bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Robust intelligent modeling for giant magnetostrictive actuators with rate‐dependent hysteresis
Authors: Zhang Wei , Mao Jianqin
Published: November 2012

Purpose

This paper proposes a robust modeling method of a giant magnetostrictive actuator which has a rate‐dependent nonlinear property.

Design/methodology/approach

It is known in statistics that the Least Wilcoxon learning method developed using Wilcoxon norm is robust against outliers. Thus, it is used in the paper to determine the consequence parameters of the fuzzy rules to reduce the sensitiveness to the outliers in the input‐output data. The proposed method partitions the input space adaptively according to the distribution of samples and the partition is irrelative to the dimension of the input data set.

Findings

The proposed modeling method can effectively construct a unique dynamic model that describes the rate‐dependent hysteresis in a given frequency range with respect to different single‐frequency and multi‐frequency input signals no matter whether there exist outliers in the training set or not. Simulation results demonstrate that the proposed method is effective and insensitive against the outliers.

Originality/value

The main contributions of this paper are: first, an intelligent modeling method is proposed to deal with the rate‐dependent hysteresis presented in the giant magnetostrictive actuator and the modeling precision can fulfill the requirement of engineering, such as the online modeling issue in the active vibration control; and second, the proposed method can handle the outliers in the input‐output data effectively.
Four steps to reduce medical incidents
Authors: Jin Haizhe , Munechika Masahiko , Sano Masataka , Kajihara Chisato
Published: November 2012

Purpose

In order to improve working methods, this study proposes a method for the analysis of medication incidents and the systematic planning of error‐proofing (EP) countermeasures, in the hope that it might contribute to a reduction in medication incidents.

Design/methodology/approach

In order to simplify the process of planning EP countermeasures, the following approaches are employed in this study. Improvement elements are extracted in order to plan EP countermeasures. The improvement elements that caused the error‐factor are called improvement objects, and the authors designed the extraction set of improvement objects. The authors correlated the improvement objects with recommended EP solutions. Finally, these parameters are collated. Moreover, these tools are summarized as a procedure for analysis of such incidents and for the creation of appropriate EP countermeasures.

Findings

Using this approach, this paper suggests four steps to reduce medical incidents. The proposed procedure can facilitate the planning of EP countermeasures and can reduce the rate of medical incidents.

Research limitations/implications

It can be surmised that the proposed method can serve as a useful means for planning EP countermeasures and reducing the number of medication incidents. On the other hand, there are various countermeasures which can be planned for one incident by applying the proposed method.

Originality/value

The relationship between Error factors and improvement objects were then clarified through utilizing maps. Furthermore, a list that clearly indicates which EP solutions should be adopted for the improvement objects were suggested. There is, therefore, a significant difference between the proposed and the conventional method, and this makes it possible to plan the EP countermeasures easily.
Barriers to treatment: reasons for non‐attendance in women's secure settings
Authors: Long Clive G. , Banyard Ellen , Fox Emily , Somers Jackie , Poynter Denise , Chapman Rachel
Published: November 2012

Purpose

The aim of this paper is to investigate reasons for treatment non‐attendance for dual diagnosis women in secure psychiatric settings.

Design/methodology/approach

A semi structured interview was used to investigate patients' reasons for session non attendance on the day of non participation across four wards. Reasons for non attendance were grouped using the mulifactorial offender readiness model (MORM) categories of affective, volitional, behavioural, cognitive and external. Assignment of responses to categories was undertaken by a two person team and inter rater reliability was assessed.

Findings

Patients' rates of attendance varied by ward and level of security (low vs medium); and diagnosis. Systematic enquiry about the reasons for non attendance led to increased session attendance. Reasons for non attendance were cognitive reflecting negative evaluations of treatment and treatment outcomes. Psychological therapies and educational sessions were deemed the most important along with one‐to‐one clinician appointments.

Originality/value

Issues of treatment engagement and the timing of treatment interventions are major issues in the care of secure psychiatric patients, particularly those with a primary diagnosis of personality disorder. Findings highlight the importance of systematic enquiry about reasons for non attendance and suggest potential interventions designed to improve engagement.
Improving case management outcomes for young people
Authors: Cameron Jacqui , Lee Nicole K. , Strickland Heidi , Livingston Michael
Published: November 2012

Purpose

The aim of this study is to assess the feasibility of introducing clinical case management into a youth alcohol and other drug treatment setting.

Design/methodology/approach

Case management as usual (CMAU), the current brokerage model operating as a control group was compared to clinical case management (CCM). Individual client outcomes were compared with the site as the grouping variable.

Findings

Although alcohol and drug outcomes were similar, arguably slightly favouring the intervention group, results suggest that young people receiving clinical case management showed potentially greater improvement across a range of other health outcomes including mental health, treatment utilisation and social outcomes than the CMAU brokerage model.

