bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The politics of national history in post‐colonial Hong Kong
Authors: Kan Flora L.F.
Published: March 2011

This article examines how interest groups in Hong Kong have politicised national history, an unpopular school subject, for their own political ends and allied themselves with the PRC against the SAR government and its policy of not making it a single, independent, compulsory core subject in the school curriculum. The article argues that this has been made possible by the ‘One country, two systems’ administrative structure.
Polarisation of social studies textbooks in Pakistan
Authors: Zaidi Syed Manzar Abbas
Published: March 2011

This article looks at the evolution of the social studies curricula in Pakistan, which are of critical importance in shaping the outlook of many young Pakistanis, who are affected by this polarised discourse. The author argues that this trend of polarisation springing from dynamics of education also effectively contributes to a widening social divide, which the extremist project exploits by manipulating a social and opinion leadership vacuum. The author argues that education in Pakistan is linked with dissemination of specific ideologies, and historiography has been used in a specific context as a dividing force. This is all the more relevant in social studies curricula, which have tended to shape the worldviews of generations. The author argues that social studies curricula in Pakistan need to undergo an urgent transformative process of making them more objective so that they can stimulate intellect as well as counter radicalisation tendencies.
The Transition Year programme in Ireland. Embracing and resisting a curriculum innovation
Authors: Jeffers Gerry
Published: March 2011

The Transition Year (TY) programme is an optional, one‐year, stand‐alone, full‐time programme offered in 75% of second‐level schools in the Republic of Ireland. Aimed at those in the 15–16 age group, TY has a strong focus on personal and social development and on education for active citizenship. The implementation of TY in schools is seen as a case study in curriculum innovation. Evidence from the programme's history and development, from studies of attitudes to TY in six schools and among policy shapers, suggests ambiguous views among stakeholders towards the programme. Enthusiasm for aspects of the innovation is accompanied by resistance to its more challenging features. Schools’ responses to the programme are examined from a range of perspectives.
Planning and implementing an educational programme for the smooth transition from kindergarten to primary school: the Greek project in all‐day kindergartens
Authors: Carida Helen Ch.
Published: March 2011

The transition from kindergarten to primary school constitutes a significant point in children's development, entailing definitive effects on their personality and the formation of their behaviour, but also on their school performance. Innovative Educational Programmes constitute a nodal point for the development of cooperation among the educational institutions, aiming to facilitate the transition procedure. Based on the circular of the Ministry of National Education and Religious Affairs (Ref. No. 8495, 19‐11‐2007) and within the framework of Sub‐programme 6, entitled ‘Innovative interventions in all‐day kindergartens’, in the 4th District of Preschool Education, Prefecture of Piraeus, school year 2007–8, six transition projects were prepared, having as their subject the ‘Facilitation of the smooth transition from kindergarten to primary school’. The aim of this article is to present the results from the six aforementioned programmes.
Cautions and assurances for those who would design a small urban high school: bringing 20 years of research to the planning table
Authors: Slotta OliveAnn Davis , Fernandez Karen L.
Published: March 2011

The two authors share learning gleaned from personal, classroom experiences in small schools – both cautions and assurances – for other educators who may be embarking on a similar path. We worked at two different small high school sites in the Denver Public Schools, an urban district with an ethnically diverse student population of 78,000. We present a multi‐vocal analysis of participants in both sites to identify consequential experiences and perspectives from five stakeholder groups: teachers, students, parents, administrators, and partners/advisers. For each stakeholder group, we document roles, goals, responsibilities and activity patterns. We summarise a set of findings identifying the conditions for success in a small school project.
Nearly Free Electron State in Graphane Nanoribbon Superlattice
Authors: Liu Qiao-hong , Li Zhen-yu , Yang Jin-long
Published: March 2011

Nearly free electron (NFE) state has been widely studied in low dimensional systems. Based on first-principles calculations, we identify two types of NFE states in graphane nanoribbon superlattice, similar to those of graphene nanoribbons and boron nitride nanoribbons. Effect of electron doping on the NFE states in graphane nanoribbon superlattice has been studied, and it is possible to open a vacuum transport channel via electron doping.
Electrochemical Synthesis of Phenol-aniline Copolymerization Coating on 304 Stainless Steel Anodes and Coating Microstructure Analysis
Authors: Bao Li-yin , Xiong Rong-chun , Zhang Wen , Wei Gang
Published: March 2011

Electrochemical copolymerization of phenol and aniline was achieved on 304 stainless steel anodes in neutral water solution with an electrolyte of Na2SO4O4. Compared with pit corrosion potential of different copolymer coatings, the best solution composition was 0.09 mol/L phenol and 0.01 mol/L aniline. Through infrared spectrum analysis, polyaniline structure was proved in phenol-aniline copolymer, as well as more side chains. Scanning electron microscope was used to analyze microstructure of copolymer coating, taking advantage of part solubility of phenol-aniline copolymer in tetrahydrofuran, the bifurcate network structure was observed. The copolymer coating microstructure was summarized, compared with the performance of polyphenol coatings, the reasons of corrosion resistance enhancement with the addition of aniline in electropolymerization reaction was assumed as well.
Photocatalysis of TiO2 Sheets Prepared by Templating Filter Paper
Authors: Zhang Qing-shuang , Li Qiao-ling , Li Jian-qiang , Bai Rui
Published: March 2011

