bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effect of telmisartan on levels of IL‐1, TNF‐α, down‐regulated COX‐2, MMP‐2, MMP‐9 and RANKL/RANK in an experimental periodontitis model
Authors: Araújo Aurigena A. , Souza Tatiana O. , Moura Lígia M. , Brito Gerly A. C. , Aragão Karoline S. , Araújo Lorena S. , Medeiros Caroline A. X. , Alves Maria S. C. F. , Araújo Raimundo F.
Published: September 2013

Aim

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of telmisartan (TELM) on inflammation, oxidation and the expression of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and the expression RANKL/RANK/OPG in the periodontal tissue of a rat model for ligature‐induced periodontitis.

Materials and methods

Male Wistar albino rats were randomly divided into five groups of 10 rats each: (i) non‐ligated, given water; (ii) ligated, given water; (iii) ligated, given 1 mg/kg TELM; (iv) ligated, given 5 mg/kg TELM; and (v) ligated, given 10 mg/kg TELM. All groups were treated with saline or TELM for 10 days. Periodontal tissue was analysed by histopathology; by the immunohistochemical examination of COX‐2, MMP‐2, MMP‐9 and the RANKL/RANK/OPG pathway; and by ELISA analysis of the levels of IL‐1β, IL‐10, TNF‐α, myeloperoxidase (MPO), malonaldehyde (MDA) and glutathione (GSH).

Results

Treatment with 10 mg/kg TELM resulted in reduced concentrations of MPO, MDA (p < 0.05) and the pro‐inflammatory cytokine IL‐1β (p < 0.05); reduced expression of MMP‐2, MMP‐9, RANK, RANKL and COX‐2; and an increase in OPG. The levels of TNF‐α were significantly reduced in all TELM‐treated groups.

Conclusions

These findings confirm the involvement of TELM in reducing the inflammatory response, oxidative stress and bone loss in ligature‐induced periodontitis in rats.
Upstream migratory behaviour of wild and ranched Atlantic salmon Salmo salar at a natural obstacle in a coastal spate river
Authors: Kennedy R. J. , Moffett I. , Allen M. M. , Dawson S. M.
Published: September 2013

The upstream migratory behaviour of wild and ranched Atlantic salmon Salmo salar in a small Irish coastal spate river was investigated using acoustic telemetry. Prespawning migratory behaviour was investigated including movement patterns at a large natural waterfall in the lower reaches of the river. A strong diurnal pattern was observed for upstream migrants at the waterfall indicative of the need for daylight to ascend this complex natural obstacle to migration. Successful passage of the waterfall was also associated with distinct environmental conditions and no difference in migratory ability was detected between wild and ranched origin S. salar. Wild S. salar tended to exhibit a non‐erratic, stepwise upstream migration pattern after ascending the waterfall while ranched S. salar had an increased probability of displaying more erratic migratory behaviour. Wild S. salar penetrated further into the river catchment than ranched S. salar, although male ranched S. salar exhibited the greatest cumulative distance moved prior to the spawning period. The management implications of escaped or released ranched S. salar and movement at natural obstacles are discussed.
Soluble interleukin‐1 receptor, a potential negative regulator of orange‐spotted grouper Epinephelus coioides interleukin‐1 system
Authors: Lu D. Q. , Yao M. , Yi S. B. , Li Y. W. , Liu X. C. , Zhang Y. , Lin H. R.
Published: September 2013

In this study, the cDNA sequence encoding interleukin‐1 (Il‐1) receptor‐like protein of orange‐spotted grouper Epinephelus coioides was obtained. The newly identified sequence was named soluble type I Il‐1 receptor (sIl‐1rI) owing to its structural composition, which had two Ig‐like domains, lack of transmembrane region and the Toll/interleukin‐1 receptor (TIR) domain, similar to the brown rat Rattus norvegicus soluble Il‐1rI. In addition, sequence comparison and phylogenetic analysis indicated that E. coioides sequence had a closer relationship with Il‐1rI than Il‐1rII. Real‐time PCR revealed that sil‐1rI mRNA expression presented a process of decrease, restoration and increase in Cryptocaryon irritans‐infected E. coioides. The negative correlation between Il‐1β and sil‐1rI mRNA in C. irritans‐infected head‐kidney implied the potential negative regulatory role of sil‐1rI in E. coioides Il‐1 system. The leucocytes incubated with lipopolysaccharide or polyriboinosinic polyribocytidylic acid exhibited different expression profiles of sil‐1rI. Recombinant Il‐1β (rIl‐1β) protein was capable of inducing sil‐1rI mRNA under the concentration of 100 ng ml−1, suggesting that high dosage or excess Il‐1β would stimulate the expression of sil‐1rI to maintain the homoeostasis of E. coioides Il‐1 system. For the first time, the role of teleost Il‐1rI in parasite infection has been identified, and soluble Il‐1r was found in fish.
The ecology, behaviour and physiology of fishes on coral reef flats, and the potential impacts of climate change
Authors: Harborne A. R.
Published: September 2013

