bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Size and momentum in European equity markets: empirical findings from varying beta Capital Asset Pricing Model
Authors: Karathanasis George , Kassimatis Konstantinos , Spyrou Spyros
Published: July 2009

We use securities listed on 13 European equity markets to form size and momentum portfolios. We find limited evidence of a size premium but significant momentum returns in eight sample markets. We find that these premia may not constitute an anomaly because they are consistent with a varying‐beta Capital Asset Pricing Model. We also show that systematic risk is related to the business cycle. Furthermore, the results suggest that although size and especially momentum returns are significant, it would be difficult to exploit them in the short to medium run, because they are positive and sizeable in very few years in our sample.
Arithmetic word problem solving: a Situation Strategy First framework
Authors: Brissiaud Rémi , Sander Emmanuel
Published: July 2009

Before instruction, children solve many arithmetic word problems with informal strategies based on the situation described in the problem. A Situation Strategy First framework is introduced that posits that initial representation of the problem activates a situation‐based strategy even after instruction: only when it is not efficient for providing the numerical solution is the representation of the problem modified so that the relevant arithmetic knowledge might be used. Three experiments were conducted with Year 3 and Year 4 children. Subtraction, multiplication and division problems were created in two versions involving the same wording but different numerical values. The first version could be mentally solved with a Situation strategy (Si version) and the second with a Mental Arithmetic strategy (MA version). Results show that Si‐problems are easier than MA‐problems even after instruction, and, when children were asked to report their strategy by writing a number sentence, equations that directly model the situation were predominant for Si‐problems but not for MA ones. Implications of the Situation Strategy First framework regarding the relation between conceptual and procedural knowledge and the development of arithmetic knowledge are discussed.
How useful are systematic reviews of child obesity interventions?
Authors: Wolfenden L. , Wiggers J. , Tursan d'Espaignet E. , Bell A. C.
Published: July 2009

To facilitate the translation of research evidence into practice, policy makers and practitioners require practice‐relevant information such as the effectiveness of interventions delivered in specific settings, by various personnel, using various intervention modalities, and descriptions of intervention costs or adverse outcomes. The aim of this study was to review the relevance of information reported in systematic reviews of child obesity interventions in terms of these requirements. A systematic search was conducted for systematic reviews of child obesity interventions published in English between 1990 and 2008. A total of 3150 citations were examined. Of the 44 eligible reviews, 16 examined prevention interventions, 18 examined treatment interventions, and 10 examined both prevention and treatment interventions. Less than 50% of prevention and treatment reviews reported the effect of interventions conducted in specific settings, the effect of interventions conducted by various personnel and the effect of those delivered via various intervention modalities. Similarly, few (4–15%) reviews reported cost or adverse event outcomes. Existing systematic reviews of childhood obesity interventions provide limited practice‐relevant information. The potential for benefit from the translation of evidence into practice is therefore limited. Involving end users in systematic review development may improve the relevance of outcomes reported in systematic reviews.
Rational ODEs with Movable Algebraic Singularities
Authors: Filipuk G. , Halburd R. G.
Published: July 2009

A class of second‐order rational ordinary differential equations, admitting certain families of formal algebraic series solutions, is considered. For all solutions of these equations, it is shown that any movable singularity that can be reached by analytic continuation along a finite‐length curve is an algebraic branch point. The existence of these formal series expansions is straightforward to determine for any given equation in the class considered. We apply the theorem to a family of equations, admitting different kinds of algebraic singularities. As a further application we recover the known fact for generic values of parameters that the only movable singularities of solutions of the Painlevé equations PII–P VI are poles.
Vortices and Polynomials
Authors: Clarkson P. A.
Published: July 2009

The relationship between point vortex dynamics and the properties of polynomials with roots at the vortex positions is discussed. Classical polynomials, such as the Hermite polynomials, have roots that describe the equilibria of identical vortices on the line. Stationary and uniformly translating vortex configurations with vortices of the same strength but positive or negative orientation are given by the zeros of the Adler–Moser polynomials, which arise in the description of rational solutions of the Korteweg–de Vries equation. For quadrupole background flow, vortex configurations are given by the zeros of polynomials expressed as Wronskians of Hermite polynomials. Further, new solutions are found in this case using the special polynomials arising in the description of rational solutions of the fourth Painlevé equation.
Soliton Solutions of the KP Equation and Application to Shallow Water Waves
Authors: Chakravarty S. , Kodama Y.
Published: July 2009

The main purpose of this paper is to give a survey of recent developments on a classification of soliton solutions of the Kadomtsev–Petviashvili equation. The paper is self‐contained, and we give complete proofs of theorems needed for the classification. The classification is based on the totally nonnegative cells in the Schubert decomposition of the real Grassmann manifold, Gr(N, M), the set of N‐dimensional subspaces in . Each soliton solution defined on Gr(N, M) asymptotically consists of the N number of line‐solitons for y ≫ 0 and the M − N number of line‐solitons for y ≪ 0. In particular, we give detailed description of the soliton solutions associated with Gr(2, 4), which play a fundamental role in the study of multisoliton solutions. We then consider a physical application of some of those solutions related to the Mach reflection discussed by J. Miles in 1977.
Human Rights in the Council of Europe and the EU: Towards ‘Individual’, ‘Constitutional’ or ‘Institutional’ Justice?
Authors: Greer Steven , Williams Andrew
Published: July 2009

