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Regard
Kinds of Regard Selected Abstractshypercloso -Hexa(amino)hexaboranes: Structurally Related to Known hypercloso -Dodecaboranes, Metastable with Regard to Their Classical CycloisomersEUROPEAN JOURNAL OF INORGANIC CHEMISTRY, Issue 36 2009Wahid Mesbah Abstract B6(NMe2)6 (2a) is the first neutral hypercloso -hexaborane to be characterized by X-ray structural analysis. The geometry of 2a is in nice agreement with that of the Ci symmetric molecule computed at the B3LYP/6-311+G** level of theory. Two B3 triangles with long B···B distances in 2a are reminiscent of those in Hawthorne's benzyloxy-substituted hypercloso -dodecaboranes 6a,b. Upon heating to 200 °C, 2a transforms into Nöth's classical cyclohexaborane 1a. Computations at the B3LYP/6-311+G** + ZPE level of theory show 1a to be 21.6 kcal,mol,1lower in energy than 2a, that is, the latter is metastable. hypercloso -Hexaborane B6(NEt2)6 (2b), which was reported to be thermodynamically more stable than 1b, is computed to be 22.4 kcal,mol,1less stable than 1b. Pure 1b is shown here not to transform into 2b upon standing in solution, which is in contrast to reports in the literature for a mixture containing 1b. (© Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2009) [source] More Powerful Communication: From the Language of Prizes and Praising to the Language of Ongoing RegardGLOBAL BUSINESS AND ORGANIZATIONAL EXCELLENCE, Issue 3 2001Robert Kegan The management literature is replete with exhortations to managers to praise good workers. And, while praise may well beat the no-news-is-good-news management style, there is a more effective level of communication. The authors explain and illustrate here the way direct, specific, and nonattributive communications empower both the receiver and the giver. © 2001 by the authors. Reprinted by permission of Jossey-Bass, Inc., a subsidiary of John Wiley & Sons, Inc. [source] Validation of Diagnostic Tests for Helicobacter pylori with Regard to Grade of Atrophic Gastritis and/or Intestinal MetaplasiaHELICOBACTER, Issue 6 2009Cheol Min Shin Abstract Background and Aims:, To evaluate the validity of the biopsy-based tests (histology, culture, and urease test) and serology in detecting current Helicobacter pylori infection against a background of atrophic gastritis (AG) or intestinal metaplasia (IM). Methods:,Helicobacter pylori infection was diagnosed in 651 subjects, using the predefined gold standard for H. pylori tests. The sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values of culture, CLOtest, histology (Giemsa stain), and serology were calculated with regard to the histological grade of AG and IM. The level of serum pepsinogen (PG) I and II was also measured as a marker for the presence of AG. Results:, In the study population (n = 651), sensitivity and specificity, respectively, were as follows: culture, 56.2 and 100%; histology, 93.0 and 94.0%; CLOtest, 80.4 and 96.7%; serology, 96.0 and 67.5%. If the analysis is limited to those without AG or IM (n = 158) or to those younger than 40 years (n = 69), all tests, except for culture, had a sensitivity and specificity >90%. The sensitivity of CLOtest and the specificity of serology markedly decreased with progression of AG and IM, and serology was less specific in the presence of AG, as determined by a PG I/II ratio ,4.1 (specificity, 83.7% vs 40.7% in PG I/II >4.1 and ,4.1, respectively). Conclusions:, Any one of biopsy-based tests or serology was found to be excellent for identifying current H. pylori infection among individuals without AG or IM and/or younger patients (<40 years). However, a combination of at least two tests is necessary in the clinical setting of AG or IM. [source] Affirmative Action: A German Perspective on the Promotion of Women's Rights with Regard to EmploymentJOURNAL OF LAW AND SOCIETY, Issue 1 2006Anke J. Stock This paper discusses affirmative action policies in Germany. After German reunification, women from both east and west had hoped for a new codification of their rights, including positive obligations on the state to promote gender equality. However, the amendments to the Basic Law in November 1994 did not clearly endorse this approach. Opinions still differ as to whether Articles 3(2) and 3(3) of the Constitution allow for affirmative action with regard to women's employment. In 2001 quotas for the public employment sector were finally introduced, but the use of quotas for private sector employment still faces serious opposition. Nevertheless, the concept of affirmative action is not new to the German legal system: since the eighteenth century, quota schemes have been used to ensure the employment of (war-) disabled persons. This article examines the different approaches to employment quotas for women and disabled persons, and critically evaluates the reasons for divergence. [source] The Emotional Costs of Parents' Conditional Regard: A Self-Determination Theory AnalysisJOURNAL OF PERSONALITY, Issue 1 2004Avi Assor Parents' use of conditional regard as a socializing practice was hypothesized to predict their children's introjected internalization (indexed by a sense of internal compulsion), resentment toward parents, and ill-being. In Study 1, involving three generations, mothers' reports of their parents' having used conditional regard to promote academic achievement predicted (a) the mothers' poor well-being and controlling parenting attitudes, and (b) their collge-aged daughters' viewing them as having used conditional regard, thus showing both negative affective consequences from and intergenerational transmission of conditional regard. Study 2 expanded on the first by using four