Spatial Mobility Intentions, the Labour Market and Incapacity Benefit Claimants Evidence from Northern Ireland

The paper analyses the work-related spatial mobility intentions of incapacity benefit (IB) claimants in Northern Ireland using a new survey dataset. Greater understanding of the prospective mobility of benefit claimants contributes to debates about employability, inclusion in the labour market and arguments about spatial mismatch. The analysis finds that IB claimants are not markedly less mobile than other population groups; that mobility is shaped by age, level of qualification, illness type, ability to drive and motivation; and that geography is important in several ways. The paper concludes by arguing that limited spatial mobility is a good indicator of disadvantage and that spatial mobility should be placed nearer the centre of the design and delivery of labour market policy

Association of dietary fat intakes with risk of esophageal and gastric cancer in the NIH-AARP diet and health study

The aim of our study was to investigate whether intakes of total fat and fat subtypes were associated with esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC), esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC), gastric cardia or gastric noncardia adenocarcinoma. From 1995–1996, dietary intake data was reported by 494,978 participants of the NIH-AARP cohort. The 630 EAC, 215 ESCC, 454 gastric cardia and 501 gastric noncardia adenocarcinomas accrued to the cohort. Cox proportional hazards regression was used to examine the association between the dietary fat intakes, whilst adjusting for potential confounders. Although apparent associations were observed in energy-adjusted models, multivariate adjustment attenuated results to null [e.g., EAC energy adjusted hazard ratio (HR) and 95% confidence interval (95% CI) 1.66 (1.27–2.18) p for trend <0.01; EAC multivariate adjusted HR (95% CI) 1.17 (0.84–1.64) p for trend 5 0.58]. Similar patterns were also observed for fat subtypes [e.g., EAC saturated fat, energy adjusted HR (95% CI) 1.79 (1.37–2.33) p for trend <0.01; EAC saturated fat, multivariate adjusted HR (95% CI) 1.27 (0.91–1.78) p for trend 5 0.28]. However, in multivariate models an inverse association for polyunsaturated fat (continuous) was seen for EAC in subjects with a body mass index (BMI) in the normal range (18.5–<25 kg/m2) [HR (95% CI) 0.76 (0.63–0.92)], that was not present in overweight subjects [HR (95% CI) 1.04 (0.96–1.14)], or in unstratified analysis [HR (95% CI) 0.97 (0.90–1.05)]. p for interaction 5 0.02. Overall, we found null associations between the dietary fat intakes with esophageal or gastric cancer risk; although a protective effect of polyunsaturated fat intake was seen for EAC in subjects with a normal BMI.

POINT-AGAPE pixel lensing survey of M31 - Evidence for a MACHO contribution to galactic halos

The POINT-AGAPE collaboration is carrying out a search for gravitational microlensing toward M31 to reveal galactic dark matter in the form of MACHOs (Massive Astrophysical Compact Halo Objects) in the halos of the Milky Way and M31. A high-threshold analysis of 3 years of data yields 6 bright, short- duration microlensing events, which are confronted to a simulation of the observations and the analysis. The observed signal is much larger than expected from self lensing alone and we conclude, at the 95% confidence level, that at least 20% of the halo mass in the direction of M31 must be in the form of MACHOs if their average mass lies in the range 0.5-1 M-circle dot. This lower bound drops to 8% for MACHOs with masses similar to 0.01 M-circle dot. In addition, we discuss a likely binary microlensing candidate with caustic crossing. Its location, some 32' away from the centre of M31, supports our conclusion that we are detecting a MACHO signal in the direction of M31.

The Development of Corporate Identity: A Political Perspective

A corporate identity denotes a set of attributes that senior managers ascribe to their organization. It is therefore an organizational identity articulated by a powerful interest group. It can constitute a claim which serves inter alia to justify the authority vested in top managers and to further their interests. The academic literature on organizational identity, and on corporate identity in particular, pays little attention to these political considerations. It focuses in an apolitical manner on shared meanings when corporate identity works, or on cognitive dissonance when it breaks down. In response to this analytical void, we develop a political analysis of corporate identity and its development, using as illustration a longitudinal study of successive changes in the corporate identity of a Brazilian telecommunications company. This suggests a cyclical model in which corporate identity definition and redefinition involve power relations, resource mobilization and struggles for legitimacy. © Blackwell Publishing Ltd 2007.