Reef flats, typically a low‐relief carbonate and sand habitat in shallow water leeward of the reef crest, are one of the most extensive zones on Pacific coral reefs. This shallow zone often supports an abundant and diverse fish assemblage that is exposed to more significant variations in physical factors, such as water depth and movement, temperature and ultraviolet (UV) radiation levels, than most other reef fishes. This review examines the characteristics of reef flat fish assemblages, and then investigates what is known about how they respond to their biophysical environment. Because of the challenges of living in shallow, wave‐exposed water, reef flats typically support a distinct fish assemblage compared to other reef habitats. This assemblage clearly changes across tidal cycles as some larger species migrate to deeper water at low tide and other species modify their behaviour, but quantitative data are generally lacking. At least some reef flat fish species are well‐adapted to high temperatures, low oxygen concentrations and high levels of UV radiation. These behavioural and physiological adaptations suggest that there may be differences in the demographic processes between reef flat assemblages and those in deeper water. Indeed, there is some evidence that reef flats may act as nurseries for some species, but more research is required. Further studies are also required to predict the effects of climate change, which is likely to have multifaceted impacts on reef flats by increasing temperature, water motion and sediment load. Sea‐level rise may also affect reef flat fish assemblages and food webs by increasing the amount of time that larger species are able to forage in this zone. The lack of data on reef flats is surprising given their size and relative ease of access, and a better understanding of their functional role within tropical marine seascapes is urgently required.
Physicochemical Properties of Different Muscles from Sarda Suckling Lambs Covered by the Protected Geographical Indication “Agnello di Sardegna”
Authors: Manca C. , Addis M. , Riu G. , Fiori M. , Scintu M.F.
Published: September 2013

The aims of this study were to contribute to the characterization of meat quality covered by the protected geographical indication “Agnello di Sardegna” and to provide guidelines for the official controls system. Thirty “Sarda” suckling lambs granted by the “Agnello di Sardegna PGI” fed with maternal milk were slaughtered according to specification. Afterward, on psoas major, quadriceps femoris and longissimus dorsi samples, pH, color parameters, chemical and fatty acid composition were determined. The type of muscle affected the pH 1 h (P ≤ 0.001) that was lowest (5.93) in psoas major and highest (6.75) in longissimus dorsi. Muscle‐related differences were observed in color parameters and in chemical and fatty acid compositions. Psoas major showed higher fat and total saturated fatty acid content (P < 0.05). Longissimus dorsi showed higher values (P < 0.05) of polyunsaturated fatty acids. Anatomical location of muscle is an important source of variation in some physicochemical characteristics.

Practical Applications

The economic sustainability of livestock breeds in Sardinia is related, among others, to the characterization and certification of traditional products. This implies the need for studies and research aimed at acquiring more information on the characteristics of these products. This document provides information about the nutritional properties of “Agnello di Sardegna” PGI lamb meat, which will be useful to provide guidelines for the development an official controls system in order to preserve its authenticity.
An Assessment on Aflatoxin Control in Pistachio‐Processing Units from Raw Material Reception to Packaging Based on ISO22000:2005 Model
Authors: Fallah Amir , Farhoodi Mehdi , Moradi Vahideh
Published: September 2013

Because of the importance and usage of pistachios, it is necessary to improve their agricultural situation, particularly by establishing good processing equipment and packaging units near pistachio farms. It is possible to supply a high‐quality product in large quantities for foreign and domestic markets. In this research, International Organization for Standardization 22000:2005 requirements were implemented in a pistachio‐processing unit. Aflatoxin B1 content was measured by high‐performance liquid chromatography before and after washing, immersing pool, wet sorting, drying, temporary storage and dry sorting. After analysis of measured data, it was found that the most reducing stage in aflatoxin content was wet sorting. Washing stage had no significant effect on aflatoxin B1 reduction. It is concluded that operational prerequisite program and critical control point have no differences important to hazard control, but they are different from a type of control measure aspect.

Practical Application

In this study, the authors employed food safety management system based on International Organization for Standardization (ISO) 22000:2005 model to prepare safe pistachios with less aflatoxin content. All process units (pistachio reception, de‐hulling, washing, immersing pool, dehumidifier, goo separator, wet sorting, drying, temporary storage, dry sorting, packaging) evaluated upon ISO22000:2005 requirements. Then the stages that had more significant effect on aflatoxin B1 content identified. The quantification of aflatoxin B1 in accordance with standard methods was also explained in the paper. The authors also investigated operational prerequisite programs and critical control points in hazard control.
Chemical peeling with trichloroacetic acid and lactic acid for infraorbital dark circles
Authors: Vavouli Charitomeni , Katsambas Andreas , Gregoriou Stamatis , Teodor Anca , Salavastru Carmen , Alexandru Adina , Kontochristopoulos George
Published: September 2013

Background

Periorbital dark circles are relatively common, affecting individuals regardless of age, sex, and race. Available treatment includes bleaching creams, topical retinoid acid, chemical peels, laser therapy, autologous fat transplantation – injectable fillers, surgery (blepharoplasty), and chemical peeling.

Objective

To evaluate the efficacy of a combination of trichloroacetic TCA 3.75% and lactic acid 15% on improving the periorbital hyperpigmentation.