domains, including both genders, and examining mediating processes. College students' perceptions of their mothers' and fathers' having used conditional regard in four domains (emotion control, prosocial, academic, sport) were found to relate to introjected internalization, behavioral enactment, fluctuations in self-esteem, perceived parental disapproval, and resentment of parents. Introjection mediated the link from conditional regard to behavioral enactment. The results suggest that use of conditional regard as a socializing practice can promote enactment of the desired behaviors but does so with significant affective costs. [source] Letter to the Editor in Regard to Baek, Lee, and Kwon (2010): "Influence of Dissolved Oxygen Concentration on the Pharmacokinetics of Alcohol in Humans"ALCOHOLISM, Issue 10 2010Does Oxygenated Alcohol Reduce Hangover? No abstract is available for this article. [source] Knowledge, Attitude, and Practices With Regard to Adult Pertussis Vaccine Booster in TravelersJOURNAL OF TRAVEL MEDICINE, Issue 3 2007Annelies Wilder-Smith MD, FAMS Introduction Pertussis is a worldwide, highly communicable, vaccine-preventable respiratory disease and is a frequent but often underestimated cause of prolonged cough illness in adults. Immunity from childhood pertussis immunization is thought to last only up to 10 years. The incidence of adult pertussis has been estimated to be 200 to 500 per 100,000 persons-years. Acellular pertussis vaccines have been evaluated in adults and confer safe and effective protection and now exist as combination vaccine together with tetanus and diphtheria. Methods We did a questionnaire survey to assess the knowledge, attitude, and practices toward pertussis in adult travelers. We consecutively enrolled all travelers who presented at the Travellers' Health & Vaccination Centre in Singapore in 1 month. Results Of 218 consecutively enrolled travelers, 184 (84.4%) completed the questionnaire; of which 80% were Singaporeans. Seventy persons (38%) did not know or gave a wrong answer for the mode of transmission of pertussis, 147 (83%) had never heard of a pertussis vaccine for adults, and almost none had received an adult pertussis vaccine booster. Travelers from Western countries were seven times [95% confidence interval (CI): 2,27] more likely than Asians to have knowledge about pertussis; women were 4.27 times (95% CI: 1.59,11.53) more likely than men to be aware of the booster vaccine, after adjusting for nationality ( p= 0.004). Conclusions Knowledge about pertussis was poor among adult travelers. Although pertussis was viewed as a serious illness by the majority of participants, and 38% expressed the desire to be vaccinated, almost no one had received the pertussis vaccine booster. Awareness about pertussis, its risks, and prevention via vaccination need to be increased among adult travelers. Studies are needed to quantify the risk of pertussis in adult travelers. [source] Levels of empathy in undergraduate occupational therapy studentsOCCUPATIONAL THERAPY INTERNATIONAL, Issue 3 2010Ted Brown Abstract Empathy is an important attribute for occupational therapists in establishing rapport and in better understanding their clients. However, empathy can be compromised by high workloads, personal stressors and pressures to demonstrate efficacy. Occupational therapists also work with patients from a variety of diagnostic groups. The objective of this study was to determine the extent of empathy and attitudes towards clients amongst undergraduate occupational therapy students at one Australian University. A cross-sectional study was undertaken using a written survey of the Jefferson Scale of Physician Empathy (JSPE) and the Medical Condition Regard Scale. Overall, a strong level of empathy was reported amongst students. Four medical conditions that occupational therapists work with (stroke, cerebral palsy, traumatic brain injury and depression) were held in high regard. Substance abuse, however, was held in comparatively low regard. Overall, the year of study appeared to have no significant impact on the students' empathy. Despite having a lower reported empathy level than found in health professions from other studies using the JSPE, occupational therapy students were found to have a good level of empathy. Of concern, however, was the bias reported against the medical condition of substance abuse, highlighting that the there may be a need to reinforce that patients from this diagnostic group are equally deserving of quality care irrespective of their clinical condition. Recommendations for future research include completing a longitudinal study of occupational therapy students' empathy levels and investigating the empathy levels of occupational therapists working with different client groups. Limitations of the study include the convenience sampling of occupational therapy students enrolled at one university which limits the generalizability of the results to groups of participants with similar characteristics. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Characteristics of Buck Semen with Regard to Ejaculate Numbers, Collection Intervals, Diluents and Preservation PeriodsREPRODUCTION IN DOMESTIC ANIMALS, Issue 2 2000M Shamsuddin Contents To determine the number of ejaculates which can be collected within a 20-min period after the smallest number of days of sexual rest, and a good diluent to preserve semen for routine AI, five mature Black Bengal bucks were used in three experiments. In experiment 1, semen from the bucks were collected by using artificial vagina at homosexual mounts as many times as possible during 20 min. The ejaculate numbers 1, 3 and 4 (or 5 when the buck could produce it) were examined for important semen characteristics. The mean ejaculate volume, density, mass activity, sperm motility, sperm concentrations, total spermatozoa/ejaculate, proportion of spermatozoa with normal acrosome, midpiece and tail, and the proportion with normal head morphology varied between 267 and 342 µl, 4.1,4.5 (1,5 scale), 4.1,4.2 (1,5 scale), 77,79%, 4187 × 106,5064 × 106/ml, 1140 × 106,1746 × 106, 91,94% and 99%, respectively, depending on the collection number of the ejaculate. The difference between the ejaculates was significant only with respect to volume (p < 0.05). In experiment 2, semen was collected from the bucks successively during 20 min after 1, 2, 3 and 4 day intervals, and the first ejaculates were evaluated for the above-mentioned semen characteristics. Semen collected after 2 or more day intervals had significantly higher volume, sperm concentration and total spermatozoa/ejaculate (p < 0.05). In experiment 3, pools of two to three ejaculates were diluted (1 : 5; semen : diluent) in splits with glucose-citrate-egg yolk (GCEY), Tris-fructose-egg yolk (TFEY) or skim milk (SM) and preserved at +4 to +7°C. Before chilling or after 0 (15 min chilling), 1, 2, 3 and 4 days of preservation, semen was evaluated for motility and proportion of normal spermatozoa with respect to acrosome, midpiece and tail. In data pooled across the bucks, the sperm motility was better in GCEY and TFEY than in SM, and the proportion of normal spermatozoa was higher in SM than in the others (p < 0.05). However, the differences in proportion of normal spermatozoa between diluents were not significant when the data were analysed separately within preservation periods. The sperm motility consistently dropped after 1 day of preservation (p < 0.01); the motility remained 50% or more up to 4 days in TFEY, 3 days in GCEY and only 2 days in SM. The proportion of spermatozoa with normal acrosome, midpiece and tail, which was generally quite high ( 90%), decreased after 3 days of preservation (p < 0.01). We conclude that Black Bengal bucks can be collected three times during 20 min, every 3 days, and that buck semen holds good motility and proportion of normal spermatozoa up to 3 days in GCEY or TFEY at 4 to 7°C. [source] Effects of Cloned Gene Dosage on the Response of Recombinant CHO Cells to Hyperosmotic Pressure in Regard to Cell Growth and Antibody ProductionBIOTECHNOLOGY PROGRESS, Issue 6 2001Joon Soo Ryu The effect of cloned gene dosage on growth and product formation under hyperosmotic conditions has been studied using recombinant Chinese hamster ovary (rCHO) cell lines producing chimeric antibody. Batch cultures of four rCHO cell lines carrying different numbers of antibody gene copies were carried out using the hyperosmolar medium. Depending on cloned gene dosage, hyperosmotic pressure decreased specific growth rate (,) and increased specific antibody productivity (qAb) to a different degree. The cell line with lower cloned gene dosage displayed more significant enhancement in qAb and less reduction in , at hyperosmolalities. However, the cell line with higher cloned gene dosage still yielded higher maximum antibody concentration at hyperosmolality up to 469 mOsm/kg. Northern blot analysis showed a positive relationship between immunoglobulin mRNA level per cell and qAb, indicating that transcriptional regulation was involved in the response of rCHO cells to hyperosmotic pressure. Cell cycle analysis showed that hyperosmotic pressure induced G1 -phase arrest, suggesting that the increase of cell population in G1 -phase may contribute in part to enhanced qAb at hyperosmolality. Taken together, although the cell line with lower cloned gene dosage displayed more significant enhancement in qAb at hyperosmolality, the factor that determined the maximum antibody concentration in hyperosmotic rCHO cell cultures was almost exclusively the gene dosage. [source] ChemInform Abstract: Oxidation of Methylpiperidine Derivatives with Regard to Chirality.CHEMINFORM, Issue 13 2008Hans Moehrle Abstract ChemInform is a weekly Abstracting Service, delivering concise information at a glance that was extracted from about 200 leading journals. To access a ChemInform Abstract of an article which was published elsewhere, please select a "Full Text" option. The original article is trackable via the "References" option. [source] Numerical Treatment of Seismic Accelerograms and of Inelastic Seismic Structural Responses Using Harmonic WaveletsCOMPUTER-AIDED CIVIL AND INFRASTRUCTURE ENGINEERING, Issue 4 2007Pol D. Spanos The effectiveness of the harmonic wavelets for capturing the temporal evolution of the frequency content of strong ground motions is demonstrated. In this regard, a detailed study of important earthquake accelerograms is undertaken and smooth joint time-frequency spectra are provided for two near-field and two far-field records; inherent in this analysis is the concept of the mean instantaneous frequency. Furthermore, as a paradigm of usefulness for aseismic structural purposes, a similar analysis is conducted for the response of a 20-story steel frame benchmark building considering one of the four accelerograms scaled by appropriate factors as the excitation to simulate undamaged and severely damaged conditions for the structure. The resulting joint time-frequency representation of the response time histories captures the influence of nonlinearity on the variation of the effective natural frequencies of a structural system during the evolution of a seismic event. In this context, the potential of the harmonic wavelet transform as a detection tool for global structural damage is explored in conjunction with the concept of