bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Re‐defining corporate social responsibility (CSR) in Nigeria's post‐amnesty oil industry
Authors: Temitope Ako Rhuks 
Published: April 2012

PurposeThe purpose of the paper is to highlight the opportunity that exists within the ambience of peace in the Niger Delta precipitated by the amnesty deal; particularly for the oil‐multinationals that operate there, to re‐invent the delivery of corporate social responsibility (CSR) to maintain peaceful relations with their hosts and therefore optimize their business potentials.Design/methodology/approachThe method is purely a review of extant literatures and deductive arguments that will give insights to how conflict situations arising from denial of rights can be resolved through the CSR and stakeholder's perspective.FindingsThe paper concludes that the oil‐multinationals operating in the Niger Delta region ought to take advantage of the ambience of relative peace which has been created by the amnesty initiative to re‐invent their relationship with their host‐communities.Practical implicationsThe oil‐multinationals must seize the opportunity of a peaceful operating environment precipitated by the amnesty deal to engage with their host‐communities more objectively. This move will contribute to a healthy relationship between both parties and contribute to sustainable peace, which is a requisite to the sustainable exploitation of oil resources in the region, sustainable development of the resource, region and country.Originality/valueThe paper draws upon the hypotheses in extant literature that argue that there is a link between the local expectations of oil‐multinationals CSR, its actual delivery and violent conflicts in the Niger Delta region. It however moves the discourse forward by highlighting the window of opportunity that the federal government's amnesty initiative has opened to reassess CSR thinking, strategies and implementation.
The human rights of artisanal miners in the Democratic Republic of the Congo
Authors: Mària SJ Josep F. , Taka Miho 
Published: April 2012

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to explore how corporate social responsibility (CSR) in mining companies can contribute to the promotion of artisanal miners' human rights (HR) in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).Design/methodology/approachFirst, the paper designs a framework for a public policy on artisans, then it incorporates the possible contribution of companies to this policy drawing from the existent CSR literature. This framework is applied to relationships between mining companies and artisans in Katanga, a low‐conflict Province of the DRC. Finally, CSR guidelines for the promotion of artisans' HR are formulated. The theoretical framework articulates a public policy approach – which includes different actors – and a CSR approach – which develops the specific role of one such actor: the company – in the promotion of artisanal miners' HR. Data used in the empirical part are qualitative and include primary data gathered from visits to different mining companies operating in the Province and an interview with a local specialist in artisanal miners.FindingsThe first finding is that artisanal miners are a heterogeneous group, with multiple HR problems. Therefore, a public policy and a CSR policy to promote their HR are equally complex issues. However, local practices in the specific context of Katanga suggest two suitable CSR strategies for promoting artisans' HR: supporting new sustainable economic activities where artisans have been displaced by a company; and promoting the formalization of artisanal activity where companies are the artisans' clients.Research limitations/implicationsThis paper does not include interviews with mining company managers in Katanga in order to design very specific actions in each one of these CSR strategies. The research does not include field work in high‐conflict areas.Practical implicationsThe heterogeneity and dynamism of artisanal miners' problems and the weakness of the Congolese State lead to a basic recommendation for responsible mining companies in low‐conflict areas: the implementation of dialogues with local communities and local governments in order to cover the needs of artisanal miners and discover innovation opportunities for the companies.Originality/valueAlthough there is abundant literature on artisanal miners, the connection of artisanal miners and CSR has scarcely been developed. As far as the author knows, the illustration of this connection for the DRC has not been addressed. Additionally, the design of public policies for artisanal miners – part of the informal economy – and the contribution of companies to such policies can help address problems arising from other informal activities in Africa.
The patient's voice in neuro‐surgery: psycho‐socio‐economic benefits of a patient‐designed versus standard service following treatment for a subarachnoid haemorrhage
Authors: Pritchard Colin , Cox Malcolm , Foulkes Lesley , Lindsay Kenneth 
Published: April 2012