Practical implications

The study examined the feasibility of training clinicians in a youth alcohol and drug treatment agency in a clinical case management model and examined whether this more intensive case management approach could improve substance use and mental health outcomes for young people.

Originality/value

Although widely used, much less is known about the efficacy of case management within substance use treatment settings, where case management tends to be loosely defined and encompasses a broad range of activities. The originality of this study is that little is known about the effectiveness of case management in youth services, where it tends to be the primary service offered.
Black African migrants' perceptions of cancer: are they different from those of other ethnicities, cultures and races?
Authors: Ehiwe Emmanuel , McGee Paula , Filby Mike , Thomson Kate
Published: November 2012

Purpose

Cancer discussion is perceived as a taboo subject among different cultures and societies including Africans. This perception has caused limited knowledge about the disease and prevented some from seeking early diagnosis and treatment. With West Africans now living in western societies where cancer is openly discussed, this study aims to explore how black Africans perceive the disease and the implications for healthcare.

Design/methodology/approach

Five focus groups of 53 persons from Ghanaian and Nigerian migrant communities in Luton participated in this study.

Findings

Perceptions of fear, shame and denial were identified as key elements of how people perceive and react to cancer among the study population.

Originality/value

Secrecy and apprehension were identified as major barriers and have prevented some from adequately accessing and utilizing cancer facilities in the country. The feelings of fear, secrecy and stigma associated with the disease across different ethnic groups, cultures and nations also exist among the study population. These outcomes are similar and chime with published findings of limited cancer perception research among other ethnic groups and races here in the UK and across the globe.
The contribution of Nasa Begum to the disabled people's movement and social care field
Authors: Turner Michael
Published: November 2012

Purpose

This paper aims to detail the work of Nasa Begum in the disabled people's movement in the UK.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper provides information on Nasa's background and her work as a social worker, researcher and activist in the disability movement.

Findings

Nasa was a black disabled woman who used mental health services. This paper focuses particularly on how she brought the perspectives of black disabled people to the disabled people's movement and the health and social care field.

Originality/value

The paper demonstrates that Nasa has left a clear legacy of principles that show how things can and should be done when policy makers and service providers want to work in an inclusive way.
Hierarchy of impairment: the impact
Authors: Smith Angela
Published: November 2012

Purpose

This paper aims to focus on the experiences and observations of a black disabled woman in the UK.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper is a personal commentary from a black disabled woman who uses health and social care services in the UK. It details the author's disability and some recent barriers that she has faced in using services.

Findings

The author gives some examples of her recent experiences in relation to employment, independent living, healthcare providers and getting her wheelchair repaired.

Originality/value

The paper offers the unique perspective of a service user on UK health and social care services.
An assessment of a strain‐life approach for fatigue crack growth
Authors: Hadi Hafezi Mohammad , Nik Abdullah N. , Correia José F.O. , De Jesus Abílio M.P.
Published: November 2012

Purpose

Fatigue crack growth models based on elastic‐plastic stress‐strain histories at the crack tip region and strain‐life damage models have been proposed. The UniGrow model fits this particular class of fatigue crack propagation models. The residual stresses developed at the crack tip play a central role in these models, since they are applied to assess the actual crack driving force. This paper aims to assess the performance of the UniGrow model based on available experimental constant amplitude crack propagation data, derived for several metallic materials from representative Portuguese bridges. It also aims to discuss key issues in fatigue crack growth prediction, using the UniGrow model, in particular the residual stress computation and the suitability of fatigue damage rules.

Design/methodology/approach

The UniGrow model is assessed using data derived by the authors for materials from Portuguese riveted metallic bridges. Strain‐life data, from fatigue tests on smooth specimens, are used to propose a convenient fatigue damage model. Predicted crack growth rates are compared with experimental crack propagation data obtained by authors using fatigue tests on compact tension specimens. Since the UniGrow model is a residual stress‐based propagation model, elastoplastic finite element analysis is proposed for comparison with the analytical approach implemented in the original UniGrow model.

Findings

The use of the Smith‐Watson‐Topper damage parameter overestimates the stress R‐ratio effects on crack propagation rates, mainly if the material shows crack propagation rates with small to moderate sensitivity to stress R‐ratio, which is the case of the materials under investigation in this paper. Alternatively, the application of the Coffin‐Manson damage law leads to consistent fatigue crack growth predictions for the investigated range of positive stress R‐ratios. The stress R‐ratios effects may be solely attributed to the residual stresses. Their estimation, using an analytical approach, may lead to inconsistent results, which is demonstrated by an alternative elastoplastic finite element analysis.

Originality/value

Contributions for more accurate predictions of fatigue crack propagation rates, for several stress ratios, using a strain‐based approach is proposed. This approach is valuable since it may be used to reduce the time consuming and costly fatigue crack propagation tests. Furthermore, the proposed approach shows potential for an unified crack initiation and propagation approach.
Fatigue life prediction of scratch damaged shot peened components
Authors: Cláudio R.A. , Silva J.M. , Byrne J.
Published: November 2012

Purpose

This paper aims to present a methodology, based on traditional approaches, to predict the fatigue life and non‐propagating cracks of shot peened components and the damaging effect of a scratch created over the treated surface.