Titanium dioxide sheet photocatalysts composed of interwoven microstrips were successfully synthesized using filter paper as templates. The synthesized samples were characterized by means of Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, surface area analyzer, thermogravimetric analysis, powder X-ray diffraction, and scanning electron microscopy. The photocatalytic activities of the samples were evaluated by the degradation of methyl orange in an aqueous solution under UV-illumination. The results demonstrated that the paper-like TiO2 sheets with the optimum proportion of anatase/rutile (10/1) had the highest photoactivity. And the presence of the filter paper fiber can improve the crystallinity, raise the anatase-rutile transformation temperature and contribute to the formation of being paper-like. A detailed formation mechanism for TiO2 sheets is proposed.
Factor map, diamond and density of pressure functions
Authors: Ban Jung-Chao , Chang Chih-Hung
Published: March 2011

Letting

π
:
X
→
Y

\pi :X\rightarrow Y

be a one-block factor map and

Φ
\Phi

be an almost-additive potential function on

X
,

X,

we prove that if

π
\pi

has diamond, then the pressure

P
(
X
,
Φ
)

P(X,\Phi )

is strictly larger than

P
(
Y
,
π
Φ
)

P(Y,\pi \Phi )

. Furthermore, if we define the ratio

ρ
(
Φ
)
=
P
(
X
,
Φ
)

/

P
(
Y
,
π
Φ
)

\rho (\Phi )=P(X,\Phi )/P(Y,\pi \Phi )

, then

ρ
(
Φ
)
>
1

\rho (\Phi )>1

and it can be proved that there exists a family of pairs

{
(

π

i

,

X

i

)
}

i
=
1

k

\left \{ (\pi _{i},X_{i})\right \} _{i=1}^{k}

such that

π

i

:

X

i

→
Y

\pi _{i}:X_{i} \rightarrow Y

is a factor map between

X

i

X_{i}

and

Y
Y

,

X

i

⊆
X

X_{i}\subseteq X

is a subshift of finite type such that

ρ
(

π

i

,
Φ

|

X

i

)

\rho (\pi _{i},\Phi |_{X_{i}})

(the ratio of the pressure function for

P
(

X

i

,
Φ

|

X

i

)

P(X_{i},\Phi |_{X_{i}})

and

P
(
Y
,
π
Φ
)

P(Y,\pi \Phi )

) is dense in

[
1
,
ρ
(
Φ
)
]

[1,\rho (\Phi )]

. This extends the result of Quas and Trow for the entropy case.
Cytosolic aggregates perturb the degradation of nontranslocated secretory and membrane proteins
Authors: Chakrabarti Oishee , Rane Neena S. , Hegde Ramanujan S.
Published: March 2011

A wide range of diseases are associated with the accumulation of cytosolic protein aggregates. The effects of these aggregates on various aspects of normal cellular protein homeostasis remain to be determined. Here we find that cytosolic aggregates, without necessarily disrupting proteasome function, can markedly delay the normally rapid degradation of nontranslocated secretory and membrane protein precursors. In the case of mammalian prion protein (PrP), the nontranslocated fraction is recruited into preexisting aggregates before its triage for degradation. This recruitment permits the growth and persistence of cytosolic PrP aggregates, explaining their apparent “self-conversion” seen in earlier studies of transient proteasome inhibition. For other proteins, the aggregate-mediated delay in precursor degradation led to aggregation and/or soluble residence in the cytosol, often causing aberrant cellular morphology. Remarkably, improving signal sequence efficiency mitigated these effects of aggregates. These observations identify a previously unappreciated consequence of cytosolic aggregates for nontranslocated secretory and membrane proteins, a minor but potentially disruptive population the rapid disposal of which is critical to maintaining cellular homeostasis.
Fas-associated factor 1 antagonizes Wnt signaling by promoting β-catenin degradation
Authors: Zhang Long , Zhou Fangfang , van Laar Theo , Zhang Juan , van Dam Hans , ten Dijke Peter
Published: March 2011

The canonical Wnt pathway plays an important role in the regulation of cell proliferation and differentiation. Activation of this signaling pathway causes disruption of the Axin/adenomatous polyposis coli/glycogen synthase kinase 3β complex, resulting in stabilization of β-catenin and its association with lymphoid enhancer factor/T-cell factor in the nucleus. Here, we identify Fas-associated factor 1 (FAF1) as a negative regulator of Wnt/β-catenin signaling. We found overexpression of FAF1 to strongly inhibit Wnt-induced transcriptional reporter activity and to counteract Wnt-induced β-catenin accumulation. Moreover, knockdown of FAF1 resulted in an increase in β-catenin levels and in activation of Wnt/β-catenin–induced transcription. FAF1 was found to interact with β-catenin upon inhibition of proteasome. Ectopic expression of FAF1 promoted β-catenin degradation by enhancing its polyubiquitination. Functional studies in C2C12 myoblasts and KS483 preosteoblastic cells showed that FAF1 depletion resulted in activation of endogenous Wnt-induced genes and enhanced osteoblast differentiation, whereas FAF1 overexpression had the opposite effect. These results identify FAF1 as a novel inhibitory factor of canonical Wnt signaling pathway.
Do Zoning Regulations Rob Rural Landowners' Equity?
Authors: Liu Xiangping , Lynch Lori
Published: March 2011