Abstract:  The European Convention on Human Rights, promulgated by the Council of Europe in 1950, is widely regarded as the world's most successful experiment in the trans‐national judicial protection of human rights. The EU's much more recent judicial and political interest in human rights has also been widely welcomed. Yet, while the crisis currently afflicting the Convention system has not gone unnoticed, the same cannot equally be said of the difficulties presented by the increasing interpenetration of the two systems. Amongst the few who have shown some interest in these problems, the dominant view is that good will and common sense will provide adequate solutions. We disagree. Instead, we detect a gathering crisis which, unless properly analysed and effectively tackled, will only deepen as the EU's interest in human rights develops further. In our view, the problem is essentially conceptual and that, ultimately, it boils down to a much‐neglected question, simple to state but not so easy to answer: is the trans‐national protection of human rights in Europe a matter of ‘individual’, ‘constitutional’ or ‘institutional’ justice?
Rethinking the Economic Torts
Authors: Deakin Simon , Randall John
Published: July 2009

We propose a revised conceptual basis for the economic torts which is true to their historical role of regulating the competitive process. Claims that the economic torts are part of a wider principle of prima facie liability for intentional harm or that they are based on a theory of secondary or accessorial liability should, we argue, be rejected. Instead, we focus on a narrower and, we claim, more defensible conception of these torts in terms of the economic interests which they protect, the kinds of interferences which trigger liability, and the nature of the justifications which should be accepted as defences.
In Defence of Due Deference
Authors: Young Alison L.
Published: July 2009

The doctrine of deference permeates human rights review. It plays a role in defining Convention rights, in determining the nature of the proportionality test applied when analysing non‐absolute rights, as well as in deciding the stringency of its application. The role of deference has recently been subjected to both judicial and academic criticism, some of which advocates the demise of the doctrine. This article develops a contextual account of deference that is justified for epistemic reasons, rather than reasons of relative authority. This conception is able to withstand current criticism and is modest enough to play a role in a range of different justifications and understandings of judicial review under the Human Rights Act. The article then provides a more detailed account of deference, taking account of the relative institutional features of the legislature, executive and judiciary, without running the risk that the court fails to perform its constitutional function of protecting individual rights.
A Purposive Interpretation of the National Minimum Wage Act
Authors: Davidov Guy
Published: July 2009

This article uses a purposive method of interpretation to suggest solutions to various questions raised in the application of the National Minimum Wage Act (NMWA). The article first considers the goals of minimum wage laws (and the NMWA in particular) by putting forward the justifications for such laws and addressing critiques. It is argued that the minimum wage is best understood as a mechanism for redistribution of resources and ensuring respect for the human dignity of workers. Building on this articulation of goals, the article then proceeds to consider which group of workers are included within the scope of the NMWA (interpreting terms such as ‘worker’, ‘voluntary workers’, apprentices and trainees); what are considered working hours for the purpose of the Act (focusing on cases of work/sleep combinations); and what constitutes part of the wage (focusing on tips, attendance allowances and deductions for accommodations).
Contractual Limitations on the Auditor's Liability: An Uneasy Combination of Law and Accounting
Authors: Morris P. E.
Published: July 2009

Operative as from 6 April 2008, sections 532–538 of the Companies Act 2006 create a new liability limitation regime in contractual relationships between audit firms and companies in relation to the statutory audit function which overturns an almost eighty years old fundamental principle of company law. This new regime is the product of continuing pressure by the audit profession for liability reform and concern by Government regarding the market structure for audit services. This commentary critically evaluates the regime from law and accounting perspectives. It concludes by reflecting on its longer term implications for audit quality, perceptions of the audit profession and the evolution of a future research agenda.
Age Discrimination, Redundancy Payments and Length of Service
Authors: Sargeant Malcolm
Published: July 2009

This note discusses three cases which have considered objective justification for the apparent contradiction between rewarding age and length of service in redundancy payments and the need not to discriminate on the grounds of age. It considers the relevance of cases from the European Court of Justice about whether there can be a general exception to the need to justify using the criterion of length of service, or seniority, in equal pay cases.
Caring for the Disabled? New Boundaries in Disability Discrimination
Authors: Roberts Pauline
Published: July 2009

The scope of the disability‐related less favourable treatment provisions of the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 has been reduced by the House of Lords in a housing case, London Borough of Lewisham v Malcolm, while the European Court of Justice has taken a broad approach to disability discrimination and carers within the EC Framework Directive in Coleman v Attridge Law. In discussing both cases, this note suggests that the pre‐Malcolm approach to identifying the comparator in disability‐related discrimination claims should prevail in the employment context, in view of the obligations under the EC Framework Directive.
Open Borders: Absurd Chimera or Inevitable Future Policy?
Authors: Casey John P.
Published: July 2009

