bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Why, when and how do fish populations decline, collapse and recover? The example of brown trout (Salmo trutta) in Rio Chaballos (northwestern Spain)
Authors: LOBÓN‐CERVIÁ JAVIER
Published: December 2008

1. Around the year 2000, historically abundant populations of brown trout (Salmo trutta) and Atlantic salmon (S. salar) co‐occurring in rivers flowing along the Cantabrian corridor of north‐western Spain showed a dramatic decline to alarming levels. For one reason or another, fishing was not banned and fishing pressure continued to reduce the few survivors. Unexpectedly, the populations recovered ‘naturally’ in a very short time period to the extent that in 2004–06 numbers had attained population sizes comparable to those of the mid 1980s.

2. The population of brown trout in Rio Chaballos showed a boom‐and‐bust pattern concurrent with those observed across broader geographical scales. This study revisits a 22‐year data set to explore the nature of the severe decline and rapid recovery of this population.

3. Recruitment was related to stream discharge in March that covers the emergence period and the earliest search stages for food. Coefficients of variation for discharge and recruitment increased over the years and were highly correlated with each other, demonstrating that increased temporal variability in recruitment is strongly linked to increased variability in stream discharge. In turn, recruitment appears to be the major determinant of year‐class strength and hence, of population size.

4. A number of factors appeared to operate as resilience mechanisms, permitting the population to increase rapidly when environmental conditions are optimal. These include strong recruitment‐discharge relationships, short life‐span, small stocks of eggs or offspring required to fill the amount of space suitable for the youngest juveniles and a few females surviving to spawn for a second time.

5. Implications for fishery management and conservation are discussed in the context of the expectation that these populations will vary over the coming years within ranges similar to those in this study.
Distribution of selected cariogenic bacteria in five different intra‐oral habitats in young children
Authors: GIZANI SOTIRIA , PAPAIOANNOU WILLIAM , HAFFAJEE ANNE D , KAVVADIA KATERINA , QUIRYNEN MARC , PAPAGIANNOULIS LIZA
Published: December 2008

Background.  Knowledge of the colonization patterns and composition of the oral microbiota can lead to a better understanding of disease initiation.

Aim.  The aim of this study was to examine the distribution of selected cariogenic bacteria in samples from five different oral habitats in young Greek children.

Design.  Ninety‐three children 3–12 years old (mean + SD 7.9 ± 2.5) (60.2% male, 39.8% female) participated and split into three different age groups: primary (3–6 years), early mixed (6–9 years), and mixed dentition (9–12 years). Samples for bacterial enumeration were taken from saliva, supragingival and subgingival plaque, tongue dorsum, and soft tissues from each child, and were further analysed using checkerboard DNA–DNA hybridization.

Results.  Mean counts and proportions of all the test bacteria differed significantly among sample locations. Cariogenic bacteria were present in almost all healthy children. Mean proportions of Streptococcus mutans isolated from soft tissue and Streptococcus sanguinis from soft tissue, subgingival and saliva samples increased significantly with age, whereas the opposite was seen for Lactobacillus acidophilus.

Conclusions.  Cariogenic bacteria were present in almost all young children. Soft tissues, saliva, and tongue were more often colonized by cariogenic streptococcal species than teeth. These surfaces may serve as reservoirs for oral pathogens, requiring attention during preventive interventions.
Characterization and comparison of bone marrow and peripheral blood mononuclear cells used for cellular therapy in critical leg ischaemia: towards a new cellular product
Authors: Capiod J.‐C. , Tournois C. , Vitry F. , Sevestre M.‐A. , Daliphard S. , Reix T. , Nguyen P. , Lefrère J.‐J. , Pignon B.
Published: December 2008

Background and Objectives  Autologous transplantation of either bone marrow (BM) or peripheral blood (PB) mononuclear cells (MNC) induces therapeutic angiogenesis in patients with peripheral arterial occlusive disease. Yet, the precise nature of the cellular product obtained from BM or PB and used in these therapeutic strategies remains unclear.

Materials and Methods  We have analysed the characteristics of BM‐MNC and PB‐MNC collected without mobilization and implanted in patients with critical limb ischaemia in a clinical trial of cellular therapy including 16 individuals treated by BM‐MNC and eight by PB‐MNC. These MNCs were characterized by cell counts, viability assessment and enumeration of leucocyte subsets, CD34 stem and endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) (CD34+/CD133+/VEGF‐R2+) by flow cytometry. Mean fluorescence intensity ratios were determined for CD34, CD133 and VEGF‐R2 markers. All analyses were simultaneously performed in two laboratories.

Results  Accuracy and reliability between both laboratories were achieved. BM‐MNCs and PB‐MNCs were quantitatively and qualitatively heterogeneous and quite different from each other. Stem cells and EPCs were significantly more present in BM‐ compared to PB‐cell products, but with similar mean fluorescence intensity ratios. A weakly positive correlation was observed between CD34+ cell counts and EPCs levels, confirming the specificity of cell identification.

