently than younger women. On average, young men closed the eyes completely (or almost completely) 44% of times, whereas the eyelid closure of young and older women was more frequently between 51 and 75% of the maximum excursion. Older men rarely closed completely and showed a similar frequency of blinks with up to 25%, 50% and 75% of maximum excursion. During eyelid closure and opening, the maximum velocity reduced with age: older subjects moved their eyelids approximately 80–70% slower than younger subjects. In all subjects, closing was performed 40–47% faster than opening; women moved faster than men. Eyelid displacement was greater in young than in older subjects.

Conclusions:  The method used in this study allowed the non‐invasive detection of eyelid movements during spontaneous blinking, providing a set of descriptive and kinematic data. The method could also be used to assess blink characteristics in patients with movement disorders, without invasive or time‐consuming procedures.
The Pattern Glare Test: a review and determination of normative values
Authors: Evans B. J. W. , Stevenson S. J.
Published: June 2008

Pattern glare is characterised by symptoms of visual perceptual distortions and visual stress on viewing striped patterns. People with migraine or Meares–Irlen syndrome (visual stress) are especially prone to pattern glare. The literature on pattern glare is reviewed, and the goal of this study was to develop clinical norms for the Wilkins and Evans Pattern Glare Test. This comprises three test plates of square wave patterns of spatial frequency 0.5, 3 and 12 cycles per degree (cpd). Patients are shown the 0.5 cpd grating and the number of distortions that are reported in response to a list of questions is recorded. This is repeated for the other patterns. People who are prone to pattern glare experience visual perceptual distortions on viewing the 3 cpd grating, and pattern glare can be quantified as either the sum of distortions reported with the 3 cpd pattern or as the difference between the number of distortions with the 3 and 12 cpd gratings, the ‘3–12 cpd difference’. In study 1, 100 patients consulting an optometrist performed the Pattern Glare Test and the 95th percentile of responses was calculated as the limit of the normal range. The normal range for the number of distortions was found to be <4 on the 3 cpd grating and <2 for the 3–12 cpd difference. Pattern glare was similar in both genders but decreased with age. In study 2, 30 additional participants were given the test in the reverse of the usual testing order and were compared with a sub‐group from study 1, matched for age and gender. Participants experienced more distortions with the 12 cpd grating if it was presented after the 3 cpd grating. However, the order did not influence the two key measures of pattern glare. In study 3, 30 further participants who reported a medical diagnosis of migraine were compared with a sub‐group of the participants in study 1 who did not report migraine or frequent headaches, matched for age and gender. The migraine group reported more symptoms on viewing all gratings, particularly the 3 cpd grating. The only variable to be significantly different between the groups was the 3–12 cpd difference. In conclusion, people have an abnormal degree of pattern glare if they have a Pattern Glare Test score of >3 on the 3 cpd grating or a score of >1 on the 3–12 cpd difference. The literature suggests that these people are likely to have visual stress in everyday life and may therefore benefit from interventions designed to alleviate visual stress, such as precision tinted lenses.
Influence of fogging lenses and cycloplegia on open‐field automatic refraction
Authors: Queirós A. , González‐Méijome J. , Jorge J.
Published: June 2008

Purpose:  To compare refractive values measured with and without cycloplegia, or with fogging lenses, using an open‐field auto‐refractor.

Methods:  One hundred and forty‐two young adults were enrolled from a university population; 96 were female (67.6%) and 46 were male (32.4%), the age range was 18–26 years (mean 22.3 ± 3.7 years). The refraction measurement was obtained for the right eye of each subject with the Grand Seiko Auto Ref/Keratometer WAM‐5500 (GS) under three conditions, always in this sequence: (1) without cycloplegia (GS), (2) without cycloplegia but using a + 2.00 D fogging lens (GS_2D) and (3) with cycloplegia (GS_cycl).

Results:  When the average values of spherical equivalent were compared, both accommodation control strategies were almost equally successful: GS, M = −0.85 ± 2.21 D; GC_2D, M = −0.53 ± 2.10 D and GS_cycl, M = −0.57 ± 2.24 D (Kruskal–Wallis test, p < 0.001). When the results were analysed separately for different refractive groups, emmetropes and hyperopes show statistically significant differences while myopes did not. When both accommodation strategies were compared there was a trend for more myopic subjects to display more negative values under cycloplegia, while low myopes, emmetropes and hyperopes tend to display more negative values with the +2.00 D fogging lenses, suggesting this was less effective for accommodation control.