Interceptive skills in children aged 9-11 years, diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder

Growing evidence suggests that significant motor problems are associated with a diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD), particularly in catching tasks. Catching is a complex, dynamic skill that involves the ability to synchronise one's own movement to that of a moving target. To successfully complete the task, the participant must pick up and use perceptual information about the moving target to arrive at the catching place at the right time. This study looks at catching ability in children diagnosed with ASD (mean age 10.16 ± 0.9 years) and age-matched non-verbal (9.72 ± 0.79 years) and receptive language (9.51 ± 0.46) control groups. Participants were asked to "catch" a ball as it rolled down a fixed ramp. Two ramp heights provided two levels of task difficulty, whilst the sensory information (audio and visual) specifying ball arrival time was varied. Results showed children with ASD performed significantly worse than both the receptive language (p =.02) and non-verbal (p =.02) control groups in terms of total number of balls caught. A detailed analysis of the movement kinematics showed that difficulties with picking up and using the sensory information to guide the action may be the source of the problem. © 2013 Elsevier Ltd.

Characterization, crystallization and preliminary X—ray diffraction analysis of acutohaemolysin, a haemolytic toxin from Agkistrodon acutus venom

Acutohaemolysin, a phospholipase A2 (PLA2) from the venom of the snake Agkistrodon acutus, has been isolated and purified to homogeneity by anion-exchange chromatography on a DEAE-Sepharose column followed by cation-exchange chromatography on a CM-Sepharose column. It is an alkaline protein with an isoelectric point of 10.5 and is comprised of a single polypeptide chain of 13 938 Da. Its N-terminal amino-acid sequence shows very high similarity to Lys49-type PLA2 proteins from other snake venoms. Although its PLA2 enzymatic activity is very low, acutohaemolysin has a strong indirect haemolytic activity and anticoagulant activity. Acutohaemolysin crystals with a diffraction limit of 1.60 Å were obtained by the hanging-drop vapour-diffusion method. The crystals belong to the space group C2, with unit-cell parameters a = 45.30, b = 59.55, c = 46.13 Å, [beta] = 117.69°. The asymmetric unit contains one molecule

NSUN4 Is a Dual Function Mitochondrial Protein Required for Both Methylation of 12S rRNA and Coordination of Mitoribosomal Assembly

Biogenesis of mammalian mitochondrial ribosomes requires a concerted maturation of both the small (SSU) and large subunit (LSU). We demonstrate here that the m(5)C methyltransferase NSUN4, which forms a complex with MTERF4, is essential in mitochondrial ribosomal biogenesis as mitochondrial translation is abolished in conditional Nsun4 mouse knockouts. Deep sequencing of bisulfite-treated RNA shows that NSUN4 methylates cytosine 911 in 12S rRNA (m5C911) of the SSU. Surprisingly, NSUN4 does not need MTERF4 to generate this modification. Instead, the NSUN4/MTERF4 complex is required to assemble the SSU and LSU to form a monosome. NSUN4 is thus a dual function protein, which on the one hand is needed for 12S rRNA methylation and, on the other hand interacts with MTERF4 to facilitate monosome assembly. The presented data suggest that NSUN4 has a key role in controlling a final step in ribosome biogenesis to ensure that only the mature SSU and LSU are assembled.

Corporate ownership and control in Victorian Britain

Using ownership and control data for 890 firm‐years, this article examines the concentration of capital and voting rights in British companies in the second half of the nineteenth century. We find that both capital and voting rights were diffuse by modern‐day standards. However, this does not necessarily mean that there was a modern‐style separation of ownership from control in Victorian Britain. One major implication of our findings is that diffuse ownership was present in the UK much earlier than previously thought, and given that it occurred in an era with weak shareholder protection law, it somewhat undermines the influential law and finance hypothesis. We also find that diffuse ownership is correlated with large boards, a London head office, non‐linear voting rights, and shares traded on multiple markets.

Rapid and efficient production of L-lactate from xylose using electrodialysis culture-associated product separation

L-Lactate was produced from xylose using electrodialysis culture (ED-C)-associated product separation. In a medium containing 50 g xylose/l, the ED-C was completed in only 32 h (i.e. less than half the time taken by the control culture, without electrodialysis). At 80 g xylose/l, the control culture was unable to consume more than 50 g xylose/1, whereas the ED-C showed increased xylose consumption and was completed by 45 h. The maximum rate of lactate production in the ED-C was higher than that in the control culture. ED-C was also carried out (at 80 g initial xylose/ l) with a supply of fresh xylose-free medium. This ED-C was completed within 30 h, which represents a reduction in fermentation time of 15 h when compared to ED-C without addition of xylose-free medium. Thus, rapid production of L-lactate was achieved by using ED-C which supplied fresh xylose-free medium.