Conclusion  A great variability was observed in cell product characteristics according to their origin and also between individuals. These data stress the necessity of optimal characterization of cell products especially in multicentric clinical trials.
The Effect of Season on Semen Characteristics and Freezability in Bos indicus and Bos taurus Bulls in the Southeastern Region of Brazil
Authors: Koivisto MB , Costa MTA , Perri SHV , Vicente WRR
Published: December 2008

Contents

The objectives of this study were to evaluate the effects of season in southeast of Brazil comparing genotypes on semen characteristics, freezability and peripheral plasma concentrations of testosterone. Ejaculates of five Bos indicus bulls and six Bos taurus bulls were evaluated over a period of 27 months, which was divided into winter (July, August, September), spring (October, November, December), summer (January, February, March) and autumn (April, May, June). Semen was evaluated according to standard procedures for ejaculate volume, sperm concentration, gross‐motility, progressive motility and sperm morphology. After preparing and freezing the ejaculates according to commercial procedures, the straws were stored in liquid N2 until post‐thaw evaluation. Ejaculate volume, sperm concentration, gross‐motility, progressive sperm motility, vigor and morphological sperm defects were significantly influenced by season and genotype (p < 0.05). Heat tolerance was better in B. indicus bulls than in B. taurus bulls characterized by lower values of sperm abnormalities throughout the observation period. The highest values were recorded for abnormal heads followed by cytoplasmatic droplets in B. taurus bulls. The proportion of ejaculates which were eliminated before freezing for reasons of bad quality was lower in the B. indicus bulls. Temporal changes in peripheral plasma testosterone concentrations were higher in B. indicus bulls than in B. taurus bulls not revealing seasonal influences. The results of this study show clear genotype differences regarding semen quality. Freezability of B. taurus semen varies considerably throughout the year, leading to a high proportion of eliminated ejaculates. Collecting semen from B. taurus bulls during the summer in an artificial insemination centre may not be profitable.
Effects of Superovulation with oFSH and Norgestomet/GnRH‐Controlled Release of the LH Surge on Hormone Concentrations, and Yield of Oocytes and Embryos at Specific Developmental Stages
Authors: Knijn HM , Fokker W , van der Weijden GC , Dieleman SJ , Vos PLAM
Published: December 2008

Contents

The objective of this study was to evaluate a new superovulation procedure with oFSH after temporary suppression of the endogenous LH surge by norgestomet followed by administration of GnRH, to collect bovine oocytes and embryos at specific developmental stages. Since 1999, our research group applies this superovulation procedure with controlled release of the endogenous LH surge. The objective of this study is to verify if this procedure is reliable for collection of oocytes and embryos at specific time points of development and if it produces a sufficient number of both oocytes and embryos of good quality. This procedure was validated regarding to hormonal characteristics, superovulatory response and both oocyte and embryo yield at different times of in vivo development. The results demonstrate that the procedure used to control the occurrence of the pre‐ovulatory LH surge was effective in 92% of the animals (n = 238) and even in 99% of the animals the oocytes and embryos were collected at the intended stage of development. The superovulatory response and both oocyte, embryo yield and quality were similar to the average yield in Europe reported by Association Européenne de transfert embryonnaire (AETE). In conclusion, this superovulation procedure provides a valid tool to collect oocytes and embryos at specific time points of development.
Role of 3′‐phosphoinositides in oncogenic KRAS‐induced modulation of shape and motility of airway epithelial cells
Authors: Okudela Koji , Yazawa Takuya , Suzuki Takehisa , Sugimura Haruhiko , Kitamura Hitoshi
Published: December 2008

The authors' previous study demonstrated that oncogenic KRAS modulates the shape and motility of airway epithelial cells. To explore detailed mechanism mediating these events, the possible involvement of phosphatidylinositides (PIP) was investigated. The intracellular localization of PIP was visualized with a pleckstrin homology domain‐enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) construct. PIP accumulated at the leading edges of polarizing epithelial cells, while they co‐localized with cortical actin at cell–cell contacts, suggesting that PIP play important roles in the cytoskeletal organization. Transduction of oncogenic KRAS induced multiple pseudopodia and disrupted cortical actin, enhancing motility. A mitogen activated protein kinase kinase (MEK) inhibitor reduced the accumulation of PIP at membranes and development of pseudopodia, and restored stable cortical actin, reducing the motility. A phosphoinositide 3‐kinase (PI3K) inhibitor also reduced accumulation of PIP at membranes, formation of pseudopodia and motility, but its effect on cortical actin was indistinct. The KRAS V12/S35 mutant, activating only the MEK pathway, induced multiple pseudopodia and disrupted the cortical actin. The KRAS V12/C40 mutant, activating only the PI3K pathway, also induced pseudopodia, but its effect on cortical actin was obscure. Taken together, oncogenic KRAS could cause the accumulation of PIP via the PI3K and MEK pathways and modulate the cell shape and migration.
Determination of displacements around fatigue cracks using image analysis of in‐situ scanning electron microscope images
Authors: JACOBSSON L. , PERSSON C. , MELIN S.
Published: December 2008

A technique to in‐situ measure the displacements in the vicinity of the crack tip during fatigue crack propagation has been developed. High‐resolution images of the crack tip were taken continuously throughout the fatigue load cycles with a scanning electron microscope (SEM), and an image analysis program was used to determine the displacements at different positions with respect to the crack tip. The displacements were then used to determine crack shapes and compliance curves. The measured crack shapes show a general √r dependence versus the distance to the crack tip. However, close to the crack tip the crack shape is clearly affected by plastic deformation, even in cases when small scale yielding prevails. The compliance curve measurements close to the crack tip can be used to determine the global stress level when the crack surfaces are separated, so that the exact opening and closure stresses can be determined.
Is diabetes a coronary risk equivalent? Systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Bulugahapitiya U. , Siyambalapitiya S. , Sithole J. , Idris I.
Published: December 2008

Aims  To determine whether patients with diabetes without prior myocardial infarction (MI) have the same risk of total coronary heart disease (CHD) events as non‐diabetic patients with previous myocardial infarction.