In the current climate of security concerns, the movement of people across borders is becoming increasingly criminalised. Yet there is a parallel political and economic reality in which borders are opening and the movement of people is being liberalised: zones of free movement such as the European Union expand; other bilateral and multilateral agreements include provisions for more fluid cross‐border movement; international trade negotiations seek to facilitate the flow of those providing goods and services; developing countries’ push for greater access for their citizens to the labour markets of the industrialised world; and a new class of “gold collar” professionals moves with increasing ease around the globe. This paper explores the possibilities of universal open borders as a future policy option. The author accepts realpolitik and understands that the free flow of immigrants is currently impossible, but also maintains that open borders are an inevitable long‐term consequence of globalisation, as well as a policy option for addressing North‐South inequalities and a moral touchstone for the global extension of human rights. The paper does not advocate for more migration, but instead explores the paradox that the creation of the conditions that would allow for the opening of borders is likely to reduce the incentives for emigration. The paper explores the policy changes needed to achieve open borders.
The Lusophone Migratory System: Patterns and Trends
Authors: Baganha Maria I.
Published: July 2009

Portugal, like all the other EU countries, belongs to several migratory systems. This paper describes and characterizes one of the migratory systems to which Portugal belongs, the Lusophone migratory system. The system approach was chosen because it implies a dynamic perspective which is the most adequate to capture the changing trends and patterns of international migration between a group of countries. The author argument is that historically, this migratory system has existed for a very long time, although at the beginning it was formed by only two countries, Portugal and Brazil. The system was enlarged to the PALOP in the aftermath of the Portuguese Revolution of 1974 and the subsequent independence of the Portuguese colonies in Africa.
Portugal as a Semi‐peripheral Country in the Global Migration System
Authors: Góis Pedro , Marques José Carlos
Published: July 2009

Although Portugal has traditionally produced many emigrants, the last 30 years have also shown increasing immigration. This increase in immigration has drawn attention away from the fact that significant emigration from Portugal continues. In this article, some of the main characteristics of migrations to and from Portugal are highlighted from a systemic perspective. The article shows that Portugal is both a receiving country and a sending country in the global migration system, and that it integrates several of the main migration systems at different levels. It is suggested that Portugal’s participation in existing migration systems is best captured and explained by conceptualizing it as a semi‐peripheral society, one that is part of a core region of the world system (the European Union) and displays a number of characteristics of both central and peripheral countries. The concept of semi‐periphery enables one to recognize the existence of what could be termed a quasi or emergent migratory system: the Lusophone migration system, which one can conceive as communicating intensively with other macro migratory systems. Observing the country’s migratory dynamics from the last two decades, and especially the migration flows that bond the Portuguese‐speaking countries, one may view the Lusophone migration system as able to combine different levels of centers that (in some moments, and given certain conditions) could evolve into a bicephalous, or even tricephalous, center. These centers function as bonds among several other migration systems, and it is in the middle of this Lusophone migration system that the semi‐peripheral role of Portugal becomes evident, as it can be core and periphery at the same time.
Political risk and pension privatization: The case of Argentina (1994‐2008)
Authors: Kay Stephen J.
Published: July 2009

Proponents of pension privatization in Latin America argued that systems of private fully pre‐funded defined‐contribution individual accounts would be better insulated from politics than was the case with public pay‐as‐you‐go pension systems. However as the Argentinean case demonstrates, most recently with the 2008 nationalization of its private individual accounts system, transferring pension management and investment to the private sector does not necessarily reduce or eliminate political risk. In fact, the implementation of systems of individual accounts creates a new set of political risks, in part because they are a potential financial resource for governments, especially during times of economic stress. This article describes the range of political risks inherent to individual account pension systems, with specific reference to Argentina's 1994‐2008 experience with privatization.
Voluntary affiliation to Peru's individual accounts pension system
Authors: Li Carmen A. , Olivera Javier
Published: July 2009

One important aspect in the design of social protection is coverage. In Peru, as in most Latin American countries, social security coverage is mandatory only for workers in the formal sector. This article investigates the determinants of voluntary affiliation to Peru's individual accounts pension system. It is found that married males with more than high‐school level education living in high income households and with other family members already affiliated to the individual accounts pension system have a higher likelihood of voluntary affiliation. Although the results suggest that family‐based safety nets might be substitutes for voluntary participation in the individual accounts pension system, nonetheless, extending pension coverage and addressing poverty remain as challenges for government involvement.
J. Cosmet. Sci., 59, 263–289 (July/August 2008) Characterization of curved hair of Japanese women with reference to internal structures and amino acid composition
Authors: Nagase S. , Tsuchiya M. , Matsui T. , Shibuichi S. , Tsujimura H. , Masukawa Y. , Satoh N. , Itou T. , Koike K. , Tsujii K.
Published: July 2009