Zoning regulations are land use control tools used to conserve resource land, limit negative externalities from high density development, and achieve agglomeration benefits from conserving large blocks of land. However, the passage of low‐density zoning is often challenged by landowners who claim that through it, they lose their land's equity due to lower land values. We investigate whether low‐density zoning impacts rural land value using arm's‐length sales in Maryland's nine Eastern Shore counties. Using both a propensity score matching method and an instrumental variable approach, we find that low‐density zoning has differentiated impacts. Resource parcels’ land values are unaffected, and non‐resource parcels’ values decrease by 20–50%.
birgHPC: creating instant computing clusters for bioinformatics and molecular dynamics
Authors: Chew Teong Han , Joyce-Tan Kwee Hong , Akma Farizuwana , Shamsir Mohd Shahir
Published: March 2011

Summary: birgHPC, a bootable Linux Live CD has been developed to create high-performance clusters for bioinformatics and molecular dynamics studies using any Local Area Network (LAN)-networked computers. birgHPC features automated hardware and slots detection as well as provides a simple job submission interface. The latest versions of GROMACS, NAMD, mpiBLAST and ClustalW-MPI can be run in parallel by simply booting the birgHPC CD or flash drive from the head node, which immediately positions the rest of the PCs on the network as computing nodes. Thus, a temporary, affordable, scalable and high-performance computing environment can be built by non-computing-based researchers using low-cost commodity hardware.

Availability: The birgHPC Live CD and relevant user guide are available for free at http://birg1.fbb.utm.my/birghpc.

Contacts:  shahir@utm.my; teonghan@gmail.com
Identification and quantification of metabolites in 1H NMR spectra by Bayesian model selection
Authors: Zheng Cheng , Zhang Shucha , Ragg Susanne , Raftery Daniel , Vitek Olga
Published: March 2011

Motivation: Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy is widely used for high-throughput characterization of metabolites in complex biological mixtures. However, accurate interpretation of the spectra in terms of identities and abundances of metabolites can be challenging, in particular in crowded regions with heavy peak overlap. Although a number of computational approaches for this task have recently been proposed, they are not entirely satisfactory in either accuracy or extent of automation.

Results: We introduce a probabilistic approach Bayesian Quantification (BQuant), for fully automated database-based identification and quantification of metabolites in local regions of 1H NMR spectra. The approach represents the spectra as mixtures of reference profiles from a database, and infers the identities and the abundances of metabolites by Bayesian model selection. We show using a simulated dataset, a spike-in experiment and a metabolomic investigation of plasma samples that BQuant outperforms the available automated alternatives in accuracy for both identification and quantification.

Availability: The R package BQuant is available at: http://www.stat.purdue.edu/~ovitek/BQuant-Web/.

Contact:  ovitek@stat.purdue.edu; zhengc@purdue.edu

Supplementary Information:  Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
sc-PDB: a database for identifying variations and multiplicity of ‘druggable’ binding sites in proteins
Authors: Meslamani Jamel , Rognan Didier , Kellenberger Esther
Published: March 2011

Background: The sc-PDB database is an annotated archive of druggable binding sites extracted from the Protein Data Bank. It contains all-atoms coordinates for 8166 protein–ligand complexes, chosen for their geometrical and physico-chemical properties. The sc-PDB provides a functional annotation for proteins, a chemical description for ligands and the detailed intermolecular interactions for complexes. The sc-PDB now includes a hierarchical classification of all the binding sites within a functional class.

Method: The sc-PDB entries were first clustered according to the protein name indifferent of the species. For each cluster, we identified dissimilar sites (e.g. catalytic and allosteric sites of an enzyme).

Scope and applications: The classification of sc-PDB targets by binding site diversity was intended to facilitate chemogenomics approaches to drug design. In ligand-based approaches, it avoids comparing ligands that do not share the same binding site. In structure-based approaches, it permits to quantitatively evaluate the diversity of the binding site definition (variations in size, sequence and/or structure).

Availability: The sc-PDB database is freely available at: http://bioinfo-pharma.u-strasbg.fr/scPDB.

Contact:  ekellen@unistra.fr
GeCo++: a C++ library for genomic features computation and annotation in the presence of variants
Authors: Cereda Matteo , Sironi Manuela , Cavalleri Matteo , Pozzoli Uberto
Published: March 2011

Summary: We propose a C++ class library developed to the purpose of making the implementation of sequence analysis algorithms easier and faster when genomic annotations and variations need to be considered. The library provides a class hierarchy to seamlessly bind together annotations of genomic elements to sequences and to algorithm results; it allows to evaluate the effect of mutations/variations in terms of both element position shifts and of algorithm results, limiting recalculation to the minimum. Particular care has been posed to keep memory and time overhead into acceptable limits.