Methods  Using medline, embase, Cochrane and MeSH in this systematic review and meta‐analysis, extensive searching was carried out by cross‐referencing from original articles and reviews. The study consisted of cohort or observational studies with hard clinical endpoints, including total CHD events (fatal or non‐fatal myocardial infarction), stratified for patients with diabetes but no previous myocardial infarction, and patients without diabetes but with previous myocardial infarction. Studies with less than 100 subjects, follow‐up of less than 4 years and/or without provisions for calculating CHD event rates were excluded. The review of articles and data extraction was performed by two independent authors, with any disagreements resolved by consensus.

Results  Thirteen studies were included involving 45 108 patients. The duration of follow‐up was 5–25 years (mean 13.4 years) and the age range was 25–84 years. Patients with diabetes without prior myocardial infarction have a 43% lower risk of developing total CHD events compared with patients without diabetes with previous myocardial infarction (summary odds ratio 0.56, 95% confidence interval 0.53–0.60).

Conclusion  This meta‐analysis did not support the hypothesis that diabetes is a ‘coronary heart disease equivalent’. Public health decisions to initiate cardio‐protective drugs in patients with diabetes for primary CHD prevention should therefore be based on appropriate patients’ CHD risk estimates rather than a ‘blanket’ approach of treatment.
Ethnic variation in the correlation between random serum glucose concentration and glycated haemoglobin
Authors: Bleyer A. J. , Hire D. , Russell G. B. , Xu J. , Divers J. , Shihabi Z. , Bowden D. W. , Freedman B. I.
Published: December 2008

Aims  To determine if the relationship between serum glucose concentration and glycated haemoglobin is different between African‐Americans and whites.

Methods  Retrospective cross‐sectional study comparing the association between glycated haemoglobin and serum glucose levels, based upon ethnicity. Two databases were evaluated: (i) 4215 African‐American and 6359 white outpatients who had simultaneous glycated haemoglobin, random serum glucose and creatinine concentration measurements between 2000 and 2007 at the North Carolina Baptist Hospital and (ii) 1021 white and 312 African‐American Diabetes Heart Study (DHS) participants.

Results  In North Carolina Baptist Hospital clinic attendees, a given glycated haemoglobin was associated with higher serum glucose concentrations in African‐Americans compared with whites. In a multivariate model with glycated haemoglobin as the outcome variable, racial differences remained significant after adjustment for serum glucose, age, gender and kidney function. For individuals with a serum glucose between 5.6 and 8.3 mmol/l, the glucose : glycated haemoglobin ratio was 1.03 ± 0.16 mmol/l/% in white individuals and 0.99 ± 0.17 mmol/l/% in African‐Americans (P < 0.0001). For a glycated haemoglobin value of 7.0%, there was a 0.98‐mmol/l difference in predicted serum glucose concentration in 50‐year‐old African‐American men, relative to white. Results were replicated in the DHS, where in a best‐fit linear model, after adjustment for glucose, African‐American race was a significant predictor of glycated haemoglobin (P < 0.0001).

Conclusions  African‐Americans have higher glycated haemoglobin values at given serum glucose concentrations relative to whites. This finding may contribute to the observed difference in glycated haemoglobin values reported between these race groups.
Validation of an algorithm combining haemoglobin A1c and fasting plasma glucose for diagnosis of diabetes mellitus in UK and Australian populations
Authors: Manley S. E. , Sikaris K. A. , Lu Z. X. , Nightingale P. G. , Stratton I. M. , Round R. A. , Baskar V. , Gough S. C. L. , Smith J. M.
Published: December 2008

Aim  To determine whether glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) can be used in combination with fasting plasma glucose (FPG) for the diagnosis of diabetes in patients with impaired fasting glucose (IFG) and in a broader spectrum of patients.

Methods  An algorithm was derived from oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) capillary samples in 500 consecutive UK patients with IFG by World Health Organization criteria. It was validated in a further 500 UK patients and, with venous specimens, in 1175 unselected Australian patients.

Results  The derivation cohort was aged 61 years (50–69 years) (median IQ range) with 52% male and 12% South Asian. Diabetes Control and Complications Trial‐aligned HbA1c was 6.2% (5.8–6.6%) (reference interval < 6.0%) and FPG 6.7 mmol/l (6.3–7.2 mmol/l). FPG was in the diabetes range in 36% of patients, with an OGTT identifying a further 12% with diabetes. The derived algorithm, (HbA1c ≥ 6.0% with FPG < 7.0 mmol/l) identified those patients requiring an OGTT to diagnose diabetes. When applied to the UK validation cohort, sensitivity was 97% and specificity 100%. The algorithm was equally effective in the unselected group, aged 59 years (49–68 years) and 54% male, with sensitivity 93% and specificity 100%. HbA1c was 6.0% (5.6–6.6%) and FPG 6.0 mmol/l (5.3–6.8 mmol/l), with 26% having IFG. Use of the algorithm would reduce the number of OGTTs performed in the UK validation cohort by 33% and by 66% in the Australian patients studied.