Patients/Methods

Thirty patients with periorbital dark circles and skin types II, III, or IV were included in the study. Chemical peeling was performed every week for a series of four treatments. The effect was photo‐documented, and a patient's and physician's global assessment was evaluated.

Results

Almost all the patients showed significant esthetic improvement. Physicians assessed a fair, good, or excellent improvement in 93.3% of the patients. Patient's global assessment rated a fair, good, or excellent response in 96.7% of the patients. The procedure itself had only mild and temporary adverse effects, such as erythema, edema, frosting, dryness, and telangiectasias. The effects of treatment remained for at least 4–6 months in the majority of patients with appropriate sun protection.

Conclusion

The combination of trichloroacetic TCA 3.75% and lactic acid 15% showed encouraging results on improving periorbital hyperpigmentation.
Intense pulsed light enhances transforming growth factor beta1/Smad3 signaling in acne‐prone skin
Authors: Ali Musheera M , Porter Rebecca M , Gonzalez Maria L
Published: September 2013

Background

Recently, much interest has been generated in the use of intense pulsed light (IPL) sources in the treatment of various skin conditions. However, the underlying mechanism for its therapeutic action has not been elucidated.

Objective

To investigate the effect of IPL on the in vivo expression of transforming growth factor beta1 (TGF‐β1) and on the immunolocalization of Smad3 in biopsies obtained from perilesional skin in patients with mild‐to‐moderate inflammatory acne vulgaris.

Methods

Biopsies obtained from 20 patients with inflammatory acne vulgaris at baseline (B1) and post‐IPL treatment (B2 = 48 h after first treatment and B3 = 1 week after final treatment) were immunohistochemically analyzed to determine the expression of TGF‐β1 and the immunolocalization of Smad3. Digital images were semiquantitatively assessed using image analysis software.

Results

Intense pulsed light elicited a consistent increase in epidermal TGF‐β1 expression (B2 vs. B1: P = 0.004 and B3 vs. B1: P = 0.007). Furthermore, it resulted in enhanced nuclear immunolocalization of Smad3 (B2 vs. B1: epidermis, P = 0.000055 and dermis, P = 0.014; B3 vs. B1: epidermis, P = 0.00024 and dermis, P = 0.008).

Conclusion

Intense pulsed light upregulates TGF‐β1/Smad3 signaling in perilesional skin obtained from patients with mild‐to‐moderate inflammatory acne vulgaris. Further experiments on lesional skin and downstream effects are warranted to determine whether it may play a role in IPL‐induced resolution of acne vulgaris.
Secondary rhinoplasty fixations with hyaluronic acid
Authors: Liapakis Ioannis E , Englander Miriam , Vrentzos Nikolaos P , Derdas Stavros P , Paschalis Eleftherios I
Published: September 2013

The management of nasal deformities especially after rhinoplasty is a challenge. Postsurgical edema may last 6–8 months, causing aesthetic irregularities and nose deformities. The aim of this study is to present the correction of minor nose deformities secondary to rhinoplasty using hyaluronic acid subdermal injections. Eleven patients were treated between 2009 and 2011 with subdermal injections of hyaluronic acid (24 mg/mL) with 0.3% lidocaine (Juvederm, Allergan, Pringy‐France) at the 1‐month follow‐up visit. The volume of hyaluronic acid injected varied from 0.4 to 1 mL according to the deformity. Injections were aimed to correct minor surface irregularities and to provide aesthetic symmetry. These patients were followed for at least 12 months postoperatively. Irregularities were aesthetically corrected immediately after hyaluronic acid injections. No complications were reported with the exception of minor swelling that resolved within 1 week. Esthetic correction was achieved in all patients as determined by the surgeon as well as by overall patient's satisfaction. Our 1‐year follow‐up data suggest that hyaluronic acid absorption is slow enough to provide the necessary time for postsurgical edema resorption. Rhinoplasty is among the most commonly used procedures for aesthetic improvement in men and women. However, achievement of the final outcome may take several months due to the induced postsurgical edema. Subdermal hyaluronic acid injections can provide temporary correction of these nose irregularities. Our data suggest that subdermal hyaluronic acid injections may provide immediate and long‐lasting correction of these minor deformities. As a result, the aesthetic outcome is achieved and maintained throughout the postsurgical course of edema decompression.
Hair restoration approaches for early onset male androgenetic alopecia
Authors: Bhatti Hammad A , Basra Mohammad K A , Patel Girish K
Published: September 2013

Society places great emphasis on the presence of hair. Some degree of hair loss is accepted as a normal part of the aging process, in line with the observation that more than 50% of men will develop androgenetic alopecia by the age of 50 years. However, it is possible to understand the psychosocial isolation and distress felt by men with a strong familial predisposition to androgenetic alopecia, who tend to display hair loss in their late teens or twenties. There are currently two drugs which have been licensed for the treatment of male androgenetic alopecia: oral finasteride and topical minoxidil solution which are effective to some extent. Furthermore, upon discontinuing treatment, any gain that has been achieved is quickly lost. Added to which there is an entire market of unproven over the counter products: advertised in the electronic media, local hair salons, and various departmental stores. In this review, we highlight the important advances in the management of male androgenetic alopecia with emphasis on approaches that can lead to more successful and long‐term hair restoration for young adults. In particular, we discuss the evidence supporting the use of the follicular unit grafting technique in conjunction with medical treatment before and after the procedure. Moreover, some other alterations of this most popular state of the art hair restoration technique have been mentioned briefly. As a result, patients and physicians seem equally satisfied from this procedure for its naturally looking results which are cosmetically more acceptable and esthetically pleasing for longer period of time.
Hair loss and herbs for treatment
Authors: Lourith Nattaya , Kanlayavattanakul Mayuree
Published: September 2013