PurposeSuccessive governments have called for greater “empowerment” of the patient, reflected in the chief medical officer's call for more patient‐related outcome measures (PROM). This paper aims to bring together three‐linked studies.Design/methodology/approachFirst study: in 1999, the neurosurgical patient was seen as “expert” to identify PROM outcomes, based upon a patient and carer‐designed self‐administered postal questionnaire in a regional two‐year retrospective survey of subarachnoid haemorrhage (SAH) patients with a 77 per cent response rate, designated treatment‐as‐usual (TAU) cohort (n=142).Second study: in the same region, following the implementing of the specialist neuro‐vascular nurse (SNVN), the SNVN recommendation was evaluated in a two‐year prospective study (n=184) that provided family‐specific psychosocial support and a continuity of care linking hospital and community; the response rate was 87 per cent. Third study: A re‐analysis of the national SAH study (n=2,380), by projecting the TAU and SNVN results onto clinically matched patients within the National cohort to estimate the potential “savings” if all 34 neurosurgical units had an SNVN type service.FindingsFirst study: respondents identified many psychosocial and fiscal problems but recommended a SNVN to reduce these difficulties. Second study: the TAU and SNVN patient's were a close clinical match and using the TAU as a control group, it was found that there were major psychosocial and fiscal benefits for SNVN patients and carers, who more speedily re‐established their lives.Third study: it was estimated that this would have produced major financial benefits, e.g. 4,165 fewer bed occupancy days, saving £2.5million; reduced time‐off work for patients and carers, saving £8.1million; and, after deducting cost of a national SNVN service, a combined saving for the service and families of an estimated £9.83 million p.a. Thus, addressing PROM outcomes, through an integrated psychosocial service in neurosurgery was cost‐effective, benefited families, the service, and the wider economy and should be a factor when considering pressurised departmental budgets.Originality/valueOverall, what the two regional studies and the re‐analysis of the national study showed was that there are benefits from treating the “patient as expert” and taking on board their agendas. There is a need for a more integrated approach to treatment and care that is of value to the service, patients, families and the wider economy.
Mechanisms of resistance to cephalosporin and emergence of O25b‐ST131 clone harboring CTX‐M‐27 β‐lactamase in extraintestinal pathogenic Escherichia coli from dogs and cats in Japan
Authors: Harada Kazuki , Nakai Yuka , Kataoka Yasushi 
Published: April 2012

ABSTRACTThirty‐three cefazolin‐resistant extraintestinal pathogenic Escherichia coli strains from companion animals were screened for blaCMY‐1, blaCMY‐2, blaSHV, blaTEM, and blaCTX‐M genes. Extended‐spectrum β‐lactamase‐producing strains were further characterized by O serotyping and multilocus sequence typing. It was found that 20 and 17 isolates harbored TEM‐1 and CMY‐2 β‐lactamases, respectively, and 13 isolates harbored both β‐lactamases. One isolate harbored DHA‐1 β‐lactamase. Eleven isolates were found to possess CTX‐M β‐lactamases (CTX‐M‐27 [n= 6], CTX‐M‐14 [n= 3], CTX‐M‐15 [n= 1], and CTX‐M‐55 [n= 1]). Of 11 CTX‐M‐positive strains, four strains were O25b‐ST131 clones harboring CTX‐M‐27, and the remaining seven strains belonged to O6‐ST127, ONT‐ST354, O159‐ST539, O1‐ST648, O8‐ST1642, O25b‐ST2042, and ONT‐ST2178.
Monolignol biosynthesis is associated with resistance to Sclerotinia sclerotiorum in Camelina sativa
Authors: EYNCK CHRISTINA , SÉGUIN‐SWARTZ GINETTE , CLARKE WAYNE E. , PARKIN ISOBEL A. P. 
Published: April 2012

SUMMARYThe ascomycete Sclerotinia sclerotiorum is a necrotrophic plant pathogen with an extremely broad host range. It causes stem rot in Camelina sativa, a crucifer with great potential as an alternative oilseed crop. Lignification is a common phenomenon in the expression of resistance against necrotrophs, but the molecular mechanisms underlying this defence response are poorly understood. We present histochemical, gene expression and biochemical data investigating the role of monolignols in the resistance of C. sativa to S. sclerotiorum. Comparative studies with resistant and susceptible lines of C. sativa revealed substantial differences in constitutive transcript levels and gene regulation patterns for members of the gene family encoding cinnamoyl‐CoA reductase (CCR), the first enzyme specifically committed to the synthesis of lignin monomers. These differences were associated with anatomical and metabolic factors. While the induction of CsCCR2 expression after inoculation with S. sclerotiorum was associated with the deposition of lignin mainly derived from guaiacyl monomers, high constitutive levels of CsCCR4 paralleled a high syringyl lignin content in healthy stems of resistant plants. The results provide evidence that plant cell wall strengthening plays a role in the resistance of C. sativa to S. sclerotiorum, and that both constitutive and inducible defence mechanisms contribute to reduced symptom development in resistant germplasm. This study provides the first characterization of quantitative resistance in C. sativa to S. sclerotiorum.
Systematic review: the burden of disruptive gastro‐oesophageal reflux disease on health‐related quality of life
Authors: Tack J. , Becher A. , Mulligan C. , Johnson D. A. 
Published: April 2012