Accepted for publication February 20, 2008

Synopsis

The variation of hair curvature in Japanese women was quantitatively investigated and the structure of curved hair was characterized with transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and amino acid analysis. Two hundred and thirty Japanese women volunteers, aged from 10 to 70 years, were randomly selected. The evaluation of the volunteers’ natural hair shape showed that 53% of Japanese women have straight hair, while the remaining 47% have curved hair (varying from a slightly wavy shape to a frizzy style). The average curl radius of the volunteers’ hair was determined to be 4.4 ± 2.3 cm, and ranged widely from 0.6 to 16 cm. The TEM observation of curved hair fiber revealed an inhomogenous internal structure between the outer and inner regions of the curved shape. In relation to the inhomogeneous structure of the curved hair, different amino acid composition of the hair keratin was observed between the outer and inner regions. Interestingly, these results of the TEM observation and the amino acid analysis are analogous to the difference between the ortho‐and paracortical cells in wool fibers, suggesting the universal structure of curved mammalian hair.
Generalist genes and learning disabilities: a multivariate genetic analysis of low performance in reading, mathematics, language and general cognitive ability in a sample of 8000 12‐year‐old twins
Authors: Haworth Claire M.A. , Kovas Yulia , Harlaar Nicole , Hayiou‐Thomas Marianna E. , Petrill Stephen A. , Dale Philip S. , Plomin Robert
Published: July 2009

Background:  Our previous investigation found that the same genes influence poor reading and mathematics performance in 10‐year‐olds. Here we assess whether this finding extends to language and general cognitive disabilities, as well as replicating the earlier finding for reading and mathematics in an older and larger sample.

Methods:  Using a representative sample of 4000 pairs of 12‐year‐old twins from the UK Twins Early Development Study, we investigated the genetic and environmental overlap between internet‐based batteries of language and general cognitive ability tests in addition to tests of reading and mathematics for the bottom 15% of the distribution using DeFries–Fulker extremes analysis. We compared these results to those for the entire distribution.

Results:  All four traits were highly correlated at the low extreme (average group phenotypic correlation = .58). and in the entire distribution (average phenotypic correlation = .59). Genetic correlations for the low extreme were consistently high (average = .67), and non‐shared environmental correlations were modest (average = .23). These results are similar to those seen across the entire distribution (.68 and .23, respectively).

Conclusions:  The ‘Generalist Genes Hypothesis’ holds for language and general cognitive disabilities, as well as reading and mathematics disabilities. Genetic correlations were high, indicating a strong degree of overlap in genetic influences on these diverse traits. In contrast, non‐shared environmental influences were largely specific to each trait, causing phenotypic differentiation of traits.
School climate and continuity of adolescent personality disorder symptoms
Authors: Kasen Stephanie , Cohen Patricia , Chen Henian , Johnson Jeffrey G. , Crawford Thomas N.
Published: July 2009

Background: Schools are key social contexts for shaping development and behavior in youths; yet, little is known of their influence on adolescent personality disturbance.

Method: A community‐based sample of 592 adolescents was assessed for family and school experiences, Axis I psychiatric disorders, and Axis II personality disorder (PD) symptoms, and followed into young adulthood. Multiple regression analysis was used to estimate associations between adolescent‐reported school climate and young adult PD symptoms independent of age, sex, family socioeconomic status; childhood maltreatment; Axis I disorder, PD symptoms, academic grades, and parental punishment in adolescence; and four dimensions of school climate.

Results: Schools characterized as high in learning focus were related to cluster B (antisocial, borderline, histrionic, and narcissistic PD) symptom declines, whereas schools characterized as high in opportunities for student autonomy were related to cluster A (paranoid, schizoid, and schizotypal PD) symptom declines. In contrast, schools characterized as conflictual or supporting interpersonal informality/familiarity among students and teachers were related to increases in cluster A symptoms and cluster C (avoidant, dependent, and obsessive‐compulsive PD) symptoms.

Conclusions: Schools may exert both positive and negative influences on continuity of adolescent personality disturbance. The role of the school in guiding young people toward more favorable developmental pathways and alleviating personality disturbance is discussed.
When cognitive control is calibrated: Event‐related potential correlates of adapting to information‐processing conflict despite erroneous response preparation
Authors: Freitas Antonio L. , Banai Ruslan , Clark Sheri L.
Published: July 2009

To examine when in the perception‐action cycle resolving information‐processing conflict modulates signals of the current need for cognitive control, the present work examined event‐related potential correlates of response preparation (lateralized readiness potentials; LRPs) and of information‐processing conflict (fronto‐central N2 responses) on trial n flanker trials, as a function of whether trial n–1 entailed a congruent flanker, an incongruent flanker, or a NoGo cue. Although LRP‐indexed erroneous response preparation was substantial on incongruent trials across all levels of trial n–1, N2 amplitudes and behavioral interference effects were attenuated on incongruent trials following NoGo and incongruent (relative to congruent) trials. Even after initial attentional and motor‐preparation processes have transpired, then, relatively later control mechanisms appear sufficient to signal a reduced need to engage cognitive control anew.
Container loading with multi‐drop constraints
Authors: Christensen Søren Gram , Rousøe David Magid
Published: July 2009

