bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
In search of economic development in Kenya: Colonial legacies & post-independence realities
Authors: Fahnbulleh Miatta
Published: April 2006

The post-colonial period in Africa saw nationalist aspirations for development entangled with the quest for industrialisation. However, the national experiences of industrial and economic development in this era have been marked by varying degrees of disappointment. Kenya, like much of Africa, has failed to engender the levels of industrial growth and subsequent levels of development to which it aspired. Much of the explanations for Africa's disappointing record of industrial development have focused on two central factors: the structural constraints on industrial development and the policies that were pursued.

In many ways, these factors are inherently linked to a colonial legacy. Africa's disappointing record of industrial and economic development cannot be divorced from its historical context. It is thus necessary to consider the extent to which the structures that were in place at the end of colonialism predetermined the pattern of development that would emerge in the post-independence era.

When evaluating the post-independence experience of industrial development, two specific colonial legacies stand out as decisive: ‘colonial under-development’ and the ‘policy inheritance’. This article argues that although these legacies were profound, it was ultimately the dynamics of post-independence realities that determined the path of development.
Negotiating Ethnicity: Identity politics in contemporary Kenya
1
Authors: Lynch Gabrielle
Published: April 2006

Ethnic identities are best understood as complex and contested social constructs, perpetually in the process of creation (c.f. Berman, 1998). It is with the perpetual processes of evolution, devolution, change and conformity of ethnic identities, often perceived to be cultural givens, that this paper concerns itself. Ethnicity is a politically relevant signifier in contemporary Kenya, and drawing on evidence from Kenya's Rift Valley Province and Western Province, the paper looks at the ways in which ‘modern’ Kenyans can, and do, contest, revive, create, negotiate and renegotiate their ethnic identity. The paper reveals how ethnic communities can both contract and/or expand, and how individual actors and groups can draw on selective memories and histories to justify their ‘migration’ from one community to another; while the relevant content of ethnic units is open to both debate and contestation.

The paper provides detailed evidence of the fact and nature of ethnic construction, deconstruction and creation in the Kenyan postcolony and reveals how processes of ethnic negotiation and renegotiation are ultimately fuelled by the desire to stake claims to, and access resources controlled by the Kenyan state and external agents. Ultimately, the negotiation and renegotiation of ethnicity is inexorably intertwined with common perceptions of how political representation and redistribution actually works in Kenya, and with the perceived opportunities for advancement in both domestic and/or international arenas and forums.
The gender of wealth: markets & power in Central Kenya
Authors: Heyer Amrik
Published: April 2006

It is illegal to uproot coffee. But nowadays in the farmsteads of Murang'a district, at the heart of the coffee producing belt of Central Kenya, one can see many crops other than coffee growing between the coffee bushes, while coffee itself remains untended. In particular, the dark green with which coffee has painted the hillsides is now broken by light feathery leaves of banana trees. Coffee is the crop of men, but bananas, as a food crop, are the crop of women. Bananas grow best in coffee producing areas and their increasing importance is now a major challenge to coffee. So much so, that, despite their association with women, men are now moving into the banana market, and in the process, transforming relationships between gender, wealth and power in rural Kenya.
Class relations: AIDS & socioeconomic privilege in Africa
Authors: Bujra Janet
Published: April 2006

A critical consideration of the way social class is defined in studies of HIV/ AIDS in Africa exposes the inadequacies of ‘indexical’ accounts in which class is reduced to a statistical category (the predominant mode of analysis in epidemiological research). It compares this to relational accounts which view class as a set of dynamic interactions between groups struggling to assert or defend social positions relating to livelihoods. Arguing that class relations frame both the transmission and the response to the AIDS epidemic in Africa, it looks at the evidence which can be drawn from both indexical and relational accounts of the particular significance of class in this situation, noting its crucial intersection with gender relations and taking Tanzania as its key case.

This paper was originally presented to the African Studies Association Biennial conference: Goldsmiths College, University of London: 13-15 September 2004.
The rab Exchange Factor Sec2p Reversibly Associates with the Exocyst
Authors: Medkova Martina , France Y. Ellen , Coleman Jeff , Novick Peter
Published: April 2006

Activation of the rab GTPase, Sec4p, by its exchange factor, Sec2p, is needed for polarized transport of secretory vesicles to exocytic sites and for exocytosis. A small region in the C-terminal half of Sec2p regulates its localization. Loss of this region results in temperature-sensitive growth and the depolarized accumulation of secretory vesicles. Here, we show that Sec2p associates with the exocyst, an octameric effector of Sec4p involved in tethering secretory vesicles to the plasma membrane. Specifically, the exocyst subunit Sec15p directly interacts with Sec2p. This interaction normally occurs on secretory vesicles and serves to couple nucleotide exchange on Sec4p to the recruitment of the Sec4p effector. The mislocalization of Sec2p mutants correlates with dramatically enhanced binding to the exocyst complex. We propose that Sec2p is normally released from the exocyst after vesicle tethering so that it can recycle onto a new round of vesicles. The mislocalization of Sec2p mutants results from a failure to be released from Sec15p, blocking this recycling pathway.
PAK1 and aPKCζ Regulate Myosin II-B Phosphorylation: A Novel Signaling Pathway Regulating Filament Assembly
Authors: Even-Faitelson Liron , Ravid Shoshana
Published: April 2006