Baldness

or androgenetic alopecia directly distresses self‐confidence affecting the individual's quality of life. Hair loss is therefore a significant psychosocial manifestation that worth much expense on treatment. Androgenetic alopecia is noticed as a slow transformation of large scalp terminal hair follicles to shorter, thinner, and less deep vellus hair with a much shorter anagen. Although minoxidil, finasteride, and dutasteride including other synthetic therapeutic agents are mostly used for alopecia treatment, their adverse effects encourage sorting of alternative efficient treatment agent with a limited side effect particularly herbs. Thus, this review briefly summarized causes of hair loss and emphasized on active ingredients for treatment in particular currently used herbs and the potential candidates. Treatment choices will be further wider and conclusively select herbs that fitting the consumers' preference.
Histological changes after treatment for localized fat deposits with phosphatidylcholine and sodium deoxycholate
Authors: Park Eun‐Jung , Kim Hye‐Sun , Kim Min , Oh Han‐Jin
Published: September 2013

Phosphatidylcholine (PPC) and sodium deoxycholate (DC) injections have been used cosmetically to reduce localized fat, but to date, few studies have addressed the histological effect of human fat tissue following injections of PPC and DC. We injected PPC and DC mixed with normal saline into the patient's abdominal area. Examinations of postinjection tissue revealed marked changes within the subcutaneous fat. We observed important microscopic evidence of substitution of fat by fibrosis, marked inflammatory infiltration with microabscess formation in the dermis, and septal and lobular panniculitis with thick fibrous septa. Fat necrosis with microcalcification and cyst formation were observed in the subcutaneous fat. Fibroid necrosis with extravasation was noted in the small vessels around fat necrosis. Therefore, careful use of PPC and DC is recommended when patients want to cosmetically reduce localized fat.
Monocarboxylate transporter mediated uptake of moxifloxacin on human retinal pigmented epithelium cells
Authors: Barot Megha , Gokulgandhi Mitan R , Agrahari Vibhuti , Pal Dhananjay , Mitra Ashim K
Published: September 2013

Objectives

This work was aim to determine in vitro interaction of moxifloxacin with monocarboxylate transporter (MCT) using a human retinal pigment epithelium cells (ARPE-19).

Methods

In vitro moxifloxacin uptakes were performed at 37°C across ARPE-19 cells. Concentration-dependent uptake of moxifloxacin was performed to delineate moxifloxacin kinetics with MCT. Effects of MCT substrates, MCT inhibitors, pH and metabolic inhibitors on moxifloxacin uptake were conducted to delineate mechanism of moxifloxacin influx via MCT.

Key findings

Moxifloxacin uptake was found to exhibit saturable kinetics (Km = 1.56 ± 0.32 μm and Vmax = 0.58 ± 0.16 μm/min/mg protein). Higher uptake of moxifloxacin was observed at acidic pH. MCT substrates such as salisylic acid, ofloxacin and L-lactic acid significantly inhibited the uptake of moxifloxacin. Furthermore, moxifloxacin uptake was significantly reduced in the presence of metabolic and MCT inhibitors. Overall, this study demonstrated an interaction of moxifloxacin with Na+ and H+-coupled transporter, most likely MCT1.

Conclusions

Apart from the lipophilicity, we anticipate that lowest vitreal half-life of intravitreal moxifloxacin compared with other fluoroquinolones may be due to its interaction with MCT. This information might be crucial in clinical settings and can be further explored to improve vitreous half-life and therapeutic efficacy of moxifloxacin.
Cross‐Cultural Creativity: Conceptualization and Propositions for Global New Product Development
Authors: Elliot Esi Abbam , Nakata Cheryl
Published: September 2013

In today's global business environment, where multinational companies are pressed to increase revenues in order to survive, creativity may hold the key to ensuring their new product development (NPD) efforts lead to innovations with worldwide appeal, such asApple's iPad andGillette'sFusionRazor. To leverage creativity for effective globalNPD, businesses want to know how cultures differ in their concepts of creativity and the impact of those differences on approaches to developing new products. Because global new products are increasingly developed in, by, and for multiple cultures, a particular need is for a culturally reflective understanding, or conceptualization, of creativity. While creativity is believed to be culturally tied, the dominant framework of creativity used in business and management assumes that creativity is culturally indifferent or insensitive. This knowledge gap is addressed by studying the role of creativity inNPDpractices in a cross‐cultural or global context.

