bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Why is age determination of Baltic cod (Gadus morhua) so difficult?
Authors: Hüssy Karin 
Published: April 2010

Abstract
Hüssy, K. 2010. Why is age determination of Baltic cod (Gadus morhua) so difficult? – ICES Journal of Marine Science, 67: 1198–1205. The aim of this study was to evaluate the consistency of three methods for assigning annuli in adult Baltic cod otoliths. The methods examined were (i) daily increment patterns, (ii) opacity profiles, and (iii) traditional age reading. Frequency distributions of the distance from the nucleus to the different zones showed that the first annulus of traditional age reading missed the first zone of both increment and opacity methods, but overlapped with the second zone identified by these methods. This pattern did not continue over subsequent zones. Frequency distributions of increment patterns were similar to opacity patterns. However, within individual fish, the co-occurrence of overlap between the two patterns was random. In cases where there was overlap, translucent zone formation started just before the disappearance of visible increments. Overlap in 1 year did not necessarily lead to a consistent pattern the following year, and overlap was not influenced by sex or fish size. The results suggest that otolith opacity in Baltic cod is not associated with seasonal patterns in daily increment structure and that traditional age determination based on otolith opacity yields highly uncertain estimates of age.
Variation Among Physical, Compositional, and Wet‐Milling Characteristics of the F1 Generation of Corn Hybrids of Introgressed Exotic and Adapted Inbred Lines
Authors: Taboada‐Gaytan Oswaldo , Pollak Linda M. , Johnson Lawrence A. , Fox Steven R. , Montgomery Kevin T. 
Published: April 2010

ABSTRACTHybrids with high grain yield and higher starch, protein, or oil content are available to corn growers; however, they result from crossing adapted Corn Belt inbred lines that rarely include exotic germplasm. This study was conducted to determine whether Corn Belt lines introgressed with exotic materials from Argentina, Chile, Uruguay, Cuba, and Florida have appropriate wet‐milling characteristics in their hybrids. Ten lines from the Germplasm Enhancement of Maize (GEM) project with different starch contents were crossed to three adapted inbred lines used as testers. The B73×Mo17 hybrid was used as a control. The F1 generation of these 30 experimental hybrids was analyzed using both near‐infrared transmittance (NIT) technology and a 100‐g modified wet‐milling procedure, and measuring test and 1,000‐kernel weight. There was great variation among physical, compositional, and wet‐milling characteristics of the experimental hybrids, suggesting that exotic germplasm can be used to improve wet‐milling characteristics of Corn Belt hybrids.
Abdominal Tuberculosis in Children
Authors: Tinsa Faten , Essaddam Leila , Fitouri Zohra , Brini Ines , Douira Wiem , Becher Saida Ben , Boussetta Khadija , Bousnina Souad 
Published: April 2010

ABSTRACTBackground:Abdominal tuberculosis (TB) includes infection of the gastrointestinal tract, peritoneum, mesentery, abdominal lymph nodes, liver, spleen, and pancreas. The most common forms of abdominal TB in children are adhesive peritonitis and nodal disease.Patients and Methods:We report our experience with abdominal TB treated in our hospital from 1995 to 2008.Results:Thirteen patients (3 boys and 10 girls) of mean age 9.8 years were diagnosed as having abdominal TB. Eight patients presented with abdominal distension and abdominal pain. Fever was seen in 4 patients. One patient had surgical abdominal pain and 2 had abdominal mass. Two patients had coexisting pleural effusion and 1 of them had multifocal TB. Abdominal TB involved peritoneum in 9, abdominal lymph nodes in 7, gastrointestinal tract in 3, spleen in 2 patients, and liver in 1. Ascitic fluid analysis of 9 patients showed exudative fluid with predominately lymphocytes. Laparotomy was performed in 3 patients. The diagnosis of abdominal TB was confirmed histopathologically in 5 patients and microbiologically in 3. The remaining patients had been diagnosed by ascitic fluid diagnostic features, abdominal imaging, tuberculin skin test, history of exposure, and a positive response to antituberculous treatment. Twelve patients completed the antituberculous therapy without any complications. One patient with multifocal TB had neurological sequelae.Conclusions:In the areas with a high prevalence of tuberculosis and confirmatory investigations are inadequately available, treatment may be initiated, based on strong clinical diagnosis and supportive investigations. In such situations, it is the response to therapy that indirectly proves the diagnosis.
Antioxidant Properties of Breast Milk in a Novel In Vitro Digestion/Enterocyte Model
Authors: Yao Li , Friel James K , Suh Miyoung , Diehl‐Jones William L 
Published: April 2010