Many signaling pathways regulate the function of the cellular cytoskeleton. Yet we know very little about the proteins involved in the cross-talk between the signaling and the cytoskeletal systems. Here we show that myosin II-B, an important cytoskeletal protein, resides in a complex with p21-activated kinase 1 (PAK1) and atypical protein kinase C (PKC) zeta (aPKCζ) and that the interaction between these proteins is EGF-dependent. We further show that PAK1 is involved in aPKCζ phosphorylation and that aPKCζ phosphorylates myosin II-B directly on a specific serine residue in an EGF-dependent manner. This latter phosphorylation is specific to isoform B of myosin II, and it leads to slower filament assembly of myosin II-B. Furthermore, a decrease in aPKCζ expression in the cells alters myosin II-B cellular organization. Our finding of a new signaling pathway involving PAK1, aPKCζ, and myosin II-B, which is implicated in myosin II-B filament assembly and cellular organization, provides an important link between the signaling system and cytoskeletal dynamics.
Memories for life: a review of the science and technology
Authors: O'Hara Kieron , Morris Richard , Shadbolt Nigel , Hitch Graham J , Hall Wendy , Beagrie Neil
Published: April 2006

This paper discusses scientific, social and technological aspects of memory. Recent developments in our understanding of memory processes and mechanisms, and their digital implementation, have placed the encoding, storage, management and retrieval of information at the forefront of several fields of research. At the same time, the divisions between the biological, physical and the digital worlds seem to be dissolving. Hence, opportunities for interdisciplinary research into memory are being created, between the life sciences, social sciences and physical sciences. Such research may benefit from immediate application into information management technology as a testbed. The paper describes one initiative, memories for life, as a potential common problem space for the various interested disciplines.
Dr Thomas Carver and Lord Kelvin
Authors: Rowlinson J.S
Published: April 2006

Thomas Carver was secretary and assistant to William Thomson, Lord Kelvin, from 1890 to 1894 and maintained close links with him until Kelvin's death in 1907. In the twentieth century Carver became an independent engineer and inventor whose patents were mainly for improvements to textile machinery. These improvements were some of the first successful attempts to introduce electrical devices into what had been traditionally a purely mechanical industry. His patents include what seems to be the earliest proposal to use electro-acoustical echo-sounding for measuring the depth of the sea.
Ecological morphospace of New World ants
Authors: Weiser Michael D. , Kaspari Michael
Published: April 2006

Abstract. 1. Here the quantitative relationships between ecology, taxonomy, and morphology of ant workers are explored. The morphospace for worker ants taken from 112 genera and 12 subfamilies of New World ants is described.

2. Principal components analysis was used to characterise a morphospace based on 10 linear measurements of ant workers. Additionally, strongly covarying measures were removed to generate a simplified morphological space that uses three common and ecologically relevant traits: head size, eye size, and appendage length.

3. These morphological traits are then associated with diet and foraging substrate. For example, workers in predaceous genera tend to be small, with relatively small eyes and limbs; omnivores, while small, have proportionately large eyes and limbs. Ants that forage on surface substrates are larger and have proportionately larger eyes than subterranean foragers.
Effects of leaf nitrogen content on oviposition site selection, offspring performance, and intraspecific interactions in an omnivorous bug
Authors: Groenteman Ronny , Guershon Moshe , Coll Moshe
Published: April 2006

Abstract.  1. Oviposition site preference and its relation to offspring performance have received much attention in studies of herbivorous insects. Although this relationship is of great ecological significance, its presence in predacious and omnivorous insects has hardly been explored. When selecting an oviposition site, omnivores are expected to respond to both prey availability and, even more strongly, to plant traits that affect both females and their offspring.

2. In this study, females of Orius albidipennis (Heteroptera: Anthocoridae) showed a strong preference for oviposition at the vein origin site of cotton leaves. It appears that this site is a limited resource for ovipositing females, because they defend it against conspecific intruders. This defensive behaviour was significantly more pronounced on nitrogen‐rich than nitrogen‐poor plants.

3. The females' defensive behaviour on nitrogen‐rich leaves corresponds with offspring performance; the nymphs developed faster and enjoyed higher survival on nitrogen‐rich than on nitrogen‐poor leaves. At the between‐plant level, oviposition preference was not significantly correlated with offspring performance, and egg hatching rate did not differ significantly between nitrogen treatments.