The study begins by first developing a culturally anchored conceptualization of creativity. Called cross‐cultural creativity, the concept draws on creativity insights from the field of art and aesthetics. The concept specifies two modes of creativity, neither of which is superior to the other, called the spontaneous orSroute and the divergent orDroute. TheSroute emphasizes adaptiveness, processes, intuitiveness, and metamorphism, while theDroute focuses on disruptiveness, results, rationality, and literalism. Next, this new concept is applied toNPDby positing how creativity in distinct cultures may shapeNPDpractices, as illustrated byJapanese andU.S. firms. Research propositions are formulated to capture these patterns, and thereafter, theoretical and practical implications of the framework and propositions are discussed. The implications center on globalNPD, which is a complex enterprise involving typically more than one culture to design and develop new products for several geographic markets. The study is of interest to researchers needing a globally situated, culturally attached framework of creativity for internationalNPDstudies, and managers seeking to exploit creativity in multinational and multicultural innovation projects.
The Effects of Brand Metaphors as Design Innovation: A Test of Congruency Hypotheses
Authors: Noble Charles H. , Bing Mark N. , Bogoviyeva Elmira
Published: September 2013

Metaphors are a common tool in brand design, from the original, enticingApple logo to the classic animalistic hood ornament of a Jaguar automobile. Metaphors are a powerful marketing tool as an efficient way to convey a great deal of meaning to consumers, including expressing product benefits, points of differentiation (e.g., “IronMountain's” name and logo, intended to express its superiority in data and document safekeeping), and even brand personality. The perspective taken here is that when applied to products, metaphors also serve as a form of design innovation. This study examines the interactions and effects of various applications of brand metaphor (linguistic, visual, and symbolic) and the forms those metaphors can take (human, animal, or nonmetaphoric) in influencing important outcomes including brand vividness, brand differentiation, and consumer preference. Based on two experiments across multiple product categories with 424 subjects, we find that theconsistencyof brand metaphor application and the use of animal‐based metaphors in particular have significant influence on key outcomes. Implications for brand management and design innovation through the more effective use of design metaphors are considered, as are implications for theory and future research in the area.
Launch Decisions and the Early Market Survival of Innovations: An Empirical Analysis of the Italian Mobile Value‐Added Services (VAS) Industry
Authors: Frattini Federico , Dell'Era Claudio , Rangone Andrea
Published: September 2013

There is a surprisingly high number of new products and services that fail to produce enough return on the firm's investments in development and launch activities. Literature has shown that these failures can be due to a poorly planned and executed launch. Although a vast stream of research has studied how strategic and tactical launch decisions affect the performance of new products and services, some issues still need theoretical and empirical investigation. This paper aims to extend new product launch research in two ways. First, it studies how tactical launch decisions (i.e., investments in advertising and involvement of external organizations in the launch process) interact with an important strategic choice (i.e., the degree of radicalness of the new product or service) to affect new product performance. Second, it focuses on a particular dimension of performance, that is, early market survival, which has been overlooked in launch strategy and tactics research so far. Using a data set comprising more than 9300 new mobile value‐added services launched in Italy between 2003 and 2006, the paper finds that launch tactics interact with the radicalness of the innovation to affect early market survival. In particular, communicating the distinctive characteristics of the new product or service and partnering with external organizations during the launch process are tactics that work particularly well with radical innovations. This is possibly due to the fact that they help reduce customers’ uncertainty regarding expected benefits and transaction costs, and hence contribute to win their resistance to adopt the innovation soon after launch. Investments in corporate advertising lead instead to a tangible improvement of the probability of early market survival for both radical and incremental innovations. In other words, the positive impact on the probability of early survival of increasing investments in corporate advertising appears to be relevant for both radically and incrementally new services. One possible explanation is that this tactic helps increase the number of potential customers who come to know about the existence of the innovating firms and its offering soon after launch, but this is likely to be equally important to stimulate early diffusion of both incremental and radical innovations.
Evaluating Product‐Centric Continuous Improvements: Impact on Competitive Capabilities and Business Performance
Authors: Mallick Debasish N. , Ritzman Larry P. , Sinha Kingshuk K.
Published: September 2013

Product‐centric continuous improvements (CIs) are actions via which firms modify the design of a product after the start of its production and release into the market. Product‐centric CIs are initiated to help build competitive capabilities and sustain competitive advantage throughout the product life cycle. This study complements the perspective pervasive in the extant literature that actions related to product‐centric CIs can be disruptive to firms and be associated with negative performance consequences. It investigates a topic that is relatively much less researched, namely the upside potential of product‐centric CIs. The empirical analysis is based on data collected from 144 plants in the United States representing process and discrete part manufacturing industries. Specifically, the study analyzes the impact of product‐centric CIs on competitive capabilities and business performance. The results of the empirical analysis indicate the following: First, there exist two categories of product‐centric CIs: (1) actions for quality improvement and (2) actions for cost reduction. Second, while there is a positive association between each type of CI and the intended competitive capability, there also is a trade‐off—i.e., actions for quality improvement increase quality capability but reduce cost capability, and vice versa. Third, there is a strong linkage between business performance and quality capability, but not cost capability. All in all, the study presents empirical evidence that product‐centric CIs have a significant impact on competitive capabilities related to quality and cost, and, in turn, have an impact on business performance. From the standpoint of practice, the study suggests that product‐centric CIs should be managed to develop competitive capabilities and improve business performance.
The experience of participation in a brief cognitive behavioural group therapy for psychologically distressed female university students
Authors: Bernhardsdottir J. , Champion J. D. , Skärsäter I.
Published: September 2013

Accessible summary

This study shows that increased understanding of psychological distress, more positive and balanced thinking, and emotional and behavioural control may help female students reduce or prevent elevated psychological distress during stressful times.