ABSTRACTObjectives:There is good evidence to suggest that human breast milk has antioxidant properties. Our primary goal was to investigate the antioxidant properties of human milk in a combined in vitro digestion/cell culture model that more closely replicates conditions in the gastrointestinal system of the preterm infant.Materials and Methods:An in vitro digestion model was developed that incorporates both gastric and intestinal phases, based on reported luminal pH, digestive enzyme levels, and transit times observed in preterm infants. To mimic the human intestinal mucosa, 2 cell lines—Caco‐2BBE and HT29‐MTX—were cocultured on Matrigel, an artificial basement membrane substrate. Intracellular oxidative stress was measured with 2 broadly selective oxidant‐sensitive dyes, and oxidative DNA damage was assessed by means of single‐cell gel electrophoresis.Results:Enterocyte differentiation and mucin secretion were observed by 14 seeding of cultures. Direct exposure to digested milk resulted in a loss of transepithelial electrical resistance; however, exogenous mucin mitigated this loss. Data suggested that both milk and digested milk alleviated oxidative stress in the coculture, and both reduced hydrogen peroxide–induced oxidative DNA damage, as demonstrated by the comet assay.Conclusions:Our results support the hypothesis that breast milk reduces oxidative stress in a cell culture model representative of the intestinal mucosa, and also confirmed the suitability of this combined in vitro digestion/cell culture system for investigating the physiologic effects of enteral nutrients such as breast milk, under conditions similar to those existing in the gastrointestinal system of the preterm infant.
Feeding After Percutaneous Endoscopic Gastrostomy in Children: Early Feeding Trial
Authors: Corkins Mark R , Fitzgerald Joseph F , Gupta Sandeep K 
Published: April 2010

ABSTRACTBackground:Percutaneous endoscopic placement of a gastrostomy tube is a common procedure to provide feeding access in children. The practice has been to withhold the initial feeding for a prescribed length of time because of safety concerns. The shortest reported time to feeding in pediatric patients is 6 hours.Patients and Methods:A prospective randomized trial was devised to compare the tolerance of feedings at 3 and 6 hours after percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy placement. The change in abdominal girth before and 1 hour after the initial feeding, any vomiting, and the gastric residual volume before the next feeding were recorded. The length of stay was also documented.Results:Forty successive patients who met the entry criteria were enrolled, with 20 in each group. There were no statistical differences between the groups for age or sex distribution. There were no significant differences in the recorded episodes of emesis from either group (median value 0 in both groups, P = 0.82). The changes in abdominal girths were also similar and statistically not significantly different (median values 0 for 3 hours vs 0.5 cm for 6 hours, P = 0.29). Gastric residual volumes were low overall and not different depending on the time that feedings were started (median value 0 in both groups, P = 0.47). The length of stay was statistically the same between the 3‐ and 6‐hour feeding groups (median values 30.7 hours for 3 hours vs 30.0 hours for 6 hours, P = 0.92).Conclusions:Feedings after percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy placement can be started as soon as 3 hours after the procedure is completed with no increase in complications.
Jasmonic Acid and Ethylene Modulate Local Responses to Wounding and Simulated Herbivory inNicotiana attenuataLeaves
Authors: Onkokesung Nawaporn , GÁlis Ivan , von Dahl Caroline C. , Matsuoka Ken , Saluz Hans-Peter , Baldwin Ian T. 
Published: April 2010