Design/methodology/approach

The finite element method is used to determine the actual strain at surface and fracture mechanics parameters calculated from cracks at the surface. The model considers residual stress (in order to introduce the effect of shot peening) and the scratch geometry. The total fatigue life is obtained by adding initiation life, to early and long crack propagation life using appropriate criteria.

Findings

Numerical predictions were compared with previous experimental tests, showing that this method is quite reliable for predicting both fatigue life and non‐propagating cracks of shot peened components, including the effect of damage due to a scratch.

Research limitations/implications

The proposed method provides good results and a clear understanding of the fatigue process, however it requires a considerable amount of both material and shot peening parameters.

Practical implications

The methodology presented in this paper allows the determination of fatigue life and the prediction of non‐propagating cracks for components, including the effects of shot peening and scratch damage. These results can be used to quantify the scratch damage limits of components improved by shot peening.

Originality/value

This paper provides a useful tool for prediction of the effects of shot peening and scratch damage on fatigue life, using traditional approaches.
Effect of arbitrary bi‐material combination and bending loading conditions on stress intensity factors of an edge interface crack
Authors: Oda Kazuhiro , Lan Xin , Noda Nao‐Aki , Michinaka Kengo
Published: November 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to compute the stress intensity factors (SIFs) of single edge interface crack for arbitrary material combinations and various relative crack lengths, and compare with those for the bonded plates subjected to tensile loading conditions. It aims to discuss the results of the shallow edge interface crack on the basis of the singular stress near the free‐edge corner without the crack.

Design/methodology/approach

In this study, the SIFs of interface crack in dissimilar bonded plates subjected to bending loading conditions are analyzed by the finite element method and a post‐processing technique. The use of post‐processing technique of extrapolation reduces the computational cost and improves the accuracy of the obtained result.

Findings

The empirical expressions are proposed for evaluating the SIFs of arbitrary material combinations.

Originality/value

Empirical functions can be used to obtain the SIFs for arbitrary material combinations for the bending loading conditions easily. It is very convenient for engineering application.
Limitations of LCA in environmental accounting for biofuels under RED
Authors: Bicalho Tereza , Richard Jacques , Bessou Cécile
Published: November 2012

Purpose

The Renewable Energy Directive (RED) is a specific example of life cycle assessment (LCA) applied to legislative measures that have far‐reaching implications for economic operators. This paper aims to analyze LCA limitations for biofuels based on RED from an environmental accounting perspective.

Design/methodology/approach

LCA limitations are identified on the basis of a literature review and illustrated in the specific context of RED. The limitations encountered within the study were classified into two categories: lack of data, and lack of standards. From this perspective, the LCA‐based problems and their implication and possible improvements in the RED context are discussed.

Findings

The study identifies that the absence of an environmental accounting that could provide periodic enterprise‐specific information is a significant cause of limitations of LCA as a decision‐supporting tool within RED. In turn, environmental accounting approaches address a number of initiatives that are not systematically linked with LCA research. The paper recommends that RED should provide rules to address enterprise‐specific data in addition to other methodological approaches to overcome problems already discussed in the extant literature. This would enable RED to provide economic incentives more effectively and promote the application of environmental accounting systems in companies with higher quality data for LCA applications.

Originality/value

This paper explains how LCA applications could be improved by the introduction of environmental accounting systems and how RED could be more effective by considering environmental accounting.
Career exploration and fit perception of Chinese new generation employees
Authors: Nie Ting , Lian Zhihua , Huang Hua
Published: November 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore the mediating effect of vocational identity and the moderating effect of work values on the relation between career exploration and fit perception of Chinese new generation employees.

Design/methodology/approach

A survey was conducted to measure variables in this study. Based on review of the related studies about work value, career exploration, vocational identity and fit perception, the authors establish a theoretical model and propose hypotheses. Data were obtained from 647 Chinese post‐1980s generation employees.

Findings

According to the statistical analysis result, the paper demonstrates that career exploration can affect fit perception through mediator of vocational identity; when people have stronger preference to chase for job comfort and security, the relations between career exploration effort, vocational identity and fit perception becomes stronger; once individual has stronger preference for status and independence, the relations between career exploration effort, vocational identity and fit perception becomes weakened.

Research limitations/implications

The data used in this study only came from the employees, although the authors test homologous deviation through Harman single factor test. If the authors can conduct the survey from both employees and their supervisors, it will be better for them to avoid homology bias. Furthermore, more factors need to be considered in the formation of fit perception of Chinese new generation employees.