In this paper, an algorithm for the container‐loading problem (CLP) with multi‐drop constraints is presented. When adding multi‐drop constraints, we demand that the relevant boxes must be available, without rearranging others, when each drop‐off point is reached. To make the solutions feasible in the real world, it is further demanded that all boxes are placed in a feasible manner with respect to load‐bearing strength and with proper support from below. This makes it possible to load consignments originating from builder merchants. A heuristic based on a tree search framework is proposed. It uses greedy solutions to evaluate each choice taken. To make the framework more generic, a dynamic breadth is proposed. Based on problem characteristics and the time limit imposed, it will choose the breadth of the tree, making sure that the time is utilised most profitably. The algorithm is tested on new real‐world data from a Danish company distributing construction products. For the solutions to these problems to be feasible in a real‐world setting, both multi‐drop and load‐bearing strength constraints are essential. The obtained results show that the proposed model and algorithm are able to solve the new real‐world problems in fractions of a second. Furthermore, results obtained on benchmark problems indicate that the algorithm performs comparably with other more specialised methods.
The pure parsimony haplotyping problem: overview and computational advances
Authors: Catanzaro Daniele , Labbé Martine
Published: July 2009

Haplotyping estimation from aligned single‐nucleotide polymorphism fragments has attracted more and more attention in recent years due to its importance in analysis of many fine‐scale genetic data. Its application fields range from mapping of complex disease genes to inferring population histories, passing through designing drugs, functional genomics, and pharmacogenetics. The literature proposes a number of estimation criteria to select a set of haplotypes among possible alternatives. Usually, such criteria can be expressed under the form of objective functions, and the sets of haplotypes that optimize them are referred to as optimal. One of the most important estimation criteria is the pure parsimony, which states that the optimal set of haplotypes for a given set of genotypes is that having minimal cardinality. Finding the minimal number of haplotypes necessary to explain a given set of genotypes involves solving an optimization problem, called the pure parsimony haplotyping (PPH) estimation problem, which is notoriously ‐hard. This article provides an overview of PPH, and discusses the different approaches to solution that occur in the literature.
A Brazilian experience: 40 years using operations research at Petrobras
Authors: Iachan Roberto
Published: July 2009

Petrobras was created as an integrated company to operate in oil and oil byproduct exploration, production, refining, marketing, and transportation. Petrobras is now the biggest Brazilian company, operating in a number of areas in the energy sector and currently present in 27 countries. This article describes the evolution of the activities and the achievements of its Operations Research group, created in the 1960s, and its work offering decision support to the most diverse segments of the company.
Multi‐product supply chain horizontal network integration: models, theory, and computational results
Authors: Nagurney Anna , Woolley Trisha , Qiang Qiang
Published: July 2009

In this paper, we develop multi‐product supply chain network models with explicit capacities, before and after their horizontal integration. In addition, we propose a measure, which allows one to quantify and assess, from a supply chain network perspective, the synergy benefits associated with the integration of multi‐product firms through mergers/acquisitions. We utilize a system‐optimization perspective for the model development and provide the variational inequality formulations, which are then utilized to propose a computational procedure which fully exploits the underlying network structure. We illustrate the theoretical and computational framework with numerical examples. This paper is a contribution to the literatures of supply chain integration and mergers and acquisitions.
DETECTING CHANGES OF CELTIC GOLD SOURCES THROUGH THE APPLICATION OF TRACE ELEMENT AND Pb ISOTOPE LASER ABLATION ANALYSIS OF CELTIC GOLD COINS*
Authors: BENDALL C. , WIGG‐WOLF D. , LAHAYE Y. , VON KAENEL H.‐M. , BREY G. P.
Published: July 2009

This project follows on from an initial study of Celtic gold coins from the Middle Rhine/Moselle region, which was based on material found at the Martberg, a Late Iron Age/Roman sanctuary and settlement (River Moselle, western Germany;

Bendall 2003

). The earlier work was expanded to encompass over 100 examples of various other regional Celtic gold coinages from the collection of the Römisch‐Germanisches Zentralmuseum, Mainz. The alloy (Au–Ag–Cu) and trace element compositions (in particular Ni, Sb and Pt) were determined by EPMA and LA–ICP–MS, respectively, and their Pb isotope signatures were measured by LA–MC–ICP–MS. Of the 28 trace elements measured, only Ni, Sb and Pt were found to show meaningful variations and so only they are presented here. In particular, differences in the Pt/Au ratios between various groups of earlier coinage (imitations of Philippus and Alexander/Nike staters, Sch. 23 and some early Boian coins) on the one hand, and the majority of the Boian and the southern rainbow cup coinages on the other, indicate a significant difference in the gold sources exploited for these regional coinages. The Pb isotope data confirm previous conclusions that the contribution of gold to the total lead in the Au–Ag–Cu coin alloys can be detected, especially for coins with over 70% gold, and show that possible gold sources include both eastern Mediterranean and Alpine sources. Combining the Pb isotope data with the Pt/Au ratios allows the potential gold sources to be further differentiated.
CHEMICAL CHARACTERIZATION OF TIN‐LEAD GLAZED POTTERY FROM THE IBERIAN PENINSULA AND THE CANARY ISLANDS: INITIAL STEPS TOWARD A BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF SPANISH COLONIAL POTTERY IN THE AMERICAS*
Authors: IÑAÑEZ J. G. , SPEAKMAN R. J. , BUXEDA i GARRIGÓS J. , GLASCOCK M. D.
Published: July 2009