The most beneficial components of this brief cognitive behavioural group therapy, delivered in four sessions, include a combination of education, group discussions and work with thought records. A therapeutic relationship and environment also needs to be emphasized to enhance a positive and non‐judgmental tone in the groups.

Based on the results of this study, five cognitive behavioural group sessions delivered by mental health nurses and a booster session are recommended as the cognitive behavioural skills require practice and reflection to enhance effectiveness.

Brief cognitive behavioural group therapy targeted to students' psychological needs should be developed and offered by nurses at university mental health services.

The aim of this study was to elucidate the experience of participation in four sessions of cognitive behavioural group therapy for psychological distress for female university students' (n = 19), aged 22–45 years. Data were gathered with semi‐structured interviews during March and April 2008 and analysed according to thematic content analysis. The results identified four themes: ‘Gaining knowledge and understanding’, ‘Becoming more balanced and positive in thinking’, ‘Feeling more self‐confident and in control’ and ‘Opportunities for practice and in‐depth reflections’. Future recommendations include an increase in sessions from four to five, with one booster session to follow‐up on newly acquired skills.
Sleep symptoms associated with intake of specific dietary nutrients
Authors: Grandner Michael A. , Jackson Nicholas , Gerstner Jason R. , Knutson Kristen L.
Published: September 2013

Sleep symptoms are associated with weight gain and cardiometabolic disease. The potential role of diet has been largely unexplored. Data from the 2007–2008 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) were used (n = 4552) to determine which nutrients were associated with sleep symptoms in a nationally representative sample. Survey items assessed difficulty falling asleep, sleep maintenance difficulties, non‐restorative sleep and daytime sleepiness. Analyses were adjusted for energy intake, other dietary factors, exercise, body mass index (BMI) and sociodemographics. Population‐weighted, logistic regression, with backwards‐stepwise selection, examined which nutrients were associated with sleep symptoms. Odds ratios (ORs) reflect the difference in odds of sleep symptoms associated with a doubling in nutrient. Nutrients that were associated independently with difficulty falling asleep included (in order): alpha‐carotene (OR = 0.96), selenium (OR = 0.80), dodecanoic acid (OR = 0.91), calcium (OR = 0.83) and hexadecanoic acid (OR = 1.10). Nutrients that were associated independently with sleep maintenance difficulties included: salt (OR = 1.19), butanoic acid (0.81), carbohydrate (OR = 0.71), dodecanoic acid (OR = 0.90), vitamin D (OR = 0.84), lycopene (OR = 0.98), hexanoic acid (OR = 1.25) and moisture (OR = 1.27). Nutrients that were associated independently with non‐restorative sleep included butanoic acid (OR = 1.09), calcium (OR = 0.81), vitamin C (OR = 0.92), water (OR = 0.98), moisture (OR = 1.41) and cholesterol (OR = 1.10). Nutrients that were associated independently with sleepiness included: moisture (OR = 1.20), theobromine (OR = 1.04), potassium (OR = 0.70) and water (OR = 0.97). These results suggest novel associations between sleep symptoms and diet/metabolism, potentially explaining associations between sleep and cardiometabolic diseases.
Doing Planning and Task Performance in Second Language Acquisition: An Ethnomethodological Respecification
Authors: Markee Numa , Kunitz Silvia
Published: September 2013

We use insights and methods from ethnomethodological conversation analysis and discursive psychology to develop an account of embodied word and grammar searches as socially distributed planning practices. These practices, which were produced by three intermediate learners of Italian as a Foreign Language (IFL), occurred massively in natural data that were gathered during a 3‐week period from a third‐semester IFL course at a university in the United States. We develop a behavioral analysis of these data that shows: (1) what participants do during planning talk and how they do such talk and (2) whether they actually do what they planned to do.
Resource partitioning by insectivorous bats in Jamaica
Authors: Emrich Matthew A. , Clare Elizabeth L. , Symondson William O. C. , Koenig Susan E. , Fenton Melville Brock
Published: September 2013