Originality/value

The paper explains the internal relations between work value, career exploration, vocational identity and fit perception on the basis on of the characteristics of Chinese new generation employees.
Care at home: Article 8 and incapacitated adults
Authors: Butler‐Cole Victoria , Grogan Rose
Published: November 2012

Purpose

This paper aims to review recent cases in the Court of Protection on the issue of article 8 ECHR right to respect for family life and whether it requires a starting point that it is in an incapacitated adult's best interests to be cared from at home. In this context, it examines the role of article 19 UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD) in the article 8 and best interests analysis carried out by the court under s.4 Mental Capacity Act 2005.

Design/methodology/approach

The article examines the recent cases of K v. A Local Authority, FM and GM v. A Health Board and recent cases on the status of the UNCRPD in English Law to explore whether the UK's obligations under that convention require there to be a starting point that incapacitated adults should be cared for at home.

Findings

The Court of Protection has made it clear that talking in terms of presumptions is unhelpful when it comes to the s.4 MCA 2005 checklist. The broad terms of s.4 require that all relevant circumstances are taken into account which would include any potential infringement of article 8 ECHR.

Originality/value

The article identifies an argument that could be used by campaigners and practitioners who advocate for the right for disabled persons to be cared for at home, through an analysis of recent cases. It notes the argument's limitations with respect to incapacitated adults and the application of s.4 Mental Capacity Act 2005.
A contractor's perception on early contractor involvement
Authors: Rahman Motiar , Alhassan Aminu
Published: November 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the perception of a contractor on early contractor involvement (ECI) type of construction project delivery approach in terms of its benefits and drawbacks.

Design/methodology/approach

A questionnaire survey was conducted on various professionals of a contractor, who had extensive experience of working in ECI.

Findings

The ECI approach increases the opportunity for better relationships among the parties, which assist the design process from contractor's input and eventually lead to successful delivery of the project. On the other hand, unequal commitment and lack of win‐win attitude between the parties are seen as the most important drawbacks that hinder integration in ECI approach. It is also observed that benefits from ECI are likely to outweigh the drawbacks.

Originality/value

Construction projects are different, requiring adjustments, even within generic procurement or delivery approaches, in order to build a harmonious team, to allow project participants to work together and deliver an improved project. This study contributes to devising and demonstrating such a strategy, focusing on ECI approach.
Adequacy of incremental construction strategy for housing low‐income urban residents in Ogun State, Nigeria
Authors: Offia Ibem Eziyi , Aduwo Egidario B. , Uwakonye Obioha
Published: November 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to examine the adequacy of incrementally constructed government assisted self‐help housing in addressing the needs of residents of the Workers’ Housing Estate, Abeokuta, Ogun State, Nigeria.

Design/methodology/approach

A quantitative method and the survey research approach were used. Data were collected from randomly selected 156 household heads in this housing estate with structured questionnaires and analyzed using descriptive and factor analyses.

Findings

About 50 percent of the respondents felt that housing environment in the estate was adequate in meeting their needs. Adequacy of housing unit characteristics was higher than that of housing services, social infrastructure and management of the housing estate.

Research limitations/implications

Incremental housing construction strategy can provide adequate housing for low and middle‐income public sector workers in the developing countries; and this can be enhanced through measures that ensure rapid upgrading of housing units and access to housing services and basic infrastructure by the residents.

Practical implications

The adoption of government assisted incremental construction strategy has great potentials in facilitating access to housing by low‐income urban residents in the developing countries.

Originality/value

A pioneer study on the adequacy of housing provided using the incremental construction strategy in Ogun State Nigeria. Findings may not be generalised, but they have implications for social housing in the developing countries.
Do mentors learn by mentoring others?
Authors: Rekha K.N. , Ganesh M.P.
Published: November 2012

Purpose

The purpose of the study was to understand the learnings of adults (who are undergraduates, post graduates or working professionals) who volunteered to be the mentors to make a difference in the life of the adolescents who are from underprivileged backgrounds.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors conducted their study in a not for profit organization (NPO) which has a unique mentoring program called Dronocharya Ekalavya (DNE) mentoring program in Hyderabad, India. The authors conducted telephonic interviews with 15 mentors using a semi‐structured questionnaire and also administered an online survey to 59 respondents. Since the study is a qualitative research, results cannot be generalisable.

Findings

The findings of the study conclude that mentors do learn from the mentoring program organized by NPO. Mentors learnt soft skills such as interpersonal skills, leadership skills, etc. Also they learnt to build rapport and trust. The study highlighted the changes in behaviors of mentors such as self‐realisation, and change in attitude.

Research limitations/implications

Social desirability effect might have impacted the results but all efforts have been invested in carefully handling the data. A possible longitudinal study can focus on comparing learning outcomes of mentors at the beginning of the mentoring program with learning outcomes of mentors at the end of the mentoring program. Future research could focus on how and what do they learn from each other by expanding the study to many organizations.

