bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The British National Security Strategy: Security after Representation
Authors: McCormack Tara
Published: June 2014

Research Highlights and Abstract

This article

Contributes to the debate on British Foreign and Security Policy; Contributes to the literature on the British National Security Strategy; Links international relations literature with domestic policy formation literature; Introduces the concept of ‘legitimacy’ to foreign and security policy analysis.

The publication of the Britain's first National Security Strategy (NSS) in 2008 marked a formal shift away from the secret state of the Cold War to the highly public protective state of today. This article is interested in the question of why the NSS and related framework have taken this particular public and explicit form. Both mainstream and critically minded academics have argued that contemporary security discourses and policies are techniques of power and governance and that the public nature of the policies is vital to this function. In this article, I argue that there has been a transformation in the nature of the British state from a representative state in which the state's authority was legitimated through a number of political mechanisms of representation, to one in which state elites and institutions need to forge new kinds of relationships with the governed. This is a key development that has been noticed in political, sociological and legal theoretical literature but as yet hardly addressed in international relations and security studies. This transformation of the state, I will argue, is intimately linked to the form and content of contemporary security policies. The contemporary state is undergoing a process of an erosion of legitimacy, which has a direct impact upon the capacity of the state to govern. In this context, policies take on the role of trying to bridge the legitimacy gap. I will argue that this shift in the state leads to a different understanding of contemporary security policies as representative of a decreasing ability to govern security, a state that is losing legitimacy and authority; that is in effect, losing its sovereignty. This article argues that British national security strategies and policies are representative of this.
Dosimetric comparison of volumetric modulated arc therapy and linear accelerator‐based radiosurgery for the treatment of one to four brain metastases
Authors: Salkeld Alison L , Unicomb Kylie , Hayden Amy J , Van Tilburg Kevin , Yau Shan , Tiver Kenneth
Published: June 2014

Introduction

The purpose of this study is to compare and evaluate volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT) and linear accelerator‐based radiosurgery (Linac RS) for the treatment of one to four brain metastases.

Methods

Radiotherapy plans for 10 patients with 1 to 4 brain metastases that were planned and treated using conventional Linac RS were replanned using a mono‐isocentric VMAT technique using two to four arcs. The same doses, target volumes and organs at risk (OAR) were used in both plans. The plans were evaluated for target volume coverage, dose conformity, homogeneity and dose to OAR.

Results

For VMAT plans, 18/19 brain metastases met acceptable Radiation Therapy Oncology Group (RTOG) radiosurgery dose coverage, homogeneity and conformity criteria. There was no observed difference between the mean homogeneity indices for VMAT and Linac RS plans. VMAT plans had a lower mean RTOG conformity index compared with the Linac RS plans (1.10 ± 0.06 versus 2.06 ± 1.02). For the OAR, there was no difference in maximal doses to the brain stem, optic chiasm or optic nerves. The volume of normal brain receiving 12 Gy was lower in the VMAT plans (13.3 cm3 versus 23.1 cm3) compared with the Linac RS plans. The mean total number of monitor units (MUs) was 31.3% less in the VMAT plans (5231.2 MU versus 3593.5 MU).

Conclusions

Mono‐isocentric VMAT plans using two to four arcs meet RTOG radiosurgery quality criteria in patients with one to four brain metastases, with an improvement in conformity and 12‐Gy normal brain volume when compared with patients treated with Linac RS at our institution.
Restriction site‐associated DNA sequencing, genotyping error estimation and de novo assembly optimization for population genetic inference
Authors: Mastretta‐Yanes A. , Arrigo N. , Alvarez N. , Jorgensen T. H. , Piñero D. , Emerson B. C.
Published: June 2014

Restriction site‐associated DNA sequencing (RADseq) provides researchers with the ability to record genetic polymorphism across thousands of loci for nonmodel organisms, potentially revolutionizing the field of molecular ecology. However, as with other genotyping methods, RADseq is prone to a number of sources of error that may have consequential effects for population genetic inferences, and these have received only limited attention in terms of the estimation and reporting of genotyping error rates. Here we use individual sample replicates, under the expectation of identical genotypes, to quantify genotyping error in the absence of a reference genome. We then use sample replicates to (i) optimize de novo assembly parameters within the program Stacks, by minimizing error and maximizing the retrieval of informative loci; and (ii) quantify error rates for loci, alleles and single‐nucleotide polymorphisms. As an empirical example, we use a double‐digest RAD data set of a nonmodel plant species, Berberis alpina, collected from high‐altitude mountains in Mexico.
A prospective study of hepatitis C incidence in Australian prisoners
Authors: Luciani Fabio , Bretaña Neil Arvin , Teutsch Suzy , Amin Janaki , Topp Libby , Dore Gregory J. , Maher Lisa , Dolan Kate , Lloyd Andrew R. ,   HITS‐p investigators
Published: June 2014

Aims

To document the relationships between injecting drug use, imprisonment and hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection.

Design

Prospective cohort study.

Setting

Multiple prisons in New South Wales, Australia.

Participants

HCV seronegative prisoners with a life‐time history of injecting drug use (IDU) were enrolled and followed prospectively (n = 210) by interview and HCV antibody and RNA testing 6–12‐monthly for up to 4 years when in prison.

Measurements

HCV incidence was calculated using the person‐years method. Cox regression was used to identify predictors of incident infection using time‐dependent covariates.

Results

Almost half the cohort reported IDU during follow‐up (103 subjects; 49.1%) and 65 (31%) also reported sharing of the injecting apparatus. There were 38 HCV incident cases in 269.94 person‐years (py) of follow‐up with an estimated incidence of 14.08 per 100 py [confidence interval (CI) = 9.96–19.32]. Incident infection was associated independently with Indigenous background, injecting daily or more and injecting heroin. Three subjects were RNA‐positive and antibody‐negative at the incident time‐point, indicating early infection, which provided a second incidence estimate of 9.4%. Analysis of continuously incarcerated subjects (n = 114) followed over 126.73 py, identified 13 new HCV infections (10.26 per 100 py, CI = 5.46–17.54), one of which was an early infection case. Bleach‐cleansing of injecting equipment and opioid substitution treatment were not associated with a significant reduction in incidence.

Conclusions

In New South Wales, Australia, imprisonment is associated with high rates of hepatitis C virus transmission. More effective harm reduction interventions are needed to control HCV in prison settings.
Parliament on “the Wireless” in Australia
Authors: Ward Ian
Published: June 2014

Australia's parliament allowed the radio broadcast of proceedings in 1946, a decade after New Zealand, but well before the “Mother of all Parliaments” in 1978. In keeping with Australia's reputation as a pioneering democracy, early interest in broadcasting parliamentary debates can be traced to the 1920s. In the formative years of “wireless” it was imagined radio might close the gap between parliaments and the public. Proceedings of the New South Wales parliament were actually broadcast for several weeks during 1932 (and before the New Zealand parliament institutionalised this practice). Tasmania experimented with parliamentary broadcasting in 1934. Australia's embrace of parliamentary broadcasting in 1946 was less carefully planned than has been suggested. It was an opportunistic, caucus‐initiated Chifley government measure driven by a long‐held ALP concern about newspaper bias. It was however generally justified as reform to bring the people to their Parliament and, remarkably, did have bipartisan support.
“Characteristically Generous”? Australian Responses to Refugees Prior to 1951
Authors: Stats Katrina
Published: June 2014

When Australia pledged to accept 15,000 Jewish refugees from Europe in 1938, it was applauded by the London Times as “a characteristically generous contribution” and an example for others. Australia's reputation for generous humanitarianism was solidified after the war when it absorbed more than 180,000 of Europe's Displaced Persons and committed to international human rights instruments designed to protect refugees and asylum seekers. This reputation has been used to both defend and critique the nation's contemporary responses to asylum seekers. Recent Australian Prime Ministers have invoked Australia's proud record of refugee resettlement to deflect criticism of their tough border control policies, policies which critics charge repudiate the nation's humanitarian traditions. This article critically reviews the history of Australia's responses to refugees and asylum seekers prior to 1951 and demonstrates that contemporary border control policies are neither a deviation from, nor defence of, a proud humanitarian record. Rather, they embody the migration management approach to refugees that provided impetus for Federation in 1901, governed Australia's response to the Jewish refugee crisis in the 1930s, and shaped its conditional acceptance of the Displaced Persons and the position it adopted in the drafting of the United Nations Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees in 1951.
Australia and the Struggle for Soviet Jewry: 1961–1972
Authors: Rutland Suzanne D.
Published: June 2014

The plight of Soviet Jewry emerged as a major issue for World Jewry after the Second World War. Both Israel and Jewish Diaspora communities campaigned to give Soviet Jews either freedom of religion or the right to emigrate. The 1960s saw the promotion of the latter, with the slogan “Let My People Go”. Whilst geographically isolated and only being a medium power, the Australian government played a key role, with Australian politicians at times acting against the advice of the public service. The politicians were swayed by idealism, whereas department officials pursued a pragmatic, realist approach, being only concerned with what they saw as Australia's core foreign policy interests.
Long‐term clinical outcomes of selective segmental transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion combined with posterior spinal fusion for degenerative lumbar scoliosis
Authors: Zhu Yi , Wang Bo , Wang Huimin , Jin Zhaohui , Zhu Zhenqi , Liu Haiying
Published: June 2014

Background

The purpose of the current study was to investigate the long‐term clinical outcomes of this technique for degenerative scoliosis (DS).

Methods

The records of 95 consecutive patients with DS who underwent selective segmental transforaminal interbody fusion combined with posterior‐instrumented spinal fusion in our department from January 1999 to December 2007 were analysed retrospectively. Average follow‐up was 7.8 years. Recorded clinical outcomes included Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), visual analogue scale (VAS) pain scores and overall patient satisfaction. Radiographic measurements included coronal Cobb angle, apical vertebra translation, Nash–Moe grade, lumbar lordosis (LL) and thoracolumbar kyphosis. Comparison of the clinical and radiographic parameters before surgery and at final follow‐up was studied. Linear correlation analysis was applied to analyse the relationship between the clinical and radiological results.

Results

Average ODI and VAS pain scores were significantly improved at final follow‐up compared with baseline (P = 0.038; P = 0.005). Specifically, the average ODI score was 32.2 ± 8.6 before surgery and 11.1 ± 6.8 at final follow‐up; the average VAS score was 8.9 ± 2.0 before surgery and 2.0 ± 1.2 at final follow‐up; patient satisfaction was 88.2% (84/95) at final follow‐up. In addition, Cobb angle, apical vertebra translation and Nash–Moe grade were all statistically significantly decreased compared with preoperative values (P = 0.019; P = 0.035; P = 0.001). Although LL had significantly increased (P = 0.022), thoracolumbar kyphosis did not exhibit a significant change (P = 0.64). There was significant correlation between LL and decreased ODI scores (r = 0.62, P = 0.01). Eleven patients (11.6%) underwent reoperation during the study period.

Conclusion

Selective segmental transforaminal interbody fusion combined with posterior‐instrumented spinal fusion appears to have reasonable long‐term clinical and radiographic outcomes for the treatment of DS.
Systematic review with meta‐analysis: magnetic resonance enterography vs. computed tomography enterography for evaluating disease activity in small bowel Crohn's disease
Authors: Qiu Y. , Mao R. , Chen B.‐L. , Li X.‐H. , He Y. , Zeng Z.‐R. , Li Z.‐P. , Chen M.‐H.
Published: June 2014

Background

Magnetic resonance enterography (MRE) has been proposed as a non‐ionising alternative method to computed tomography enterography (CTE). Some studies have directly compared CTE and MRE in patients with small bowel Crohn's disease (CD) with variable results.

Aim

To compare the overall diagnostic accuracy in assessing the activity of small bowel and complications.

Methods

MEDLINE, EMBASE and Cochrane databases were searched for studies on the accuracy of MRE and CTE, as compared with a pre‐defined reference standard. Pooled sensitivity, specificity, the weighted area under the curve (AUC), incremental yield (IY) and other diagnostic indices were evaluated.

Results

A total of 290 CD patients from six different studies were analysed. The pooled sensitivity and specificity for MRE in detecting active small bowel CD was 87.9% [95% confidence interval (CI), 81.8–92.5] and 81.2% (95% CI: 71.9–88.4) respectively. The AUC under the summary receiver‐operating characteristic (sROC) of MRE was 0.905 (SEM 0.03, standard error of the mean). Likewise, the pooled sensitivity and specificity of CTE in detecting active small bowel CD was 85.8% (95% CI: 79.2–90.9) and 83.6% (95% CI: 75.3–90.1) with the AUC of 0.898. The AUC of MRE in detecting fistula, stenosis and abscess was 0.936, 0.931 and 0.996, respectively, compared to 0.963, 0.616 and 0.899 of CTE. No statistically significant IY for MRE vs. CTE was found (fixed model, P > 0.05).

Conclusions

Magnetic resonance enterography has a diagnostic effectiveness comparable to computed tomography enterography, thus may serve as a radiation‐free alternative for evaluation of patients with Crohn's disease.
Mapping the local variability of Natura 2000 habitats with remote sensing
Authors: Feilhauer Hannes , Dahlke Carola , Doktor Daniel , Lausch Angela , Schmidtlein Sebastian , Schulz Gundula , Stenzel Stefanie
Published: June 2014

Questions

Can we map both discrete Natura 2000 habitat types and their floristic variability using multispectral remote sensing data? How do these data perform compared to full range imaging spectroscopy data? Which spectral and spatial characteristics of remote sensing data are important for accurate mapping of habitats and their variability?

Location

A mire complex in Bavaria, southern Germany.

Methods

To compare the performance of imaging spectroscopy and multispectral remote sensing data, airborne spectroscopy data (AISA Dual) were spectrally and spatially resampled to the characteristics of two state‐of‐the‐art multispectral sensors (RapidEye and Sentinel‐2), resulting in three data sets with different spectral and spatial resolution. Based on the three data sets, we used a combination of field surveys, ordination techniques (non‐metric multidimensional scaling), as well as regression and classification techniques (Random Forests) to derive maps of the distribution of Natura 2000 habitat types and their compositional variability. Subsequently, we analysed effects of the spatial and spectral image resolution and spectral coverage on the mapping performance.

Results

Mire habitat types and their floristic composition could be accurately mapped with multispectral remote sensing data. In the case of accentuated floristic differences between habitats, the fits of the models for the three sensors differed only marginally. These effects and the importance of the spatial resolution are discussed.

Conclusions

The results are encouraging and confirm that multispectral data may allow the combined mapping of discrete habitats and their local variability. Still, questions with respect to the transferability of the approach to habitat types with less pronounced spectral differences, and with regard to bridging the gap between fine‐scale vegetation records and coarse resolution imagery remain open.
β‐adrenoceptor blockers valuable but higher doses not necessary
Authors: Dimmitt Simon B. , Stampfer Hans G. , Warren John B.
Published: June 2014

β‐adrenoceptor blockers have an important role in the treatment of heart disease and are useful as an adjunct in systemic hypertension. They are often prescribed at unnecessarily high doses, near the top of the dose−response curve. Higher doses are associated with more adverse events, have not been shown to improve clinical outcomes in cardiac failure and may worsen outcome in hypertension. β‐adrenoceptor blockers can be very effective in lower doses, guided by close monitoring of heart rate and blood pressure and, when used in combination with low dose vasodilators and diuretics, give a better risk benefit profile.
Cognitive and psychophysiological correlates of disgust in obsessive‐compulsive disorder
Authors: Whitton Alexis E. , Henry Julie D. , Grisham Jessica R.
Published: June 2014

Objectives

Evidence suggests that obsessive‐compulsive disorder (OCD) is characterized by heightened self‐reported disgust, however, it is unclear if this extends to physiology. The relationship between obsessive beliefs and disgust also remains poorly understood. Therefore, we examined whether the heightened trait and self‐reported disgust observed in individuals with OCD is reflected in heightened physiological disgust responses. We also examined whether obsessive beliefs are associated with disgust responding.

Design

A 3 (group) × 6 (stimulus) repeated measures design was used to examine disgust responses in individuals with OCD to six categories of image stimuli: body waste, contamination, injury, sociomoral, neutral, negative non‐disgust.

Methods

Individuals with OCD (n = 25) were compared to individuals with non‐OCD anxiety disorders (n = 21) and healthy participants (n = 25) with respect to trait, self‐reported, facial electromyographic and electrodermal disgust responses.

Results

Individuals with OCD showed greater disgust propensity and self‐reported disgust to images of body waste compared to healthy and anxious participants, however, there were no group differences in physiological responses. After controlling for trait disgust, obsessive beliefs positively correlated with increased self‐reported disgust to neutral images and increased levator labii activity to negative non‐disgusting images.

Conclusions

Although individuals with OCD showed elevated disgust propensity and self‐reported ratings of body waste stimuli, there was little evidence that OCD is characterized by an abnormal physiological disgust response. The intensity of obsessive beliefs was associated with a tendency to respond with disgust in contexts that are non‐disgusting, indicating that obsessive beliefs may be implicated in pathological disgust.

Practitioner points

Individuals with OCD display greater levels of disgust propensity and self‐reported disgust to images of body waste compared to healthy control participants and individuals with non‐OCD anxiety disorders.

The abnormalities in self‐reported disgust observed in those with OCD do not extend to abnormalities in electrodermal activity or facial electromyographic responses.

Maladaptive obsessive beliefs commonly associated with OCD predict heightened disgust in contexts where objective sources of disgust are absent, even after controlling for trait disgust.

Maladaptive obsessive beliefs may therefore be implicated in pathological disgust.

This study used a heterogeneous OCD sample and future research is needed to determine whether the observed effects are greater for those with primarily washing and contamination symptoms.

Although group differences emerged in self‐reported disgust, further replications using measures of state anxiety are needed to rule out the possibility that heightened self‐reported disgust was confounded with co‐occurring fear or general negative affect.
Evaluation of functional outcomes after laparoscopic partial nephrectomy using renal scintigraphy: clamped vs clampless technique
Authors: Porpiglia Francesco , Bertolo Riccardo , Amparore Daniele , Podio Valerio , Angusti Tiziana , Veltri Andrea , Fiori Cristian
Published: June 2014

Objectives

To examine differences in postoperative renal functional outcomes when comparing clampless with conventional laparoscopic partial nephrectomy (LPN) by using renal scintigraphy, and to identify the predictors of poorer postoperative renal functional outcomes after clampless LPN.

Patients and Methods

Between September 2010 and September 2012, 87 patients with renal masses suitable for LPN were prospectively enrolled in the study. From September 2010 to September 2011, LPN with renal artery clamping was performed and from September 2011 to September 2012 clampless LPN (no clamping of renal artery) was performed. Patients who underwent clampless LPN were unselected and consecutive, and the procedure was performed at the end of surgeon's learning curve. Patients were divided into two groups according to warm ischaemia time (WIT): group A, conventional LPN and group B, clampless‐LPN (WIT = 0 min). Demographic and peri‐operative data were collected and analysed and functional outcomes were evaluated using biochemical markers and renal scintigraphy at baseline and at 3 months after surgery. The percentage loss of renal function, evaluated according to renal scintigraphy, was calculated. Chi‐squared and Student's t‐tests were carried out and regression analysis was performed.

Results

Group A was found to be similar to group B in all variables measured except for WIT and blood loss (P < 0.001). The percentage reduction in renal scintigraphy values was not significantly different between the groups (reductions of 5% in group A and 6% in group B for split renal function [SRF] and 12% in group A and 17% in group B for estimated renal plasmatic flow [ERPF]; P = 0.587 and P = 0.083, respectively). Multivariate analysis in group B showed that the lower the baseline values of SRF and ERPF, the poorer the postoperative functional outcome of the treated kidney.

Conclusions

In our experience, even clampless LPN was not found to be functionally harmless. The patients who benefitted most from a clampless approach were those with the poorest baseline renal function.
Specific regions display altered grey matter volume in μ‐opioid receptor knockout mice: MRI voxel‐based morphometry
Authors: Sasaki Kazumasu , Sumiyoshi Akira , Nonaka Hiroi , Kasahara Yoshiyuki , Ikeda Kazutaka , Hall F Scott , Uhl George R , Watanabe Masahiko , Kawashima Ryuta , Sora Ichiro
Published: June 2014

Background and Purpose

μ Opioid receptor knockout (MOP‐KO) mice display several behavioural differences from wild‐type (WT) littermates including differential responses to nociceptive stimuli. Brain structural changes have been tied to behavioural alterations noted in transgenic mice with targeting of different genes. Hence, we assess the brain structure of MOP‐KO mice.

Experimental Approach

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) voxel‐based morphometry (VBM) and histological methods were used to identify structural differences between extensively backcrossed MOP‐KO mice and WT mice.

Key Results

MOP‐KO mice displayed robust increases in regional grey matter volume in olfactory bulb, several hypothalamic nuclei, periaqueductal grey (PAG) and several cerebellar areas, most confirmed by VBM analysis. The largest increases in grey matter volume were detected in the glomerular layer of the olfactory bulb, arcuate nucleus of hypothalamus, ventrolateral PAG (VLPAG) and cerebellar regions including paramedian and cerebellar lobules. Histological analyses confirm several of these results, with increased VLPAG cell numbers and increased thickness of the olfactory bulb granule cell layer and cerebellar molecular and granular cell layers.

Conclusions and Implications

MOP deletion causes previously undescribed structural changes in specific brain regions, but not in all regions with high MOP receptor densities (e.g. thalamus, nucleus accumbens) or that exhibit adult neurogenesis (e.g. hippocampus). Volume differences in hypothalamus and PAG may reflect behavioural changes including hyperalgesia. Although the precise relationship between volume change and MOP receptor deletion was not determined from this study alone, these findings suggest that levels of MOP receptor expression may influence a broader range of neural structure and function in humans than previously supposed.

Linked Articles

This article is part of a themed section on Opioids: New Pathways to Functional Selectivity. To view the other articles in this section visit http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/bph.2015.172.issue-2
Molecular basis of agonist docking in a human GPR103 homology model by site‐directed mutagenesis and structure–activity relationship studies
Authors: Neveu C , Dulin F , Lefranc B , Galas L , Calbrix C , Bureau R , Rault S , Chuquet J , Boutin J A , Guilhaudis L , Ségalas‐Milazzo I , Vaudry D , Vaudry H , Santos J Sopkova‐de Oliveira , Leprince J
Published: June 2014

Background and Purpose

The neuropeptide 26RFa and its cognate receptor GPR103 are involved in the control of food intake and bone mineralization. Here, we have tested, experimentally, the predicted ligand‐receptor interactions by site‐directed mutagenesis of GPR103 and designed point‐substituted 26RFa analogues.

Experimental Approach

Using the X‐ray structure of the β2‐adrenoceptor, a 3‐D molecular model of GPR103 has been built. The bioactive C‐terminal octapeptide 26RFa(19–26), KGGFSFRF‐NH2, was docked in this GPR103 model and the ligand‐receptor complex was submitted to energy minimization.

Key Results

In the most stable complex, the Phe‐Arg‐Phe‐NH2 part was oriented inside the receptor cavity, whereas the N‐terminal Lys residue remained outside. A strong intermolecular interaction was predicted between the Arg25 residue of 26RFa and the Gln125 residue located in the third transmembrane helix of GPR103. To confirm this interaction experimentally, we tested the ability of 26RFa and Arg‐modified 26RFa analogues to activate the wild‐type and the Q125A mutant receptors transiently expressed in CHO cells. 26RFa (10−6 M) enhanced [Ca2+]i in wild‐type GPR103‐transfected cells, but failed to increase [Ca2+]i in Q125A mutant receptor‐expressing cells. Moreover, asymmetric dimethylation of the side chain of arginine led to a 26RFa analogue, [ADMA25]26RFa(20–26), that was unable to activate the wild‐type GPR103, but antagonized 26RFa‐evoked [Ca2+]i increase.

Conclusion and Implications

Altogether, these data provide strong evidence for a functional interaction between the Arg25 residue of 26RFa and the Gln125 residue of GPR103 upon ligand‐receptor activation, which can be exploited for the rational design of potent GPR103 agonists and antagonists.
Morphology, Diet and Flower‐visiting by Phyllostomid Bats in Cuba
Authors: Clairmont Lindsey , Mora Emanuel C. , Fenton Brock
Published: June 2014

Pollinator morphology can play an important role in structuring plant–pollinator relationships and a pollinator's morphology may be associated with aspects of its diet. We examined the relationship between morphology and the partitioning of flower‐based food resources for five species of flower‐visiting Cuban bats: Artibeus jamaicensis, Brachyphylla nana, Erophylla sezekorni, Monophyllus redmani and Phyllonycteris poeyi. We analyzed cranial traits and body size to assess differences among species with respect to morphological specializations. We also collected dietary data from guano and used acoustic monitoring to assess bat activity at flowers. We found evidence that bats partition floral resources, but we found no direct evidence that plants were limiting resources for the bats. Morphological similarity among bat species did not predict dietary overlap. Rather it was associated with phylogenic relationships among some species. Species with different morphological specialization for flower‐visiting consumed resources and visited food plants at different frequencies.
Genetic Diversity and Spatial Genetic Structure of an Epiphytic Bromeliad in Costa Rican Montane Secondary Forest Patches
Authors: Cascante‐Marín Alfredo , Oostermeijer Gerard , Wolf Jan , Fuchs Eric J.
Published: June 2014

Information on genetic variation and its distribution in tropical plant populations relies mainly on studies of ground‐rooted species, while genetic information of epiphytic plants is still limited. Particularly, the effect of forest successional condition on genetic diversity and structure of epiphytes is scanty in the literature. We evaluated the genetic variation and spatial genetic structure of the epiphytic bromeliad Guzmania monostachia (Bromeliaceae, Tillandsioideae) in montane secondary forest patches in Costa Rica. The sampling design included plants on the same trees (i.e., populations), populations within forest patches and patches within secondary forest at two different successional stages (early vs. mid‐succession). Six microsatellites revealed low levels of population genetic variation (A = 2.06, AE = 1.61, HE = 0.348), a marked deficiency of heterozygotes (HO = 0.031) and high inbreeding (f = 0.908). Genetic differentiation was negligible among populations within the same forest patch, but moderate (GST = 0.123 ± 0.043) among forest patches. Genetic relatedness between individuals was significantly higher for plants located within the same forest patch and separated by <60 m and decreased as distance between plants increased, becoming significantly negative at distances >400 m. An analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA) showed significant genetic variation between forest patches, but non‐significant variation between successional stages. The selfing breeding system and limited seed dispersal capabilities in G. monostachia could explain the observed levels and partitioning of genetic diversity at this geographic scale. However, these results also suggest that forest fragmentation is likely to influence the degree of local genetic structuring of epiphytic plants by limiting gene flow.
Latitudinal Variation in Termite Species Richness and Abundance along the Brazilian Atlantic Forest Hotspot
Authors: Cancello Eliana M. , Silva Rogério R. , Vasconcellos Alexandre , Reis Yana T. , Oliveira Luís M.
Published: June 2014

In this study, we investigated the termites of the Brazilian Atlantic Forest, one of the most threatened biodiversity hotspots in the world, in regularly spaced sites from 7° S to 27° S latitude. To our knowledge, this is the only report of a latitudinal survey of termites at species level performed with a standardized sampling protocol. We evaluate termite diversity and abundance, and describe patterns of species composition based on feeding groups along the latitudinal gradient. We also describe the relative contribution of environmental variables to explain diversity patterns. Termite assemblages were investigated by standardized surveys at 15 Atlantic Forest sites, on six transects divided into five sections of 10 m², with 30 sections per site (or 300 m²/site), which were investigated by one trained person for one hour. Observed species richness and abundance were negatively correlated with latitude. The influence of latitude was explained mainly by variables related to temperature, precipitation and ambient energy (potential evapotranspiration). Our results also suggest that temperature exerts a greater constraint on Atlantic Forest termites than productivity, because ambient productivity increases with latitude in this forest but termite diversity decreases. Termite species richness in the Atlantic Forest showed a different pattern than those described for other organisms, increasing in diversity where the coastal‐forest strip narrows. Overall, our results indicate comparatively high termite species richness at northeastern sites and a significant impoverishment of termite assemblages in the southeastern and southern regions of the Atlantic Forest.
White‐handed Gibbon (Hylobates lar) Core Area Use Over a Short‐Time Scale
Authors: Asensio Norberto , Brockelman Warren Y. , Malaivijitnond Suchinda , Reichard Ulrich H.
Published: June 2014

Core areas represent small regions within animal home‐ranges intensively used during a given period of time. We assessed the quality of core areas relative to the rest of the home‐ranges (i.e., non‐core areas) of 11 groups of the territorial and highly frugivorous white‐handed gibbon (Hylobates lar) over a short‐time scale to reflect temporarily available resources. Weekly core areas included consistently higher densities of the gibbons' important foods compared to non‐core areas. Gibbon core areas partially overlapped at 46 percent with a model comprising the best hypothetical core areas based on a concentration map of available food sources. In addition, a maximization ratio estimated by dividing the cumulative dbh covered by gibbon core areas and the model reached an intermediate value. Gibbon core areas only partially mirrored food distribution probably because they represent a trade‐off between covering regions with important food locations and areas needed for other biologically relevant activities such as territory defense. Results do not support the concept that core areas can represent the minimum area requirement that would allow a gibbon group to survive and reproduce successfully irrespective of the time period considered, which indicates that core areas alone should not be treated as a conservation target.
Seasonal Change of Species Diversity Patterns of Non‐volant Small Mammals along Three Subtropical Elevational Gradients
Authors: Wen Zhixin , Wu Yongjie , Du Yuanbao , Xia Lin , Ge Deyan , Yang Qisen , Chen Limin
Published: June 2014

Our understanding of geographic patterns of species diversity and the underlying mechanisms is increasing rapidly, whereas the temporal variation in these patterns remains poorly understood. We examined the seasonal species richness and species turnover patterns of non‐volant small mammals along three subtropical elevational gradients in southwest China. Small mammal diversity was surveyed in two seasons (early wet season and late wet season) using a standardized sampling protocol. The comparison of species richness patterns between two seasons indicated a temporal component in magnitude and shape, with species richness at high elevations clearly increased during the late wet season. Species richness demonstrated weak correlations with modelled temperature and precipitation. The elevational pattern of species turnover measured by Chao‐Sørenson similarity index also changed seasonally, even though the temporal pattern varied with scale. Species turnover between neighboring elevations at high elevations was slower in the late wet season. Meanwhile, there was an acceleration of species turnover along the whole range of the gradient. The seasonal change in species diversity patterns may be due to population‐level increases in abundance and elevational migration, whereas seasonal variation in factors other than temperature and precipitation may play a greater role in driving seasonal diversity patterns. Our study strongly supports the seasonality in elevational patterns of small mammal diversity in subtropical montane forests. Thus it is recommended that subsequent field surveys consider temporal sampling replicate for elevational diversity studies.
Targeting Dormant Tuberculosis Bacilli: Results for Molecules with a Novel Pyrimidone Scaffold
Authors: Joshi Rohit R. , Barchha Avinash , Khedkar Vijay M. , Pissurlenkar Raghuvir R. S. , Sarkar Sampa , Sarkar Dhiman , Joshi Rohini R. , Joshi Ramesh A. , Shah Anamik K. , Coutinho Evans C.
Published: June 2014

Our inability to completely control TB has been due in part to the presence of dormant mycobacteria. This also renders drug regimens ineffective and is the prime cause of the appearance of drug‐resistant strains. In continuation of our efforts to develop novel antitubercular agents that especially target dormant mycobacteria, a set of 55 new compounds belonging to the pyrimidone class were designed on the basis of CoMFA and CoMSIA studies, and these were synthesized and subsequently tested against both the dormant and virulent BCG strain of M. tuberculosis. Some novel compounds have been identified which selectively inhibit the dormant tuberculosis bacilli with significantly low IC50 values. This study reports the second molecule after TMC‐207, having the ability to inhibit tuberculosis bacilli exclusively in its dormant phase. The synthesis was accomplished by a modified multicomponent Biginelli reaction. A classification model was generated using the binary QSAR approach – recursive partitioning (RP) to identify structural characteristics related to the activity. Physicochemical, structural, topological, connectivity indices, and E‐state key descriptors were used for generation of the decision tree. The decision tree could provide insights into structure–activity relationships that will guide the design of more potent inhibitors.
Effects of a Preventive Parenting Intervention for Divorced Families on the Intergenerational Transmission of Parenting Attitudes in Young Adult Offspring
Authors: Mahrer Nicole E. , Winslow Emily , Wolchik Sharlene A. , Tein Jenn‐Yun , Sandler Irwin N.
Published: June 2014

This study evaluates whether the New Beginnings Program (NBP), a parenting intervention for divorced mothers, led to positive parenting attitudes in young adult offspring. Data were collected from 240 mothers (G1) and offspring (G2) at ages 9–12 and again in adolescence and young adulthood. Alternative theoretical models were tested to examine mediators of NBP effects on G2 parenting attitudes. Significant interactions between condition and baseline G1 parenting indicated that NBP improved G2's parenting attitudes for those exposed to poorer G1 parenting at program entry. Effects on G2 warm attitudes were partially mediated through program effects on G1 warm parenting. The implications of improving parenting attitudes in offspring who experience parental divorce on well‐being in the next generation are discussed.
Longitudinal Relations Among Parents' Reactions to Children's Negative Emotions, Effortful Control, and Math Achievement in Early Elementary School
Authors: Swanson Jodi , Valiente Carlos , Lemery‐Chalfant Kathryn , Bradley Robert H. , Eggum‐Wilkens Natalie D.
Published: June 2014

Panel mediation models and fixed‐effects models were used to explore longitudinal relations among parents' reactions to children's displays of negative emotions, children's effortful control (EC), and children's math achievement (N = 291; M age in fall of kindergarten = 5.66 years, SD = .39 year) across kindergarten through second grade. Parents reported their reactions and children's EC. Math achievement was assessed with a standardized achievement test. First‐grade EC mediated the relation between parents' reactions at kindergarten and second‐grade math achievement, beyond stability in constructs across study years. Panel mediation model results suggested that socialization of EC may be one method of promoting math achievement in early school; however, when all omitted time‐invariant covariates of EC and math achievement were controlled, first‐grade EC no longer predicted second‐grade math achievement.
Update on innate lymphoid cells in atopic and non‐atopic inflammation in the airways and skin
Authors: Mjösberg J. , Eidsmo L.
Published: June 2014

Innate lymphoid cells (ILC) is the collective term for a group of related innate lymphocytes, including NK cells and the more recently appreciated non‐NK ILC (ILC1, ILC2 and ILC3). ILC all depend on the common γ‐chain of the IL‐2 receptor and the transcription factor Id2. Furthermore, ILC lack rearranged antigen‐receptors such as those expressed by T and B cells. Recent data indicate that non‐NK ILC contribute to a wide range of homeostatic and pathophysiological processes primarily by virtue of cytokine production. A lot of effort has been put into understanding the role for the non‐NK ILC in mucosal homeostasis, including in the gut and lungs. Recent reports also point towards a role for ILC in skin inflammation. In the lung, ILC may propagate stromal‐derived danger signals, with subsequent induction of mainly type 2 cytokine production. This might represent an early trigger of type 2‐mediated pathology, which subsequently also engages the adaptive immune system. Similarly, in the skin, ILC are well placed to sense keratinocyte‐derived danger signals in an antigen‐independent manner. Recent findings link ILC2 to atopic dermatitis and ILC3 to psoriasis. In this review, we provide an updated perspective on the role for non‐NK ILC in atopic and non‐atopic inflammation in the airways as well as in the skin.
Pattern recognition pathways leading to a Th2 cytokine bias in allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis patients
Authors: Becker K. L. , Gresnigt M. S. , Smeekens S. P. , Jacobs C. W. , Magis‐Escurra C. , Jaeger M. , Wang X. , Lubbers R. , Oosting M. , Joosten L. A. B. , Netea M. G. , Reijers M. H. , van de Veerdonk F. L.
Published: June 2014

Background

Allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis (ABPA) is characterised by an exaggerated Th2 response to Aspergillus fumigatus, but the immunological pathways responsible for this effect are unknown.

Objective

The aim of this study was to decipher the pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) and cytokines involved in the Aspergillus‐specific Th2 response and to study Aspergillus‐induced responses in healthy controls and ABPA patients.

Methods

Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were stimulated with heat‐killed Aspergillus conidia, various other pathogens, or PRR ligands. PRRs and cytokine pathways were blocked with PRR‐blocking reagents, anti‐TNF (Etanercept or Adalimumab), IL‐1Ra (Anakinra) or IFNγ (IFN‐gamma). ELISA and FACS were used to analyse cytokine responses.

Results

Aspergillus was the only pathogen that stimulated the Th2 cytokines IL‐5 and IL‐13, while Gram‐negative bacteria, Gram‐positive bacteria, Candida albicans, chitin, β‐glucan or Toll‐like receptor (TLR) ligands did not. Depletion of CD4+ cells abolished IL‐13 production. Blocking complement receptor 3 (CR3) significantly reduced IL‐5 and IL‐13, while blocking TLR2, TLR4 or dectin‐1 had no effect. ABPA patients displayed increased Aspergillus‐induced IL‐5 and IL‐13 and decreased IFNγ production compared with healthy controls. All biological agents tested showed the capability to inhibit Th2 responses, but also decreased Aspergillus‐induced IFNγ.

Conclusions and Clinical Relevance

Aspergillus conidia are unique in triggering Th2 responses in human PBMCs, through a CR3‐dependent pathway. ABPA patients display a significantly increased Aspergillus‐induced Th2/Th1 ratio that can be modulated by biologicals. These data provide a rationale to explore IFNγ therapy in ABPA as a corticosteroid‐sparing treatment option, by dampening Th2 responses and supplementing the IFNγ deficiency at the same time.
The role of targeted BRCA1/BRCA2 mutation analysis in hereditary breast/ovarian cancer families of Portuguese ancestry
Authors: Peixoto A. , Santos C. , Pinto P. , Pinheiro M. , Rocha P. , Pinto C. , Bizarro S. , Veiga I. , Principe A.S. , Maia S. , Castro F. , Couto R. , Gouveia A. , Teixeira M.R.
Published: June 2014

We report the analysis of altogether 1050 suspected hereditary breast/ovarian cancer (HBOC) families, 524 fully screened for BRCA1/BRCA2 mutations and 526 tested only for the most common mutations. Of the 119 families with pathogenic mutations, 40 (33.6%) had the BRCA2 c.156_157insAlu rearrangement and 15 (12.6%) the BRCA1 c.3331_3334del mutation, the former being specific of Portuguese ancestry and the latter showing a founder effect in Portugal. Interestingly, the two most common mutations were found in a significant proportion of the HBOC families with an a priori BRCAPRO mutation probability <10%. We recommend that all suspected HBOC families from Portugal or with Portuguese ancestry, even those fulfilling moderately stringent clinical‐criteria for genetic testing, should be specifically analyzed for the two most common BRCA1/BRCA2 founder mutations, and we here present a simple method for this first tier test. Screening of the entire coding regions of BRCA1 and BRCA2 should subsequently be offered to those families with a mutation probability ≥10% if none of those founder mutations are found.
Mediation or Moderation? The Role of R&D Investment in the Relationship between Corporate Governance and Firm Performance: Empirical Evidence from the Chinese IT Industry
Authors: Zhang Qing , Chen Lilin , Feng Tianjun
Published: June 2014

Manuscript Type

Empirical

Research Question/Issue

This paper explores whether R&D investment has a mediating and/or moderating effect on the relationship between corporate governance and firm performance.

Research Findings/Insights

This empirical study of Chinese IT‐industry listed companies during the 2007–2008 period shows that R&D investment does not moderate, but instead mediates the relationship between corporate governance and firm performance.

Theoretical/Academic Implications

This paper takes the perspective of technological innovation to empirically examine the effect of corporate governance on firm performance. This study makes a contribution to the literature by showing that technological innovation (i.e., R&D investment) mediates the effects of various governance mechanisms (i.e., ownership concentration, managerial compensation, and asset‐debt ratio) on firm performance.

Practitioner/Policy Implications

The results provide important managerial implications for the practice of corporate governance in emerging economies. Companies in emerging economies can enhance technological innovation through maintaining relatively high ownership concentration, designing effective managerial compensation systems, and optimizing capital structure. In addition, emerging economies should adopt effective public policies on technological innovation to improve the relationship between corporate governance and firm performance.