AbstractJasmonic acid (JA) and ethylene (ET) are known to play important roles in mediating plant defense against herbivores, but how they affect development in herbivore-attacked plants is unknown. We used JA-deficient (silenced in LIPOXYGENASE3 [asLOX3]) and ET-insensitive (expressing a mutated dominant negative form of ETHYLENE RESPONSE1 [mETR1]) Nicotiana attenuata plants, and their genetic cross (mETR1asLOX3), to examine growth and development of these plants under simulated herbivory conditions. At the whole plant level, both hormones suppressed leaf expansion after the plants had been wounded and the wounds had been immediately treated with Manduca sexta oral secretions (OS). In addition, ectopic cell expansion was observed around both water- and OS-treated wounds in mETR1asLOX3 leaves but not in mETR1, asLOX3, or wild-type leaves. Pretreating asLOX3 leaves with the ET receptor antagonist 1-methylcyclopropane resulted in local cell expansion that closely mimicked the mETR1asLOX3 phenotype. We found higher auxin (indole-3-acetic acid) levels in the elicited leaves of mETR1asLOX3 plants, a trait that is putatively associated with enhanced cell expansion and leaf growth in this genotype. Transcript profiling of OS-elicited mETR1asLOX3 leaves revealed a preferential accumulation of transcripts known to function in cell wall remodeling, suggesting that both JA and ET act as negative regulators of these genes. We propose that in N. attenuata, JA-ET cross talk restrains local cell expansion and growth after herbivore attack, allowing more resources to be allocated to induced defenses against herbivores.
Biocontrol of spoilage yeasts and moulds by Williopsis saturnus var. saturnus in yoghurt
Authors: Quan Liu Shao , Tsao Marlene 
Published: April 2010

PurposeSpoilage due to yeast and mould growth is a major issue for yoghurt quality and shelf‐life. There is a need to develop natural alternatives to chemical preservation. The purpose of this paper is to determine the effectiveness of mycocinogenic yeast Williopsis saturnus var. saturnus as a biocontrol agent against spoilage yeasts and moulds in plain yoghurt.Design/methodology/approachYoghurts were prepared from reconstituted skim milk and were challenged with spoilage yeasts and moulds. The treatment contained the added mycocinogenic yeast and the control without. All yoghurts were incubated at 30○C. Yeast and mould growth were determined by observing gas formation and mould colony occurrence at regular intervals.FindingsW. saturnus var. saturnus inhibited growth of lactose‐fermenting and galactose‐fermenting yeasts (Candida kefir and Kluvyveromyces marxianus), and lactose non‐fermenting but galactose fermenting yeasts (strains of Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Saccharomyces bayanus). The yeast also inhibited growth of dairy moulds including Byssochlamys, Eurotium and Penicillium.Research limitations/implicationsThe inhibition of this mycocinogenic yeast against yeasts and moulds was dependent upon the concentration of the latter. Thus, hygiene and good manufacturing practice are essential in order to keep the contaminant load down and to ensure the effectiveness of the mycocinogenic yeast.Originality/valueThe use of mycocinogenic yeast to control spoilage yeasts and moulds in yoghurt is a novel approach with a potential to minimise yoghurt spoilage and extend the shelf‐life of yoghurt.
Body dissatisfaction and dieting among adolescent females in the Republic of Ireland (ROI)
Authors: Mooney Elaine , Farley Heather , Strugnell Chris J. 
Published: April 2010