Availability and Implementation: A complete tutorial as well as a detailed doxygen generated documentation and source code is freely available at http://bioinformatics.emedea.it/geco, under the GPL license. The library was written in standard ISO C++, and does not depend on external libraries.

Contact:  uberto.pozzoli@bp.lnf.it
fastsimcoal: a continuous-time coalescent simulator of genomic diversity under arbitrarily complex evolutionary scenarios
Authors: Excoffier Laurent , Foll Matthieu
Published: March 2011

Motivation: Genetic studies focus on increasingly larger genomic regions of both extant and ancient DNA, and there is a need for simulation software to match these technological advances. We present here a new coalescent-based simulation program fastsimcoal, which is able to quickly simulate a variety of genetic markers scattered over very long genomic regions with arbitrary recombination patterns under complex evolutionary scenarios.

Availability and Implementation: fastsimcoal is a C++ program compiled for Windows, MacOsX and Linux platforms. It is freely available at cmpg.unibe.ch/software/fastsimcoal/, together with its detailed user manual and example input files.

Contact:  laurent.excoffier@iee.unibe.ch

Supplementary Information:  Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
High-throughput feature counting and measurement of roots
Authors: Naeem Asad , French Andrew P. , Wells Darren M. , Pridmore Tony P.
Published: March 2011

Summary: The original RootTrace tool has proved successful in measuring primary root lengths across time series image data. Biologists have shown interest in using the tool to address further problems, namely counting lateral roots to use as parameters in screening studies, and measuring highly curved roots. To address this, the software has been extended to count emerged lateral roots, and the tracking model extended so that strongly curved and agravitropic roots can be now be recovered. Here, we describe the novel image analysis algorithms and user interface implemented within the RootTrace framework to handle such situations and evaluate the results.

Availability: The software is open source and available from http://sourceforge.net/projects/roottrace.

Contact:  andrew.french@cpib.ac.uk

Supplementary information:  Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Histogram-based DNA analysis for the visualization of chromosome, genome and species information
Authors: Costa António M. , Machado José T. , Quelhas Maria D.
Published: March 2011

Motivation: We describe a novel approach to explore DNA nucleotide sequence data, aiming to produce high-level categorical and structural information about the underlying chromosomes, genomes and species.

Results: The article starts by analyzing chromosomal data through histograms using fixed length DNA sequences. After creating the DNA-related histograms, a correlation between pairs of histograms is computed, producing a global correlation matrix. These data are then used as input to several data processing methods for information extraction and tabular/graphical output generation. A set of 18 species is processed and the extensive results reveal that the proposed method is able to generate significant and diversified outputs, in good accordance with current scientific knowledge in domains such as genomics and phylogenetics.

Availability and implementation: Source code freely available for download at http://www4.dei.isep.ipp.pt/etc/dnapaper2010, implemented in Free Pascal and UNIX scripting tools. Study input data available online for download at University of California at Santa Cruz Genome Bioinformatics, http://hgdownload.cse.ucsc.edu/downloads.html.

Contact:  acc@isep.ipp.pt

Supplementary information:  Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
UniCarb-DB: a database resource for glycomic discovery
Authors: Hayes Catherine A. , Karlsson Niclas G. , Struwe Weston B. , Lisacek Frederique , Rudd Pauline M. , Packer Nicolle H. , Campbell Matthew P.
Published: March 2011

Summary: Glycosylation is one of the most important post-translational modifications of proteins, known to be involved in pathogen recognition, innate immune response and protection of epithelial membranes. However, when compared to the tools and databases available for the processing of high-throughput proteomic data, the glycomic domain is severely lacking. While tools to assist the analysis of mass spectrometry (MS) and HPLC are continuously improving, there are few resources available to support liquid chromatography (LC)–MS/MS techniques for glycan structure profiling. Here, we present a platform for presenting oligosaccharide structures and fragment data characterized by LC–MS/MS strategies. The database is annotated with high-quality datasets and is designed to extend and reinforce those standards and ontologies developed by existing glycomics databases.

Availability:  http://www.unicarb-db.org

Contact:  matthew.campbell@mq.edu.au
Microvillous Inclusion Disease: How to Improve the Prognosis of a Severe Congenital Enterocyte Disorder
Authors: Halac Ugur , Lacaille Florence , Joly Francisca , Hugot Jean‐Pierre , Talbotec Cécile , Colomb Virginie , Ruemmele Frank M , Goulet Olivier
Published: March 2011

Background and Objective:

Microvillous inclusion disease (MVID) is a rare congenital enterocyte disorder causing severe diarrhea and intestinal failure. The objective of this study was to analyze clinical evolution and the most frequent complications of MVID in children receiving parenteral nutrition (PN) and after small‐bowel transplantation (SBTx) with the aim to improve treatment strategies and prognosis.

Patients and Methods:

From 1995 to 2009, 24 patients (16 boys, median follow‐up 4.7 years, range: from birth to 23.5 years) with MVID were admitted to our unit. The recorded parameters included growth, neurological development, liver and renal functions, bone disease, and outcome.