Originality/value

There is no empirical research conducted to study the benefits gained by mentors through mentoring program, especially referencing to youth mentoring. This study will help organizations (both NGO and other businesses) understand the benefits of mentoring to the mentors.
Video‐stimulated recall for mentoring in Omani schools
Authors: Wyatt Mark , Arnold Ewen
Published: November 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore the school‐based learning mentoring of a senior teacher of English in Oman, who was conducting action research into her mentoring practices while engaged in part‐time in‐service language teacher education. The senior teacher realized teachers in her school found post‐lesson discussions in English with inspectors challenging and, using video‐stimulated recall, tried to help them become more reflective.

Design/methodology/approach

Qualitative case study research methodology: semi‐structured interviews provide insights into the senior teacher's perceptions of her own development and professional knowledge of reflective practice and mentoring. They also provide oral accounts of her action research, written accounts of which are provided by reflective writing. Audio‐recordings and transcripts of post‐lesson discussions, triangulated with classroom observation, provide evidence of mentoring practices.

Findings

The senior teacher developed creative and flexible solutions to the challenges she faced, in the process gaining confidence and assuming mentor identity. Various factors helped, including a supportive environment, the in‐service teacher education course and engagement with video‐stimulated recall.

Research limitations/implications

Despite methodological limitations, including limited observational data and use of self‐report, there are implications for socio‐cultural contexts where English has a semi‐official role in mentoring discussions and where there are moves towards reflective models of teacher development.

Practical implications

Video‐stimulated recall may be a particularly effective tool for supporting learning mentoring in contexts where loyalty to the “in‐group” encourages sharing. To facilitate learning mentoring, the creation and maintenance of supportive environments appears crucial.

Originality/value

Learning mentors seeking fresh ideas, teacher educators and school managers will find this useful.
Angiotensin II contractile effects in mouse colon: role for pre‐ and post‐junctional AT1A receptors
Authors: Mastropaolo M. , Zizzo M. G. , Mulè F. , Serio R.
Published: November 2012

Aim

This study investigates whether a local renin–angiotensin system (RAS) exists in mouse colon and whether angiotensin II (Ang II) may play a role in the regulation of the contractile activity.

Methods

Isometric recordings were performed in vitro on the longitudinal muscle of mouse proximal and distal colon. Transcripts encoding for RAS components were investigated by RT‐PCR.

Results

Ang II caused, in both preparations, a concentration‐dependent contractile effect, antagonized by losartan, AT1 receptor antagonist, but not by PD123319, AT2 receptor antagonist. The combination of losartan plus PD123319 caused no change on the Ang II‐induced contraction than losartan alone. Tetrodotoxin, neural blocker, reduced the contractile response to Ang II in the proximal colon, whilst the response was abolished in the distal colon. In both preparations, atropine, muscarinic receptor antagonist, or SR140333, NK1 receptor antagonist, reduced the Ang II responses. Ondansetron, 5‐HT3 receptor antagonist, SR48968, NK2 receptor antagonist, or hexamethonium, nicotinic receptor antagonist, were ineffective. The joint application of atropine and SR140333 produced no additive effect. Atropine reduced NK1‐induced contraction. Transcripts encoding RAS components were detected in the colon samples. However, just AT1A mRNA was expressed in both preparations, and AT2 mRNA was expressed only in the distal colon.

Conclusion

In the murine colon, local RAS may play a significant role in the control of contractile activity. Ang II positively modulates the spontaneous contractile activity via activation of post‐junctional and pre‐junctional AT1A receptors, the latter located on the enteric neurones, modulating the release of tachykinins and acetylcholine.
Transnational Industrial Relations as Multi‐Level Governance: Interdependencies in European Social Dialogue
Authors: Keune Maarten , Marginson Paul
Published: November 2012

Processes of transnationalization of industrial relations have been redrawing and increasing the complexity of the industrial relations map, adding new levels, actors and institutions, and creating new horizontal and vertical relationships and interdependencies. To capture these changes, we propose a multi‐governance perspective enriched by due attention to power relations. We then apply this perspective to analyse the evolution of European social dialogue (ESD), showing that the conventional reading of ESD moving from dependency to autonomy is a false one: negotiated regulation emanating from the ESD rests on two‐directional relations, between the European and national levels involving autonomy and dependency at the same time. It also involves differing forms of horizontal interdependency between private actors and the public authorities. To show its wider applicability, we also briefly relate this approach to International Framework Agreements and European Works Council agreements.
Restoration of endodontically treated teeth with major hard tissue loss – bond strength of conventionally and adhesively luted fiber‐reinforced composite posts
Authors: Binus Stefanie , Koch Andreas , Petschelt Anselm , Berthold Christine
Published: November 2012

Aim

To evaluate the influence of the luting system on the pull‐out bond strength of conventionally and adhesively luted fiber‐reinforced composite posts (FRCPs).