4. Oviposition site selection by this omnivorous bug appears, however, to be correlated positively with offspring performance at the within‐leaf level. This is supported by the significantly higher hatching success of eggs deposited at the preferred vein origin site as compared with those deposited on other parts of the leaf.
Detection and avoidance of an entomopathogenic fungus by a generalist insect predator
Authors: Meyling Nicolai V. , Pell Judith K.
Published: April 2006

Abstract.  1. Increasing evidence suggests that insects can assess their environment based on cues related to mortality risks to themselves or their offspring. Limited knowledge is available on such abilities in relation to entomopathogenic fungi, which can cause significant mortality in insect populations. In laboratory bioassays, the ability of the generalist predator Anthocoris nemorum L. (Heteroptera: Anthocoridae) to detect the presence of its natural enemy, the fungal pathogen Beauveria bassiana (Balsamo) Vuillemin (Ascomycota: Hypocreales) was investigated.

2. Behavioural observations were conducted on adults of A. nemorum foraging in choice and non‐choice arenas treated with conidia suspensions of B. bassiana or just the carrier (control). The arenas consisted either of nettle leaves or soil. Additionally, behaviours in response to sporulating nettle aphid cadavers compared with uninfected aphids or paper balls were evaluated on nettle leaves. An oviposition experiment was also conducted in choice arenas on conidia‐treated and untreated nettle leaves.

3. Males and females detected and avoided contact with leaf surfaces inoculated with B. bassiana. Females that were forced to enter fungus‐treated leaf surfaces were very reluctant to do so. When females encountered cadavers sporulating with B. bassiana they rapidly withdrew compared with harmless paper ball dummies. Soil inoculated with B. bassiana did not affect A. nemorum behaviour or residence time compared with control soil. Females inserted significantly more eggs in control leaf areas compared with areas treated with B. bassiana conidia.

4. All results suggest that A. nemorum detects and avoids the pathogen B. bassiana when it forages on host plants with which it is adapted but not on soil surfaces. The adaptive significance of detection of entomopathogenic fungi is discussed.
European Banking Integration: Don’t Put the Cart before the Horse
Authors: Dermine Jean
Published: April 2006

This paper reviews the progress in European banking integration over the last twenty years, and evaluates the current system of banking supervision and deposit insurance based on ‘home country’ control. The public policy implications to draw from the paper are threefold: First, after a relatively slow start, European banking integration is gaining momentum, in terms of cross‐border flows, market share of foreign banks in several domestic markets, and cross‐border M&As of significant size. If this trend continues, the issue of adequate supervision and safety nets in an integrated European banking market will become even more pressing. Second, although until recently banks have relied mostly on subsidiary structures to go cross‐border, this is changing with the recent creation of the European company statute, which facilitates cross‐border branch banking. A review of the case of the Scandinavian bank, Nordea Bank AB, helps to understand some remaining barriers to integration, and the supervisory issues raised by branch banking. Third, it is argued that the principle of ‘home country’ supervision is unlikely to be adequate in the future for large international banks. Because the closure of an international bank would be likely to have cross‐border spillovers, and because some small European countries might be unable to finance the bail‐out of their very large banks, centralization, or at least Europe‐wide coordination, of the decision to close or bail‐out international banks is needed. This raises the issue of European funding of bail‐out costs, European banking supervision, and European deposit insurance.
The effect of summer management of perennial ryegrass‐dominant swards on plant and animal responses in the autumn when grazed by sheep. 1. Tissue turnover and sward structure
Authors: HEPP C. , MILNE J. A. , ILLIUS A. W. , ROBERTSON E.
Published: April 2006

An experiment was conducted lo compare the effects of the grazing by ewes and weaned lambs on aftermath and previously continuously grazed perennial ryegrass‐dominant swards, at two sward heights (4 and 8 cm) in (he autumn, on changes in structure and growth of the swards. The experiment had a factorial design, was replicated twice and was conducted from mid‐August to early November with measurements being made on three occasions in the autumn. Aftermath swards had lower tiller population densities and lower herbage masses than those that had been previously continuously grazed, the differences being greatest in August. On an area basis net growth rates of herbage on aftermaths were lower than those on previously continuously grazed swards in August and September but not in October. Growth rates of herbage were higher on the taller sward, but the senescence rates were similar at the two sward heights. It was concluded that autumn swards may be managed at taller sward heights than summer swards without increasing senescence of the sward and a consequent reduction in efficiency of utilization. The effects of previous sward management on tissue turnover in the autumn were not long lasting.
The effect of summer management of perennial ryegrass‐dominant swards on plant and animal responses in the autumn when grazed by sheep. 2. Herbage intake and grazing behaviour
Authors: HEPP C. , MILNE J. A. , ILLIUS A. W. , BEATTIE M. M.
Published: April 2006