PurposeIt is widely acknowledged that eating habits established during adolescence can follow on into adulthood. Consequently, the fact that body dissatisfaction and dieting are very prevalent among adolescent females offers some cause for concern. The aim of this study is to determine body satisfaction/dissatisfaction levels, body weight concerns and dieting practices among a sample of 400 adolescent (13‐17 years) females in the Republic of Ireland (ROI).Design/methodology/approachA total of 400 female adolescents attending either a fee‐paying school or a school within a disadvantaged catchment area, in both rural and urban areas (four schools in total), completed a self‐administered questionnaire within the school setting during class time.FindingsHigh levels of body shape dissatisfaction and dieting existed, with 80 per cent (n = 320) of the girls stating that it was important for them to be thin and 49 per cent (n = 197) engaging in some form of dieting behaviour. Younger respondents were more likely to be satisfied with their current body shape and not dieting than older adolescents. Indeed, the results demonstrated a statistically significant difference (F = 6.854, df = 3,p < 0.001) between the mean ages of respondents who were dissatisfied with their body shape and had dieted.Originality/valueThere remains potential for educational intervention that will encourage healthy eating practices as opposed to dieting among this target group and particularly within the school setting.
Microbiological assessment of probioticated ginger‐based beverages
Authors: Hezekiah Adeniran Adekanmi , Henrietta Abiose Sumbo , Terkula Ukeyima Moses 
Published: April 2010

PurposeThe need for production of more health‐promoting and affordable drinks prompted the idea of incorporating probiotic bacterial isolates into ginger‐based beverages. The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the viability of two probiotic bacterial isolates (Lactobacillus plantarum and Lactobacillus bulgaricus) in ginger and ginger with garlic beverages and to determine in vitro inhibition of Escherichia coli NCIB 85 and Staphylococcus aureus NCIB 8586 (common food‐borne pathogens) by the probiotic beverages.Design/methodology/approachInoculation of sterilized ginger‐based beverages with isolated Lactobacillus strains was carried out and subsequently stored at ambient temperature (27 ± 1°C) and refrigeration temperature (4 ± 1°C) for four weeks. Lactic acid bacteria count of each probioticated sample was determined at intervals using standard method. In vitro inhibition of the food‐borne pathogens by the probiotic beverages was determined with broth culture method.FindingsResults revealed the log count of Lactobacillus plantarum in the ginger beverage to be from 9.11 to 8.09 and 7.82 cfu/ml at ambient and refrigeration temperatures, respectively, at the fourth week of storage. Log count of Lactobacillus bulgaricus also ranged from 7.68 to 2.25 cfu/ml after four weeks of storage at ambient temperature while it remained at 5.57 cfu/ml after three weeks of storage at refrigeration temperature. L. bulgaricus however, failed to survive beyond three weeks in refrigerated storage. Similar trend of viability was exhibited in ginger with garlic beverage. Probiotic ginger, and ginger with garlic beverages inhibited the growth of E. coli and S. aureus to varying degrees during the period of storage.Originality/valueGinger‐based beverages could therefore be used as carriers of probiotic bacteria and thus serve as health drinks for consumers of different socio‐economic strata.
A toolkit to support human resource practice
Authors: Malik Fatima , McKie Linda , Beattie Rona , Hogg Gillian 
Published: April 2010

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to outline the development of a toolkit designed to assist UK small to medium enterprise businesses (SMEs) manage work‐life balance (WLB) policies and practice issues, across the life stages.Design/methodology/approachA multi‐method approach was adopted combining a literature review, limited empirical study and piloting of the toolkit.FindingsLife stages pose complex work‐life challenges for employees and resource and workforce management issues for employers. Demographics, employment cultures and socio‐economic and labour market trends impact on the physical and psychological wellbeing of employees. In striving to fulfil multiple work‐life roles, workers constantly face challenges in terms of (un)paid work/non‐work commitments, caring responsibilities and changing family structures resulting in work/family tensions. This leads to workforce planning, recruitment and retention costs for businesses. Employers face challenges in working with the growing number of WLB policies and in monitoring and evaluating policies, practices and procedures. SMEs require support to adopt a comprehensive WLB approach, whilst meeting operational requirements within resource capabilities and ensuring business sustainability.Practical implicationsThe toolkit is a source of WLB guidance for practitioners and those with an HR role in SMEs. The paper encourages reflection on research from business and social science research to better inform human resource (HR) practice.Originality/valueThe paper identifies the critical need for “WLB across the life‐stages” policy and practice guidance for UK SMEs.
From task‐based to competency‐based
Authors: Eric Soderquist Klas , Papalexandris Alexandros , Ioannou George , Prastacos Gregory 
Published: April 2010