Conclusions  Use of this algorithm would simplify procedures for diagnosis of diabetes and could also be used for monitoring pre‐diabetes. Validation is now required in other populations and patient groups.
Individual Producer Responsibility: A Remaining Challenge under the WEEE Directive1
Authors: Roller Gerhard , Führ Martin
Published: December 2008

The regulatory approach of the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Directive explicitly places ‘producer responsibility’ on the centre stage. The producer is obliged to ‘take into full account and facilitate’ primarily function‐maintaining measures, such as ‘repair’ and ‘upgrading’ as well as ‘reuse’; only subsequently are material‐maintaining measures mentioned in the form of ‘disassembly and recycling’. The main incentive established by the Directive is the allocation of costs. Every producer ‘shall be responsible for financing the operations . . . relating to the waste from his own products’. In practice, however, individual producer responsibility is transferred to a collective system in which the financial incentive for function‐maintaining measures only has a minimal effect.

If one wants to encourage the producer to decide in favour of individual producer responsibility, the machine‐readable identification of products is needed to allocate costs according to the polluter‐pays principle. At the same time, it also allows for improved monitoring of product and waste flows, on the basis of which illegal waste shipments would also become easier to detect.

This article describes the basic legislative provisions of product responsibility and their practical implementation using the example of Germany. It also shows the ways in which a machine‐readable identification and information system is needed to support the environmental effectiveness of the WEEE system and discusses the necessary legal adaptation that is required.
Marketing Products under the Extended Producer Responsibility Framework: A Battery of Issues
Authors: Lee Robert G.
Published: December 2008

The EU in the latest extension of the concept of producer responsibility for end‐of‐life products has directed its attention to batteries. In reviewing this body of law, this article considers extended producer responsibility models and their objectives. After offering an overview of the Batteries Directive, the article pays particular attention to the provisions of the Directive governing products moving on and off the market. The article concludes that while the rationale for producer responsibility in this area may be considered an obvious one, and while the idea of batteries’ take‐back seems straightforward enough, in fact because of the complexity of these models, certain questions concerning the efficient functioning of the framework within the European market still remain open.
E‐waste Management Programmes and the Promotion of Design for the Environment: Assessing Canada's Contributions
Authors: Deathe Ashley L.B. , MacDonald Elaine , Amos William
Published: December 2008

In recent years, legislatures across the world have turned their attention to the escalating amount of electronic and electrical waste, and their accompanying environmental threats. Increasing consumption of electronic and electrical equipment (EEE) and the indiscriminate disposal of used products contribute to the problem furthered by designs that ignore durability and support the limitless use of toxic substances. One proposed method of changing this trend is to stimulate producers to design for the environment (DFE). In many ways DFE breaks the traditional physical barriers for design and requires a vision of the product for its entire life cycle.

As Canada's provincial and federal governments move to respond to the problem of e‐waste, their chosen approaches are critically analysed. In particular, this article investigates how the provinces of Alberta, Saskatchewan, British Columbia, Nova Scotia and Ontario conceptualize the problem of e‐waste. In addition, the extent to which the policy goals and financing mechanisms incorporated in each programme adequately consider the role of DFE is evaluated.
Shipments of Electronic Waste: Providing the Right Incentives through Regulation and Enforcement
Authors: Maxianova Karola
Published: December 2008

The article deals with the interaction of the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Directive and the Waste Shipment Regulation, insofar as they both regulate shipments of waste electrical and electronic equipment. While the number of such shipments is increasing rapidly, there is widespread uncertainty among companies and enforcement authorities concerning the interpretation of some of the relevant provisions. In particular, the borderline issues linked to the definition of ‘waste’ and the distinction between ‘waste’ and ‘product’ seem to cause difficulties that could be exploited by companies disguising their waste as ‘products’ to circumvent EU rules on waste management. Furthermore, the correct classification of waste is not always obvious, which provides for uncertainty as far as the applicable control procedure is concerned. This article analyses the regulatory and non‐regulatory steps taken at both European and national levels towards more clarity. It concludes by calling for more coordination at European level in relation to enforcement activities. Furthermore, companies must take a more proactive stance when designing their take‐back and waste management plans.
Moisture sorption characteristics of curd (Indian yogurt) powder
Authors: VARGHESE K. SHIBY , RAMACHANDRANNAIR SINIJA V , MISHRA HARI NIWAS
Published: December 2008

The moisture sorption behaviour of curd (Indian yogurt) powder was studied at 20, 30, 40 and 50°C for water activity ranging from 0.07 to 0.85. GAB, BET, Henderson, Halsey, Chung & Pfost, Smith, Oswin and Peleg models were applied to analyse the data. Estimated parameters and fitting ability for sorption models were evaluated. The GAB model showed the best fit to the sorption data of curd powder at 20, 30 and 40°C, and the Peleg model fitted well at 50°C.
Viscoelastic Characterisation of the Temporomandibular Joint Disc in Bovines
Authors: Fernández P. , Lamela Rey M. J. , Fernández Canteli A.
Published: December 2008

