The role of languages in organization internationalisation

It has been suggested that British firms may be losing out on valuable export sales because of their lack of language skills. The information presented in the article provides an insight into the role of language training and its relationship to export growth. The authors conclude that an external presence of UK firms is likely to depend to a great extent on strategic planning for language training

Devonian plutons in southeastern Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia

Four granitic plutons and a suite of granitic dykes of Devonian age occur in the Mira (Avalon) Terrane of southeastern Cape Breton Island. Granodiorite gradational to granite in the Lower St. Esprit pluton is chemically distinct from and unlikely to be genetically linked to comparable units in the other plutons. The Salmon River pluton consists of highly evolved rhyolite porphyry and is also not likely to be genetically linked to the other units. In contrast, the Gillis Mountain and Deep Cove plutons and.the Blue Mountain dykes are interpreted to be co-genetic and possibly co-magmatic on the basis of chemical continuity among their units, which range in composition from quartz monzodiorite to granite and rhyolite porphyry. They have I-type petrographic and chemical features, whereas the Lower St. Esprit has some M-type characteristics and the Salmon River rhyolite porphyry appears transitional between felsic I-type and A-type granites. Cu-Mo mineralization is associated with the Gillis Mountain pluton, and polymetallic Cu-Mo-Pb-Zn-Bi-Ag mineralization with greisen zones in the Deep Cove pluton and with skarn in the Blue Mountain contact metamorphic aureole. Minor Cu-Zn mineralization occurs adjacent to the Lower St. Esprit pluton, although a definite genetic relationship with thc pluton has not been established. Trace Pb mineralization has been reported from the Salmon River pluton. The origin of these Devonian plutons is uncertain, but is postulated to have been linked to regional strike-slip faulting and extension. RÉSUMÉ Quatre plutons granitiques et une suite de dykes granitiques d'âge Dévonien giseent dans le terrain de Mira (Avalon) du sud-est de l'ile-du-Cap-Breton. La granodiorite, en transition avec du granite, du pluton de Lower St-Esprit est chimiquement distincte et n'est probablement pas reliée génétiquement aux unités comparables des autres plutons. Le pluton de la rivière Salmon consiste en une rhyolite porphyrique très évoluée et n'est probablement pas relié génétiquement aux autres unités. En contraste, les plutons des monts Gillis et de l'anse Deep ainsi que les dykes du mont Blue sont interprétés comme étant cogénétiques et possiblement comagmatiques, sur la base de la continuité chimique entre leurs unités, qui vont des monzodiorites quartzifères aux granites et aux rhyolites porphyriques. Ces roches intrusives ont des caractéristiques pétrographiques et chimiques de granites de type I tandis que le pluton de Lower St-Esprii a quelqucs caractéristiques de type M et que la rhyolite porphyrique de la rivière Salmon semble être transitionnelle entre les granites felsiques de type I et ceux de type A. De la minéralisation en Cu-Mo est associée au pluton du mont Gillis, de la minéralisation polymétallique en Cu-Mo-Pb-Zn-Bi-Ag avec des zones de greisen se retrouvé dans le pluton de l'anse Deep et il y a des skarns dans l'aurdole métamorphique du mont Blue. Il y a des occurences mineures de minéralisation en Cu-Zn près du pluton de Lower St-Esprit bien qu'un lien génctique définitif avec le pluton n'ait pas été établi. Des traces de minéralisation en Pb sont mentionnées pour le pluton de la rivière Salmon. L'origine de ces plutons dévoniens est incertaine mais on suppose qu'elle est reliée aux failles de décrochement et d'extension régionales. [Traduit par le journal

Geological setting and depositional environment of the Stirling Group of southeastern Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia

The Stirling Group consists of ca. 680 Ma volcanic and volcaniclastic rocks, interpreted to have been deposited in and around a trough flanked by felsic volcanic centres. The volcaniclastic rocks are dominated by lapilli tuff and tuffaceous litharenite sequences. The lapilli tuffs show some evidence of subaqueous reworking but most may have originated as air-fall deposits. Sedimentary structures in the litharenites suggest subaqueous mass transport into the trough and deposition below wave base. Pyritic siltstone-chert-carbonate laminites, which are locally associated with the litharenites along the southeastern side of the trough adjacent to felsic volcanic centres, probably represent a mixture of fine-grained distal turbidites and chemical precipitates from subaqueous volcanic exhalations. The volcanic rocks of the Stirling Group do not show convincing evidence for subaqueous deposition: the felsic rocks appear to form subvolcanic intrusions and domes flanked by felsic crystal-rich lapilli tuff and rare welded(?) tuff; the mafic volcanic rocks are not pillowed but are closely associated with breccias which may have formed partly by quench fragmentation. The overall facies assemblage and its association with VMS Zn-Pb-Cu-Ag-Au mineralization are compatible with generation in an intra-arc basin. As the Stirling Group is significantly older than the volcanic belts which flank it, it may represent a tectonically displaced remnant of a pre-existing arc. RÉSUMÉ Le Groupe de Stirling consiste en roches volcaniques et volcanoclastiques d'environ 680 Ma, interprétées comme ayant été déposées à l'intérieur et autour d'une fosse bordée de centres volcaniques felsiques. Les roches volcanoclastiques sont dominées par des séequences de tufs à lapilli et de litharénites tuffacées. Les tufs à lapilli montrent quelques évidences de remaniement subaqueux mais la plupart pourraient être des dépôts de retombées aériennes. Les structures sédimentaires dans les litharénites suggerent des mouvements de masse subaqueux dans la fosse et une déposition sous la base des vagues. Des laminites de siltstone pyriteux, chert et carbonates, qui sont localement associees aux litharenites le long du flanc sud-est de la fosse I proximite des centres volcaniques felsiques, représentent probablement un melange de turbidites distales à grain fin et de précipités chimiques provenant d'exhalaisons volcaniques sous-marines. Les roches volcaniques du Groupe de Stirling ne montrent pas d'evidences convaincantes de dépôt sous-marin: les roches felsiques semblent former des intrusions subvolcaniques et des domes bordés de tufs à lapilli felsiques riches en cristaux et de rares tufs soudés (?); les roches volcaniques mafiques ne sont pas coussinees mais sont etroitement associées à des brèches qui ont pu en partie se former par fragmentation relive à la trempe. L'assemblage général de faciès et son association avec de la minéralisation en sulfures massifs volcanogenes de Zn-Pb-Cu-Ag-Au sont compatibles avec une formation dans un bassin intra-arc. Comme le Groupe de Stirling est nettement plus ancien que les ceintures volcaniques qui le bordent, il pourrait représenter un vestige d'un arc préexistant déplacé tectoniquement. [Traduit par la rédaction

Female teat size is a reliable indicator of annual breeding success in European badgers: Genetic validation

Assessing which females have bred successfully is a central requirement in many ecological field studies, providing an estimate of the effective female population size. Researchers have applied teat measurements previously to assess whether females, in a variety of mammalian species, have bred; however, this technique has not been validated genetically. Furthermore, several analytical techniques are available to classify individuals, but their misclassification rates have not been compared. We used 22 microsatellite loci to assign maternity, with 95% confidence, within a high-density population of European badgers Meles meles, as plural and subterranean breeding means that maternity cannot be inferred from behavioural observations. The teat lengths and diameters of 136 females, measured May–July 1994–2005, from social groups in which all offspring were assigned a mother, were reliable indicators of recent breeding success. A Generalised Linear Mixed Model (GLMM) classified both breeding and non-breeding females with lower error rates than discriminant analyses and crude teat-size criteria. The GLMM model logit probability = −20 + 1.8 month + 1.6 mean teat length + 1.0 mean teat diameter can be applied quickly in the field to assess the probability with which a female badger should be assigned maternity. This is a low-cost measure which, after validation, could be used in other badger or mammalian populations to assess the breeding success of females. This may be a particularly useful welfare tool for veterinary practitioners, especially during badger culls

Erosion protection benefits of stabilized SnF2 dentifrice versus an arginine–sodium monofluorophosphate dentifrice:results from in vitro and in situ clinical studies

OBJECTIVES: The aim of these investigations was to assess the ability of two fluoride dentifrices to protect against the initiation and progression of dental erosion using a predictive in vitro erosion cycling model and a human in situ erosion prevention clinical trial for verification of effectiveness. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A stabilized stannous fluoride (SnF(2)) dentifrice (0.454 % SnF(2) + 0.077 % sodium fluoride [NaF]; total F = 1450 ppm F) [dentifrice A] and a sodium monofluorophosphate [SMFP]/arginine dentifrice (1.1 % SMFP + 1.5 % arginine; total F = 1450 ppm F) [dentifrice B] were tested in a 5-day in vitro erosion cycling model and a 10-day randomized, controlled, double-blind, two-treatment, four-period crossover in situ clinical trial. In each study, human enamel specimens were exposed to repetitive product treatments using a standardized dilution of test products followed by erosive acid challenges in a systematic fashion. RESULTS: Both studies demonstrated statistically significant differences between the two products, with dentifrice A providing significantly better enamel protection in each study. In vitro, dentifrice A provided a 75.8 % benefit over dentifrice B (p < 0.05, ANOVA), while after 10 days in the in situ model, dentifrice A provided 93.9 % greater protection versus dentifrice B (p < 0.0001, general linear mixed model). CONCLUSION: These results support the superiority of stabilized SnF(2) dentifrices for protecting human teeth against the initiation and progression of dental erosion. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Stabilized SnF(2) dentifrices may provide more significant benefits to consumers than conventional fluoride dentifrices

Collaborative Leadership Is Key for Maine’s Forest Products Industry

The forest products industry is economically, socially, culturally, and environmentally important to Maine. Thus, Maine’s future economy depends greatly on the leadership in this industry. Effective leadership grows out of understanding the changes that are taking place in the industry and finding innovative ways to address unexpected challenges and emerging opportunities. During times of change, many industry leaders settle for maintaining the status quo. The forest products industry in Maine, however, is systematically assessing the ways the landscape is changing. Rather than continuing on the same path, the industry is gathering insights that could lead to a vibrant, but perhaps different, future. What we report here is an innovative process that actively solicits insights reflecting the diverse perspectives of those who work in different subsectors of the industry. What is emerging is evidence of the importance of collective leadership that brings together different areas of knowledge. We report on the process, the emerging findings, and the implications for leadership in moving forward

Compartmentalised expression of meprin in small intestinal mucosa: enhanced expression in lamina propria in coeliac disease

Epithelial cells in the human small intestine express meprin, an astacin-like metalloprotease, which accumulates normally at the brush border membrane and in the gut lumen. Therefore, meprin is targeted towards luminal components. In coeliac disease patients, peptides from ingested cereals trigger mucosal inflammation in the small intestine, disrupting epithelial cell differentiation and function. Using in situ hybridisation on duodenal tissue sections, we observed a marked shift of meprin mRNA expression from epithelial cells, the predominant expression site in normal mucosa, to lamina propria leukocytes in coeliac disease. Meprin thereby gains access to the substrate repertoire present beneath the epitheliu

Fluids or vasopressors for the initial resuscitation of septic shock

Intravenous fluid resuscitation is recommended first-line treatment for sepsis-associated hypotension and/or hypoperfusion. The rationale is to restore circulating volume and optimize cardiac output in the setting of shock. Nonetheless, there is limited high-level evidence to support this practice. Over the past decade emerging evidence of harm associated with large volume fluid resuscitation among patients with septic shock has led to calls for a more conservative approach. Specifically, clinical trials undertaken in Africa have found harm associated with initial fluid resuscitation in the setting of infection and hypoperfusion. While translating these findings to practice in other settings is problematic, there has been a re-appraisal of current practice with some recommending earlier use of vasopressors rather than repeated fluid boluses as an alternative to restore perfusion in septic shock. There is consequently uncertainty and variation in practice. The question of fluids or vasopressors for initial resuscitation in septic shock is the subject of international multicentre clinical trials

Moving Towards a New Vision: Implementation of a Public Health Policy Intervention

Background Public health systems in Canada have undergone significant policy renewal over the last decade in response to threats to the public’s health, such as severe acute respiratory syndrome. There is limited research on how public health policies have been implemented or what has influenced their implementation. This paper explores policy implementation in two exemplar public health programs -chronic disease prevention and sexually-transmitted infection prevention - in Ontario, Canada. It examines public health service providers’, managers’ and senior managements’ perspectives on the process of implementation of the Ontario Public Health Standards 2008 and factors influencing implementation. Methods Public health staff from six health units representing rural, remote, large and small urban settings were included. We conducted 21 focus groups and 18 interviews between 2010 (manager and staff focus groups) and 2011 (senior management interviews) involving 133 participants. Research assistants coded transcripts and researchers reviewed these; the research team discussed and resolved discrepancies. To facilitate a breadth of perspectives, several team members helped interpret the findings. An integrated knowledge translation approach was used, reflected by the inclusion of academics as well as decision-makers on the team and as co-authors. Results Front line service providers often were unaware of the new policies but managers and senior management incorporated them in operational and program planning. Some participants were involved in policy development or provided feedback prior to their launch. Implementation was influenced by many factors that aligned with Greenhalgh and colleagues’ empirically-based Diffusion of Innovations in Service Organizations Framework. Factors and related components that were most clearly linked to the OPHS policy implementation were: attributes of the innovation itself; adoption by individuals; diffusion and dissemination; the outer context – interorganizational networks and collaboration; the inner setting – implementation processes and routinization; and, linkage at the design and implementation stage. Conclusions Multiple factors influenced public health policy implementation. Results provide empirical support for components of Greenhalgh et al’s framework and suggest two additional components – the role of external organizational collaborations and partnerships as well as planning processes in influencing implementation. These are important to consider by government and public health organizations when promoting new or revised public health policies as they evolve over time. A successful policy implementation process in Ontario has helped to move public health towards the new vision