PurposeOrganizational effectiveness today depends largely on the ability to activate, share and transform the intellectual capital of the company into sustainable and difficult‐to‐imitate competitive advantage. This paper seeks to develop a competency typology that integrates previous definitions and frameworks from the literature and to propose a methodology for identifying competencies to aid the transition from a task‐based to a competency‐based logic for human resource management.Design/methodology/approachThe paper is based on a longitudinal research project. The paper outlines a methodology and presents the findings from the implementation of a competency model in two case companies. It illustrates how the systematic use of the identified competency categories can support the identification and coding of competencies, which will facilitate the critical organizational transformation from a task‐based to a competency‐based approach.FindingsThe experience from the deployment offers potential challenges of implementing this framework in a specific cultural context. It identifies critical enablers that will contribute to successful implementation, whilst also providing insights concerning predicaments that have to be met.Originality/valueThe particular competency typology integrates previous definitions and frameworks from the literature, thus providing a holistic solution for supporting the implementation of a competency‐based approach. Furthermore, through the analysis of the implementation of the competency framework in two case companies it serves as the basis for illustrating the main steps, as well as the critical success factors that characterize such projects. Finally, it demonstrates the advantages of integrating the proposed competency framework and offers managerial insights and guidelines for similar implementations.
Consequences of the performance appraisal experience
Authors: Brown Michelle , Hyatt Douglas , Benson John 
Published: April 2010

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine the role of low quality performance appraisals (PA) on three human resource management outcomes (job satisfaction, organisational commitment and intention to quit).Design/methodology/approachUsing data from 2,336 public sector employees clusters of PA experiences (low, mixed and high) were identified. Regression analysis was then employed to examine the relationship between low quality PA experiences and job satisfaction, organisational commitment and intention to quit.FindingsEmployees with low quality PA experiences (relative to those with mixed and high quality PA experiences) were more likely to be dissatisfied with their job, be less committed to the organisation and more likely to be contemplating leaving the organisation.Research limitations/implicationsThe data were collected in a large public sector research organisation where the results of the appraisal were linked to pay increments. Further research is needed to determine the applicability of the results to private sector employees.Practical implicationsThe quality of the PA experience varies and a low quality experience results in lower job satisfaction and organisational commitment and higher quit intentions. The challenge for human resource (HR) practitioners is to decide whether the allocation of additional resources to ensure that all employees have a uniformly high quality PA experience is a worthwhile investment.Originality/valueResearch has tended to focus on the relationship between a single feature of a PA process and HR outcomes. Organisations need to acknowledge the importance of the overall PA experience when evaluating its consequences for HRM outcomes.
Casino gambling and workplace fraud: a cautionary tale for managers
Authors: Kelly Patrick , Hartley Carol A. 
Published: April 2010

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine notable instances of fraud that have occurred in Southeastern Connecticut and surrounding areas since the development of two large casinos in that region.Design/methodology/approachFraud case histories and prosecutions in which the gambling actions of individuals provided the incentive or pressure for the fraud to occur are examined.FindingsA number of employees who work in business and government have stolen significant sums of money to support gambling activities. The cases are linked to the growth of casino gambling and an accompanying increase in pathological and problem gambling; which research indicates doubles within 50 miles of a casino. Consistent with prior research, most of the thefts were not discovered by auditors or management in a timely manner.Research limitations/implicationsThis paper examines the impact of fraud due to casino gambling in one region, further research will examine other regions. One limitation in the research process is the reluctance of businesses to report instances of fraud, thus resulting in an underreporting of the extent of the problem.Practical implicationsThe paper recommends actions to be taken by managers in casino areas that can prevent employees from committing such fraud. These actions include the establishment of internal audit procedures, use of an external auditor for specific internal control tasks, upper management review of certain key business documents, increased accountability for organizational check registers, improved control for incoming cash receipts, and fraud awareness training.Originality/valueManagers in casino regions that become aware of the risks and employ the recommended measures may prevent and minimize business fraud.