In this investigation, we use variation in wing morphology, echolocation behaviour, patterns of habitat use and molecular diet analysis to demonstrate that six species of sympatric insectivorous bats in Jamaica show significant differences that could explain resource partitioning among the species. High‐intensity echolocating species that used shorter, broadband signals and had shorter, broader wings (Pteronotus macleayii, Pteronotus quadridens, Mormoops blainvillii) foraged most in edge habitats, but differed in timing of peak activity. P. macleayii and M. blainvillii differed in diet, but low sample size precluded diet analysis for P. quadridens. High‐intensity echolocating species that used longer, more narrowband signals and had longer, narrower wings (Molossus molossus, Tadarida brasiliensis) foraged most in open areas and differed in diet from the other species. Two disparate species were most active in clutter (dense vegetation). Pteronotus parnellii used high‐duty‐cycle echolocation apparently specialized for detecting fluttering targets in clutter. Macrotus waterhousii used low‐intensity, broadband echolocation calls and presumably uses prey‐generated sounds when foraging. These two species also differed in diet. Our data show that differences in morphology and echolocation behaviour coincide with differences in habitat use and diet, resulting in minimal overlap in resource use among species.
Birth seasonality in schizophrenia: Effects of gender and income status
Authors: Cheng Chin , Loh El‐Wui , Lin Ching‐Heng , Chan Chin‐Hong , Lan Tsuo‐Hung
Published: September 2013

Aims

The aim of this study was to examine the correlations of birth seasonality in schizophrenia, considering influences of gender and income status.

Methods

The sample consisted of 1 000 000 people in the general population randomly selected from the Taiwan National Health Insurance Research Database. Data for the birth‐year period 1950–1989 were extracted for analysis (n = 631 911; 306 194 male, 325 717 female). Subjects with schizophrenia (2796 male, 2251 female) were compared with the general population. Subgroups divided by birth‐year periods (10‐year interval), gender, and income status (low, medium, high) were analyzed using both the Walter and Elwood seasonality and chi‐squared tests.

Results

The winter/spring birth excess in schizophrenia was 5.3% when compared with the general population. There was a statistically significant excess in winter/spring births than summer/autumn births inschizophrenia patients (relative risk [RR], 1.12; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.06–1.18). This winter/spring birth excess in schizophrenia was observed only in female subjects (RR, 1.20; 95%CI: 1.10–1.30), not in male subjects (RR, 1.03; 95%CI: 0.98–1.14), in all subgroups of income status, but was most pronounced in the low income subgroup (RR, 1.20, 1.09, 1.13; 95% CI: 1.05‐1.37, 1.01–1.17, 1.02–1.25 for low, medium, and high income status, respectively).

Conclusion

A gender difference with female predominance of the effect of birth seasonality in schizophrenia, and a more pronounced effect in low income status were noted.
Temperature control can abolish anesthesia‐induced tau hyperphosphorylation and partly reverse anesthesia‐induced cognitive impairment in old mice
Authors: Xiao Haibing , Run Xiaoqin , Cao Xu , Su Ying , Sun Zhou , Tian Cheng , Sun Shenggang , Liang Zhihou
Published: September 2013

Aims

Anesthesia is related to cognitive impairment and the risk for Alzheimer's disease. Hypothermia during anesthesia can lead to abnormal hyperphosphorylation of tau, which has been speculated to be involved in anesthesia‐induced cognitive impairment. The aim of this study was to investigate whether maintenance of the tau phosphorylation level by body temperature control during anesthesia could reverse the cognitive dysfunction in C57BL/6 mice.

Methods

Eighteen‐month‐old mice were repeatedly anesthetized during a 2‐week period with or without maintenance of body temperature, control mice were treated with normal saline instead of anesthetics. Tau phosphorylation level in mice brain was detected on western blot, and cognitive performance was measured using the Morris water maze (MWM).

Results

After anesthesia‐induced hypothermia in old mice, tau was hyperphosphorylated and the cognitive performance, measured on MWM, was impaired. When body temperature was controlled during anesthesia, however, the tau hyperphosphorylation was completely avoided, and there was partial recovery in cognitive impairment measured on the MWM.

Conclusion

Hyperphosphorylation of tau in the brain after anesthesia is an important event, and it might be, although not solely, responsible for postoperative cognitive decline.
Challenges Faced by Public Health Nursing Leaders in Hyperturbulent Times
Authors: Reyes David J. , Bekemeier Betty , Issel L. Michele
Published: September 2013

Objective

This study discusses the challenges and characteristics of effective public health nursing leaders in local health departments and barriers to effective leadership during the hyperturbulent conditions of 2008–2010.

Design and Sample

Participants were drawn from a purposive sample of seven directors of nursing (DON) in six countyLHDs in two states for this qualitative study using inductive methods.

Measures

Semistructured telephone interviews were conducted, using open‐ended questions. Data analysis consisted of coding, pattern identification, and theme development, assisted by the use ofATLAS.ti™. Credibility was achieved through intercoder agreement and resonance of the findings with participants.

Results

Two underlying challenges emerged: leadership dissonance and leading through ambiguity. Three key effective leadership attributes identified were as follows: collaborative change management, life‐long learning, and being visionary.DONs identified extrinsic and intrinsic barriers to leadership effectiveness and leading change in public health systems andPHNpractice.