Results:

Almost half of the children were from consanguineous families from the Mediterranean area. All of the patients completely depended on PN. Four children died of PN complications before 4 years of age. Before or without SBTx, growth failure was common (mean height −2.5 standard deviations [SD]), as was developmental delay (12/24), liver (20/22 with fibrosis) or kidney disease (3/23 with moderate renal insufficiency), and osteoporosis (6/24). Thirteen children underwent SBTx (9 isolated, 4 combined with liver Tx) at a median age of 3.5 years. Follow‐up after SBTx was 0.4 to 14 years. Patient survival rates were 63% without SBTx and 77% with SBTx. After SBTx, 4 children experienced catch‐up growth.

Conclusions:

PN in MVID is difficult to manage and requires expertise. Despite improved results in expert centers, the risk of death or irreversible sequelae is higher with PN than after Tx. SBTx, despite being complicated, remains the only hope to improve the quality of life and long‐term prognosis of these children.
Utility of Simplified Criteria for the Diagnosis of Autoimmune Hepatitis in Children
Authors: Hiejima Eitaro , Komatsu Haruki , Sogo Tsuyoshi , Inui Ayano , Fujisawa Tomoo
Published: March 2011

Background and Aim:

Although the diagnostic scoring system of autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) has been used, these criteria are intended mainly as research tools and are complicated to apply. To resolve these difficulties and allow quick diagnosis, a simplified scoring system was proposed in 2007. We retrospectively compared the simplified AIH scoring system with the 1999 revised original AIH scoring system in children.

Patients and Methods:

Twenty children (boys/girls 10/10, age 1–15 years, mean age ± SD 8.4 ± 4.4 years) who were diagnosed with AIH based on clinical, biochemical, immunological, and histological data were enrolled in this study. In addition, 36 children with non‐AIH liver diseases (boys/girls 22/14, age 1–16 years, mean age ± SD 7.8 ± 4.4 years) were available for evaluation of both the simplified and the 1999 revised scoring system.

Results:

The sensitivity and specificity of the 1999 revised scoring system were 100% and 81%, respectively. In contrast, the sensitivity and specificity of the simplified scoring system were 55% and 86%, respectively. Of the 20 children with AIH, 9 (45%) were classified as not having AIH using the simplified scoring system. Of the 9 children, 2 and 7 were classified as having definite AIH and probable AIH using the 1999 revised scoring system, respectively. All 5 children with primary sclerosing cholangitis were graded as having AIH using the simplified AIH criteria and the 1999 revised criteria.

Conclusions:

Although the simplified AIH scoring system has low sensitivity for the diagnosis of AIH in children, the specificity of the simplified AIH scoring system is high. However, the simplified AIH scoring system could not differentiate between AIH and primary sclerosing cholangitis. Therefore, the simplified AIH scoring system does not seem to be a reliable diagnostic tool in children.
Parents' Willingness to Pay for Coeliac Disease Screening of Their Child
Authors: Norström Fredrik , Ivarsson Anneli , Lindholm Lars , Carlsson Annelie , Danielsson Lars , Högberg Lotta , Karlsson Eva , Löfgren Curt
Published: March 2011

Objective:

The aim of this study is to determine Swedish parents' willingness to pay (WTP) for coeliac disease (CD) screening of their child.

Subjects and Methods:

CD screening was undertaken involving 10,041 12‐year‐old children, with 7567 (75%) agreeing to participate. Blood samples from the children were analysed for CD serological markers. Parents received a questionnaire including a scenario describing the health‐related risks of having CD and screening and diagnostic procedures. Parents were also asked whether they were willing to pay for CD screening, should this not be offered free of charge, and, if so, what their maximum WTP would be. Their WTP was compared with the average cost per child for the screening and case ascertainment procedures.

Results:

The questionnaire was answered by 6524 parents, and of 6057 valid responses 63% stated that they were willing to pay something. The mean WTP was 79 EUR and the median 10 EUR. The average cost per child for the screening and case ascertainment procedures was 47 EUR, which 23% of the parents stated they were willing to pay. Parents' WTP increased with higher education and income, and with child symptoms that may indicate CD.

Conclusions:

Swedish parents' WTP for school‐based CD screening of their child was higher than the average cost per child; however, only a minority of the parents were willing to pay that amount.
Development of a Farsi translation of the AGREE instrument, and the effects of group discussion on improving the reliability of the scores
Authors: Rashidian Arash , Yousefi‐Nooraie Reza
Published: March 2011

Objective  We aimed to develop a formal Farsi (Persian) translation of the Appraisal of Guidelines for Research and Evaluation (AGREE) clinical guideline appraisal instrument. We considered the effect of group discussion in improving the reliability of scores.

Methods  We followed a multi‐step process of translation including independent translations of the instrument and extensive assessment of face validity and fluency. We used the instruments to appraise 11 guidelines from three specialities. After the first appraisal, the raters discussed about each guideline in groups, and had the opportunity to revise their scores individually. In total 96 appraisals were conducted. The intra‐class correlations (1,1) were calculated for domain scores obtained by two versions at each time point.

Results  We observed no statistically significant differences between the mean values obtained from the English and the translated versions of AGREE, and the scores at two time points. The average domain scores, as well as the reliability rose significantly after discussion.