Abstract:  The aim of this paper was to develop a biomechanical model to reproduce the viscoelastic behaviour of the material of the bovine temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disc, as a substitute material to be applied in subsequent experimental studies of possible human TMJ disorders. As the mechanical properties of the disc change due to different factors, this study is focussed on evaluating its viscoelastic response under compression in stress–relaxation, creep and cycling loading tests, using an equipment that allows us to simulate the real function conditions of the material in a liquid medium at 37 °C. In order to fit the data obtained from the relaxation and creep tests, generalised Maxwell and Kelvin models of eight terms are proposed, leading to Prony’s series of practical interest for subsequent numerical calculations.
Comparison of coagulation factor XIII content and concentration in cryoprecipitate and fresh‐frozen plasma
Authors: Caudill Jonathan S.C. , Nichols William L. , Plumhoff Elizabeth A. , Schulte Sandra L. , Winters Jeffrey L. , Gastineau Dennis A. , Rodriguez Vilmarie
Published: December 2008

BACKGROUND: For patients with plasma coagulation factor XIII (pFXIII) deficiency, recommended means of replacement include infusions of fresh‐frozen plasma (FFP), cryoprecipitate, or (where available) factor (F)XIII concentrates. Quantitative differences in pFXIII concentration in FFP and cryoprecipitate are not well defined and were, therefore, the subject of this study.

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: FFP and cryoprecipitate (10 bags each from blood group O donors) were analyzed to quantify pFXIII activity and antigen. Coagulation FVIII, fibrinogen, and von Willebrand factor (VWF) were also quantitated.

RESULTS: Mean (±SD) pFXIII activity in cryoprecipitate and FFP bags was 60 ± 30 and 288 ± 77 U per bag, respectively, and pFXIII antigen and activity levels were concordant. Other comparisons (mean ± SD) between cryoprecipitate and FFP, respectively, were as follows: coagulation FVIII activity, 133 ± 37 and 265 ± 83 U per bag; fibrinogen content (Clauss kinetic assay), 183 ± 44 and 725 ± 199 mg per bag; VWF antigen content, 181 ± 53 and 218 ± 70 U per bag; VWF ristocetin cofactor activity, 168 ± 34 and 221 ± 65 U per bag; VWF collagen‐binding activity, 164 ± 40 and 208 ± 71 U per bag; and fluid (plasma) volumes per bag, 21.3 ± 2.7 and 245 ± 29 mL.

CONCLUSION: In contrast to other cryoprecipitable coagulation proteins, pFXIII is only mildly enriched in cryoprecipitate when compared with FFP (approx. two‐ to threefold). Although both products can provide effective pFXIII replacement, FFP may be preferred when infusion volume is not a major consideration and pFXIII concentrates are not available. VWF is substantially enriched in cryoprecipitate (approx. ninefold compared with its concentration in FFP), with VWF activity content exceeding that of FVIII by approximately 26 percent on average.
Electroconvulsive therapy versus transcranial magnetic stimulation for major depression: a review with recommendations for future research
Authors: Rasmussen Keith G.
Published: December 2008

Objective:

To review the literature comparing electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) and transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) for major depression.

Methods:

Data from the six randomised, prospective studies were agglutinated into one data set. Special attention was given to the methods of both TMS and ECT as well as data pertaining to differential outcomes in subgroups such as psychotic depressives and the elderly.

Results:

There is a highly significant advantage for ECT in the prospective, randomised trials. The two non-randomised, retrospective comparative trials found the treatments to be equal in one study and superior for ECT in another. However, sample sizes are small in these studies, and both TMS and ECT may have been used suboptimally. Furthermore, the possibilities of differential efficacy of ECT or TMS for psychotic depressives or as a function of age have yet to be fully explored.

Conclusions:

The data to date do not support the contention that TMS is equivalent in efficacy to ECT. It is recommended that a large-scale trial be undertaken using aggressive forms of both TMS and ECT with sample sizes sufficiently large to detect effects of moderating variables such as age and psychosis status.
Learning by Doing: Emerging Paths of Chinese Management Research
Authors: Zhao Shuming , Jiang Chunyan
Published: December 2008

This commentary reviews Chinese management research since its beginning more than thirty years ago and considers the emerging paths that contemporary scholars may follow. Following Barney and Zhang's (2009) article as well as Whetten's article (2009) in this issue, we first clarify what the two paths (a theory of Chinese management and a Chinese theory of management) would mean for the Chinese scholar. We then discuss the possible interplay between these two paths and suggest it is time to take the road less travelled rather than to over-travel the more popular road. We conclude that practice will prove the final judge on the paths pursued and that the insights from the Barney and Zhang and Whetten articles help sharpen our understanding of the challenges.
Foraging technique and prey‐handling time in black‐necked stork (Ephippiorhynchus asiaticus)
Authors: MAHESWARAN Gopinathan , RAHMANI Asad R.
Published: December 2008