SummaryBackgroundAbout one‐third of patients with gastro‐oesophageal reflux disease (GERD) have frequent and/or severe reflux symptoms (‘disruptive GERD’). The relative burden of disruptive GERD on health‐related quality of life (HRQL) has not been systematically investigated.AimTo assess the burden of disruptive vs. nondisruptive GERD on HRQL.MethodsSystematic searches were conducted in PubMed and Embase. To be included, studies had to have used validated questionnaires to assess HRQL.ResultsNineteen studies were included. Data on the comparative burden of frequent (ranging from daily to ≥weekly) and severe reflux symptoms were provided in eight and 13 studies respectively; six reported on the additional burden of nocturnal symptoms. Compared with individuals with nondisruptive GERD, those with disruptive GERD had 2.4‐times and 1.5‐times higher mean rates of absenteeism and presenteeism respectively (five studies), 1.5‐times lower sleep quality scores (three studies), 1.1‐times lower mean summary scores for physical and mental health (five studies) and 1.3‐times lower mean scores for psychological and general well‐being (four studies). Increasing symptom frequency and severity both increased the burden of disease to a similar extent. The presence of nocturnal symptoms in addition to daytime symptoms led to worsening of physical health, but their effect on mental health and work productivity was less clear.ConclusionsDisruptive GERD is associated with a high burden of disease compared with occasional or mild reflux symptoms. Disease management needs to vary across the GERD spectrum and should be tailored to patients' requirements for optimal therapeutic outcomes.
Radiological response predicts survival following transarterial chemoembolisation in patients with unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Kim D. Y. , Ryu H. J. , Choi J. Y. , Park J. Y. , Lee D. Y. , Kim B. K. , Kim S. U. , Ahn S. H. , Chon C. Y. , Han K.‐H. 
Published: April 2012

SummaryBackgroundIt remains unclear whether initial compact lipiodol uptake after transarterial chemoembolisation (TACE) is associated with improved survival in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).AimTo reveal the clinical relevance of compact lipiodolisation after TACE.MethodsWe studied 490 patients with unresectable HCC who had first been treated with TACE. Compact lipiodolisation was defined as the absence of an arterial enhancing lesion, reflecting complete lipiodol uptake, as assessed by dynamic computed tomography (CT) 1 month after treatment. The rate of initial compact lipiodolisation was analysed according to multiplicity and size of tumour, and survival of patients who achieved compact lipiodolisation was compared to that of patients who did not.ResultsOf the 490 patients, 409 (83.5%) were in Child–Pugh class A and 81 (16.5%) in class B. The rate of initial compact lipiodolisation in single HCCs was higher than that in multinodular HCCs (33.7% vs. 14.6%, P < 0.001). Among single HCCs, the rate of compact lipiodolisation in tumours ≤5, 5–10 and >10 cm was 46.6%, 13.6%, and 0% respectively. The 1‐, 3‐ and 5‐year survival rates of patients with compact uptake were 92.7%, 70.7% and 52.4% compared to 60.8%, 28.0% and 16.9% in patients with noncompact lipiodolisation. Multivariate analysis revealed that Child–Pugh class, alpha‐fetoprotein level, tumour node metastasis stage, portal vein thrombosis and initial compact lipiodolisation were independent predictors of survival.ConclusionsInitial compact lipiodol uptake after transarterial chemoembolisation is associated with improved survival in patients with unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma. Accordingly, initial complete lipiodolisation should be considered a relevant therapeutic target.
Perchlorate and thiocyanate exposure and thyroid function in first‐trimester pregnant women from Greece
Authors: Pearce Elizabeth N. , Alexiou Maria , Koukkou Eftychia , Braverman Lewis E. , He Xuemei , Ilias Ioannis , Alevizaki Maria , Markou Kostas B. 
Published: April 2012