Material and methods

One hundred extracted bovine teeth (Di 3) were endodontically treated and randomly assigned to nine test groups and one control group (n = 10) according to luting system. After preparing the post cavities (8 mm), the custom‐made FRCPs were inserted using conventional glass‐ionomer cement (Ketac Cem), resin‐reinforced glass‐ionomer cement (Meron Plus and Fuji Plus), self‐adhesive resin cement (RelyX Unicem and BisCem), self‐conditioning adhesive and resin cement [Multilink Primer + Multilink and AdheSE + DC Activator + MultiCore Flow, or etch‐and‐rinse adhesive and resin cement (SealBond Ultima + CoreCem, and LuxaBond + LuxaCore Z). As a control, custom‐made titanium posts were inserted with Ketac Cem. After water storage (37°C, 24 h, dark), the pull‐out test was performed, followed by failure mode evaluation. The data were statistically analyzed (α = 0.05) using analysis of variance and the Dunnett T3 post hoc test.

Results

Luting system type and identity significantly influenced bond strength (P < 0.001); the bond strengths of all luting systems except Ketac Cem, MeronPlus, and BisCem were significantly higher than the control (4.4 ± 1.1 MPa). RelyX Unicem (12.0 ± 3.0 MPa) and LB + LCZ (14.8 ± 2.3 MPa) generated the highest bond strengths. The clinical application was demonstrated by restoring a traumatized tooth with extensive coronal destruction and thin root canal walls, using a FRCP combined with direct composite build‐up.

Conclusion

Luting system selection significantly influenced the bond strength of conventionally and adhesively luted FRCPs to bovine root canal dentin.
Translocation of cave fish (Poecilia mexicana) within and between natural habitats along a toxicity gradient
Authors: Schlupp Ingo , Colston Timothy J. , Joachim Brandon L. , Riesch Rüdiger
Published: November 2012

During ecological speciation, diverging taxa have the potential to remain in close spatial proximity (i.e., sympatry or micro‐allopatry) theoretically allowing for continued contact and gene flow. In a system where incipient speciation of populations of the Atlantic molly (Poecilia mexicana) appears to be driven by abiotic factors, we investigated whether one of these factors, hydrogen sulphide (H2S) toxicity, also constitutes an effective barrier to slow migration within and between habitats. We addressed this experimentally by translocating individuals from high toxicity to lower toxicity within a toxic cave and by translocating individuals from the toxic cave to a nontoxic surface habitat. Using a stepwise‐backwards Cox regression, we found that overall mortality was low, but statistically significant mortality occurred when individuals were transferred from higher toxicity to lower toxicity. In addition, only males were negatively affected by being transferred from low levels of toxicity to nontoxic, surface waters. This indicates that in addition to abiotic factors, other mechanisms, like predation and sexual selection, must be important in maintaining population separation.
Graduate orthodontic education in Turkey: the residents' perspective
Authors: Usumez S. , Noble J. , Yagci A. , Uysal T. , Wiltshire W. A.
Published: November 2012

The aim of the present study was to explore residents' perceptions of their educational and clinical treatment experiences including the number of clinical cases undertaken, patient completion rates, techniques utilised and the scientific component of Turkish graduate orthodontic programmes. Residents recorded in the list of Turkish Orthodontic Society were sent an e‐mail to participate in a survey containing 46 multiple‐choice questions and ten one‐line answers. An e‐mail with a personalised online link was sent to a total of 227 residents throughout the Turkey. Data were categorised, and basic statistics including chi‐square comparative analyses were performed. A total of 136 (response rate of 59.91%) residents completed the survey. The majority of residents (58.08%) were either ‘very satisfied’ or ‘satisfied’ with their programme. Respondents said they have just the right amount of formal didactic teaching sessions or dedicated and protected academic time. Most residents (69.11%) indicated their programme offers training in numerous philosophies; whilst 97.79% said they have sufficient clinically based training and 42.64% said they have sufficient research‐based training. Overall, residents in the Turkey are satisfied with their orthodontic programme. They receive comprehensive training with the opportunity to start and complete a significant number of their patients. The survey findings suggest that orthodontic programmes in Turkey are deficient in providing care to underserviced populations and disabled patients. Programmes could improve the opportunity for residents to treat patients requiring interdisciplinary treatment.
Independent Discretion or Democratic Legitimisation? The Relations between National Regulatory Authorities and National Parliaments under EU Regulatory Framework for Network‐Bound Sectors
Authors: Szydło Marek
Published: November 2012

The European legislator, being supported in that regard by the Court of Justice, confers upon national regulatory authorities (NRAs) the exercise of the most important tasks concerned with the regulation of the network‐bound sectors, while at the same time guarantees NRAs a far‐reaching independence in exercising of their discretionary powers and shielding NRAs against other public authorities, including national parliaments. This, in turn, raises many doubts from the perspective of some essential constitutional principles of the Member States, such as, among others, ‘the domain of the law,’ which reserves the regulation of issues sensitive to the citizens as an exclusive parliament's prerogative. It is submitted in this article that national parliaments should play a much more active role in regulating the network‐bound sectors. The main point is to strengthen the protection of fundamental rights of regulated parties and create the real democratic legitimisation of NRAs, while not undermining those regulatory objectives that are already accorded at the EU level.
Pelagic propagule duration and developmental mode: reassessment of a fading link
Authors: Mercier Annie , Sewell Mary A. , Hamel Jean‐François
Published: November 2012

Aim

As the main or sole motile stage of many aquatic taxa, propagules play a central role in their population dynamics, macroevolution and biogeography. The premises of studies concerned with dispersal, on issues as diverse as marine protected areas, sustainable fisheries and invasive species, commonly make simplified assumptions linking larval development mode (planktotrophic, lecithotrophic) and pelagic propagule duration (PPD) or pelagic larval duration. Because general empirical tests of these connections have yielded equivocal results, we critically examined the relationship between larval mode and PPD in light of regional and taxon‐specific criteria.

Location

Oceans world‐wide.

Methods

We collated data from 190 species from the phylum Echinodermata and used two‐way and one‐way ANOVA to compare PPD among larval modes, taxonomic classes, geographic regions and climate zones. We also assessed the contribution of egg size, temperature and other continuous predictors using multiple regressions and ANCOVA, and examined whether geographic range size differed among larval modes.

Results

Our results depart from the common assumption that planktotrophs have longer PPDs than lecithotrophs. Instead, we detected a synergistic influence of phylogeny and climate. No significant difference in PPD between planktotrophs and lecithotrophs occurred in two of the four classes and only four out of nine major ocean basins contained species with significantly different PPDs on the basis of larval mode. Species from colder climates displayed relatively constant PPDs regardless of larval mode, whereas temperate and warm‐water species displayed a clearer dichotomy. PPD did not correlate with geographic range size nor did planktotrophs and lecithotrophs exhibit significantly different range sizes.

Main conclusions

Our findings indicate that larval mode is not a reliable predictor of PPD across broad geographic and taxonomic scales. Instead developmental strategies may instigate shorter or longer PPDs in schemes that are influenced by evolutionary and environmental pressures.
Association between functional tooth units and chewing ability in older adults: a systematic review
Authors: Naka Olga , Anastassiadou Vassiliki , Pissiotis Argirios
Published: November 2012

Objectives

To systematically review the current evidence on the relationship between dentition status and chewing ability in older adults, as the latter was subjectively perceived by questionnaires.

Background

Tooth loss is associated with functional impairment regarding chewing ability, depending on the number and the location of the remaining teeth.

Methods

A search of the English literature was undertaken using the appropriate electronic databases and keywords in order to answer the question of this review. Independent extraction of the related articles was carried out by two authors using predefined eligibility criteria.

Results

Full‐text analysis was performed for 51 articles of possible relevance. Finally, data were extracted from 18 studies, published in 20 articles that met the inclusion criteria.

Conclusions

Although there was a conflict between the studies relevant to the number of functional tooth units needed to maintain adequate oral function, it was revealed that chewing ability was closely related to the number and distribution of teeth remaining. Treatment plan should focus on the preservation of the strategic parts of the dental arch that are critical for adequate oral function. Long‐term prospective studies, comprising well‐defined criteria, clinical variables, methods and utilising comprehensive questionnaires, should be preferred to obtain a clearer picture on the association between masticatory ability and functional tooth units.
HIV‐1 co‐receptor expression and epithelial immune cells of the cervix in asymptomatic women attending a genitourinary medicine clinic
Authors: McClure CP , Bowman CA , Geary I , Ryan C , Ball JK , Eley A
Published: November 2012

Objectives

The aim of the study was to qualitatively and semiquantitatively characterize the expression of the principal HIV co‐receptors chemokine (C‐C motif) receptor 5 (CCR5) and chemokine (C‐X‐C motif) receptor 4 (CXCR4) on susceptible CD4 T‐helper cell, monocyte/macrophage and Langerhans dendritic cell populations within the cervical epithelia of asymptomatic women attending a genitourinary medicine clinic.

Methods

Of 77 asymptomatic women recruited, 35 were excluded: 21 because they were found to have bacterial vaginosis, eight because they were found to have candida and six for other reasons. Cervical cytobrush samples from 11 women with Chlamydia trachomatis infection and 31 women without any detectable genital infection were stained with fluorescently labelled antibodies specific for cell surface CCR5, CXCR4, CD4, CD3, CD1a and CD19 expression, then analysed by flow cytometry.

Results

CD4/CD3 T‐helper cells (84%), CD1a Langerhans dendritic cells (75%) and CD4/CD14 monocytes/macrophages (59%) were detected in the samples. CCR5 and CXCR4 HIV co‐receptor expression was observed on 46–86% of the above subsets. CD1a cells exhibited significantly higher CCR5 and CXCR4 positivity and median fluorescence than CD4 cells and higher CXCR4 positivity and median fluorescence than CD14 cells (P < 0.05 or less). Increased detection of CCR5 over CXCR4 was seen in CD14 cells (P < 0.05). No significant differences in CCR5 or CXCR4 expression were found in samples from asymptomatic women with or without chlamydial infection.