The foraging technique and prey‐handling time of the black‐necked stork (Ephippiorhynchus asiaticus) was studied in Dudhwa National Park, India, from January 1996 to June 1997. The habitat in which the storks foraged played an important role in selecting a particular technique to procure food. Black‐necked storks mostly foraged using a tactile technique (>90%), but sometimes foraged visually. When the water level was estimated to be less than 60 cm, the storks foraged using tactile techniques. There was no difference in the feeding techniques of male and female storks. Foraging attempt rates varied between the sexes in summer (May) and during late winter (February) in 1997. The search time for prey increased when the water level was high and fish were widely distributed. Decreases in water level resulted in concentration offish in certain areas and this contributed to high fish‐catching rates by black‐necked storks. Males had a higher success rate offish capture than females. However, females captured longer fish than males. Prey‐handling time increased in both sexes as fish length increased. Fish 4–6 cm long were most frequently taken by the foraging storks.
Hepatic endogenous defense potential of propolis after mercury intoxication
Authors: BHADAURIA Monika , SHUKLA Sangeeta , MATHUR Ramesh , AGRAWAL Om P. , SHRIVASTAVA Sadhana , JOHRI Sonia , JOSHI Deepmala , SINGH Varsha , MITTAL Deepak , NIRALA Satendra Kumar
Published: December 2008

Exposure to mercuric chloride (HgCl2; 5 mg kg−1 body weight; i.p.) induced oxidative stress in mice and substantially increased lipid peroxidation (LPO) and oxidized glutathione (GSSG) levels, decreased the level of reduced glutathione (GSH) and various antioxidant enzymes in liver and also increased the activities of liver marker enzymes in serum. Therapy with propolis extract, a resinous wax‐like beehive product (200 mg kg−1 orally, after mercury administration), for 3 days inhibited LPO and the formation of GSSG and increased the level of GSH in the liver. Release of serum transaminases, alkaline phosphatase, lactate dehydrogenase and γ‐glutamyl transpeptidase were significantly restored after propolis treatment. The activities of antioxidant enzymes, that is, superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione‐S‐transferase and glucose‐6‐phosphate dehydrogenase, were also concomitantly restored towards normal levels after propolis administration. These observations clearly demonstrate that propolis treatment augments antioxidant defense against mercury‐induced toxicity and provide evidence that propolis has therapeutic potential as a hepatoprotective agent.
Presence–absence surveys of prey and their use in predicting leopard (Panthera pardus) densities: a case study from Armenia
Authors: KHOROZYAN Igor G. , MALKHASYAN Alexander G. , ABRAMOV Alexei V.
Published: December 2008

It is important to predict how many individuals of a predator species can survive in a given area on the basis of prey sufficiency and to compare predictive estimates with actual numbers to understand whether or not key threats are related to prey availability. Rugged terrain and low detection probabilities do not allow for the use of traditional prey count techniques in mountain areas. We used presence–absence occupancy modeling and camera‐trapping to estimate the abundance and densities of prey species and regression analysis to predict leopard (Panthera pardus) densities from estimated prey biomass in the mountains of the Nuvadi area, Meghri Ridge, southern Armenia. The prey densities were 12.94 ± 2.18 individuals km−2 for the bezoar goat (Capra aegagrus), 6.88 ± 1.56 for the wild boar (Sus scrofa) and 0.44 ± 0.20 for the roe deer (Capreolus capreolus). The detection probability of the prey was a strong function of the activity patterns, and was highest in diurnal bezoar goats (0.59 ± 0.09). Based on robust regression, the estimated total ungulate prey biomass (720.37 ± 142.72 kg km−2) can support a leopard density of 7. 18 ± 3.06 individuals 100 km−2. The actual leopard density is only 0.34 individuals 100 km−2 (i.e. one subadult male recorded over the 296.9 km2), estimated from tracking and camera‐trapping. The most plausible explanation for this discrepancy between predicted and actual leopard density is that poaching and disturbance caused by livestock breeding, plant gathering, deforestation and human‐induced wild fires are affecting the leopard population in Armenia.
Extracorporeal treatment of acute liver failure
Authors: Brophy Colleen M. , Nyberg Scott L.
Published: December 2008

Acute liver failure (ALF) is a widespread problem with typically unfavorable prognosis. With the implementation of a liver support device in the clinical setting for treatment of patients with ALF, anticipated improvements include prolonging time available for spontaneous recovery and bridging to liver transplantation. Liver support could also serve to prevent systemic manifestations of ALF such as renal failure, pulmonary edema, systemic inflammatory response syndrome and cerebral edema evolving to brain death. Both non‐cell based and cell based (bio‐artificial) systems have been used in clinical trials. Systems with closed or open loop organization present different advantages and disadvantages; systems also differ in the membrane pore size for filtrate/dialysate exchange. Further optimization of liver assist devices is still required; when a system has proved to be successful in treating the debilitating results of ALF, the benefits will be enormous to liver failure patients.
Extracorporeal albumin dialysis
Authors: Rifai Kinan
Published: December 2008