Conclusions:  Over‐refraction through +2.00 D fogging lenses is useful to achieve additional relaxation of the accommodative response in a similar way to cycloplegia when open‐field autorefraction is performed in young adults.
Clinical signs and symptoms in post‐menopausal females with symptoms of dry eye
Authors: Srinivasan Sruthi , Joyce Elizabeth , Senchyna Michelle , Simpson Trefford , Jones Lyndon
Published: June 2008

Purpose:  To characterize clinical signs and symptoms in a group of post‐menopausal (PM) females who present with and without symptoms of dry eye.

Methods:  Eighty‐three healthy PM females were categorized as being symptomatic or asymptomatic of dry eye based on their response to the Allergan Ocular Surface Disease Index© (OSDI) questionnaire. Non‐invasive tear breakup time (NITBUT) was evaluated using the ALCON Eyemap®. Tear volume was assessed using the phenol red thread (PRT) test and bulbar conjunctival hyperaemia was measured using objective and subjective methods.

Results:  The total OSDI score (TOS) and subscores for the non‐dry eye (NDE; n = 39) and dry eye (DE; n = 44) groups were significantly different (TOS: NDE = 7.43 ± 7.71 vs DE = 24.87 ± 13.89; p < 0.001). The DE group exhibited a shorter NITBUT (5.3 ± 1.7 s vs 7.0 ± 2.7 s; p = 0.0012). Tear volume was lower for the DE group (19.3 ± 5.1 mm vs 16.3 ± 5.6 mm; p = 0.031). Bulbar hyperaemia was higher in the DE group for both subjective grading using a modified CCLRU scale (48.4 ± 10.0 vs 40.6 ± 10.4; p = 0.0011) and objective measurement by spectrophotometer (Commission Internationale de l’Eclairage u’ value = 0.285 ± 0.006 vs 0.282 ± 0.006; p = 0.005).

Conclusions:  OSDI can be used to separate PM females who demonstrate clinical signs of ocular dryness. PM women with dry eye symptoms demonstrate shorter NITBUT, lower tear volume and increased bulbar conjunctival hyperaemia than those who have no symptoms.
Changes in soil organic carbon in a mountainous French region, 1990–2004
Authors: Saby N. P. A. , Arrouays D. , Antoni V. , Lemercier B. , Follain S. , Walter C. , Schvartz C.
Published: June 2008

This paper reports spatial and temporal changes at the regional level in soil organic carbon (SOC) using a soil‐test database. A total of 23 329 SOC test values recorded between 1990 and 2004 by certified commercial laboratories and collected in a mountainous French region (Franche‐Comté) were integrated in a database. Results show a strong trend in organic carbon content, mainly related to elevation. A large loss in SOC was observed over the survey period. This loss correlated with baseline SOC content with greater loss from soils with higher carbon content. This loss is likely to be due to both changes in land use from permanent grassland to cultivation and to an increase in temperature during the survey period. Our study demonstrates that past soil‐test results which were not originally intended for monitoring can provide an alternative method for detecting changes in SOC.
An evaluation of Colwell‐P as a measure of plant‐available phosphorus in soils of volcanic and non‐volcanic origins in the highlands of Papua New Guinea
Authors: Kirchhof G. , Ramakrishna A. , Bailey J. S.
Published: June 2008

Various soil test methods including Olsen, Colwell, Bray and Truog have been used to assess the levels of plant‐available P (PAP) in soils situated in the highlands of Papua New Guinea (PNG). Up until now, though, there has been no guarantee that these tests provide valid assessments of PAP in these somewhat atypical organic matter‐rich tropical soils. Furthermore, the critical soil‐P concentrations associated with the tests have been based on studies conducted elsewhere in sub‐tropical and temperate latitudes and as such may or may not be valid for soils or cropping situations in PNG. Soil (Colwell)‐P and leaf‐P data collected during a recent survey of sweet potato gardens in the highlands of PNG were therefore used to determine if useful relationships existed between these variables for different groups of soils, and if they do, to use these relationships to evaluate critical soil Colwell‐P concentrations corresponding to a known critical concentration of P in sweet potato index leaf tissue. Separate, highly significant linear relationships were obtained between leaf‐P and Colwell‐P for soils of volcanic and non‐volcanic origins. Based on these relationships, the critical Colwell‐P concentration for volcanic soils was found to be four times greater than that for non‐volcanic soils, presumably because much of the P extracted from the former soils with alkaline sodium bicarbonate had been chemically ‘fixed’ via sorption and precipitation reactions with sesquioxides and rendered unavailable to plants at ambient soil pH. These critical Colwell‐P concentrations if adopted as benchmark values for the soil groups in question should ensure that the results of future soil fertility surveys involving Colwell‐P assessments are correctly interpreted.
A generalized economic order quantity model with deteriorating items and time varying demand, deterioration, and costs
Authors: Balkhi Z. T. , Tadj L.
Published: June 2008