monitoring the mean instantaneous frequency of records of critical structural responses. [source] Toward portable nuclear magnetic resonance devices using atomic magnetometersCONCEPTS IN MAGNETIC RESONANCE, Issue 2 2009Dindi Yu Abstract The motivation for developing alternative detection techniques for nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is to overcome some of the limitations associated with high-field NMR/MRI instruments. The limitations include poor portability, cryogenic requirements, and high costs. To achieve this goal, a low magnetic field is preferred. Since the sensitivity of inductive detection for conventional NMR and MRI scales linearly with the magnetic field strength, it is not optimal for low-field detection. In this contribution, we describe the concept of using atomic magnetometers as an alternative detection method. Atomic magnetometers possess an ultrahigh sensitivity that is independent of the magnetic field strength, which makes them viable for low-field detection in NMR and MRI. We first introduce the principle of atomic magnetometry and follow this with a discussion of recent progress in the field. To compare the sensitivities of atomic magnetometers of diverse sizes, we define a signal-to-noise ratio for a fixed detection volume to normalize the sensitivity with regard to the cell size. We then focus on two coupling schemes for NMR and MRI detection using atomic magnetometers. Finally, we discuss the challenges involved in implementing this alternative detection technique for NMR and MRI. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Concepts Magn Reson Part A 34A: 124,132, 2009. [source] Myocardial growth before and after birth: clinical implications,ACTA PAEDIATRICA, Issue 2 2000AM Rudolph Perinatal changes in myocardial growth have recently evoked considerable interest with regard to cardiac chamber development with congenital cardiac lesions and to myocardial development in preterm infants. It is suggested that cardiac chamber development is influenced by blood flow. Experimental pulmonary stenosis in fetal lambs may induce either greatly reduced or markedly increased right ventricular volume. Ventricular enlargement appears to be associated with a large ventricular volume load resulting from tricuspid valve regurgitation. A small competent tricuspid valve is associated with reduced flow through the ventricle due to outflow obstruction and a small right ventricle. Postnatal growth of the ventricles in congenital heart disease is discussed. Increase in myocardial mass prenatally is achieved by hyperplasia, both during normal development and when myocardial mass is increased by right ventricular outflow obstruction. Postnatally, increases in myocardial mass with normal growth, as well as with ventricular outflow obstruction, are largely due to hypertrophy of myocytes. Myocardial capillary numbers do not increase in proportion with myocyte numbers in ventricular myocardium in association with outflow obstruction. The postnatal effects of these changes in congenital heart lesions are considered. Studies in fetal lambs suggest that the late gestational increase in blood cortisol concentrations is responsible for the change in the pattern of myocardial growth after birth. The concern is raised that prenatal exposure of the premature infant to glucocorticoids, administered to the mother to attempt to prevent hyaline membrane disease in the infant, may inhibit myocyte proliferation and result in a heart with fewer than normal myocytes. This would necessitate that each myocyte would have to hypertrophy abnormally to achieve a normal cardiac mass postnatally. [source] Sequence alignment on the Cray MTA-2,CONCURRENCY AND COMPUTATION: PRACTICE & EXPERIENCE, Issue 9 2004Shahid H. Bokhari Abstract Several variants of standard algorithms for DNA sequence alignment have been implemented on the Cray Multithreaded Architecture-2 (MTA-2). We describe the architecture of the MTA-2 and discuss how its hardware and software enable efficient implementation of parallel algorithms with little or no regard for issues of partitioning, mapping or scheduling. We describe how we ported variants of the naive algorithm for exact alignment and the dynamic programming algorithm for approximate alignment to the MTA-2 and provide detailed performance measurements. It is shown that, for the dynamic programming algorithm, the use of the MTA's ,Full/Empty' synchronization bits leads to almost perfect speedup for large problems on one to eight processors. These results illustrate the versatility of the MTA's architecture and demonstrate its potential for providing a high-productivity platform for parallel processing. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Reflections on past successes and future challenges: Three perspectivesCONFLICT RESOLUTION QUARTERLY, Issue 4 2000Liz O'Brien The executive directors of three community mediation centers were asked to reflect on past successes and future challenges and to consider four questions: How has your center achieved diversification in funding, programs, and referrals, and what have been the benefits and challenges of diversification? What do you consider the greatest challenge in community mediation? How has your center gained credibility and visibility in your community, and what community partnerships helped in that regard? In what directions is your center moving, and what is your center's vision for the next ten years? [source] Control of muscle blood flow during exercise: local factors and integrative mechanismsACTA PHYSIOLOGICA, Issue 4 2010I. Sarelius Abstract Understanding the control mechanisms of blood flow within the vasculature of skeletal