Patients with liver failure still present a high mortality. It can only be significantly improved by the rare resource of liver transplantation. Extracorporeal liver support devices have been developed to temporarily support liver detoxification. Artificial devices without hepatocytes (“liver dialysis” or “albumin dialysis”) are already widely used in Europe. The two best‐known systems, MARS and Prometheus, use a different technical approach to remove water‐soluble as well as albumin‐bound toxins from the blood. In MARS, toxins diffuse along a concentration gradient through an albumin‐impermeable membrane into a secondary circuit that is pre‐filled with an albumin solution. The albumin is continuously “recycled” inside the secondary circuit by different adsorber and low flux dialysis. In contrast, Prometheus includes an albumin‐permeable filter allowing separation of the albumin fraction into the secondary circuit where the albumin‐bound toxins are directly removed by two adsorbers. Thereafter, high flux dialysis is performed inside the primary circuit. For both extracorporeal systems, an improvement of hepatic encephalopathy and biochemical markers such as bilirubin is consistently reported. In‐vivo comparisons of both systems showed significantly higher extraction capacities for protein‐bound and water‐soluble substances under Prometheus than under MARS treatment. Possible pathophysiological mechanisms could be a reduction of portal pressure or a removal of vasoactive cytokines. However, only few randomised controlled trials with low patient numbers and conflictive results regarding patient survival exist. Nevertheless, a Cochrane meta‐analysis revealed a significant survival benefit for extracorporeal liver support devices in patients with acute‐on‐chronic liver failure. Other promising indications are severe refractory cholestatic pruritus, intoxication with protein‐bound substances and graft dysfunction after liver transplantation. As large randomised controlled multi‐center trials are currently underway, better evidence will be available soon to define the clinical role of extracorporeal liver support devices.
Indication criteria for liver transplantation for acute liver failure in Japan
Authors: Mochida Satoshi
Published: December 2008

In Japan, patients with hepatitis are diagnosed as having fulminant hepatitis and late‐onset hepatic failure (LOHF) when grade II or more severe hepatic encephalopathy develops within 8 weeks and between 8 and 24 weeks, respectively, of the disease onset, with a prothrombin time of less than 40% of the standardized value. Fulminant hepatitis patients are classified into the acute and subacute types, in which the encephalopathy occurs within 10 days and later than 11 days, respectively. According to the nation‐wide survey by the Intractable Liver Disease Study Group of Japan, liver transplantation was performed in 14% and 26% of the patients with the acute and subacute types, respectively, and in 19% with LOHF between 1998 and 2003. Survival rate of these patients was 77%, which was greater than those of the patients treated without liver transplantation; 54%, 24% and 12% in the acute and subacute types and LOHF, respectively. The indications for liver transplantation in fulminant hepatitis patients are currently determined according to the Guideline of the Acute Liver Failure Study Group of Japan in 1996, which is based on assessment of the prognosis of the patients at the onset of hepatic encephalopathy and reassessed 5 days later. Predictive accuracy of the Guideline, assessed in the patients between 1998 and 2003, were 68% and 78% among the cases with the acute and subacute types, respectively, of fulminant hepatitis. Liver transplantation was considered in most of LOHF patients at 8 or more days before encephalopathy development. Although liver transplantation improved the prognosis of patients with acute liver failure, the Guideline should be modified to improve the accuracy for fulminant hepatitis patients, and the new criteria should be made for LOHF patients.
Liver tissue engineering: The future of liver therapeutics
Authors: Ohashi Kazuo
Published: December 2008

The applications derived from the concept of tissue engineering have spurred significant interest in the field of regenerative medicine as novel, next generation therapies. Due to a lack of treatment modalities for patients suffering from many forms of liver diseases, recent studies have touted that engineering hepatic tissues de novo in culture may be a viable method to address this therapeutic void. Liver tissue engineering is a new and emerging field in which a functional liver system is created in vivo using isolated hepatocytes and/or other cells types to treat acute and chronic liver diseases. Under circumstances in which a small, but functional liver tissue system could be engineered to provide the equivalent biological function proportional to a few percent of a normal, well‐functioning liver, it would be possible to correct many disease phenotypes as a result of various forms of inherited metabolic deficiencies. Alternatively, hepatic tissues can be engineered rapidly to produce therapeutic effects allowing this approach to become an effective modality in the treatment of acute liver failure. Strategies to achieve high levels of hepatocyte survival and the development of methods to engineer a functional liver system in vivo will be discussed in this review.
Pathophysiology of hepatic encephalopathy: The concept of synergism
Authors: Butterworth Roger F.
Published: December 2008

Hepatic encephalopathy (HE) remains a severe neuropsychiatric complication of liver failure. Neuropathological evaluation of material from patients who died in hepatic coma reveals morphologic changes primarily to astrocytes (cytotoxic edema, Alzheimer Type II astrocytosis) accompanied by discreet neuronal changes. Liver failure results in the accumulation in brain of neurotoxic compounds (ammonia, manganese, proinflammatory cytokines, mercaptans, octanoic acid) that may act synergistically to impair neuropsychiatric function. Ammonia and manganese act synergistically to activate mitochondrial benzodiazepine receptors leading to increased production of neuroactive steroids, many of which (allopregnanolone, THDOC) have potent neuroinhibitory properties resulting from activation of a neuromodulatory site on the GABA‐A receptor (“increased GABAergic tone”). New evidence demonstrates that proinflammatory cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFα) and the interleukins (IL‐1β, and IL‐6) are produced not only by the liver but also by the brain in liver failure. Ammonia and proinflammatory cytokines generated either by intercurrent infection or from hepatocyte necrosis in liver failure act synergistically to decrease the capacity of astrocytes to remove glutamate from the brain extracellular space leading to the activation of glutamate (NMDA) receptors that in turn results in alterations of cell‐cell signalling and hyperexcitability. Therapy for HE continues to rely heavily on strategies aimed at reduction of gut ammonia production, increased ammonia removal and, ultimately, liver transplantation. A more complete understanding of pathophysiologic mechanisms has led to novel potential strategies aimed at decreasing both GABAergic tone, glutamate (NMDA) receptor activation and proinflammatory cytokines. Such strategies hold promise for new therapies for HE in the near future.
Three-dimensional alignment with 10nm order accuracy in electron-beam lithography on rotated sample for three-dimensional nanofabrication
Authors: Yamazaki Kenji , Yamaguchi Hiroshi
Published: December 2008

Three-dimensional (3D) alignment with 10nm order accuracy in 3D electron-beam (EB) lithography has been achieved by means of highly accurate rotation control and mark location using the transmission electron signal. Accurately aligned EB writing from various directions on micron order resists blocks on a small substrate provides great structural flexibility in the creation of 3D nanostructures. As a demonstration of the accuracy, a 3D hydrogen silsesquioxane nanostructure was made by 3D EB writing and two-step development using different developers. Moreover, a 3D poly(methyl methacrylate) nanostructure was made by repeated 3D EB writing and development to demonstrate 3D nanofabrication with great structural flexibility.
Interaction of benzene with TiO2 surfaces: Relevance to contamination of extreme ultraviolet lithography mirror capping layers
Authors: Zalkind Shimon , Yakshinskiy Boris V. , Madey Theodore E.
Published: December 2008

The authors focus on thermal and nonthermal (radiation-induced) surface processes that affect the reflectivity of TiO2-capped multilayer mirrors used in extreme ultraviolet (EUV) lithography. Low energy electron beams mimic excitations initiated by EUV radiation. Where appropriate, comparison is made with electron bombardment in the vapor of methyl methacrylate (C5H8O2). Benzene adsorbs and desorbs reversibly on TiO2, and the steady state coverage Θ is found to be proportional to the logarithm of the benzene pressure p. This behavior is described by the Tempkin adsorption isotherm, which has the form Θ=const+logp. This isotherm is a consequence of a linear dependence of benzene adsorption energy on Θ. In addition, measurements of cross sections σ (cm2) for electron-stimulated dissociation of benzene on clean and C-covered TiO2 in the range of 10–100eV reveal surprisingly large values (e.g., ∼3.5×10−17cm2 at 10eV primary energy). Thus, low energy secondary electrons excited by EUV lithography photons are expected to contribute substantially to carbon accumulation on clean TiO2 cap layers.
Microscale self-assembly using molten alloys with different melting points
Authors: Morris Christopher J. , Dubey Madan
Published: December 2008

The authors demonstrate a system for self-assembling 280μm sized parts onto a separate template using two molten alloys having differing melting points. The use of two alloys decoupled the formation of mechanical and electrical connections and improved the resulting electrical contact resistance by over two orders of magnitude.
Optimizing substrate disorder for bone tissue engineering of mesenchymal stem cells
Authors: Gadegaard Nikolaj , Dalby Matthew J. , Riehle Mathis O. , Wilkinson Chris D. W.
Published: December 2008

A key tenet of bone tissue engineering is the development of scaffold materials that can stimulate stem cell differentiation in the absence of chemical treatment to become osteoblasts without compromising material properties. Recently, the authors have shown that two types of slightly disordered arrays of nanopits stimulate human mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) to produce bone mineral in vitro, in the absence of osteogenic supplements. In this article, they aim at optimizing the topographic parameters to stimulate MSCs to form bone cells. They have developed a high-speed electron beam technique to pattern 1cm2 areas with 109 dots. In three steps, they (1) systematically changed the degree of disorder from ±30to150nm from a perfect square arrangement with a 300nm pitch, (2) changed the pit diameter from 50to193nm, and (3) explored the importance of pits versus pillars. They found that arrays of pillars 35nm tall with a diameter of 193nm and a disorder of ±30nm provided the optimal conditions for stimulating MSCs to form bone cells.
Silicon single-electron transistor with oxide tunnel barriers fabricated using chemical mechanical polishing
Authors: Joshi Vishwanath , Orlov Alexei O. , Snider Gregory L.
Published: December 2008

This article describes the fabrication process for a silicon single-electron transistor (Si-SET) with tunnel barriers made of thermal silicon dioxide. The fabrication method uses electron-beam lithography, dry etching, and chemical mechanical polishing to make devices with well-defined geometry and good yield. The method introduces chemical mechanical polishing as a key processing technique in the production of nanometer scale features required for the device. The fabricated SETs show charging energies in excess of 20meV and operating temperatures above liquid nitrogen. All the process steps are fully compatible with the current complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) technology and combined with the higher operating temperature of the SETs, the fabrication method paves the way for designing of hybrid CMOS-SET architectures. Si-SET can also be a key enabling device for the manufacturable implementation of quantum-dot cellular automata.