A dynamic inventory model with deteriorating items is considered in this paper. Besides the demand and deterioration rates, the cost parameters are also assumed to be general functions of time. Necessary and sufficient conditions for a unique optimal solution are derived. An illustrative example is provided.
Airline seat allocation competition
Authors: Li Michael Z. F. , Zhang Anming , Zhang Yimin
Published: June 2008

This paper examines the classical seat allocation problem under competition between two airlines with different cost structure. The cost asymmetry that has been ignored in the yield management literature can be caused by either operations or distributions. We investigate the decision problem of two airlines offering two identical fare classes under both the simultaneous and sequential allocations. For both allocation cases, we show the existence, uniqueness and stability of pure‐strategy Nash equilibrium under a reasonable condition on the ratios of relative profit margins of the two fare classes. We find that there will be fewer seats protected for the full‐fare class if the discount seats can be booked first. We found that the asymmetry in costs has two effects on the equilibrium solutions: (a) an airline behaves aggressively for the fare class where it enjoys a cost advantage; (b) an airline tends to balance the trade‐offs internally when it has absolute cost advantage in both fare classes. In deriving the collusive solution for both cases for comparative purposes, we discover new insights by solving the two‐flight, two‐fare seat allocation problem with different cost structures on the two flights. In particular, we show that rivalry in full‐fare seat protection leads to a Prisoners' Dilemma for the carriers. Finally, a numerical example is used to illustrate various analytical results.
Incomplete oblique projections method for solving regularized least‐squares problems in image reconstruction
Authors: Scolnik H. D. , Echebest N. E. , Guardarucci M. T.
Published: June 2008

In this paper we improve on the incomplete oblique projections (IOP) method introduced previously by the authors for solving inconsistent linear systems, when applied to image reconstruction problems. That method uses IOP onto the set of solutions of the augmented system Ax−r=b, and converges to a weighted least‐squares solution of the system Ax=b. In image reconstruction problems, systems are usually inconsistent and very often rank‐deficient because of the underlying discretized model. Here we have considered a regularized least‐squares objective function that can be used in many ways such as incorporating blobs or nearest‐neighbor interactions among adjacent pixels, aiming at smoothing the image. Thus, the oblique incomplete projections algorithm has been modified for solving this regularized model. The theoretical properties of the new algorithm are analyzed and numerical experiments are presented showing that the new approach improves the quality of the reconstructed images.
Applications of the DM‐GRASP heuristic: a survey
Authors: Santos Luis F. , Martins Simone L. , Plastino Alexandre
Published: June 2008

Recent research has shown that the hybridization of metaheuristics is a powerful mechanism to develop more robust and efficient methods to solve hard optimization problems. The combination of different techniques and concepts behind metaheuristics, if well designed, has the potential to exploit their advantages while diminishing their drawbacks, which results in methods suited to a more diverse set of real problems. The DM‐GRASP heuristic is one such hybrid method that has achieved promising results. It is a hybrid version of the GRASP metaheuristic that incorporates a data‐mining process. In this work, we review how this hybridization was designed and survey the results of its practical applications evaluated until now.
Dealing with weedy problems in agriculture: the role of three agricultural land use management practices in the forest‐savanna ecological zone of Ghana
Authors: Awanyo Louis
Published: June 2008

An important limiting factor on labour‐intensive small‐scale agricultural production in Ghana is competition from weeds for environmental resources, such as soil nutrients, moisture and sunlight. This article combines primary social research based on surveys and in‐depth interviews, and ecological research based on experiment and secondary research to explore the efficacy of three land use management practices, compared with their alternatives, in dealing with on‐farm weed problems in Gyamfiase‐Adenya‐Obom, Ghana. The fallow management practice of >3 years of fallow showed significantly greater promise of suppressing weeds than ≤3 years of fallow. Mulching slashed vegetation, as a land preparation practice, was also consistently better at reducing weed densities than burning the slashed vegetation. The study indicated that while more frequent weeding was generally more effective in suppressing weed densities than less frequent weeding, the effect of weeding in significantly reducing weed densities was not associated with weeding frequency per se but with how carefully weeding was accomplished.
Bridges, place representation and place creation
Authors: Warnaby Gary , Medway Dominic
Published: June 2008

This paper is an exploration of bridges and their role in the representation of places and the development of place identity and image (in the sense that these latter two terms are understood in the corporate communications literature). The paper argues that bridges – and specifically those that have iconic status – can have a significant role to play in the representation of place in a marketing context, and examples of this are provided in the form of place logos that use bridges with a discussion of the rationales behind their development. The paper also considers the potential of such bridges in the ‘institutionalisation’ process by which places come into being, concluding that the role of bridges in place ‘creation’ does not always live up to the aspirations and visions of place identity and image campaigns.