muscle is clearly fascinating from a theoretical point of view due to the extremely tight coupling of tissue oxygen demands and blood flow. It also has practical implications as impairment of muscle blood flow and its prevention/reversal by exercise training has a major impact on widespread diseases such as hypertension and diabetes. Here we analyse the role of mediators generated by skeletal muscle activity on smooth muscle relaxation in resistance vessels in vitro and in vivo. We summarize their cellular mechanisms of action and their relative roles in exercise hyperaemia with regard to early and late responses. We also discuss the consequences of interactions among mediators with regard to identifying their functional significance. We focus on (potential) mechanisms integrating the action of the mediators and their effects among the cells of the intact arteriolar wall. This integration occurs both locally, partly due to myoendothelial communication, and axially along the vascular tree, thus enabling the local responses to be manifest along an entire functional vessel path. Though the concept of signal integration is intriguing, its specific role on the control of exercise hyperaemia and the consequences of its modulation under physiological and pathophysiological conditions still await additional analysis. [source] Hemodynamic Correlates of the Third Heart Sound and Systolic Time IntervalsCONGESTIVE HEART FAILURE, Issue 2006Sanjiv J. Shah MD Bedside diagnostic tools remain important in the care of patients with heart failure. Over the past two centuries, cardiac auscultation and phonocardiography have been essential in understanding cardiac pathophysiology and caring for patients with heart disease. Diastolic heart sounds (S3 and S4) and systolic time intervals have been particularly useful in this regard. Unfortunately, auscultation skills have declined considerably, and systolic time intervals have traditionally required carotid pulse tracings. Newer technology allows the automated detection of heart sounds and measurement of systolic time intervals in a simple, inexpensive, noninvasive system. Using the newer system, the authors present data on the hemodynamic correlates of the S3 and abnormal systolic time intervals. These data serve as the foundation for using the system to better understand the test characteristics and pathophysiology of the S3 and systolic time intervals, and help to define their use in improving the bedside diagnosis and management of patients with heart failure. [source] Conservation Status as a Biodiversity Trend Indicator: Recommendations from a Decade of Listing Species at Risk in British ColumbiaCONSERVATION BIOLOGY, Issue 4 2005JAMES F. QUAYLE especies amenazadas; especies en peligro; estado del ambiente Abstract:,Species conservation status is commonly used as a broad-scale indicator of the state of biological diversity. To learn about its value for tracking trends, we examined provincial lists of terrestrial vertebrate species and subspecies at risk in British Columbia, Canada, for 1992 and 2002 to see whether changes in these lists reflected changes in the status of the taxa they represent. Examination of the case histories of individual species and subspecies showed that 65% of additions and deletions to the British Columbia Red List were the result of improvement in knowledge of species status, changes in assessment procedures, and refinements in taxonomy rather than actual changes in a species' status. Comparison to an alternate set of rank scores provided by NatureServe for taxa that appeared on both 1992 and 2002 British Columbia Red Lists revealed changes in status that were not reflected by movement from the list. Estimates of historical conservation status for species on the 1992 British Columbia Red List demonstrated ambiguity around the natural baseline with regard to tracking changes in list composition over time. We discourage the continued use of indicators based solely on conservation status as a means of tracking biodiversity. Instead we recommend advancing strategic indicators around species at risk based on long-term monitoring data, deliberate and explicitly stated baselines, and consistent methods of conservation ranking. Resumen:,El estatus de conservación de las especies comúnmente es utilizado como un indicador de escala amplia del estado de la diversidad biológica. En un esfuerzo por aprender sobre su valor para el seguimiento de tendencias, examinamos listas provinciales, para 1992 y 2002, de especies y subespecies de vertebrados terrestres en riesgo en Columbia Británica, Canadá, para ver si los cambios en estas listas reflejaban cambios en el estatus de los taxa que representan. El examen de la historia del caso de especies y subespecies individuales mostró que 65% de las adiciones y supresiones en la Lista Roja de Columbia Británica fueron el resultado de avances en el conocimiento del estatus de la especie, de cambios en los procedimientos de evaluación y de refinamientos en la taxonomía y no de cambios en el estatus de una especie. La comparación con un conjunto alternativo de valores de clasificación proporcionado por NatureServe para taxa que aparecieron tanto en la Lista Roja de Columbia Británica de 1992 como de 2002 reveló cambios en el estatus que no se reflejaron en movimientos en la lista. Estimaciones del estatus de conservación histórico de especies en la Lista Roja de Columbia Británica de 1992 demostraron ambigüedad alrededor de la línea de base natural en relación con el seguimiento de cambios en el tiempo en la composición de la lista. Desalentamos el uso continuo de indicadores basados solamente en el estatus de conservación como un medio para