Hirschsprung's disease prevalence in Europe: A register based study

Background: Hirschsprung's disease is a congenital gut motility disorder, characterised by the absence of the enteric ganglion cells along the distal gut. The aim of this study was to describe the epidemiology of Hirschsprung's disease, including additional congenital anomalies, total prevalence, trends, and association with maternal age. Methods: Cases of Hirschsprung's disease delivered during 1980 to 2009 notified to 31 European Surveillance of Congenital Anomaly registers formed the population-based case-series. Prevalence rates and 95% confidence intervals were calculated as the number of cases per 10,000 births. Multilevel Poisson regression was performed to investigate trends in prevalence, geographical variation and the association with maternal age. Results: There were 1,322 cases of Hirschsprung's disease among 12,146,210 births. The total prevalence was 1.09 (95% confidence interval, 1.03–1.15) per 10,000 births and there was a small but significant increase in prevalence over time (relative risk = 1.01; 95% credible interval, 1.00–1.02; p = 0.004). There was evidence of geographical heterogeneity in prevalence (p < 0.001). Excluding 146 (11.0%) cases with chromosomal anomalies or genetic syndromes, there were 1,176 cases (prevalence = 0.97; 95% confidence interval, 0.91–1.03 per 10,000 births), of which 137 (11.6%) had major structural anomalies. There was no evidence of a significant increased risk of Hirschsprung's disease in cases born to women aged ≥35 years compared with those aged 25 to 29 (relative risk = 1.09; 95% credible interval, 0.91–1.31; p = 0.355). Conclusion: This large population-based study found evidence of a small increasing trend in Hirschsprung's disease and differences in prevalence by geographic location. There was also no evidence of an association with maternal age.

Low-dose aspirin and survival from lung cancer: a population-based cohort study

Background
Preclinical evidence suggests that aspirin may inhibit lung cancer progression. In a large cohort of lung cancer patients, we investigated whether low-dose aspirin use was associated with a reduction in the risk of lung cancer-specific mortality.

Methods
We identified lung cancer patients from English cancer registries diagnosed between 1998 to 2009 from the National Cancer Data Repository. Medication usage was obtained from linkages to the UK Clinical Practice Research Datalink and lung cancer-specific deaths were identified from Office of National Statistics mortality data. Hazard ratios (HR) and 95 % confidence intervals (CI) for the association between low-dose aspirin use (before and after diagnosis) and risk of lung cancer-specific mortality were calculated using Cox regression models.

Results
A total of 14,735 lung cancer patients were identified during the study period. In analysis of 3,635 lung cancer patients, there was no suggestion of an association between low-dose aspirin use after diagnosis and cancer-specific mortality (adjusted HR = 0.96, 95 % CI: 0.85, 1.09). Similarly, no association was evident for low-dose aspirin use before diagnosis and cancer-specific mortality (adjusted HR = 1.00, 95 % CI: 0.95, 1.05). Associations were comparable by duration of use and for all-cause mortality.

Conclusion
Overall, we found little evidence of a protective association between low-dose aspirin use and cancer-specific mortality in a large population-based lung cancer cohort.

A method of measuring anterior chamber volume using the anterior segment optical coherence tomographer and specialized software.

PURPOSE: To describe and evaluate a new method for measuring anterior chamber volume (ACV). DESIGN: Observational case series. METHODS: The authors measured ACV using the anterior chamber (AC) optical coherence tomographer (OCT) and applied image-processing software developed by them. Repeatability was evaluated. The ACV was measured in patient groups with normal ACs, shallow ACs, and deep ACs. The volume difference before and after laser peripheral iridotomy (LPI) was analyzed for the shallow and deep groups. RESULTS: Coefficients of repeatability for intraoperator, interoperator, and interimage measurements were 0.406%, 0.958%, and 0.851%, respectively. The limits of agreement for intraoperator and interoperator measurement were -0.911 microl to 1.343 microl and -7.875 microl to -2.463 microl, respectively. There were significant ACV differences in normal, shallow, and deep AC eyes (P < .001) and before and after LPI in shallow AC (P < .001) and deep AC (P = .008) eyes. CONCLUSIONS: The ACV values obtained by this method were repeatable and in accord with clinical observation.

Contributo da procura de amenidades rurais numa óptica de marketing territorial - Estudo de caso na Albufeira da Barragem do Castelo de Bode

Nesta comunicação apresentam-se os resultados do trabalho de campo realizado nas localidades de Dornes, Castanheira e Ilha do Lombo, situadas na margem da Albufeira da Barragem do Castelo de Bode. Pretendendo-se avaliar a possibilidade de analisar as novas procuras do rural, numa óptica do marketing territorial, a investigação realizada focou-se particularmente na necessidade de conhecer o perfil dos utilizadores do território escrutinando atitudes e percepções face ao consumo das amenidades rurais nele inventariadas. A partir da informação obtida pela aplicação de um inquérito aos utilizadores do território, discutem-se as diferenças evidenciadas que indiciaram uma associação entre grupos de amenidades rurais usufruídas com clusters de utilizadores dos territórios rurais. O principal desafio será o de proceder à integração dos diferentes elementos territoriais, reconhecendo eventuais vectores de valorização dos territórios rurais contribuindo, para que numa óptica de marketing territorial, se definam estratégias de intervenção da oferta territorial em favor do bem estar dos públicos-alvo seleccionados e do incremento da atractividade dos territórios rurais.