The effects on herbage intake and ingestive behaviour by ewes and weaned lambs of grazing aftermath and previously continuously grazed perennial ryegrass‐dominant swards at two different sward heights (4 and 8 cm) in the autumn were studied. The experiment had a factorial design, was replicated twice and was conducted from mid‐August to early November. There were six ewes and six weaned lambs per treatment plot and measurements were made in three periods. The effects of previous treatment of swards on herbage intake by ewes and weaned lambs were greatest in August, with herbage intakes being significantly lower on the aftermath swards. Differences disappeared by October. The lowest herbage intakes were obtained on the aftermath sward at the lowest sward height, with ewes being more affected under those conditions than lambs. Grazing time and biting rate increased with a reduction in sward height and were higher on aftermath swards. However, these increases did not compensate for reductions in estimated bite size on the aftermath swards. It was concluded that the effects of the sward management treatments in the summer on tissue turnover of the sward and herbage intake in the autumn were considerable in the early part of the autumn but had largely disappeared by the end of the autumn period.
Surface application and shallow injection of cattle slurry on grassland: nitrogen losses, herbage yields and nitrogen recoveries
Authors: MISSELBROOK T. H. , LAWS J. A. , PAIN B. F.
Published: April 2006

An experiment was carried out over 2 years on grass and grass/clover swards in SW England lo compare herbage yields and N recovery following surface application or shallow injection of cattle slurry at three different times of application. In the second year, losses of N via ammonia volatilization, denitrification and nitrate leaching were measured from applications to the grass sward. On the grass sward, there was no significant effect of time or method of application on dry‐matter (DM) yield in the first year, although shallow injection reduced apparent N recovery (ANR) in the herbage by 45% when compared with surface application. In the second year, shallow injection reduced DM yields by 26% and ANR by 48%. On the grass/clover sward, there were no significant effects of time or method of application on DM yields or ANR in either year Inclusion of dicyandiamide (DCD) in the October slurry applications had no significant effect in the first year, but in the second year on the grass sward increased DM yield by 31% and 14% and ANR by 156% and 42% for shallow injection and surface applications respectively. Measurements in the second year on the grass sward showed a reduction in N loss by ammonia volatilization using shallow injection of 40% and 79% for March and June applications respectively. Losses due to denitrification were greatest following October application. Shallow injection increased denitrification losses following March application, but there were no significant differences following October or June applications. N losses due to leaching were small, with no significant difference between treatments. Reasons for the reductions in DM yield and ANR following shallow injection, despite the large reduction in N loss by ammonia volatilization, are discussed.
Specification of climatic sensitivity of forage maize to climate change
Authors: DAVIES A. , SHAO J. , BRIGNALL P. , BARDGETT R. D. , PARRY M. L. , POLLOCK C. J.
Published: April 2006

The use of manipulative experiments to study directly the effects of climate change on natural and managed systems is expensive if performed on a large scale: it also relies upon accurate predictions of future climatic conditions. Predictive modelling is less expensive and permits a range of scenarios to be considered but this is only as reliable as the underpinning model.

Predicting the suitability of England and Wales for the cultivation of forage maize under climate change was attempted using an established crop growth model by Muchow et al. (1990) integrated with climate data. The biological and climatic inputs to the model were the thermal requirements for the stages of crop growth, leaf number, leaf area, harvest index, the daily maximum and minimum air temperature, precipitation and solar radiation. These values were obtained from a daily meteorological database for ninety‐three sites in England and Wales for the period 1951–80. Model outputs as point values of potential crop yield predicting current production ‐‘baseline’‐ were statistically validated using actual crop yield data collated from bibliographic analysis. The baseline results indicated that pans of the south‐east appeared to be too dry and the north too cold. The model was run again using an artificial sensitivity test (temperature +2°C. precipitation ±10%). Increased precipitation led to a predicted increase in geographical suitability of the UK for forage maize production to the north and west. Under reduced precipitation there was a decrease in suitability in the south‐east, possibly owing to moisture stress.
Domestication history in the Medicago sativa species complex: inferences from nuclear sequence polymorphism
Authors: MULLER M.‐H. , PONCET C. , PROSPERI J. M. , SANTONI S. , RONFORT J.
Published: April 2006

DNA sequence polymorphism carries genealogical information and allows for testing hypotheses on selection and population history, especially through coalescent‐based analysis. Understanding the evolutionary forces at work in plant domestication and subsequent selection is of critical importance for the management of genetic resources. In this study, we surveyed DNA sequence diversity at two assumed neutral nuclear loci in the wild–domesticated species complex of alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.). A high level of polymorphism was detected. The domesticated pool contains on average 31% less diversity than the wild pool, but with a high heterogeneity among loci. Coalescent simulations of the domestication process showed that this result cannot be explained by assuming a constant population size but is rather consistent with a demographic bottleneck during domestication. A very low level of divergence was detected between the wild and the domesticated forms as well as between the related subspecies of the M. sativa species complex. However, the originality of the Spanish wild populations, already observed based on mitochondrial DNA polymorphism, was confirmed. These results, together with patterns of intrapopulation polymorphism, suggest that nuclear sequence polymorphism could be a promising tool, complementary to mitochondrial DNA and phenotypic evaluations, to investigate historical demographic and evolutionary processes.
Microsatellite markers identify three lineages of Phytophthora ramorum in US nurseries, yet single lineages in US forest and European nursery populations
Authors: IVORS K. , GARBELOTTO M. , VRIES I. D. E. , RUYTER‐SPIRA C. , HEKKERT B. TE. , ROSENZWEIG N. , BONANTS P.
Published: April 2006