el seguimiento de biodiversidad. En cambio, recomendamos avanzar con indicadores estratégicos en torno a especies en riesgo con base en datos de monitoreo de largo plazo, en líneas básicas puestas de manifiesto deliberada y explícitamente y en métodos consistentes para la clasificación de la conservación. [source] Reassessing the value of nursery areas to shark conservation and managementCONSERVATION LETTERS, Issue 2 2009Michael John Kinney Abstract Concern over declining shark populations has led to an intense interest in their conservation and management. Due to the difficulties involved in managing adult sharks, focus has been placed on young juvenile and neonate age classes that inhabit discrete inshore nursery areas. However, past confusion over what qualifies as a nursery habitat has led to the identification of vast coastal areas as nurseries, making conservation unfeasible. With the establishment of more discerning criteria for nursery area identification such concerns have been somewhat alleviated, but while effort has been put into defining, identifying, mapping, and in some cases protecting nursery areas, little attention has been paid to the practical value of nurseries for the recovery of exploited shark populations. Often neonate and young juveniles are considered the most critical age classes in terms of population stability/recovery, but evidence is mounting that suggests life stages outside the nursery may be more important in this regard. While nursery area protection should remain a component in shark management strategies it will be critical to link early life stage conservation with management strategies that encompass older individuals residing outside nurseries if effective management is to be achieved. [source] Quantitative repeated open application testing with a rinse-off product in methyldibromo glutaronitrile-sensitive patients: results of the IVDKCONTACT DERMATITIS, Issue 6 2010Annice Heratizadeh Background: While the use of methyldibromo glutaronitrile (MDBGN) in leave-on products is clearly associated with high sensitization or elicitation risk, such a clear-cut relation could be questioned with regard to rinse-off products. Objective: The objective of this study was to find a maximum non-eliciting concentration for rinse-off products in MDBGN patch test-positive patients. Patients and methods: We performed a use-related test [repeated open application test (ROAT)] in patients sensitized to MDBGN with a liquid soap containing three concentrations of MDBGN (50, 200, and 400 p.p.m. MDBGN, respectively). The soap at 50 p.p.m. was used twice daily for 4 weeks. If no reaction of the skin was observed, the product with the next higher concentration was used for another 4 weeks, etc. Results: In total, 32/37 evaluated cases [86.5%; lower exact one-sided 95% confidence limit (CL): 73.7%] did not react to any of the preparations. The remaining reacted as follows: 1/37 reacted to 50 p.p.m., 3/37 to 200 p.p.m., and 1/37 to 400 p.p.m. The cumulative non-response to 50 p.p.m. was 97.3% (lower CL: 87.8%). Conclusions: The majority of subjects sensitized to MDBGN-tolerated rinse-off products containing a maximum concentration of 400 p.p.m. A concentration in rinse-off products in the range of 50 p.p.m. could be regarded as safe for most individuals already sensitized. These concentrations will presumably prevent induction (sensitization) also. [source] Hand eczema: causes, course, and prognosis ICONTACT DERMATITIS, Issue 6 2008Niels K. Veien Background:, Hand eczema is a common dermatosis. The course is often protracted. The prognosis is not well described. Objective:, To describe in detail a consecutive cohort of hand eczema patients with regard to aetiology and morphology as well as the dynamics of the hand eczema. Patients and Methods:, This prospective study included 522 consecutive patients (175 men and 347 women with hand eczema) seen in 1 year in a private practice of dermatology. 425 (81%) of the patients were patch tested in relation to the current study. Most of the remainder had been previously patch tested. Results:, 38% had mild dermatitis, 49% had dermatitis of moderate severity, and 11% had severe dermatitis. 23% had had dermatitis for more than 10 years. 33% had irritant contact dermatitis, 13% of the men and 20% of the women had allergic contact dermatitis, and 15% of the men and 16% of the women had atopic dermatitis. For 34% of the men and 29% of the women, the dermatitis was certainly or possibly occupational. There was no relationship to smoking. Conclusions:, The majority of this cohort of hand eczema patients had long-standing disease. Irritant contact dermatitis was the most common aetiological diagnosis. [source] Sensitization to 26 fragrances to be labelled according to current European regulationCONTACT DERMATITIS, Issue 1 2007Results of the IVDK, review of the literature To study the frequency of sensitization to 26 fragrances to be labelled according to current European regulation. During 4 periods of 6 months, from 1 January 2003 to 31 December 2004, 26 fragrances were patch tested additionally to the standard series in a total of 21 325 patients; the number of patients tested with each of the fragrances ranged from 1658 to 4238. Hydroxymethylpentylcyclohexene carboxaldehyde (HMPCC) was tested throughout all periods. The following frequencies of sensitization (rates in %, standardized for sex and age) were observed: tree moss (2.4%), HMPCC (2.3), oak moss (2.0), hydroxycitronellal (1.3), isoeugenol (1.1), cinnamic aldehyde (1.0), farnesol (0.9), cinnamic alcohol (0.6), citral (0.6), citronellol (0.5), geraniol (0.4), eugenol (0.4), coumarin (0.4), lilial (0.3), amyl-cinnamic alcohol (0.3), benzyl cinnamate (0.3), benzyl alcohol (0.3), linalool (0.2), methylheptin carbonate (0.2), amyl-cinnamic aldehyde (0.1), hexyl-cinnamic aldehyde (0.1), limonene (0.1), benzyl salicylate (0.1), ,-methylionon (0.1), benzyl benzoate (0.0), anisyl alcohol (0.0). 