AbstractObjectiveThyroid hormone, requiring adequate maternal iodine intake, is critical for neurodevelopment in utero. Perchlorate and, less so, thiocyanate decrease uptake of iodine into the thyroid gland by competitively inhibiting the sodium/iodide symporter (NIS). It remains unclear whether environmental perchlorate exposure adversely affects thyroid function in first‐trimester pregnant women.DesignCross‐sectional.Patients134 pregnant women from Athens, Greece, at mean ± SD 10·9 ± 2·3 weeks' gestation.MeasurementsUrinary iodide, perchlorate, and thiocyanate and thyroid function tests were measured.ResultsThe median urinary iodide was 120 μg/l. Urinary perchlorate levels were detectable in all women: median (range) 4·1 (0·2–118·5) μg/l. Serum thyroperoxidase antibodies (TPO Ab) were detectable in 16% of women. Using Spearman's rank correlation analyses, there was no correlation between urinary perchlorate concentrations and serum TSH, although inverse correlations were seen between urine perchlorate and free T3 and free T4 values. In univariate analyses, urine thiocyanate was positively correlated with serum TSH, but was not associated with serum free T3 or free T4. Urine perchlorate was positively correlated with gestational age. In multivariate analyses adjusting for urinary iodide concentrations, urine thiocyanate, gestational age, maternal age and TPO Ab titres, urine perchlorate was not a significant predictor of thyroid function.ConclusionsLow‐level perchlorate and thiocyanate exposure is ubiquitous, but, in adjusted analyses, is not associated with alterations in thyroid function tests among mildly iodine‐deficient Greek women in the first trimester of pregnancy.
Larval Japanese eel (Anguilla japonica) as sub‐surface current bio‐tracers on the East Asia continental shelf
Authors: HAN YU‐SAN , ZHANG HENG , TSENG YU‐HENG , SHEN MAO‐LIN 
Published: April 2012

AbstractLarval Japanese eel (leptocephali) are passively transported from their spawning sites of the North Equatorial Current to the Kuroshio and its branch waters for 4–6 months before reaching the East Asian coasts. The larvae mainly stay within water depths between 50–150 m. The dispersal dynamics of larvae thus should reflect the sub‐surface oceanic currents on the East Asia continental shelf. An analysis of Japanese glass eel catch data in East Asian countries during 1985 to 2009, and for Taiwan from 1968 to 2008, indicates that the overall annual catch is generally correlated across countries of East Asia, and between north and west areas of Taiwan. The Kuroshio and its branch waters disperse glass eels throughout East Asian habitats, and the glass eel distribution matches the flow directionality of oceanic currents. Recruitment in western Taiwan occurs with a sequential southwestern to northwestern direction, suggesting that the Taiwan Strait Current penetrates the western coast of Taiwan in the sub‐surface layer in winter. The monthly averaged sub‐surface 50 m circulation pattern in the vicinity of Taiwan and modeled tracer experiments also support the northward winter sub‐surface current in Taiwan Strait. These results suggest that the larval Japanese eel could serve as a valuable bio‐tracer of sub‐surface currents, and the earlier recruitment dynamics of Japanese glass eels in Taiwan could be a good predictor for the subsequent catch in other East Asia areas.
Validation of diagnostic assays to screen broodstock for Flavobacterium psychrophilum infections
Authors: Long A , Polinski M P , Call D R , Cain K D 
Published: April 2012

AbstractIt is hypothesized that the frequency of bacterial coldwater disease outbreaks can be reduced through the detection of the aetiologic agent, Flavobacterium psychrophilum, in broodstock followed by culling of eggs from heavily infected broodstock. Before a culling programme can be instituted, however, it is necessary to determine the sensitivity and specificity of existing assays for the detection of F. psychrophilum. In this study, tissue and ovarian fluid samples were collected from 224 fish at five hatcheries and screened using an enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), a membrane‐filtration fluorescent antibody test (MF‐FAT), bacteriological culture and nested PCR. Latent class analysis was used to estimate sensitivity and specificity of kidney culture, kidney ELISA, nested PCR and MF‐FAT. Analytical sensitivity of the ELISA varied but was greatest when bacteria were cultured under iron‐limiting conditions. Diagnostic sensitivity estimates ranged from 0.02 (kidney culture) to 0.97 (kidney ELISA). Specificity estimates ranged from 0.02 (MF‐FAT) to 0.98 (kidney ELISA). In a separate challenge experiment, the ELISA confirmed the presence of F. psychrophilum in sub‐clinically infected fish. Results from this study demonstrate that the ELISA is an appropriate tool to screen broodstock and provides an indication of infection severity, which is crucial for implementation of a screening/culling programme.
Correlated evolution of senescence and ephemeral substrate use in the Sordariomycetes
Authors: GEYDAN THOMAS D. , DEBETS ALFONS J. M. , VERKLEY GERARD J. M. , Van DIEPENINGEN ANNE D. 
Published: April 2012

