LS 4825: A blue supergiant on the far side of the galaxy

We present high-resolution spectroscopic observations of LS 4825, a V = 12 B-type star in the Galactic center direction. On the basis of its stellar and interstellar spectra, we infer that it is likely to be a young supergiant at a distance of 21 +/- 5 kpc, and hence lying on the far side of the 'Galaxy. Adopting this hypothesis, a differential abundance analysis shows LS 4825 to have a chemical composition that is consistent with local B-type supergiants. These observations therefore represent the first detailed investigation of a star on the far side of the Galactic center. We trace multiple interstellar components in Ca II K and Na I D spectra, with velocities -206 less than or equal to v(lst) less than or equal to +93 km s(-1). We consider the likely origin of this gas and find that some components appear to trace matter lying close to the Galactic center. We discuss the possible use of such sight lines in furthering our understanding both of the nature of gas around the Galactic center and of the abundance gradient of the Galaxy.

Neolithic farming in north-western Europe: archaeobotanical evidence from Ireland

This paper presents significant new insights into the appearance of agriculture at the north- western edge of Europe, focusing on Neolithic Ireland (4000-2500 cal BC). Previous studies were based upon a limited plant macro-remains dataset, as much of the Irish evidence is unpublished. A research project, 'Cultivating Societies', was implemented to examine the nature, timing and extent of agricultural activity in Neolithic Ireland through collation and analysis of different strands of published and unpublished archaeological and environmental evidence, with a particular focus on plant macro- remains, pollen, settlement and 14C data. Plant macro-remains from a total of 52 excavated sites were collated and analysed, representing the most comprehensive study to date of Neolithic plant remains from this region. Cereals were present at many locations and site types, sometimes in large quantities and most often at sites dating to the earlier Neolithic (3750-3600 cal BC). Emmer wheat was the dominant crop, at least at this time. Other crops included naked and hulled barley, naked wheat, einkorn wheat and flax. Analysis of arable weeds indicates that early plots were not managed under a shifting cultivation regime, which has important implications for understanding Neolithic settlement practices and how communities engaged with landscapes. The variety of crops cultivated in Neolithic Ireland is similar to those in Britain, reflecting a decreasing diversity in crop types as agriculture spread from south-east to north-west Europe.

The justice-workplace health relationship:The mediating role of emotions

Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to examine the mediational effects of positive and negative emotions in the relationship between organisational justice and health. Design/methodology/approach - This cross-sectional research obtained data from 206 workers employed within the financial/banking, manufacturing, and retail industries in Barbados. Findings - Structural equation modelling analyses revealed that positive and negative emotions completely mediated the effects of relational justice (but not procedural justice) on overall health. Research limitations/implications - Research was cross-sectional, and relied on self-report measures. The findings suggest that employers must properly evaluate their health and safety policies and practices in the organisation to ensure that aspects of the psychosocial work environment are being properly implemented, managed, and monitored, to ensure that individuals' health and well-being are not at risk. Originality/value - The paper represents a first attempt to investigate the roles of positive and negative emotions in the justice-health relationship in a different cultural context such as the Caribbean. Justice has been rarely researched as a psychosocial work stressor. The study described in the paper focused on multiple health outcomes. Copyright © 2012 Emerald Group Publishing Limited. All rights reserved.

Non-Trade Mark Use

Examines the extent to which the approach of the EU and UK courts towards the enforcement of trade mark rights is contrary to the public interest in the sense that it diminishes non-commercial interests and the freedom of expression. Comments on the European Court of Justice ruling in Arsenal Football Club Plc v Reed (C-206/01) on whether the trade mark rights over the name ARSENAL prevented its use on unofficial merchandise as a sign of club affiliation. Assesses the sufficiency of the infringement exceptions provided by Directive 2008/95 (Trade Mark Directive) art.6.

Reciprocal value propositions in practice: Constraints in digital markets

The value proposition concept, while forming a central foundational premise of service-dominant (S-D) logic, has nevertheless been treated somewhat ambiguously. Recent work in attempting to address this has focused through a S-D logic lens on the reciprocal nature of value propositions. Important to this work has been a focus on communicative interactions and resource integration between network suppliers and customers. Overall, value proposition thinking has not studied in detail their adoption and use in practice. Considering the compelling notion of reciprocity, there have been recent calls for research to consider reciprocal value propositions in practice. The overall aim of this paper, therefore, was to explore how reciprocal value propositions are developed (or not) in practice at the network level. The study was set in the mobile television (TV) sector, which, as an internet-driven sector, is viewed as particularly pertinent. To conduct the study an S-D logic and Industrial Marketing and Purchasing (IMP) Group framework are integrated for the first time. A key finding is that while the reciprocal value proposition concept is theoretically intuitive, it is by no means inevitable in practice. Reciprocal value propositions were found to be simultaneously constrained, and, potentially enabled by these constraints in practice. At an overall level this paper contributes to the ongoing collaborative process, which aims to move S-D logic from a framework to a theory. More specifically, we provide new insights into the development of reciprocal value propositions in practice.