1) Substances with higher sensitization frequencies were characterized by a considerable number of ,++/+++' reactions. 2) Substances with low sensitization frequencies were characterized by a high number of doubtful/irritant and a low number of stronger (++/+++) reactions. 3) There are obviously fragrances among the 26 which are, with regard to contact allergy, of great, others of minor, and some of no importance at all. [source] Contact allergy to farnesol in 2021 consecutively patch tested patients.CONTACT DERMATITIS, Issue 3 2004Results of the IVDK Farnesol is one of the fragrances considered to be a significant contact allergen. Therefore, it was decided by the European Union to label products containing farnesol. Farnesol was tested [5% petrolatum (pet.)] together with the standard series between 1 January 2003 and 30 June 2003 in 2021 consecutive patients, 1243 females and 778 males. Of these, 22 [1.1%, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.7,1.6%] had a positive reaction to farnesol. 147 (8.1%) of those 1825 tested to Myroxylon pereirae resin (balsam of Peru, 25% pet.) at the same time reacted positively, 143 (7.8%) of those 1823 tested to the fragrance mix (FM) (8% pet.) and 34 (1.9%) of 1831 tested to propolis (10% pet.). With regard to concomitant reactions in farnesol-positive patients, 5 of 22 reacted additionally to the FM [odds ratio (OR): 4.3; CI: 1.53,12.15] and 2 (of these 5) additionally to M. pereirae resin (OR: 1.27; CI: 0.29,5.54). The strongest association was seen to propolis (OR: 6.2; 95% CI: 1.4,27.7). Compared to those with negative reactions to farnesol, the group of patients allergic to farnesol was characterized by a higher proportion of young females and office workers, and the hand and the face were more often affected. In conclusion, farnesol is an important allergen. We recommend that farnesol should be included in a fragrance patch-test preparation and that its use should be regulated for consumer safety reasons. Furthermore, the extent of exposure to farnesol should be further studied. [source] Differences between the sexes with regard towork-related skin disease ,CONTACT DERMATITIS, Issue 2 2000Birgitta Meding Work-related skin disease is common and usually presents as hand eczema. From the Occupational Injury Information System in Sweden, as well as from registers of industrial injuries in other countries, it is evident that females report skin disease more often than males. Epidemiological studies of hand eczema also show that women are more often affected than men, in particular young women. The most common type of hand eczema is irritant contact dermatitis, which is often caused by wet work. Many female-dominated occupations involve extensive wet work, e.g., hairdressing, catering, cleaning and health-care work. These occupations are also high-risk occupations for hand eczema. Experimental studies of skin irritation have not confirmed differences between the sexes; thus, the higher prevalence of irritant contact dermatitis among females is most likely due to exposure, occupational and non-occupational. Nickel allergy is the most common contact allergy, which is most frequent in young females, and in 30,40% results over time in hand eczema. Hand eczema has an impact on quality of life and females seem to report a higher degree of discomfort than males. To achieve the optimal effect of preventive efforts regarding occupational skin disease, the focus for prevention should aim at reducing wet exposure. [source] Effects of repeated injections of fibroblast-stimulating lipopeptide-1 on fever, formation of cytokines, and on the responsiveness to endotoxin in guinea-pigsACTA PHYSIOLOGICA, Issue 1 2009A. Greis Abstract Aims:, We investigated, whether the Toll-like receptors (TLRs)-2/6-agonist fibroblast-stimulating lipopeptide-1 (FSL-1), like the TLR-4 agonist lipopolysaccharide (LPS), induces a state of tolerance. We further tested the influence of repeated pre-treatment with FSL-1 on the animals' responsiveness to LPS. Methods:, Abdominal temperature was recorded in unrestrained guinea-pigs with intra-abdominally implanted radiotransmitters. Circulating concentrations of tumour necrosis factor (TNF) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) were measured with specific bioassays. We tested the effects of intra-arterial (i.a.) or intraperitoneal (i.p.) injections of 100 ,g kg,1 FSL-1, repeated five times at intervals of 3 days. The animals' responses to i.a. or i.p. injections of 10 ,g kg,1 LPS were determined another 3 days later and compared to those of naïve guinea-pigs. Results:, The FSL-1-induced TNF peak was significantly attenuated starting with the third i.a. administration, while fever was unimpaired and the IL-6-peak just tended to decrease. Fever and IL-6 in response to i.a. injections of LPS were identical in both groups, while circulating TNF was higher in naïve compared to FSL-1 pre-treated animals. The effects of repeated i.p. injections of FSL-1 were more pronounced resulting in attenuation of fever as well as circulating TNF and IL-6, the strongest reduction observed after the third stimulation with FSL-1. Repeated i.p. pre-treatment with FSL-1 induced hyporesponsiveness to i.p. administration of LPS compared to naïve animals with regard to fever and especially with regard to LPS-induced formation of cytokines. Conclusions:, There is a development of tolerance to FSL-1 and