Conclusion

Results suggest ways to supportPHNleaders in order to overcome barriers to effective leadership such as defined leadership competencies, continuing education, and mentorship opportunities.
Effects of 24‐epibrassinolide on plant growth, osmotic regulation and ion homeostasis of salt‐stressed canola
Authors: Liu J. , Gao H. , Wang X. , Zheng Q. , Wang C. , Wang X. , Wang Q.
Published: September 2013

This study evaluated effects of foliar spraying 24‐epibrassinoide (24‐EBL) on the growth of salt‐stressed canola. Seedlings at the four‐leaf stage were treated with 150 mm NaCl and different concentrations of 24‐EBL (10−6, 10−8, 10−10, 10−12 m) for 15 days. A concentration of 10−10 m 24‐EBL was chosen as optimal and used in a subsequent experiment on plant biomass and leaf water potential parameters. The results showed that 24‐EBL mainly promoted shoot growth of salt‐stressed plants and also ameliorated leaf water status. Foliar spraying of salt‐stressed canola with 24‐EBL increased osmotic adjustment ability in all organs, especially in younger leaves and roots. This was mainly due to an increase of free amino acid content in upper leaves, soluble sugars in middle leaves, organic acids and proline in lower leaves, all of these compounds in roots, as well as essential inorganic ions. Na+ and Cl− sharply increased in different organs under salt stress, and 24‐EBL reduced their accumulation. 24‐EBL improved the uptake of K+, Ca2+, Mg2+ and NO3− in roots, which were mainly transported to upper leaves, while NO3− was mainly transported to middle leaves. Thus, 24‐EBL improvements in ion homeostasis of K+/Na+, Ca2+/Na+, Mg2+/Na+ and NO3−/Cl−, especially in younger leaves and roots, could be explained. As most important parts, younger leaves and roots were the main organs protected by 24‐EBL via improvement in osmotic adjustment ability and ion homeostasis. Further, physiological status of growth of salt‐stressed canola was ameliorated after 24‐EBL treatment.
Inventory Commitment and Prioritized Backlogging Clearance with Alternative Delivery Lead Times
Authors: Wang Haifeng , Liang Xiaoying , Sethi Suresh , Yan Houmin
Published: August 2013

We propose a model where customers are classified into two groups: short lead‐time customers who require the product immediately and long lead‐time customers to whom the supplier may deliver either immediately or in the next cycle. Unmet orders are backlogged with associated costs. Specifically, the supplier faces two problems: how the on‐hand inventories should be allocated between the two classes of customers and how the backlogged orders should be cleared when replenishments arrive. We treat the former as an inventory commitment problem and handle the latter with priority rules. We characterize and compare the inventory commitment policies with three priority rules in clearing backlogs. We also explore the optimal inventory replenishment decision and evaluate the performance of each priority rule.
Enabling Opportunism: Revenue Sharing when Sales Revenues are Unobservable
Authors: Heese H. Sebastian , Kemahlioglu‐Ziya Eda
Published: August 2013

We consider a supply chain with a supplier that sells to a retailer under a revenue‐sharing arrangement. Demand is uncertain and unobservable to the supplier. We assume that the retailer is rational, that is, the retailer behaves opportunistically and underreports sales revenues to the supplier whenever such underreporting is profitable. Assuming the supplier has the ability to audit the retailer and learn about the actual sales revenues, we show that the supplier will never find it optimal to audit to the point that ensures truthful reporting for all demand realizations. By committing to an auditing policy, the supplier can exploit retailer opportunism and derive profits that at times even exceed those that could be obtained when dealing with a retailer that always strictly adheres to the agreed‐upon contract terms. We also show that the retailer's opportunistic behavior can increase total supply chain profits.
Randomization Approaches for Network Revenue Management with Customer Choice Behavior
Authors: Kunnumkal Sumit
Published: August 2013

In this study, we present new approximation methods for the network revenue management problem with customer choice behavior. Our methods are sampling‐based and so can handle fairly general customer choice models. The starting point for our methods is a dynamic program that allows randomization. An attractive feature of this dynamic program is that the size of its action space is linear in the number of itineraries, as opposed to exponential. It turns out that this dynamic program has a structure that is similar to the dynamic program for the network revenue management problem under the so called independent demand setting. Our approximation methods exploit this similarity and build on ideas developed for the independent demand setting. We present two approximation methods. The first one is based on relaxing the flight leg capacity constraints using Lagrange multipliers, whereas the second method involves solving a perfect hindsight relaxation problem. We show that both methods yield upper bounds on the optimal expected total revenue. Computational experiments demonstrate the tractability of our methods and indicate that they can generate tighter upper bounds and higher expected revenues when compared with the standard deterministic linear program that appears in the literature.
Sequencing and Scheduling Appointments with Potential Call‐In Patients
Authors: Chen Rachel R. , Robinson Lawrence W.
Published: August 2013

This paper studies appointment scheduling for a combination of routine patients who book well in advance and last‐minute patients who call for an appointment later that same day. We determine when these same‐day patients should be scheduled throughout the day, and how the prospect of their arrivals affects the appointment times of the routine patients. By formulating the problem as a stochastic linear program, we are able to incorporate random and heterogeneous service times and no‐show rates, ancillary physician tasks, and appointment delay costs for same‐day patients who prefer to see the doctor as early as possible. We find that the optimal patient sequence is quite sensitive to the no‐show probabilities and the expected number of same‐day patients. We also develop two simple heuristic solutions to this combinatorial sequencing problem.