Conclusion  The Farsi version of the AGREE instrument yields in the scores comparable to the original version, despite a lower reliability. Revision of scores after group discussion leads to higher reliability, probably by helping the raters recognize what they might have overlooked during the short time of assessment.
Functional genomics of life history variation in a butterfly metapopulation
Authors: WHEAT CHRISTOPHER W. , FESCEMYER HOWARD W. , KVIST J. , TAS EVA , VERA J. CRISTOBAL , FRILANDER MIKKO J. , HANSKI ILKKA , MARDEN JAMES H.
Published: March 2011

In fragmented landscapes, small populations frequently go extinct and new ones are established with poorly understood consequences for genetic diversity and evolution of life history traits. Here, we apply functional genomic tools to an ecological model system, the well‐studied metapopulation of the Glanville fritillary butterfly. We investigate how dispersal and colonization select upon existing genetic variation affecting life history traits by comparing common‐garden reared 2‐day adult females from new populations with those from established older populations. New‐population females had higher expression of abdomen genes involved in egg provisioning and thorax genes involved in the maintenance of flight muscle proteins. Physiological studies confirmed that new‐population butterflies have accelerated egg maturation, apparently regulated by higher juvenile hormone titer and angiotensin converting enzyme mRNA, as well as enhanced flight metabolism. Gene expression varied between allelic forms of two metabolic genes (PgiandSdhd), which themselves were associated with differences in flight metabolic rate, population age and population growth rate. These results identify likely molecular mechanisms underpinning life history variation that is maintained by extinction–colonization dynamics in metapopulations.
The genetic effects of Late Quaternary climatic changes over a tropical latitudinal gradient: diversification of an Atlantic Forest passerine
Authors: D’HORTA FERNANDO M. , CABANNE GUSTAVO S. , MEYER DIOGO , MIYAKI CRISTINA Y.
Published: March 2011

The increase in biodiversity from high to low latitudes is a widely recognized biogeographical pattern. According to the latitudinal gradient hypothesis (LGH), this pattern was shaped by differential effects of Late Quaternary climatic changes across a latitudinal gradient. Here, we evaluate the effects of climatic changes across a tropical latitudinal gradient and its implications to diversification of an Atlantic Forest (AF) endemic passerine. We studied the intraspecific diversification and historical demography of Sclerurus scansor, based on mitochondrial (ND2, ND3 and cytb) and nuclear (FIB7) gene sequences. Phylogenetic analyses recovered three well‐supported clades associated with distinct latitudinal zones. Coalescent‐based methods were applied to estimate divergence times and changes in effective population sizes. Estimates of divergence times indicate that intraspecific diversification took place during Middle–Late Pleistocene. Distinct demographic scenarios were identified, with the southern lineage exhibiting a clear signature of demographic expansion, while the central one remained more stable. The northern lineage, contrasting with LGH predictions, exhibited a clear sign of a recent bottleneck. Our results suggest that different AF regions reacted distinctly, even in opposite ways, under the same climatic period, producing simultaneously favourable scenarios for isolation and contact among populations.
Metabolism of reactive oxygen species and reactive nitrogen species in pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) plants under low temperature stress
Authors: AIRAKI MORAD , LETERRIER MARINA , MATEOS ROSA M. , VALDERRAMA RAQUEL , CHAKI MOUNIRA , BARROSO JUAN B. , DEL RÍO LUIS A. , PALMA JOSÉ M. , CORPAS FRANCISCO J.
Published: March 2011

Low temperature is an environmental stress that affects crop production and quality and regulates the expression of many genes, and the level of a number of proteins and metabolites. Using leaves from pepper (Capsicum annum L.) plants exposed to low temperature (8 °C) for different time periods (1 to 3 d), several key components of the metabolism of reactive nitrogen and oxygen species (RNS and ROS, respectively) were analysed. After 24 h of exposure at 8 °C, pepper plants exhibited visible symptoms characterized by flaccidity of stems and leaves. This was accompanied by significant changes in the metabolism of RNS and ROS with an increase of both protein tyrosine nitration (NO2‐Tyr) and lipid peroxidation, indicating that low temperature induces nitrosative and oxidative stress. During the second and third days at low temperature, pepper plants underwent cold acclimation by adjusting their antioxidant metabolism and reverting the observed nitrosative and oxidative stress. In this process, the levels of the soluble non‐enzymatic antioxidants ascorbate and glutathione, and the activity of the main NADPH‐generating dehydrogenases were significantly induced. This suggests that ascorbate, glutathione and the NADPH‐generating dehydrogenases have a role in the process of cold acclimation through their effect on the redox state of the cell.
Root‐to‐shoot signalling when soil moisture is heterogeneous: increasing the proportion of root biomass in drying soil inhibits leaf growth and increases leaf abscisic acid concentration
Authors: MARTIN‐VERTEDOR ANA ISABEL , DODD IAN C.
Published: March 2011