AbstractEvolutionary theory predicts that senescence—a decline in reproduction and survival with increasing age—can evolve as a trade‐off between investment in reproduction on one side and in somatic maintenance and repair on the other. The ecology of a species is crucial because it provides the external causes of death that determine the statistical limit to a species’ lifespan. Filamentous fungi are generally believed to be nonsenescent, and there are indeed spectacular examples of very old fungal individuals in nature. However, some fungi utilize ephemeral resources, and therefore, senescence is expected to have evolved, like in the coprophilic Podospora anserina, the only well‐studied filamentous fungus with intrinsic senescence. Here, we hypothesize that rapid senescence is more common in fungi than generally believed and that the phylogenetic distribution of senescence correlates with ecology. We collected lifespan data for a set of Sordariomycetes and constructed phylogenies based on several nuclear sequences. Several of the strains were from the CBS culture collection, originally isolated from various substrates, some of which ephemeral. In addition, we isolated new strains from short‐lived substrates. Senescence was observed throughout the phylogeny. Correlation tests support the hypothesis that in the Sordariomycetes, senescence is a trait that has arisen in response to ephemeral substrates, and that it has evolved repeatedly and independently along the phylogeny.
Multi‐tier regulation of the streptomycete morphogenetic peptide SapB
Authors: Gaskell Alisa A. , Giovinazzo Joseph A. , Fonte Vanessa , Willey Joanne M. 
Published: April 2012

SummaryStreptomyces coelicolor is a morphologically complex bacterium requiring the secretion of surface‐active proteins to progress through its life cycle. SapB represents an important class of these biosurfactants, as illustrated by its ability to restore aerial hyphae formation when applied exogenously to developmental mutants. However, such aerial hyphae fail to sporulate, exemplifying the need to co‐ordinate the timing of SapB production with other developmental events. SapB has an unusual lantibiotic structure. Its structural gene, ramS, is only 38 nucleotides downstream of the gene encoding its putative modification enzyme, RamC. Transient, co‐ordinated expression of the operon was thought to be controlled by the response regulator RamR. However, we show that ramS is transcribed throughout the cell cycle with a dual expression profile dissimilar to the tightly controlled ramC expression. Surprisingly, post‐translational modification relies on prior membrane localization of the precursor peptide, RamS, as demonstrated by the absence of RamS modification in S. coelicolor hyphae treated with the Bacillus subtilis lipoprotein surfactin. Our results demonstrate that interspecies interaction can also be mediated by interference of post‐translational events. Further, temporal and spatial regulation of irreversible post‐translational modification of a surface‐active morphogenetic peptide suggests a new model for the control of key developmental events.
Development of the Permanent Mandibular Cheek Teeth in Fallow Deer (Dama dama)
Authors: Kierdorf H. , Hommelsheim S. , Kierdorf U. 
Published: April 2012

SummaryThe study describes crown and root formation of the permanent mandibular cheek teeth of fallow deer from a gestational age of 22–23 weeks up to a post‐natal age of 33 months. Tooth development was recorded using a scoring scheme based on morphological criteria ranging from crypt formation to completion of root growth. The morphological appearance of the enamel surface during three different stages (secretory‐stage enamel, maturation‐stage enamel and mature enamel) was described, and the approximate age at termination of the secretory stage of amelogenesis in the deciduous and permanent mandibular cheek teeth was determined. The data enable an age estimation of fallow deer up to 3 years of age and provide a basis for assessing the timing of stress episodes that affect tooth crown formation. This information is useful for the management of the species as well as in bioarchaeological and bioindication studies.