Majolica pottery was the most characteristic tableware produced in Europe during the Medieval and Renaissance periods. Because of the prestige and importance attributed to this ware, Spanish majolica was imported in vast quantities into the Americas during the Spanish Colonial period. A study of Spanish majolica was conducted on a set of 186 samples from the 10 primary majolica production centres on the Iberian Peninsula and 22 sherds from two early colonial archaeological sites on the Canary Islands. The samples were analysed by neutron activation analysis (NAA), and the resulting data were interpreted using an array of multivariate statistical approaches. Our results show a clear discrimination between different production centres, allowing a reliable provenance attribution of the sherds from the Canary Islands.
Clinical pathological and epidemiological assessment of morphologically and immunologically confirmed canine leukaemia
Authors: Adam F. , Villiers E. , Watson S. , Coyne K. , Blackwood L.
Published: July 2009

Traditionally, classification of leukaemia in dogs has relied on morphological examination and cytochemical staining patterns, but aberrant cellular morphology and stain uptake often curtails accurate categorization, and historical data based on this classification may be unreliable. Immunophenotyping is now the gold standard for classification of leukaemias. The purpose of this prospective study was to assess the clinical pathological and epidemiological features of a population of dogs with morphologically and immunologically confirmed leukaemia and to compare them within categories: acute and chronic lymphoid leukaemia (ALL and CLL), and acute and chronic myeloid leukaemia (AML and CML). There were 64 cases of morphologically and immunologically confirmed leukaemia: 25 cases of ALL, 17 cases of CLL and 22 cases of AML. Prevalence of B and T immunophenotypes in ALL and CLL was not statistically different. Dogs with AML were significantly younger than those with ALL at presentation (P= 0.04). Golden Retriever dogs in the study population were overrepresented in comparison with a control population of dogs (6/25 ALL cases, 8/64 leukaemia cases). No sex was overrepresented. Dogs with ALL had significantly more severe neutropenia (P= 0.001) and thrombocytopenia (P= 0.002) than those with CLL and had significantly more cytopenias. The severity and numbers of cytopenias seen in ALL and AML were not significantly different. Twenty‐one of the leukaemia cases showed one cytopenia, fourteen had two cytopenias and twenty‐one cases had pancytopenia. Anaemia was the most common cytopenia seen in isolation (17/21). No dogs had neutropenia without anaemia and/or thrombocytopenia. Total white blood cell counts were not different between the groups. The atypical cell counts within the peripheral blood were significantly higher in ALL than AML; both in isolation and as a percentage of the total white blood cell count (P= 0.03). This study strengthens the hypothesis that acute leukaemias give rise to more profound cytopenias, affecting more cell lines, than chronic leukaemias.
Characteristics of Nurses Who Used the Internet‐Based Nurses QuitNet® for Smoking Cessation
Authors: Bialous Stella Aguinaga , Sarna Linda , Wells Marjorie , Elashoff David , Wewers Mary Ellen , Froelicher Erika S.
Published: July 2009

ABSTRACT
Background: Smoking among nurses is higher than other health care professionals but nurse‐specific cessation programs are limited. Nurses QuitNet®, launched in January 2004, provided an evidence‐based online smoking cessation program for nurses and nursing students.

Objectives: To describe Nurses QuitNet® registrants and relationships among the demographic and smoking characteristics, program dissemination strategies, and site utilization patterns.

Design: Cross‐sectional study.

Sample: 1,790 Nurses QuitNets® registrants.

Measurements: Demographics and smoking characteristics on the Nurses QuitNet® intake questionnaire.

Results: Most registrants were female (92.5%), 45–54 years old (34.3%), Caucasian (84.5%), and college graduates (57.5%). Over 68% smoked 10–20 cigarettes/day; 66.4% smoked within 30 min of waking. Half of those with previous quit attempts did not use evidence‐based methods; 30% had not made a quit attempt in the past year. “Read‐only” social support was the most frequently used Nurses Quitnet® feature.

Conclusions: The Internet can be a viable option to support nurses' cessation and is available to accommodate their work schedules. The sample is similar to the general nursing population, except for higher levels of education. Efforts are needed to assist nurses struggling with nicotine addiction and disseminate cessation resources, particularly targeting nurses with the highest prevalence of current smoking, for example licensed practical nurses.
Evaluation of an Educational Intervention to Promote Breast Pump Use Among Women With Infants in a Special Care Nursery in Kenya
Authors: Friend Dana , Chertok Ilana R. A.
Published: July 2009

ABSTRACT
Objectives: Development of an educational program for women of special care nursery (SCN) infants in Kenya about the use and cleaning of breast pumps through culturally appropriate teaching tools as well as conduction of an evaluation of change in knowledge, attitudes, beliefs, and practical ability in pump use following the educational intervention.

Design: An evaluation of an educational intervention.