Oxidative-nitrosative stress and systemic vascular function in highlanders with and without exaggerated hypoxemia

ABSTRACT BACKGROUND: Acute exposure to high-altitude stimulates free radical formation in lowlanders yet whether this persists during chronic exposure in healthy well-adapted and maladapted highlanders suffering from chronic mountain sickness (CMS) remains to be established. METHODS: Oxidative-nitrosative stress [ascorbate radical (A•-), electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy and nitrite (NO2-), ozone-based chemiluminescence] was assessed in venous blood of 25 male highlanders living at 3,600 m with (n = 13, CMS+) and without (n = 12, CMS-) CMS. Twelve age and activity-matched healthy male lowlanders were examined at sea-level and during acute hypoxia. We also measured flow-mediated dilatation (FMD), arterial stiffness (AIx-75) and carotid intima-media thickness (IMT). RESULTS: Compared to normoxic lowlanders, oxidative-nitrosative stress was moderately increased in CMS- (P < 0.05) as indicated by elevated A•- (3,191 ± 457 vs. 2,640 ± 445 arbitrary units (AU)] and lower NO2- (206 ± 55 vs. 420 ± 128 nmol/L) whereas vascular function remained preserved. This was comparable to that observed during acute hypoxia in lowlanders in whom vascular dysfunction is typically observed. In contrast, this response was markedly exaggerated in CMS+ (A•-: 3,765 ± 429 AU and NO2- : 148 ± 50 nmol/L) compared to both CMS- and lowlanders (P < 0.05). This was associated with systemic vascular dysfunction as indicated by lower (P < 0.05 vs. CMS-) FMD (4.2 ± 0.7 vs. 7.6 ± 1.7 %) and increased AIx-75 (23 ± 8 vs. 12 ± 7 %) and carotid IMT (714 ± 127 vs. 588 ± 94 µM). CONCLUSIONS: Healthy highlanders display a moderate sustained elevation in oxidative-nitrosative stress that unlike the equivalent increase evoked by acute hypoxia in healthy lowlanders, failed to affect vascular function. Its more marked elevation in patients with CMS may contribute to systemic vascular dysfunction.Clinical Trials Gov Registration # NCT011827921Neurovascular Research Laboratory, Faculty of Health, Science and Sport, University of Glamorgan, Wales, UK;2Sondes Moléculaires en Biologie et Stress Oxydant, Institut de Chimie Radicalaire, CNRS UMR 7273, Aix-Marseille University, France;3Department of Cardiology, University Hospital of Bern, Bern, Switzerland;4Institute of Clinical Physiology, CNR, Pisa, Italy;5Instituto Bolivano de Biologia de Altura, La Paz, Bolivia;6Centre for Clinical and Population Sciences, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, Northern Ireland,7Botnar Center for Clinical Research, Hirslanden Group, Lausanne, Switzerland;8Facultad de Ciencias, Departamento de Biología, Universidad de Tarapacá, Arica, Chile and9Department of Internal Medicine, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Vaudois, Lausanne, Switzerland*Drs Bailey, Rimoldi, Scherrer and Sartori contributed equally to this workCorrespondence: Damian Miles Bailey, Neurovascular Research Laboratory, Faculty of Health, Science and Sport, University of Glamorgan, UK CF37 4AT email: dbailey1@glam.ac.uk.

Comorbidities and current smoking status amongst patients starting renal replacement therapy in England, Wales and Northern Ireland from 2003 to 2008: national and centre-specific analyses

Introduction: The prevalence of comorbidities in incident renal replacement therapy (RRT) patients changes with age and varies between ethnic groups. This study describes these associations and the independent effect of comorbidities on outcomes. Methods: Adult patients starting RRT between 2003 and 2008 in centres reporting to the UK Renal Registry (UKRR) with data on comorbidity (n ¼ 14,909) were included. The UKRR studied the association of comorbidity with patient demographics, treatment modality, haemoglobin, renal function at start of RRT and subsequent listing for kidney transplantation. The relationship between comorbidities and mortality at 90 days and one year after 90 days from start of RRT was explored using Cox regression. Results: Completeness of comorbidity data was 40.0% compared with 54.3% in 2003. Of patients with data, 53.8% had one or more comorbidities. Diabetes mellitus and ischaemic heart disease were the most common conditions seen in 30.1% and 22.7% of patients respectively. Current smoking was recorded for 14.5% of incident RRT patients in the 6-year period. Comorbidities became more common with increasing age in all ethnic groups although the difference between the 65–74 and 75+ age groups was not significant. Within each age group, South Asians and Blacks had lower rates of comorbidity, despite higher rates of diabetes mellitus. In multivariate survival analysis, malignancy and ischaemic/neuropathic ulcers were the strongest independent predictors of poor survival at 1 year after 90 days from the start of RRT. Conclusion: Differences in prevalence of comorbid illnesses in incident RRT patients may reflect variation in access to health care or competing risk prior to commencing treatment. At the same time, smoking rates remained high in this ‘at risk’ population. Further work on this and ways to improve comorbidity reporting should be priorities for 2010–11.