Analysis of 12 polymorphic simple sequence repeats identified in the genome sequence of Phytophthora ramorum, causal agent of ‘sudden oak death’, revealed genotypic diversity to be significantly higher in nurseries (91% of total) than in forests (18% of total). Our analysis identified only two closely related genotypes in US forests, while the genetic structure of populations from European nurseries was of intermediate complexity, including multiple, closely related genotypes. Multilocus analysis determined populations in US forests reproduce clonally and are likely descendants of a single introduced individual. The 151 isolates analysed clustered in three clades. US forest and European nursery isolates clustered into two distinct clades, while one isolate from a US nursery belonged to a third novel clade. The combined microsatellite, sequencing and morphological analyses suggest the three clades represent distinct evolutionary lineages. All three clades were identified in some US nurseries, emphasizing the role of commercial plant trade in the movement of this pathogen.
A revision of European Copidosoma Ratzeburg (Hymenoptera, Chalcidoidea, Encyrtidae): some corrections and a description of Copidosoma tremblayi sp.nov.
Authors: Guerrieri Emilio , Noyes John
Published: April 2006

Abstract.  One invalid lectotype designation proposed in a recent revision of European species of Copidosoma is validated (Encyrtus geniculatus Dalman) and four incorrectly cited designations are corrected (C. peninsulare Mercet, E. filicornis Dalman, E. flagellaris Dalman, E. machaeras Walker). One species, C. tremblayi, is described as new.
Characterization of the Coat Protein Gene of Cymbidium mosaic virus Isolates from India
Authors: Sherpa A. R. , Hallan V. , Pathak P. , Zaidi A. A.
Published: April 2006

The variability in the coat protein (CP) gene sequence of Cymbidium mosaic virus (CymMV) that naturally infects orchids worldwide was investigated. Samples were collected from different regions of India, and the gene encoding the CP of nine isolates was specifically amplified by reverse‐transcription polymerase chain reaction. The amplified product obtained was cloned, sequenced and multiple sequence alignment of deduced amino acid (aa) sequences revealed considerable homology to CymMV isolates from other countries. The nucleotide sequences and the amino acid sequences were found to be 85–100% identical and 65–100% respectively. Such high sequence conservation suggests that the CymMV CP gene is highly conserved and is a suitable candidate for the development of diagnostic procedures and to provide transgenic resistance to orchids cultivated in different geographical locations. Although recombination is not common among CymMV isolates, one isolate from Cymbidium was found to be a recombinant between a Korean and a Thai isolate of the virus. IHBT communication no: 0451.
Optimizing Controlled Environment Assessment of Levels of Resistance to Yam Anthracnose Disease Using Tissue Culture‐derived Whole Plants
Authors: Onyeka T. J. , Petro D. , Etienne S. , Jacqua G. , Ano G.
Published: April 2006

Studies were conducted to determine the timing and frequency of disease assessment required to effectively identify levels of resistance to yam anthracnose using tissue culture‐derived whole plant inoculation assay. The effects of inoculation methods (paint brush and spray), and disease scoring methods [individual leaf area (ILA) and whole plant area (WPA)] were also assessed. Spray inoculation resulted in rapid infection and higher variations among yam genotypes, leading to earlier discrimination of genotypes than with the paintbrush method. Both the ILA and WPA scoring methods showed variation among yam genotypes, and association between the two methods gave a high positive correlation (r > 0.90). However, the WPA was faster and had the advantage of detecting differences in reactions of yam genotypes to less aggressive pathogen isolates to which the ILA method showed no variation. A single disease evaluation at 7 days after inoculation was as good as the area under the disease progress curve (AUDPC) and the disease progress rate (Rd) derived from multiple evaluations. However, a significant time–genotype interaction, suggests a need for more than a single assessment for effective comparison of genotypes. AUDPC derived from two assessments (5 and 7 DAI) was better than AUDPC from three assessments (5, 7 and 9 DAI) in separating genotypes reactions to a less aggressive pathogen isolate. This study showed that the use of spray inoculation method, the WPA scoring method, and AUDPC derived from two assessments (5 and 7 DAI) provided best conditions for evaluating yam genotypes for levels of anthracnose resistance with the tissue culture‐derived whole plant assay.
Mating Types of Phaeosphaeria nodorum (anamorph Stagonospora nodorum) from Central Asia
Authors: Vergnes D. Mercado , Zhanarbekova A. , Renard M.‐E. , Duveiller E. , Maraite H.
Published: April 2006