Sample: 40 women with infants in the SCN unable to directly breastfeed.

Intervention: Educational intervention instructing electric or pedal breast pump use and cleaning with a pre‐ and posttest evaluation.

Results: Paired t test scores of the combined practically oriented questions were significantly increased from 1.8 to 4.6 (p<.001) from pre‐ to posttest scores. Likewise, the practical demonstration of learned pump use skills significantly improved from 0.08 preintervention to 4.8 postintervention ( p<.001).

Conclusions: Results of the evaluation indicated the intervention significantly increased women's practical knowledge regarding use and cleaning of the breast pump and accessories. With knowledge of proper use of breast pumps, women will be more likely to successfully utilize pumps to provide adequate milk volumes for SCN infants. A culturally appropriate educational intervention in developing countries appears to be a feasible means of facilitating instruction of breast pump use.
Health Effects of Life Transitions for Women and Children: A Research Model for Public and Community Health Nursing
Authors: Kaiser Margaret M. , Kaiser Katherine Laux , Barry Teresa L.
Published: July 2009

ABSTRACT
Because maternal‐child populations have traditionally been a major practice target for public and community health nursing (P/CHN), understanding the health effects of life transition experiences for women and their children is key to the advancement of P/CHN practice and research. To date there are no integrated conceptual models available that examine transition and its health effects in women, and ultimately their children, to single or multiple transitions. In order to help women and those with dependent children transition successfully, strong transition frameworks for nursing are needed. The purpose of this paper is to describe a conceptual model, Health Effects of Life Transition for Women and Children. Major components include the transition experience (developmental, situational, health illness), transition assets/risks (personal, environmental), cognitive‐behavioral health indicators of transition (perception of situation, personal efficacy, change readiness, engagement, help‐seeking, health behaviors, services use), transition adaptive outcomes of health (health status, intensity of need for nursing care) and competence (transition specific skill acquisition, health management, resourcefulness) and long‐term preventive health outcomes (risk reduction, disability prevention, cost savings, mastery, injury prevention). The authors propose that cognitive‐behavioral health indicators are foundational to a successful transition experience, are why some people have better transition outcomes than others, and when influenced by P/CHN intervention lead to improved long‐term outcomes.
Generalized Public Health and Industrial Nurses Work Together
Authors: Schwem Margaret A.
Published: July 2009

ABSTRACT
Occupational health has been considered a subset of public health nursing for years. The first industrial or occupational health nurses were employed by large companies in the 1890s but the role evolved quickly in the early 20th century. By mid‐century, many large companies employed a physician and nurse(s) to provide examinations, screenings, episodic care, and trauma intervention for workers. Occupational health nurses faced different problems than community‐based public health nurses in generalized nursing service. The intersection of public health and employee health was apparent, though, because large industries often constituted the main workplace for a smaller community and sickness could spread throughout a town if the occupational health nurse was not well‐prepared in principles of infection control and health promotion. Excerpts from this July 1949 article about building relationship between public health and industrial nurses illustrate the benefits hoped for when they were formally connected to one another through cross‐training and in‐service education. The author, Margaret Schwem, was a supervisor at the Rensselaer County Department of Health in Troy, New York. In the original article, Schwem included a list of reference materials for those interested in public health and industrial nursing.
Performance of Vegetation in Reclaimed Slopes Affected by Soil Erosion
Authors: Espigares Tíscar , Moreno‐de las Heras Mariano , Nicolau José M.
Published: July 2009

Soil erosion in reclaimed mines may affect plant colonization and performance, and may compromise restoration success; however, the magnitude of this effect has seldom been quantified. We monitored the dynamics of vegetation (seed bank density, seedling emergence, plant mortality, and seed production) during a growing season (2003–2004) in three constructed slopes with differing past erosion rates. The slopes are located in the Utrillas coalfield in Spain, which experiences a Mediterranean‐continental climate. In the most eroded slope, soil water availability was lower—especially in the interrill areas—and seedling emergence rate, plant survival, and seed production were also significantly lower than on the less eroded slopes. We found that vegetation recovery is dramatically constrained when rill erosion rate is 17 t ha−1yr−1and plant cover is 30%, but this effect disappears when plant cover is higher than 60%. Soil erosion in constructed slopes appears to inhibit natural plant colonization processes by increasing runoff water loss over the long‐term. Thus, when rill erosion networks develop, human intervention would be needed to minimize the loss of water and facilitate vegetation colonization.
Propagation and Seedling Cultivation of the Endemic Species Nothofagus alessandrii Espinosa in Central Chile
Authors: Santelices Rómulo , Navarro‐Cerrillo Rafael M. , Drake Fernando
Published: July 2009