To determine whether root‐to‐shoot signalling of soil moisture heterogeneity depended on root distribution, wild‐type (WT) and abscisic acid (ABA)‐deficient (Az34) barley (Hordeum vulgare) plants were grown in split pots into which different numbers of seminal roots were inserted. After establishment, all plants received the same irrigation volumes, with one pot watered (w) and the other allowed to dry the soil (d), imposing three treatments (1 d : 3 w, 2 d : 2 w, 3 d : 1 w) that differed in the number of seminal roots exposed to drying soil. Root distribution did not affect leaf water relations and had no sustained effect on plant evapotranspiration (ET). In both genotypes, leaf elongation was less and leaf ABA concentrations were higher in plants with more roots in drying soil, with leaf ABA concentrations and water potentials 30% and 0.2 MPa higher, respectively, in WT plants. Whole‐pot soil drying increased xylem ABA concentrations, but maximum values obtained when leaf growth had virtually ceased (100 nm in Az34, 330 nm in WT) had minimal effects (<40% leaf growth inhibition) when xylem supplied to detached shoots. Although ABA may not regulate leaf growth in vivo, genetic variation in foliar ABA concentration in the field may indicate different root distributions between upper (drier) and lower (wetter) soil layers.
Effects of elevated CO2, warming and drought episodes on plant carbon uptake in a temperate heath ecosystem are controlled by soil water status
Authors: ALBERT K. R. , RO‐POULSEN H. , MIKKELSEN T. N. , MICHELSEN A. , VAN DER LINDEN L. , BEIER C.
Published: March 2011

The impact of elevated CO2, periodic drought and warming on photosynthesis and leaf characteristics of the evergreen dwarf shrub Calluna vulgaris in a temperate heath ecosystem was investigated. Photosynthesis was reduced by drought in midsummer and increased by elevated CO2 throughout the growing season, whereas warming only stimulated photosynthesis early in the year. At the beginning and end of the growing season, a T × CO2 interaction synergistically stimulated plant carbon uptake in the combination of warming and elevated CO2. At peak drought, the D × CO2 interaction antagonistically down‐regulated photosynthesis, suggesting a limited ability of elevated CO2 to counteract the negative effect of drought. The response of photosynthesis in the full factorial combination (TDCO2) could be explained by the main effect of experimental treatments (T, D, CO2) and the two‐factor interactions (D × CO2, T × CO2). The interactive responses in the experimental treatments including elevated CO2 seemed to be linked to the realized range of treatment variability, for example with negative effects following experimental drought or positive effects following the relatively higher impact of night‐time warming during cold periods early and late in the year. Longer‐term experiments are needed to evaluate whether photosynthetic down‐regulation will dampen the stimulation of photosynthesis under prolonged exposure to elevated CO2.
Genetic variability of cytomegalovirus glycoprotein O in hematopoietic stem cell transplant recipients
Authors: Roubalova K. , Strunecky O. , Vitek A. , Zufanova S. , Prochazka B.
Published: March 2011

K. Roubalova, O. Strunecky, A. Vitek, S. Zufanova, B. Prochazka. Genetic variability of cytomegalovirus glycoprotein O in hematopoietic stem cell transplant recipients. Transpl Infect Dis 2011: 13: 237–243. All rights reserved

Abstract: Genetic variation of cytomegalovirus (CMV) strains can correlate with their pathogenicity for immunocompromised patients. Glycoprotein O (gO), together with glycoprotein L and glycoprotein H, mediate the fusion of the viral envelope with the cell membrane and promotes virus penetration, envelopment, and release. The variability of gO might play a role in CMV cell tropism. The goal was a retrospective analysis of gO variability in a cohort of hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) recipients to determine the distribution of gO genotypes and to investigate their impact on clinical outcome and manifestation of CMV infection.

Methods. In archived blood samples from 51 adult allogeneic HSCT recipients with active CMV infection, gO was analyzed by sequencing the N‐terminal domain of the UL74 gene using the dye deoxy termination method.

Results. The gO1 and gO2 clades were most common (39% and 20%, respectively, and gO3 was associated with higher risk of symptomatic infection (P=0.026 in multivariant analysis). Despite being associated with higher antigenemia levels (P=0.02), gO4 had the best survival and lower rate of CMV recurrence. No significant differences were found in clinical manifestation and outcome of CMV disease between patients with various gO clades. Because CMV strains sharing an identical gO sequence differed in glycoprotein B genotypes, sequencing the N‐terminal part of the gO gene does not seem to be optimal for the identification of strains.

Conclusions. gO genotyping may contribute to the biological characterization of CMV strains in HSCT recipients.
Characterization of bovine microsatellites by silver staining
Authors: Comincini S. , Leone P. , Redaelli L. , Giuli L. de , Zhang Y. , Ferretti L.
Published: March 2011

Silver staining was used to detect amplified microsatellite loci from the bovine genome. The standard silver‐staining procedure was modified to allow more direct control in the development of signals. Microsatellites were analysed, to compare the silver‐staining technique and the direct incorporation of a radioactive tracer. With silver staining, levels of sensitivity were achieved that are typical of those with radioisotopic detection. Also, silver staining is a cheaper process, is less hazardous to operators and the environment, and can be performed in laboratories without radioisotopic facilities. A significant advantage of silver staining is the speed of the process, producing results of a typing in 1 day.