The distribution was examined of the mating type idiomorphs (MAT‐1 and ‐2) of Phaeosphaeria (anamorph Stagonospora) nodorum using DNA from 49 isolates collected from commercial and experimental fields in 2003 and 2004 in Central Asia. MAT‐1 and ‐2 isolates were present in the Kazakh and Russian origins of P. nodorum, but no MAT‐2 isolates were found in Tajikistan. The possibility of a skewed Tajik population cannot be excluded, considering that the sampled region in Tajikistan was geographically isolated from Kazakhstan and Russia.
A Review of the Biology and Pathogenicity of Rosellinia necatrix– The Cause of White Root Rot Disease of Fruit Trees and Other Plants
Authors: Pérez‐Jiménez R. M.
Published: April 2006

Rosellinia necatrix, an ascomycete soil‐inhabiting fungus, causes white root rot disease in a large number of plant species, especially fruit trees. The fungus, which occurs worldwide, is very aggressive and can kill infected trees. The biology and pathogenicity of the fungus are reviewed here, together with the current principal methods of disease control used in different pathosystems.
National haemodialysis guidelines: An assessment of compliance from 2001–2003
Authors: BANNISTER KYM M , SNELLING PAUL ,   ON BEHALF OF THE AUSTRALIAN RENAL ANAEMIA GROUP
Published: April 2006

Aim:  The Caring for Australians with Renal Impairment (CARI) clinical practice guidelines were established in 2000 to provide recommended ranges for parameters associated with anaemia management in patients with chronic kidney disease. This study used data from the Renal Anaemia Management (RAM) database to determine the level of compliance with the CARI Guidelines in Australia since their implementation.

Methods:  De‐identified data from haemodialysis patients at 15 dialysis centres were obtained from the RAM database provided by Janssen‐Cilag Pty Ltd, Australia. Validated data were extracted over 6 months (April–September) in 2001 (n = 2586 patients) and 2003 (n = 3190 patients). The percentage of patients with biochemical and haematological parameters that were within the ranges recommended in the CARI Guidelines was compared from 2001–2003.

Results:  There was a significant increase in the number of patients with values within the recommended ranges for serum ferritin, phosphate, calcium phosphate product and urea reduction ratio from 2001–2003. There was no change in the proportion of patients with values within the recommended ranges for haemoglobin, transferrin saturation, calcium or parathyroid hormone. There was considerable variation in compliance with recommended ranges between and within individual dialysis centres. Compliance to the target haemoglobin level (≥110 g/L) ranged from 42–78% of patients at different centres in 2003.

Conclusion:  Although the number of patients with values within those recommended in the CARI guidelines has increased for some parameters, many patients in Australia have clinical parameters outside the ranges recommended in the CARI Guidelines.
Randomised controlled trial of leflunomide in the treatment of immunoglobulin A nephropathy
Authors: LOU TANQI , WANG CHENG , CHEN ZHUJIANG , SHI CHENGGANG , TANG HUA , LIU XUN , YIN PEIDA , YU XUEQING
Published: April 2006

Aim:  To investigate the effect of leflunomide for treatment of immunoglobulin A (IgA) nephropathy.

Methods:  Sixty IgA nephropathy patients were divided into two groups at random. Patients in the test group received leflunomide and patients in the control group received fosinopril. Clinical data were obtained at weeks 2, 4, 6, 8, 12, 16, 20, 24 and 28.

Results:  The complete remission rate was 62.1% and the total effectiveness rate was 72.4%. In the leflunomide group, proteinuria significantly decreased from 1.66 ± 0.42 g to 0.60 ± 0.68 g (P < 0.05). The efficacy rate of leflunomide compared with fosinopril in treating IgA nephropathy was not statistically different (P > 0.05). Side‐effects were mild in both treatment groups.

Conclusion:  These preliminary results are encouraging, but further randomised studies are required before leflunomide can be recommended for the treatment of IgA nephropathy.
Serum‐dependence of AMPA receptor‐mediated proliferation in glioma cells
Authors: Yoshida Yukari , Tsuzuki Keisuke , Ishiuchi Shogo , Ozawa Seiji
Published: April 2006

Glutamate may cause Ca2+ entry through Ca2+‐permeable glutamate receptors, which in turn stimulates the anti‐apoptotic signaling cascade in glioma cells. It was found that a human glioma cell line, U‐87 MG, expressed subunits of α‐amino‐3‐hydroxy‐5‐methyl‐4‐isoxazolepropionate acid‐type glutamate receptors (AMPAR). Ca2+ entry through AMPAR was detected in approximately 40% of U‐87 MG cells. AMPAR agonists facilitated cell proliferation in low‐serum medium containing 0.5% fetal calf serum (FCS). Unexpectedly, cell proliferation by the activation of AMPAR was not detected in serum‐rich medium containing 10% FCS. Overexpression of Ca2+‐permeable AMPAR facilitated proliferation of U‐87 MG cells in the low‐serum condition, whereas it had again no effect in the serum‐rich condition. Cell proliferation of U‐87 MG cells is likely to be under the regulation of both growth factors contained in the serum and Ca2+ entry through AMPAR, and that the latter regulation becomes evident only when serum factors are deprived of culture medium.
Carcinoid tumor arising in a duplication cyst of the duodenum
Authors: Hata Hiroaki , Hiraoka Nobuyoshi , Ojima Hidenori , Shimada Kazuaki , Kosuge Tomoo , Shimoda Tadakazu
Published: April 2006

Reported herein is a case of carcinoid tumor arising in a duplication cyst of the duodenum in a 34‐year‐old woman. Ultrasonography at a health check‐up revealed a 10 cm cystic mass located in the retroperitoneum adjacent to the third portion of the duodenum. Macroscopically, it had a smooth surface without communication with other organs and was filled with brownish necrotic fluid. More than half of the inner wall was occupied by a white, irregular, and solid nodule, which protruded into the lumen. The nodule was diagnosed as a carcinoid tumor invasive to the deep muscular layer. The non‐neoplastic cyst wall had bowel structures including mucosa, submucosa and double layers of smooth muscle, indicating that the lesion was a duodenal duplication cyst. Most of the mucosa was eroded by marked inflammation. The remaining mucosa consisted of various types of epithelium, the major type having the nature of primitive gastric mucosa. Of interest was the presence of hamartomatous components in the wall. Furthermore, the non‐neoplastic mucosal lining cells around the carcinoid tumor expressed neuroendocrine antigens and had minimal proliferative activity, suggesting that part of the cyst wall provided a microenvironment for accelerated differentiation of epithelial cells to an endocrine phenotype and transformation to neoplasia.
Inside out, or outside in: meeting with couples
Authors: Jenkins Hugh
Published: April 2006

The complex difficulties often faced by couples require a range of models for effective help. Relational intensity is heightened in therapy by the ease with which the therapist can be triangled into the couple's relationship and by the influence of the emotional triggers from their respective internal worlds.

This article draws on systemic and psychodynamic models and a transgenerational perspective for gendered stories. Different time frameworks link interpersonal and intrapersonal themes. In this sense, the therapist works ‘inside out’ and ‘outside in’. A framework of behaviours, emotions, feelings, meanings and beliefs is proposed to help link these perspectives. ‘Invisible contracts’ and the sense of there often being an unconscious ‘pact to disappoint’ are described.

Clear models are not enough, for it is the intimate encounter between client and therapist that is the bedrock of therapeutic change and growth. There is no short cut to this sense of intimacy in the unique encounter between therapist and each new couple. Brief examples from practice describe how the issues discussed may be addressed in couples work.
Banks That Don't Lend? Unlocking Credit to Spur Growth in Developing Countries
Authors: Freedman Paul L. , Click Reid W.
Published: April 2006

This article explores the level of liquidity within the banking systems of developing countries and the potential impact on rates of economic growth from prudently redirecting a portion of liquid assets into credit to the private sector. It finds that banks in developing countries are extremely liquid and growth rates per capita might increase substantially in response to heightened lending to the private sector. It then summarises the primary obstacles to this and presents several policy reforms that can augment the level of credit to the private sector in developing countries.
Trade Linkages in Shrimp Exports: Japan, Thailand and Vietnam
Authors: Kagawa Masahiro , Bailey Conner
Published: April 2006

Considerable attention has been devoted to the social and environmental consequences of shrimp farming in the tropics, but relatively little has been given to the relationships involved in international trade in processed shrimp. Based on extensive field research, this article addresses this gap in the literature by examining the nature of the linkages between Japan, a major importer, and two major exporting countries, Thailand and Vietnam, underlying which are informal agreements rather than formal contractual relationships. It examines the rationale and operation of such informal agreements in the context of a dynamic market characterised by an international division of labour between Thailand (with an advanced food products industry) and Vietnam (just emerging into the world market).
Regulatory Actions under Adjustment Costs and the Resolution of Scientific Uncertainty
Authors: Hennessy David A. , Moschini GianCarlo
Published: April 2006

Food system regulators often decide whether to ban existing practices or approve new technologies without conclusive scientific evidence on possible damage and knowing that resolution is likely in the future. In a model with three decision points and stochastic resolution of uncertainty, we study interactions between expected losses due to regulation and information availability when a regulator is deciding on an early reversible ban and on a later reversible ban. Adjustment costs create inertia concerning intermediate signals such that earlier decisions are not overturned, and also a bias against imposing an early ban. The prospect of more later‐stage information can increase or decrease the incentive to ban early, but research decreases the incentive to ban early.
Anticipated Fiscal Policy Changes and Goods Market Adjustments
Authors: Schubert Stefan F. , Turnovsky Stephen J.
Published: April 2006

Government policies are frequently known to be temporary and thus their termination is perfectly anticipated. These foreseen policy changes must be consistent with equilibrium in both the goods market and asset markets. Potential problems arise because prices often play dual roles, both as final goods prices, and as asset prices, as components of rates of return. We show how the economy accommodates an anticipated policy change depends upon its production flexibility and its structure. With flexible investment, an anticipated reduction in government expenditure is fully accommodated by capital accumulation. When investment involves adjustment costs, the marginal utility of wealth and the price of capital both jump so as to maintain equality among rates of return. Goods market clearance is maintained by a combination of increases in consumption and investment. Extensions of the model to include inventories and to a small open economy are also considered and contrasted.
The Liquidity Premium in the Money Market: A Comparison of the German Mark Period and the Euro Area
Authors: Durré Alain
Published: April 2006

This paper investigates to what extent the expectations hypothesis of the term structure (EHTS) of interest rates receives some support since the launch of the European single currency. Empirical evidence shows that in general this theory applies to most European countries, and to Germany in particular. The objective of this paper thus is twofold. First, the EHTS for the German money market and for a larger sample including the German mark period and the euro money market is tested in order to check whether the results for the former are affected by the new financial environment since January 1999. Second, the implications of the results for the monetary policy assessment are discussed. We estimate cointegrating vector autoregressive models in order to quantify the level of the liquidity premium. The results suggest that financial markets do not consider the monetary policy of the European Central Bank simply as the one prevailing during the German period.
Macroeconomic News and Stock Returns in the United States and Germany
Authors: Funke Norbert , Matsuda Akimi
Published: April 2006

Using daily data for the January 1997 to June 2002 period, we analyze similarities and differences in the impact of macroeconomic news on stock returns in the United States and Germany. We consider 27 different types of news for the United States and 12 different types of news for Germany. For the United States, we present evidence for asymmetric reactions of stock prices to news. In a boom (recession) period, bad (good) news on GDP growth and unemployment or lower (higher) than expected interest rates may be good news for stock prices. In the period under consideration there is little evidence for asymmetric effects in Germany. However, in the case of Germany, international news appears at least as important as domestic news. There is no evidence that US stock prices are influenced by German news. The analysis of bi-hourly data for Germany confirms these results.
To Go or Not to Go: Emigration from Germany
Authors: Uebelmesser Silke
Published: April 2006

This study analyses the qualitative aspects of emigration from Germany, taking account of economic and non-economic reasons. The reported willingness to emigrate from Germany in the German Socio-Economic Panel (GSOEP) is explained for men and women by three groups of variables: individual characteristics, household characteristics and regional characteristics. It transpires that the educational background and West German residency positively affect the willingness to emigrate, whereas German nationality, age and the family situation are mostly negatively correlated with it.
Managerial Ownership and Company Performance in German Small and Medium- Sized Private Enterprises
Authors: Mueller Elisabeth , Spitz-Oener Alexandra
Published: April 2006

We analyse the relationship between managerial ownership and company performance, testing the incentive and entrenchment hypothesis. Differently from previous literature, we focus on small and medium-sized private enterprises which constitute an important part of the German economy. We use a panel of 356 companies in the German business-related service sector for the years 1997-2000. Our findings are that performance, measured by survey-based profit information, is increasing in managerial ownership by up to around 40 per cent. We do not find a significant entrenchment effect, possibly because, at levels at which managers could become entrenched, they already bear a large proportion of the costs and have therefore an incentive to maximize company value.
Surveying bats for conservation: the status of cave‐dwelling bats on Curaçao from 1993 to 2003
Authors: Petit S. , Rojer A. , Pors L.
Published: April 2006

In view of their ecological importance and the abundance of threats on a developing Caribbean island, we surveyed the bats of Curaçao, Netherlands Antilles, and examined changes in the populations of seven threatened species over a decade, using previously published data as a baseline for comparison. The most important caves for bats (in terms of species representation and reproduction) were visited yearly, and monthly in 2001. Noctilio leporinus still occurs on the island, but does not appear to be numerous (six observed in 2003). We captured Myotis nesopolus nesopolus, but its roosting sites remain unknown. Leptonycteris curasoae curasoae numbers varied greatly, even within a year, and it may travel to and from other islands and Venezuela. Overall, however, the population of this species on Curaçao seems to be declining (1000 in 1993 and 625 in 2003); the disappearance of this pollinator could have severe consequences for the Curaçao ecosystem. Mormoops megalophylla intermedia is declining as well; in 2003, we counted 403 individuals including 75 pups, from 500 to 600 adults in the 10 previous years, representing a 25–30% decline in 1 year. We estimated the population of Natalus tumidirostris to be 890 in 2003. We also found a group of 60 Pteronotus davyi in Kueba di Ratón in 2003. Glossophaga longirostris elongata (1417 individuals counted) is the only species for which our data indicate relative stability over 10 years; L. curasoae and Mor. megalophylla are declining and other species must be monitored closely. Most caves are disturbed; four major caves require attention for the conservation of the most fragile species. Without immediate attention, Mor. megalophylla, in particular, risks imminent extinction. Despite problems associated with bat counts on Curaçao, it is clear that regular surveys are crucial to understand bat populations and their fluctuations in caves, and to allow management responses to declines, particularly for areas undergoing rapid urbanization.