Conclusions

Co‐receptor expression confirms the potential for CD1a Langerhans cells, monocytes/macrophages and T‐helper cells in the cervix as primary targets for HIV infection. Previously observed selective transmission of CCR5‐tropic isolates cannot be accounted for by a lack of CXCR4‐expressing CD4 cervical immune cells. We were unable to identify any specific impact of chlamydial infection on co‐receptor expression in this study.
Extrapolations from field studies and known faunas converge on dramatically increased estimates of global microgastrine parasitoid wasp species richness (Hymenoptera: Braconidae)
Authors: Rodriguez Josephine J. , Fernández‐Triana Jose L. , Smith M. Alex , Janzen Daniel H. , Hallwachs Winnie , Erwin Terry L. , Whitfield James B.
Published: November 2012

We extrapolate a new range of estimates of the species richness of Microgastrinae (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) wasps, a diverse group of small parasitoids that attack caterpillars of Lepidoptera.

Our estimates, using an array of focal study faunas to provide reasonable bounds for minimum and maximum values, range from 17 000 to 46 000+ species. These calculations make use of a geographically relatively constant proportion of the total number of local caterpillar species to species of Microgastrinae, and extend what is known from better studied areas to those less thoroughly studied.

This new estimate of species richness for Microgastrinae is 8–20 times that of the ∼2000 currently described species, and 2–10 times greater than that of previously published estimates.
A conception of moral sensitivity and everyday consumption practices: insights from the moralizing discourses of pet owners
Authors: McEachern Morven G. , Cheetham Fiona
Published: November 2012

The marketing discipline is somewhat under‐theorized regarding the moral meanings that both shape and are shaped by the everyday consumption practices of consumers. Therefore, using the context of pet ownership, this paper aims to develop a conceptual understanding of the moral aspects of consumption by examining the social construction of morality in consumers’ day‐to‐day lives. Using phenomenological interviews and autodriving techniques, the study identifies a number of underlying polemics, linked to the ontology of animals as pets, strands of which weave through participants’ moralizing discourses. The study draws attention to the nuances and contradictory processes within which the moral meanings allied to pet ownership and the pet marketplace are constituted and enacted within consumers’ day‐to‐day lives. The paper concludes with a discussion on the value of adopting a sociological perspective of consumption morality and its implications for future studies of consumption.
CONSERVATION OF ANCESTRAL HAPLOTYPES TELOMERIC OF HLA‐A
Authors: Tay G. K. , Cattley S. K. , Chorney M. J. , Hollingsworth P. N. , Roth M. P. , Dawkins R. L. , Witt C. S.
Published: November 2012

Genes that predispose to haemochromatosis are thought to be located within the several megabases telomeric of HLA‐A. Further recombinant mapping has been used previously to map susceptibility genes for diseases such as insulin‐dependent diabetes mellitus, myasthenia gravis and cystic fibrosis, and should be useful in relation to haemochromatosis. However, this method requires the recognition of ancestral haplotypes within the susceptibility region. Using a panel of six microsatellite markers from this region (MOG A, MOG B, MOG C, D6S464, D6S306 and D6S105), we show that ancestral haplotypes extend telomeric of HLA‐A, at least as far as D6S105. Nine of 14 haplotypes carrying HLA‐B7 and HLA‐A3 shared the same microsatellite alleles between HLA‐A and at least D6S105. Similarly, nine of 10 haplotypes sharing HLA‐B8 and HLA‐A1 shared the same microsatellite alleles, although a different set to those with HLA‐B7 and HLA‐A3. Haplotypes representing historical recombination events were also identified. These two findings demonstrate that recombinant mapping may be applicable to the mapping of disease genes in this region.
Blood transfusion safety: a new philosophy
Authors: Franklin I. M.
Published: November 2012

Blood transfusion safety has had a chequered history, and there are current and future challenges. Internationally, there is no clear consensus for many aspects of the provision of safe blood, although pan‐national legislation does provide a baseline framework in the European Union. Costs are rising, and new safety measures can appear expensive, especially when tested against some other medical interventions, such as cancer treatment and vaccination programmes. In this article, it is proposed that a comprehensive approach is taken to the issue of blood transfusion safety that considers all aspects of the process rather than considering only new measures. The need for an agreed level of safety for specified and unknown risks is also suggested. The importance of providing care and support for those inadvertently injured as a result of transfusion problems is also made. Given that the current blood safety decision process often uses a utilitarian principle for decision making – through the calculation of Quality Adjusted Life Years – an alternative philosophy is proposed. A social contract for blood safety, based on the principles of ‘justice as fairness’ developed by John Rawls, is recommended as a means of providing an agreed level of safety, containing costs and providing support for any adverse outcomes.