cross-tolerance between FSL-1 and LPS depending on the route of administration of the respective TLR-2/6 and TLR-4 agonists. [source] Strategic corporate environmental management within the South African automotive industry: motivations, benefits, hurdlesCORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY AND ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT, Issue 6 2009Anderson Gwanyebit Kehbila Abstract This paper conveys the experiences of the South African automotive industry as it attempted to implement the ISO 14001 standard. Through a questionnaire-based survey, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) as well as larger companies were asked about the key motivations for engaging in environmental change, the benefits accrued and the barriers that prevented them from doing so. This paper analyzes the variation in adoption rates in order to establish different relationships between them. The results reveal substantial differences and some similarities with regard to the hurdles, benefits and motivations behind the implementation of environmental management systems (EMSs) that are hidden behind corporate rhetoric and commitment to sustainability. This paper concludes by prescribing robust recommendations that would set off the pace for government officials to incorporate effective and realistic incentives into future policy to better encourage environmental compliance and improved performance while minimizing costs both to businesses and to the Government. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment. [source] The Italian experience in social reporting: an empirical analysisCORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY AND ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT, Issue 3 2006Davide Secchi Abstract This analysis tries to discover an empirical validation to back up the hypothesis that the Italian phenomenon of social reporting has changed with regard to the past and is growing in importance. After considering the evolution of Italian literature on the issue, the paper tries to find connections between this literature and social reporting practices. Empirical findings are based on 62 Italian social reports. The paper tries to answer three questions: (a) what kind of organization publishes social reports; (b) what are the main differences, if any, between different reports belonging to diverse organizations; (c) which are the leading models. Social reports have been sorted according to three main issues: report objectives, emerging models and stakeholder mapping. Collected data suggest that there is a common ground for organizations in socially responsible behaviour, but also that this common ground fits the need of every single organization. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment. [source] Approaches to corporate sustainability among German companiesCORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY AND ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT, Issue 3 2006Tobias Hahn Abstract In this article we present the results of an online survey on the state of corporate sustainability in German companies. The survey focused on the meaning and relevance of sustainability to German companies, the motivations behind their commitment to sustainability and the use of different management tools to implement sustainability in corporate practice. Although the majority of the companies declared that sustainability plays an important role, our analysis reveals considerable differences between these companies' approaches to corporate sustainability. A cluster analysis enables us to distinguish between three significantly distinct types of approach to corporate sustainability among the respondents: sustainability leaders, environmentalists and traditionalists. These three types are characterized and discussed against previous research. The results suggest that there are substantial differences with regard to the motivation for and the implementation of corporate sustainability that are covered behind the corporate rhetoric of a high commitment to sustainability. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment. [source] Corporate socially responsible (CSR) practices in the context of Greek industryCORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY AND ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT, Issue 1 2003Dr Constantina Bichta This paper sets out to describe the level of corporate environmental responsibility of the Greek industrial sector. While the level of corporate socially responsible behaviour has been widely explored in the context of Northern European industry, the theoretical work surrounding the level of CSR practices of Greek industry is underdeveloped. A qualitative study was designed to increase awareness about the level of environmental responsibility of two Greek firms, which represented the chemical/fertilizer and metal sectors. The empirical findings suggest that a number of factors, both internal and external, determine the level of environmental policy and performance of the two companies. The environmental policy of the companies appears also to relate to the sector of operation. The paper concludes that the Greek business actor should look at his workforce in order to accelerate the environmental activities of the organization. With regard to the theory of CSR, it is argued that the development of a model of CSR is aided by the study and identification of factors that support and/or undermine the socially responsible behaviour of the European corporate sector. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. and ERP Environment. [source] | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||