Nothofagus alessandrii is an endemic and endangered species from the Maule Region of Central Chile. The forests it once dominated have been severely degraded and fragmented by human activities, and it is estimated that only 350 ha remain. Yet, available information for propagation and nursery plant cultivation of this species is conspicuously lacking. Future efforts to restore this ecosystem type will rely, in large part, on advancing the capacity to propagate and cultivate this highly threatened species. To this end, we studied the response (germination process and nursery growth) of viable seeds of N. alessandrii to different pre‐germination treatments, sowing times, and slow‐release fertilizer. The highest germination percentages were obtained with cold stratification for periods of 30 and 45 days (84.9 and 82.6%, respectively). Sowing time was also relevant, with seeds obtaining highest germination rates (53%) when sowing during spring season (September) as well as the best growth rates. Both cold stratification and GA3 treatments can provide adequate germination percentage and similar seedling quality. After one nursery season, no clear effect of slow‐release fertilizer on plant growth was observed. The results of this study provide important baseline information for propagation and nursery techniques for restoration programs of N. alessandrii.
Alcohol‐Induced Electrical Remodeling: Effects of Sustained Short‐Term Ethanol Infusion on Ion Currents in Rabbit Atrium
Authors: Laszlo Roman , Eick Christian , Schwiebert Mareike , Schreiner Birgit , Weig Hans‐Joerg , Weretka Slawomir , Bosch Ralph F. , Schreieck Juergen
Published: July 2009

Background:  In some patients, above‐average alcohol consumption before occurrence of atrial fibrillation (AF) in terms of a “holiday heart syndrome” (HHS) can be determined. There is evidence that long before development of apparent alcohol‐induced cardiomyopathy, above‐average alcohol consumption generates an arrhythmogenic substrate which abets the onset of AF. Changes of atrial current densities in terms of an electrical remodeling after sustained short‐term ethanol infusion in rabbits as a potential part of HHS pathophysiology were examined in this study.

Methods:  Rabbits of the ethanol group (EG) received sustained short‐term intravenous alcohol infusion for 120 hours (during infusion period, blood alcohol level did not fall below 158 mg/dl), whereas NaCl 0.9% was infused in the placebo group (PG). Using patch clamp technique in whole‐cell mode, atrial current densities were measured and compared between both groups.

Results:  Ethanol infusion did not alter current densities of Ito [58.7 ± 5.0 pA/pF (PG, n = 20 cells) vs. 53.9 ± 5.0 pA/pF (EG, n = 24)], Isus [11.3 ± 1.4 pA/pF (PG, n = 20) vs. 10.2 ± 1.0 pA/pF (EG, n = 24)], and IK1 [−1.6 ± 0.3 pA/pF (PG, n = 17) vs. −2.0 ± 0.3 pA/pF (EG, n = 22)]. However, alcohol infusion resulted in a remarkable reduction of ICa,L current densities [−28.4 ± 1.8 pA/pF (PG, n = 20) vs. −15.2 ± 1.4 pA/pF (EG, n = 22)] and INa [−75.4 ± 3.6 pA/pF (PG, n = 17) vs. −35.4 ± 4.4 pA/pF (EG, n = 21)], respectively.

Conclusion:  Sustained short‐term ethanol infusion in rabbits alters atrial current densities. HHS might be favored by alcohol‐induced atrial electrical remodeling.
MicroRNA Expression Profile in Lieber‐DeCarli Diet‐Induced Alcoholic and Methionine Choline Deficient Diet‐Induced Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis Models in Mice
Authors: Dolganiuc Angela , Petrasek Jan , Kodys Karen , Catalano Donna , Mandrekar Pranoti , Velayudham Arumugam , Szabo Gyongyi
Published: July 2009

Background:  Alcoholic and nonalcoholic steatohepatitis are leading causes of liver diseases worldwide. While of different etiology, these share common pathophysiological mechanisms and feature abnormal fat metabolism, inflammation and fibrosis. MicroRNAs (miRNA) are highly conserved noncoding RNAs that control gene expression at the post‐transcriptional level either via the degradation of target mRNAs or the inhibition of translation. Each miRNA controls the expression of multiple targets; miRNAs have been linked to regulation of lipid metabolism and inflammation.

Methods:  We fed Lieber‐DeCarli alcohol or methionine‐choline‐deficient (MCD) diets to C57Bl6 and analyzed livers for histopathology, cytokines by ELISA, alanine aminotransferase (ALT) by biochemical assay, and microRNA profile by microarray.

Results:  Both Lieber‐DeCarli and MCD diets lead to development of liver steatosis, liver injury, indicated by increased ALT, and elevated levels of serum TNFα, suggesting that animal models portray the pathophysiological features of alcoholic and nonalcoholic fatty liver, respectively. We identified that Lieber‐deCarli diet up‐regulated 1% and down‐regulated 1% of known miRNA; MCD diet up‐regulated 3% and down‐regulated 1% of known miRNA, compared to controls. Of miRNAs that changed expression levels, 5 miRNAs were common in alcoholic and nonalcoholic fatty livers: the expression of both miR‐705 and miR‐1224 was increased after Lieber‐DeCarli or MCD diet feeding. In contrast, miR‐182, miR‐183, and miR‐199a‐3p were down‐regulated in Lieber‐deCarli feeding, while MCD diet lead to their up‐regulation, compared to corresponding controls.

Conclusions:  Our findings indicate etiology‐specific changes in miRNA expression profile during steatohepatitis models, which opens new avenues for research in the pathophysiology of alcoholic and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease.