bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Social Opportunity Causes Rapid Transcriptional Changes in the Social Behaviour Network of the Brain in an African Cichlid Fish
Authors: Maruska K. P. , Zhang A. , Neboori A. , Fernald R. D.
Published: September 2012

Animals constantly integrate external stimuli with their own internal physiological state to make appropriate behavioural decisions. Little is known, however, about where in the brain the salience of these signals is evaluated, or which neural and transcriptional mechanisms link this integration to adaptive behaviours. We used an African cichlid fish Astatotilapia burtoni to test the hypothesis that a new social opportunity activates the conserved ‘social behaviour network’ (SBN), a collection of brain nuclei known to regulate social behaviours across vertebrates. We measured mRNA levels of immediate early genes (IEGs) in microdissected brain regions as a proxy for neuronal activation, and discovered that IEGs were higher in all SBN nuclei in males that were given an opportunity to rise in social rank compared to control stable subordinate and dominant individuals. Furthermore, because the presence of sex‐steroid receptors is one defining criteria of SBN nuclei, we also tested whether social opportunity or status influenced androgen and oestrogen receptor mRNA levels within these same regions. There were several rapid region‐specific changes in receptor mRNA levels induced by social opportunity, most notably in oestrogen receptor subtypes in areas that regulate social aggression and reproduction, suggesting that oestrogenic signalling pathways play an important role in regulating male status. Several receptor mRNA changes occurred in regions with putative homologies to the mammalian septum and extended amygdala, two regions shared by SBN and reward circuits, suggesting an important role in the integration of social salience, stressors, hormonal state and adaptive behaviours. We also demonstrated increases in plasma sex‐ and stress‐steroids at 30 min after a rise in social rank. This rapid endocrine and transcriptional response suggests that the SBN is involved in the integration of social inputs with internal hormonal state to facilitate the transition to dominant status, which ultimately leads to improved fitness for the previously reproductively‐suppressed individual.
Pyrite geochemistry in the Toarcian Posidonia Shale of south‐west Germany: Evidence for contrasting trace‐element patterns of diagenetic and syngenetic pyrites
Authors: BERNER ZSOLT A. , PUCHELT HARALD , NÖLTNER THOMAS , KRAMAR UTZ
Published: September 2012

Authigenic pyrite grains from a section of the Lower Toarcian Posidonia Shale were analysed for their trace‐element contents and sulphur‐isotope compositions. The resulting data are used to evaluate the relationship between depositional conditions and pyrite trace‐element composition. By using factor analysis, trace‐elements in pyrite may be assigned to four groups: (i) heavy metals (including Cu, Ni, Co, Pb, Bi and Tl); (ii) oxyanionic elements (As, Mo and Sb); (iii) elements partitioned in sub‐microscopic sphalerite inclusions (Zn and Cd); and (iv) elements related to organic or silicate impurities (Ga and V). Results indicate that trace‐element contents in pyrite depend on the site and mechanism of pyrite formation, with characteristic features being observed for diagenetic and syngenetic pyrites. Diagenetic pyrite formed within anoxic sediments generally has a high heavy metals content, and the degree of pyritization of these elements increases with increasing oxygen deficiency, similar to the degree of pyritization of reactive Fe. The highest gradient in the increase of the degree of trace element pyritization with bottom‐water oxygenation was found for the elements Ni < Cu < Mo = As < Tl. In contrast, syngenetic pyrite formed within a euxinic water column typically is enriched in As, Mo and Sb, but is low in heavy metals, and the geochemical variation reflects changes in sea water composition.
Management of difficult multidrug‐resistant tuberculosis and extensively drug‐resistant tuberculosis: Update 2012
Authors: CHANG KWOK ‐CHIU , YEW WING‐WAI
Published: September 2012

Multidrug‐resistant (MDR) tuberculosis (TB) denotes bacillary resistance to at least isoniazid and rifampicin. Extensively drug‐resistant (XDR) TB is MDR‐TB with additional bacillary resistance to any fluoroquinolone and at least one second‐line injectable drugs. Rooted in inadequate TB treatment and compounded by a vicious circle of diagnostic delay and improper treatment, MDR‐TB/XDR‐TB has become a global epidemic that is fuelled by poverty, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and neglect of airborne infection control. The majority of MDR‐TB cases in some settings with high prevalence of MDR‐TB are due to transmission of drug‐resistant bacillary strains to previously untreated patients. Global efforts in controlling MDR‐TB/XDR‐TB can no longer focus solely on high‐risk patients. It is difficult and costly to treat MDR‐TB/XDR‐TB. Without timely implementation of preventive and management strategies, difficult MDR‐TB/XDR‐TB can cripple global TB control efforts. Preventive strategies include prompt diagnosis with adequate TB treatment using the directly observed therapy, short‐course (DOTS) strategy and drug‐resistance programmes, airborne infection control, preventive treatment of TB/HIV, and optimal use of antiretroviral therapy. Management strategies for established cases of difficult MDR‐TB/XDR‐TB rely on harnessing existing drugs (notably newer generation fluoroquinolones, high‐dose isoniazid, linezolid and pyrazinamide with in vitro activity) in the best combinations and dosing schedules, together with adjunctive surgery in carefully selected cases. Immunotherapy may also have a role in the future. New diagnostics, drugs and vaccines are required to meet the challenge, but science alone is insufficient. Difficult MDR‐TB/XDR‐TB cannot be tackled without achieving high cure rates with quality DOTS and beyond, and concurrently addressing poverty and HIV.
Clinical testing for molecular targets for personalized treatment in lung cancer
Authors: LAM DAVID C.L.
Published: September 2012

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer mortality worldwide. Over the past decades, the management of advanced stage lung cancer has been revolutionized from very limited options of systemic chemotherapy with limited efficacy to the present stage of testing for biomarkers (epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), gene mutations) to guide therapeutic decision and to improve efficacy of treatment. Relevant advancement in understanding of lung cancer biology also revealed that different lung tumours may carry different cancer driver gene mutations and thus adopt different carcinogenic pathways. These cancer driver gene mutations were found to be mutually exclusive in individual lung tumour further supporting the rationale of testing tumour sample for the presence of these mutations, especially when there could be corresponding specific agents against these molecular targets. The aim of this article is to review the current understanding of molecular targets that are important in the personalized therapy of lung cancer and how the testing for these molecular targets, namely EGFR, KRAS and ALK, will guide therapeutic decision in advanced stage lung cancer.
Health‐related quality of life among Tianjin Chinese patients with type 2 diabetes: A cross‐sectional survey
Authors: Cong Ji‐Yan , Zhao Yue , Xu Qun‐Yan , Zhong Chun‐De , Xing Qiu‐Ling
Published: September 2012

The purpose of this study was to examine factors that influence the quality of life among Tianjin Chinese living with type 2 diabetes. In this study, the quality of life was assessed in 174 participants. The dependent variables included demographic and clinical data, depressive symptoms and lifestyle behavioral factors. Chi‐square tests and logistic regression analysis were conducted to identify significant factors. Using multiple regression analyses, the odds ratios (ORs) of having low quality of life were 4.53 (95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.89–10.87), 2.83 (95% CI = 1.21–6.63), and 2.48 (95% CI = 1.03–5.96) for patients with microvascular complications, diabetic neuropathy, and peripheral vascular disease, respectively. Coronary heart disease, depression, and unhealthy eating habits were also found to have significant negative effects on quality of life. In addition, multiple regression analysis showed that regular exercise (OR = 0.29, 95% CI = 0.12–0.71) was a protective factor for health‐related quality of life. The identification of these influencing factors will assist nurses to provide continuous care to people living with diabetes, thus to postpone or avoid complications as well as improve their quality of life.
Tadalafil once daily for lower urinary tract symptoms suggestive of benign prostatic hyperplasia: A randomized placebo‐ and tamsulosin‐controlled 12‐week study in Asian men
Authors: Yokoyama Osamu , Yoshida Masaki , Kim Sae Chul , Wang Chii‐Jye , Imaoka Takeshi , Morisaki Yoji , Viktrup Lars
Published: September 2012

Objectives

To examine the efficacy and safety of tadalafil in Asian men with lower urinary tract symptoms suggestive of benign prostatic hyperplasia.

Methods

Asian men with lower urinary tract symptoms suggestive of benign prostatic hyperplasia were randomized to once‐daily placebo (n = 154), tadalafil 2.5 mg (n = 151), tadalafil 5.0 mg (n = 155) or tamsulosin 0.2 mg (active control, n = 152) for 12 weeks.

Results

Total International Prostate Symptom Score least‐squares mean changes from baseline to end‐point significantly improved with tadalafil 2.5 mg (−4.8, P = 0.003) and 5 mg (−4.7, P = 0.004) versus placebo (−3.0). Significant improvement in the International Prostate Symptom Score versus placebo was observed earlier (week 2) for tadalafil 5.0 mg than for tadalafil 2.5 mg (week 8). Significant improvements (P < 0.05) in both tadalafil groups versus placebo were observed for the International Prostate Symptom Score voiding subscore, International Prostate Symptom Score Quality of Life, and for Patient and Clinician Global Impressions of Improvement. Significant improvements versus placebo were observed in the International Prostate Symptom Score storage subscore for tadalafil 5.0 mg (−1.7, P = 0.021), but not tadalafil 2.5 mg (−1.5, P = 0.072). No significant improvements in benign prostatic hyperplasia Impact Index or improvements in peak urinary flow rates were observed with tadalafil 2.5 mg or 5.0 mg versus placebo. Tamsulosin treatment resulted in significant improvements versus placebo across all efficacy parameters, except for peak urinary flow rates. Safety results were consistent with the known tadalafil and tamsulosin safety profiles.

Conclusions

Tadalafil once daily represents an effective and well tolerated medical treatment for Asian men presenting with lower urinary tract symptoms suggestive of benign prostatic hyperplasia.
Management and outcomes of patients with epiphora referred to a specialist ophthalmic plastic unit
Authors: Sibley Daniel , Norris Jonathan H , Malhotra Raman
Published: September 2012

Background

To describe the aetiology and management of the symptom epiphora presenting to a specialist ophthalmic service.

Design

A retrospective case series and patient postal questionnaire of all new referrals seen in a specialist unit with primary symptoms of epiphora between January 2007 and December 2008. The study was begun in 2010 to allow a 2‐year follow‐up for this cohort.

Participants

Two hundred thirty‐seven patients were identified, of which 192 met the inclusion criteria. Fifty‐seven were male, 135 were female, with a mean age of 60.7 (range 0–95) years.

Methods

Patients were identified using a key word search of clinic letters and a search of primary care coding.

Main Outcome Measures

Duration of symptoms, referral source, aetiology and subjective improvement of symptoms post treatment.

Results

At consultation, patients had experienced epiphora for a mean of 41.1 (range 0.066–360) months. A diagnosis of partial or complete nasolacrimal duct obstruction (31.8%), dry eye with secondary reflex tearing (29.2%), eyelid malposition (10.4%) and multi‐factorial epiphora (28.7%) was made after follow‐up and treatment. A postal questionnaire follow‐up showed that 25% of patients no longer had any epiphora, with 67% reporting an improvement in their symptoms. Final follow‐up was 30–54 months.

Conclusions

This study highlights the protean aetiology of the symptom and sign, epiphora. Sparse data exist on the audited success in managing this common symptom and sign. This study helps introduce an example of a benchmark for evaluating the effectiveness of epiphora. The majority of patients were referred, usually by ophthalmologists for lacrimal surgery.
Choroidal thickness profiles in retinitis pigmentosa
Authors: Ayton Lauren N , Guymer Robyn H , Luu Chi D
Published: September 2012

Background

Little quantitative information exists regarding the effect that retinitis pigmentosa (RP) has on the choroid. The aim of this study was to determine choroidal thickness profiles in patients with RP.

Design

Prospective.

Participants

Forty‐two RP and 22 control subjects participated in the study. RP patients had mild to severe disease, with a visual acuity range of logMAR 0.1 to no light perception.

Methods

Images of the retina and choroid were obtained using the enhanced depth‐imaging method and optical coherence tomography (OCT). Choroidal thickness measures were determined via manual segmentation of the OCT image.

Main Outcome Measures

The thickness profiles of the normal and RP groups were compared. The associations between choroidal thickness, visual acuity and duration of RP were determined.

Results

The choroid was thickest in the control eyes at the subfoveal location (336.60 ± 70.42 μm), and the thickness gradually decreased towards the peripheral retina (temporal 8° = 295.55 ± 60.52 μm; nasal 8° = 251.68 ± 49.93 μm). In RP, the mean thickness was also greater at the fovea (215.60 ± 94.91 μm) than the temporal (191.66 ± 72.42 μm) and nasal (149.91 ± 57.42 μm) retina, but all values were significantly lower than those of the controls (P ≤ 0.001). Subfoveal choroidal thickness was significantly correlated with visual acuity (r = −0.46, P < 0.001) and duration of disease (r = −0.4, P = 0.001).

Conclusions

Patients with RP have a thinner choroid than controls. Patients with poorer visual acuity or longer duration of symptoms tended to have thinner choroids. Knowledge of choroidal thickness profile in RP is important for the field of restorative vision research and the development of suprachoroidal retinal prostheses.
Effect of adjunctive viscogonioplasty on drainage angle status in cataract surgery: a randomized clinical trial
Authors: Eslami Yadollah , Latifi Golshan , Moghimi Sasan , Ghaffari Reza , Fakhraie Ghasem , Zarei Reza , Jabbarvand Mahmood , Mohammadi Massood , Lin Shan
Published: September 2012

Background

To compare the anatomic effects of phacoemulsification (Phaco) versus combined phacoemulsification and viscogonioplasty (Phaco‐VGP) on drainage angle status in primary angle‐closure glaucoma (PACG) using anterior segment optical coherence tomography (AS‐OCT).

Design

Prospective, randomized clinical trial.

Participants

Sixty‐seven eyes of 57 patients with the diagnosis of PACG.

Method

Patients were randomized to undergo Phaco alone (33 eyes) or Phaco‐VGP (34 eyes). Patients were examined postoperatively on day 1, week 1 and week 6. Indentation gonioscopy and AS‐OCT were performed preoperatively and at 6 weeks after surgery.

Main Outcome Measures

Angle and anterior segment parameters by AS‐OCT and amount of peripheral anterior synechiae (PAS) by gonioscopy.

Results

Sixty‐five eyes of 55 patients completed the trial. The mean extent of PAS was significantly reduced from 127.7 to 95.0 degrees (P < 0.001) by Phaco alone, and from 174.0 to 77.3 degrees (P < 0.001) by Phaco‐VGP. Phaco‐VGP resulted in significantly greater reduction in PAS extent (P = 0.002). Angle‐opening distance and trabecular‐iris space‐area measured by AS‐OCT increased significantly after Phaco alone and Phaco‐VGP (P < 0.001 for both). Although the change was higher in the Phaco‐VGP group, this did not reach statistical significance. Anterior chamber depth (ACD) increased, and lens vault (LV) decreased after both procedures. The amount of change in ACD and LV was not significant between the two groups.

Conclusion

 Both Phaco alone and Phaco‐VGP resulted in widening of the drainage angle, deepening of the anterior chamber and reduction of intraocular pressure (IOP) and PAS extent in PACG eyes. Phaco‐VGP resulted in significantly more reduction of PAS. However, it seems that additional VGP has no significant effect on short‐term IOP.
Phenotypic and clinical manifestations of compound heterozygous genetic haemochromatosis (CHGH): a non‐invasive approach to clinical management
Authors: Ramakrishna R. , Gupta S. , Sarathy K. , Bowen A.
Published: September 2012

Background

The role of compound heterozygous genetic haemochromatosis (CHGH) (C282Y/H63D) mutations in the manifestations of iron overload is known; however, the extent of these manifestations and their associated management remain unclear.

Aims

This study evaluates the phenotypic manifestations of CHGH using laboratory and radiological biomarkers including serum ferritin/transferrin saturation, liver function tests (LFT), thyroid function tests, blood sugar level, and abdominal ultrasound (US) or computed tomography. The study also evaluates the effects of venesection therapy on these markers and its potential role in routine management of CHGH patients.

Methods

In this case‐controlled study, 104 patients with HFE‐C282Y/H63D compound mutations were subjected to laboratory investigations and imaging. Tests were repeated over a 4‐year period before and after venesection. Data were compared between patient and control groups using paired t‐tests.

Results

Patients showed significantly higher serum ferritin and transferrin saturations compared with controls (P = 0.002, P = 0.003). Twenty‐four patients (23%) demonstrated hyperferritinaemia ≥1000 mmol/L. Sixty‐nine patients (68%) demonstrated biochemical abnormalities on initial testing (abnormal LFT (transaminases) (51 patients, 74%) and US/computed tomography (42 patients, 61%)). A significant number of LFT and US abnormalities normalised post‐venesection (80%; P = 0.000 and 52%; P = 0.005 respectively).

Conclusions

Phenotypic manifestations displayed by CHGH patients can include biochemical and radiological abnormalities, which can occur at levels similar to C282Y homozygous disease (ferritin ≥1000 mmol/L). With venesection therapy, a large number of these abnormalities is reversible. Based on this, a non‐invasive framework to assess and manage CHGH within a routine community‐based clinical setting is proposed.
The short‐term response of yeast to potassium starvation
Authors: Barreto Lina , Canadell David , Valverde‐Saubí Daniel , Casamayor Antonio , Ariño Joaquín
Published: September 2012

Potassium is the major intracellular cation in most living cells, including yeasts. Although K+ has been demonstrated to be necessary for diverse cellular functions, such as enzyme activation, additional, still uncharacterized cellular targets may exist. We show here that in Saccharomyces cerevisiae short‐term potassium deprivation impacts in the mRNA level of over one thousand genes. Lack of potassium drastically alters sulfur metabolism (mainly Met and Cys metabolism), triggers an oxidative stress response and activates the retrograde pathway, possibly due to the ammonium accumulation that occurs through the Trk1 potassium transporter. We also observe a remarkable halt in the expression of genes required for ribosome biogenesis and translation, a decrease in expression of diverse components (cyclins, protein kinases) required for progression through the cell cycle and a blockage in septins assembly. Only specific subsets of these changes were observed in a strain deleted for the TRK1 and TRK2 genes growing in the presence of sufficient potassium (50 mM). Therefore, a shortage of potassium in the environment triggers an acute transcriptional response, which covers different aspects of the cell biology so far unexplored, and whose investigation will likely reveal novel functional roles for this cation.
Assessing production of the ubiquitous archaeal diglycosyl tetraether lipids in marine subsurface sediment using intramolecular stable isotope probing
Authors: Lin Yu‐Shih , Lipp Julius S. , Elvert Marcus , Holler Thomas , Hinrichs Kai‐Uwe
Published: September 2012

The membrane lipids diglycosyl‐glycerol dibiphytanyl glycerol tetraethers (2G‐GDGTs) in marine subsurface sediments are believed to originate from uncultivated benthic archaea, yet the production of 2G‐GDGTs from subseafloor samples has not been demonstrated in vitro. In order to validate sedimentary biosynthesis of 2G‐GDGTs, we performed a stable carbon isotope probing experiment on a subseafloor sample with six different 13C‐labelled substrates (bicarbonate, methane, acetate, leucine, glucose and Spirulina platensis biomass). After 468 days of anoxic incubation, only glucose and S. platensis resulted in label uptake in lipid moieties of 2G‐GDGTs, indicating incorporation of carbon from these organic substrates. The hydrophobic moieties of 2G‐GDGTs showed minimal label incorporation, with up to 4‰ 13C enrichment detected in crenarchaeol‐derived tricyclic biphytane from the S. platensis‐supplemented slurries. The 2G‐GDGT‐derived glucose or glycerol moieties also showed 13C incorporation (Δδ13C = 18–38‰) in the incubations with glucose or S. platensis, consistent with a lipid salvage mechanism utilized by marine benthic archaea to produce new 2G‐GDGTs. The production rates were nevertheless rather slow, even when labile organic matter was supplied. The 2G‐GDGT turnover times of 1700–20 500 years were much longer than those estimated for subseafloor microbial communities, implying that sedimentary 2G‐GDGTs as biomarkers of benthic archaea are cumulative records of past and present generations.
Moh’s micrographic surgery for the management of a periocular mast cell tumor in a dog
Authors: Bernstein Joseph A. , Storey Eric S. , Bauer Rudy W.
Published: September 2012

A 3‐year‐old neutered male boxer dog presented with a 6‐month history of a waxing and waning mass of the left dorsotemporal eyelid margin. Cytology and biopsy confirmed a diagnosis of mast cell neoplasia. Systemic staging of the dog failed to reveal any evidence of metastatic neoplasia. Owing to the location of the tumor within the eyelid margin and the wide surgical margins recommended for excision of mast cell tumors, Mohs micrographic surgery (MMS) was chosen for its potential to conserve tissues while providing intraoperative confirmation the tumor was completely excised. Utilizing MMS horizontal sectioning technique, 100% of the surgical margins were assessed prior to closure of the surgical wound. This represents the first time a comprehensive MMS protocol was used in a veterinary patient under general anesthesia.
Phylogenetic signal in bone histology of amniotes revisited
Authors: LEGENDRE LUCAS , LE ROY NATHALIE , MARTINEZ‐MAZA CAYETANA , MONTES LAETITIA , LAURIN MICHEL , CUBO JORGE
Published: September 2012

Legendre, L, Le Roy, N, Martinez‐Maza, C, Montes, L, Laurin, M & Cubo, J. (2012). Phylogenetic signal in bone histology of amniotes revisited. —Zoologica Scripta,42, 44–53.

There is currently a debate about the presence of a phylogenetic signal in bone histological data, but very few rigorous tests have fuelled the discussions on this topic. Here, we performed new analyses using a larger set of seven histological traits and including 25 taxa (nine extinct and 16 extant taxa), using three methods: the phylogenetic eigenvector regression, the tree length distribution and the regressions on distance matrices. Our results clearly show that the phylogenetic signal in our sample of bone histological characters is strong, even after correcting for multiple testing. Most characters exhibit a significant phylogenetic signal according to at least one of our three tests, with the phylogeny often explaining 20–60% of the variation in the histological characters. Thus, we conclude that the phylogenetic comparative method should be systematically used in interspecific analyses of bone histodiversity to avoid problems of non‐independence among observations.
The impact of sleep apnoea syndrome on nocturia according to age in men
Authors: Kang Suk‐Hoon , Yoon In‐Young , Lee Sang Don , Kim Jeong‐Whun
Published: September 2012

Study Type – Symptom prevalence (cohort)

Level of Evidence 2b

What's known on the subject? and What does the study add?

Sleep apnoea syndrome (SAS) can be a risk factor for nocturia, although whether the relationship between nocturia and SAS changes according to age remains to be addressed.

SAS has a modest impact on nocturia frequency and the prevalence of pathological nocturia in young adults and middle‐aged men. However, SAS may not be a risk factor for nocturia in the elderly, and age‐related urinary diseases and voiding dysfunctions could over‐ride the influence of SAS on nocturia in the elderly.

OBJECTIVE

To assess the association between nocturia and sleep apnoea syndrome (SAS) according to age, as well as to determine the factors related to nocturia.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

A total of 1757 men who had been referred to a sleep laboratory underwent polysomnography.

Nocturia frequency was assessed using a questionnaire, and pathological nocturia was defined as the need to void two or more times per night.

The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) were applied to all study subjects.

RESULTS

Nocturia frequency was significantly correlated with age (r= 0.405, P < 0.001) and the apnoea–hypopnoea index (AHI) (r= 0.065, P < 0.01).

In those men aged <65 years, significant correlations were found between nocturic frequency and age, AHI, BDI and PSQI.

Multiple regression analysis showed that age (β= 0.303, P < 0.001), AHI (β= 0.107 P < 0.001) and benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH; β= 0.069, P < 0.01) were associated with nocturia, and that the presence of pathological nocturia was predicted by BPH (odds ratio [OR], 2.77; P < 0.01), age (OR, 1.09; P < 0.001) and AHI (OR, 1.02; P < 0.001).

However, in men aged >65 years, nocturia frequency was significantly associated with BDI and PSQI, although no relationship was found between nocturia frequency and SAS parameters.

BPH was more frequently observed in elderly men with pathological nocturia than in those without pathological nocturia (OR, 2.18; P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

In the elderly, SAS may not be a risk factor for nocturia.

Age‐related urinary diseases and voiding dysfunction may over‐ride the influence of SAS.
Does conglomeration really reduce credit risk?
Authors: Grass Gunnar
Published: September 2012

I quantify the effects of conglomeration on credit risk by first computing theoretical default probabilities for conglomerates and their hypothetical stand‐alone counterparts and then mapping them into physical probabilities using a comprehensive database of corporate failures. Comparing the credit risk of conglomerates with that of hypothetical stand‐alone firms, I report significant reductions in the annual probability of default for small firms. My results support the proposition that managers can have a strong incentive to engage in conglomeration, even if it reduces shareholder value and show for which firms this is the case.
Phonotactic acquisition in healthy preterm infants
Authors: Gonzalez‐Gomez Nayeli , Nazzi Thierry
Published: September 2012

Previous work has shown that preterm infants are at higher risk for cognitive/language delays than full‐term infants. Recent studies, focusing on prosody (i.e. rhythm, intonation), have suggested that prosodic perception development in preterms is indexed by maturational rather than postnatal/listening age. However, because prosody is heard in‐utero, and preterms thus lose significant amounts of prenatal prosodic experience, both their maturation level and their prosodic experience (listening age) are shorter than that of full‐terms for the same postnatal age. This confound does not apply to the acquisition of phonetics/phonotactics (i.e. identity and order of consonants/vowels), given that consonant differences in particular are only perceived after birth, which could lead to a different developmental pattern. Accordingly, we explore the possibility that consonant‐based phonotactic perception develops according to listening age. Healthy French‐learning full‐term and preterm infants were tested on the perception of consonant sequences in a behavioral paradigm. The pattern of development for full‐term infants revealed that 7‐month‐olds look equally at labial‐coronal (i.e. /pat/) compared to coronal‐labial sequences (i.e. /tap/), but that 10‐month‐olds prefer the labial‐coronal sequences that are more frequent in the French lexicon. Preterm 10‐month‐olds (having 10 months of phonetic listening experience but 7 months of maturational age) behaved as full‐term 10‐month‐olds. These results establish that preterm developmental timing for consonant‐based phonotactic acquisition is based on listening age (experience with input). This questions the interpretation of previous results on prosodic acquisition in terms of maturational constraints, and raises the possibility that different constraints apply to the acquisition of different phonological subcomponents.
A Micro-Level Analysis of Support in Britain for the War in Afghanistan
Authors: Clements Ben
Published: September 2012

Research Highlights and Abstract

The article conducts a detailed and robust analysis of the social and attitudinal underpinnings of general support for the war in Afghanistan. The article contributes to scholarly understanding of public attitudes in Britain on foreign policy issues and to the wider literature on public opinion and war. The findings underline the long-standing ‘gender gap’ in attitudes to war, with men more in favour. Labour partisanship and political knowledge are directly related to support for the war, though there is only weak evidence that the effects of partisanship are mediated via political knowledge.

This article analyses the micro-level factors affecting public opinion in Britain towards the long-running war in Afghanistan, a major foreign policy issue in the post-9-11 era. It examines the effects of social and attitudinal factors, including perceptions of how the war is going. There is a strong evidence of a ‘gender gap’, with men more in favour, while those with higher educational attainment are more supportive. Perceptions of the war's progress play a strong role in shaping general support. Labour partisans are more supportive while political knowledge is positively-related to support for the war. There is weaker evidence that the effects of partisanship are mediated via political knowledge. This article contributes to the scholarly understanding of public attitudes in Britain on foreign policy issues and to the wider literature on public opinion and military intervention.
The Party Politics of Post-Devolution Identity in Northern Ireland
Authors: McGlynn Catherine , Tonge Jonathan , McAuley Jim
Published: September 2012

Research Highlights and Abstract

Offers one of the first detailed considerations of how political parties in Northern Ireland have adapted to the impact of the dual legitimacy of Protestant-British-Unionist and Catholic-Irish-Nationalist identities central to the Good Friday/Belfast Agreement Extends debates about devolution and party competition which have been centred on Great Britain to the United Kingdom. Outlines how the continuing bi-communalism of the electorate discourages parties from reshaping identity or chasing votes beyond the ethnic divide Analyses how nationalist parties, Sinn Féin in particular, have developed the rights of all citizens on the island of Ireland to be Irish, under the post-Good Friday Agreement Irish constitution Assesses the data indicating a modest growth of a common Northern Irish identity

In this article we examine how party political competition in Northern Ireland impacts on understandings of national identity and citizenship both within the region and elsewhere in the UK. These dynamics can be seen in expressions of political identity and through organisational change and electoral strategies. The consociational framework in which Northern Irish parties operate is one of the most powerful dynamics and we assess how it has shaped intra-community party competition, most notably through the emergence of the Democratic Unionist Party and Sinn Féin as the strongest unionist and nationalist parties respectively. However, our analysis of campaigning and voting in the 2010 General Election and 2011 Assembly elections also shows that the transformation of party political competition in the UK after devolution is an important dynamic and one that has shaped unionist electoral strategies in particular.
The Cyclical Conduct of Irish Fiscal Policy
Authors: Bénétrix Agustín S. , Lane Philip R.
Published: September 2012

This paper provides an overview of the cyclical conduct of fiscal policy in Ireland both before and during the crisis. It shows that fiscal policy has been procyclical, with financial shocks amplifying the fiscal cycle. In addition, it highlights the importance of institutional reform and outlines the case for a formal fiscal framework.
Model Selection Criteria for Factor‐Augmented Regressions*
Authors: Groen Jan J. J. , Kapetanios George
Published: September 2012

Existing dynamic factor selection criteria determine the appropriate number of factors in a large‐dimensional panel of explanatory variables, but not all of these have to be relevant for modeling a specific dependent variable within a factor‐augmented regression. We develop theoretical conditions that selection criteria have to meet in order to get consistent estimates of the relevant factor dimension for such a regression. These incorporate factor estimation error and do not depend on specific factor estimation methodologies. Using this framework, we modify standard model selection criteria, and simulation and empirical applications indicate that these are useful in determining appropriate factor‐augmented regressions.
Accountability‐by‐Proxy in Transnational Non‐State Governance
Authors: Koenig‐Archibugi Mathias , Macdonald Kate
Published: September 2012

Transnational non‐state governance arrangements (NGAs) are increasingly common in areas such as labor standards and environmental sustainability, often presenting themselves as innovative means through which the lives of marginalized communities in developing countries can be improved. Yet in some cases, the policy interventions adopted by the managers of these NGAs appear not to be welcomed by their supposed beneficiaries. This article accounts for this predicament by examining the effects of different configurations of accountability within NGAs promoting labor rights. Most labor‐rights NGAs incorporate “proxy accountability” arrangements, in which consumers and activists hold decision makers accountable “on behalf” of the putative beneficiaries of the NGAs: workers and affected communities in poorer countries. The article shows how and why different combinations of proxy versus beneficiary accountability influence the choice of policy instruments used by NGAs, and applies the argument to three prominent non‐state initiatives in the domain of labor standards.
Allocating active conservation measures using species distribution models: a case study of red‐footed falcon breeding site management in the Carpathian Basin
Authors: Fehérvári P. , Solt S. , Palatitz P. , Barna K. , Ágoston A. , Gergely J. , Nagy A. , Nagy K. , Harnos A.
Published: September 2012

The red‐footed falcon Falco vespertinus is an enigmatic colonial raptor of high international conservation concern. One of the identified threatening factors responsible for the recent worldwide population decline is the shortage of suitable colonial nesting sites. In theory, this problem can easily be resolved by establishing artificial colonies. However, the key to a successful large scale nest‐box scheme is to provide these artificial colonies in habitats suitable for the species. A Hungarian–Serbian project aimed to establish such nesting facilities in northern Serbia, although the lack of recent full‐scale habitat surveys hindered the designation of the locations of these artificial nesting sites. We used five different species distribution models to model the distribution of nest sites on a 10 × 10 km grid in Hungary and in Romania. We then used the ensemble predictions of the best performing models to project the probability of red‐footed falcon nest site presence in northern Serbia (predicted area). The models showed that three variables (grasslands, pastures and broad‐leaved forests) had the highest importance in describing the spatial pattern of nest sites in the modelling area. The extent of grasslands and pastures had positive effects, while broad‐leaved forests had negative impact on the probability of nest site presence. The predictions classified all the currently known colonies in the predicted area correctly. Our results suggest that the potential breeding distribution in Serbia is similar to that of two decades ago, thus large‐scale land use changes are presumably not responsible for the reported population decline. We have also reduced the extent of conservation target areas to 11.5%, allowing to pinpoint locations for these future nest box colonies, and also provided a basis for future conservation measures like allocating monitoring efforts and designating future Natura 2000 sites in Serbia.
ON THE MODE OF ACTION OF ISOVALERIC ACID IN STIMULATING THE GERMINATION OF AGARICUS BISPORUS SPORES
Authors: RAST DORA , STÄUBLE E. J.
Published: September 2012

Isovaleric acid and isoamyl alcohol have been identified as metabolites of Agaricus bisporus. They are produced in all its developmental stages. These observations relate two earlier reports on germination in this fungus, namely, the stimulation of germination by mushroom hyphae growing in the neighbourhood of A. bisporus spores, and the promotion of germination in this species by application of isovalerate or isoamyl alcohol. The physiological effect of this acid is, at least partly, brought about by metabolic events. Mushroom spores readily convert [14C]‐isovalerate into cell constituents. After an incubation period of 1 day, approximately 12% of the radioactivity of the non‐volatile water‐soluble fraction was localized in succinate, fumarate, malate and citrate; 85% was found in glutamate, pyrrolidone carboxylate, γ‐aminobutyrate, proline, alanine, aspartate, glycine and serine. Only 3% of the carbon of the labelled isovalerate was used for glyconeogenesis. One of the first steps of isovalerate metabolism in the spores is a CO2 fixation reaction (carboxylation of β‐methylcrotonyl‐CoA, formed from isovaleryl‐CoA). The ‘triggering’ reaction of isovalerate in germination of mushroom spores probably consists in a removal of the CO2‐self‐inhibitor by participation of β‐methylcrotonyl‐CoA carboxylase. The possibility of additional metabolic effects of exogenous isovalerate relevant to its germination‐stimulating activity is noted.
Sleep disorders and their clinical significance in children with Down syndrome
Authors: STORES GREGORY , STORES REBECCA
Published: September 2012

Aim  Our aim was to review basic aspects of sleep disorders in children with Down syndrome in the light of present‐day findings of such disorders in children in general, including other groups of children with developmental disabilities.

Methods  A literature search of adverse developmental effects of sleep disturbance, types of sleep disturbance in children with Down syndrome, their aetiology, including possible contributions of physical and psychiatric comorbidities and medication effects, principles of assessment and diagnosis, and treatment issues, was carried out.

Results  Sleep disturbance is particularly common in children with developmental disorders including Down syndrome. Although there are just three basic sleep problems (sleeplessness or insomnia, excessive daytime sleepiness, and parasomnias) there are many possible underlying causes (sleep disorders), the nature of which dictates the particular treatment required. In children with Down syndrome, in addition to the same influences in other children, various comorbid physical and psychiatric conditions are capable of disturbing sleep. Possible adverse medication effects also need to be considered.

Interpretation  Screening for sleep disorders and their causes should be routine; positive findings call for detailed diagnosis. Management should acknowledge the likely multifactorial aetiology of the sleep disorders in Down syndrome. Successful treatment can be expected to alleviate significantly the difficulties of both child and family.
Increased blood pressure reactions to acute mental stress are associated with 16‐year cardiovascular disease mortality
Authors: Carroll Douglas , Ginty Annie T. , Der Geoff , Hunt Kate , Benzeval Michaela , Phillips Anna C.
Published: September 2012

Exaggerated cardiovascular reactions to acute psychological stress may be involved in the etiology of cardiovascular pathology. The present analysis examined the association between the magnitude of systolic and diastolic blood pressure reactions to stress and cardiovascular disease mortality. Participants were 431 (229 women) from the West of Scotland Twenty‐07 Study, aged 63 years at the time of stress testing, where blood pressure was measured during resting baseline and mental arithmetic stress. Participants' vital status was tracked for the next 16 years, during which time 38 had died of cardiovascular disease. Both systolic and diastolic blood pressure reactions were positively associated with cardiovascular disease mortality. This association could reflect the long‐term erosive effects of exaggerated reactivity on the vasculature as well as its short‐term capacity to trigger acute cardiovascular events.
ERP correlates of dual mechanisms of control in the counting Stroop task
Authors: West Robert , Bailey Kira
Published: September 2012

Event‐related brain potentials (ERPs) were used to examine the neural correlates of proactive and reactive cognitive control within the context of the Dual Mechanisms of Control theory. Individuals performed the counting Stroop task and the proportion of congruent and incongruent trials was varied across blocks. The Stroop effect was smaller in the mostly incongruent block than in the mostly congruent block. The ERP data revealed a double dissociation between the medial frontal negativity (MFN) and the medial posterior negativity (MPN), where the amplitude of the MFN was greater in the mostly incongruent block and the amplitude of the MPN was greater in the mostly congruent block. The ERP data also revealed slow wave activity that distinguished the mostly incongruent and mostly congruent blocks. These findings support the idea that different regions of the cingulate and anterior frontal cortex underpin proactive and reactive control.
Hair weathering and hair capacitance mapping: a pilot study
Authors: Piérard‐Franchimont Claudine , Piérard Gérald E.
Published: September 2012

Background  Currently, there is no reported objective method allowing confident assessment of hair hydration mapping. Thus, assessing hair moisture kinetics and versatility according to hair shaft damages and hair care products is difficult to perform.

Aim  To explore a new method for assessing hair moisture.

Method  A new method of hair capacitance mapping (HCM) is introduced for monitoring hair surface damage and hydration. This study was performed on intact and weathered hair locks. Samples were soaked in 10% solutions of regular shampoos or in tap water alone. HCM was performed using the SkinChip® device based on a semiconductor image sensor technology. Time to complete water desorption from cuticular cells was recorded.

Results  Hair surface moisture was increased for <30 min after soaking in the shampoos or water alone. The method was sensitive enough to disclose a gradient of moisture from the base to the tip of the hair shafts. Weathered hairs lost their moisture more rapidly than intact hairs.

Conclusion  Hair capacitance mapping appears to be a promising method in the assessment of the dynamics of hair surface moisture.
Timing of breeding and offspring number covary with plumage colour among GyrfalconsFalco rusticolus
Authors: Johnson Jeff A. , Burnham Kurt K.
Published: September 2012

Plumage colour variation exists among Gyrfalcons throughout their Arctic and sub‐Arctic circumpolar distribution, ranging from white through silver and grey to almost black. Although different colour variants coexist within many populations, a few geographical regions, such as northern Greenland, possess a single variant, suggesting that local environments may influence plumage colour variation. In central‐west Greenland (66.5–67.5°N), where multiple colour variants exist, white male Gyrfalcons fathered significantly earlier clutches than grey males. No significant association was observed between female colour and lay date. However, significantly more offspring were produced by both male and female white Gyrfalcons than by grey variants when controlling for lay date, and silver Gyrfalcons produced an intermediate number of offspring for both sexes. This pattern was further supported by breeding plumage colour pairings. Grey females paired with grey males nested significantly later in the season and produced fewer offspring than those paired with white males, whereas no difference in lay date or offspring number was found between white males paired with white or with grey females. The difference in the number of offspring produced at each nest‐site was also inversely correlated with the distance to the nearest neighbouring nest, and grey males nested in closer proximity to other nests compared with white and silver colour variants. These results suggest that factors associated with territory occupancy and timing of breeding may regulate reproductive success differently between colour variants, with directional selection favouring light‐coloured Gyrfalcons and resulting in earlier lay date and a high frequency of white plumage colour variants in this population. Although gene flow exists between our study population and those further north (>75°N), white Gyrfalcons prevail where the breeding season duration is even shorter, suggesting that nesting chronology in combination with genetic drift may play an important role in influencing plumage colour polymorphism among Gyrfalcon populations.