Charakterisierung von Rinder Mikrosatelliten durch Silberfärbung

Mit Silverstaining (Silberfärbung) wurden amplifizierte Mikrosatellite von Rindern verschiedener Rassen charaktisiert. Für drei Mikrosatelliten wurden einige Nanogramme genomische DNA amplifiziert. Diese Technik erwies sich als empfindlicher und einfacher als die radioisotopische Methodologie und ist auch billiger und ungefährlicher für Forscher und Umwelt. Kann innerhalb eines Tages Ergebnisse erreicht werden Letztens, kann diese Tecknik für Forschung in Labors gebraucht werden, wo keine Radioaktivität benutzt werden kann.
Variance component estimation in animal breeding: a review†
Authors: Hofer A.
Published: March 2011

The goal of animal breeding is to improve performance traits of animal populations through selection. The selection criterion is usually based on best linear unbiased prediction (BLUP) of additive genetic effects. BLUP requires knowledge about variance components that have to be estimated in practice. Due to its desirable properties restricted maximum likelihood (REML) has become the method of choice for the estimation of variance components of mixed linear models in animal breeding. Impressive progress has been made in the development of efficient computing algorithms that allow REML to be used for general mixed linear models of large data sets. Various flexible computer programs have become available. Due to the adoption of Markov chain Monte Carlo procedures Bayesian estimation has recently become feasible and is increasingly used in animal breeding applications. The availability of powerful computers and advances in the efficiency of computing algorithms allow the consideration of increasingly complex models. Therefore, the development and application of appropriate statistical procedures for model comparison is becoming more important.

Varianzkomponentenschätzung in der Tierzucht‐eine Uebersicht

Das Ziel der Tierzucht ist die Verbesserung der Leistung von Tierapopulationen durch Selektion. Als Selektionskriterium wird üblicherweise die beste lineare Vorhersge (BLUP) des additiv genetischen Effektes verwendet. BLUP setzt bekannte Varianzkomponenten voraus, die in der praktischen Anwendung jedoch geschätzt werden müssen. Die attraktiven Eigenschaften haben Restricted Maximum Likelihood (REML) zur Methode der Wahl für die Schätzung von Varianzkomponenten gemischter linearer Modelle in der Tierzucht werden lassen. Beachtliche Fortschritte wurden bei der Entwicklung von effizienten Rechenalgorithmen erzielt, die es erlauben REML für arbiträre gemischte Modelle und grosse Datenmengen zu verwenden. Mehrere flexible Computerprogramme wurden entwickelt und verftügbar gemacht. Die Verwendung von Markov chain Monte Carlo Prozeduren hat die praktische Anwendung der Bayes'schen Schätzung in der Tierzucht ermöglicht. Die stetige Steigerung der Rechenleistung von Computern und die Fortschritte bei der Entwicklung effizienter Rechenalgorithmen erlauben die Anwendung immer komplexerer Modelle. Daher gewinnt die Entwicklung und Anwendung von statistischen Verfahren für den Vergleich alternativer Modelle an Bedeutung.
Association between improvements in insulin resistance and changes in cognitive function in elderly diabetic patients with normal cognitive function
Authors: Yanagawa Madoka , Umegaki Hiroyuki , Uno Tomoko , Oyun Khookhor , Kawano Naoko , Maeno Hitoshi , Yamanouchi Kunio , Sato Yuzo
Published: March 2011

Aim:  The number of elderly with cognitive dysfunction has been increasing in developed countries. Several studies have shown that diabetes is a risk factor for declines in cognitive function and, recently, numerous studies have demonstrated that exercise improves insulin resistance (IR). However, no studies have been undertaken to examine the relationship between IR and cognitive dysfunction.

Methods:  Sixteen elderly diabetic patients participated in this study (mean age 70.9 ± 3.7 years). They were divided into control and training groups, and the training group was instructed to exercise 4 days per week for 12 weeks using horse riding simulation equipment (JOBA). Insulin sensitivity was measured by the euglycemic clamp technique and several tests to assess cognitive function, such as the Mini‐Mental State Examination (MMSE), were performed.

Results:  There were no statistically significant differences between the control and training groups in the baseline data. The differences of glucose infusion rate values and delayed word list scores, between baseline and the follow up, were significantly correlated (P = 0.024). In addition, changes in fasting blood sugar (FBS) and in the Trail Making Test B (TMT‐B) score were also correlated (P = 0.035).

Conclusion:  The current study showed that a 12‐week exercise intervention program did not significantly improve IR in elderly diabetic patients. However, changes in IR were associated with improvements in memory function, and reduced FBS was associated with improvements in TMT‐B. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2011; 11: 341–347.
Intercultural education of nurses and health professionals in Europe (IENE)
Authors: Taylor G. , Papadopoulos I. , Dudau V. , Maerten M. , Peltegova A. , Ziegler M.
Published: March 2011

TAYLOR G., PAPADOPOULOS I., DUDAU V., MAERTEN M., PELTEGOVA A. & ZIEGLER M. (2011) Intercultural education of nurses and health professionals in Europe (IENE). International Nursing Review58, 188–195

This paper presents the results of a needs analysis carried out during a 2‐year European Union‐funded project titled ‘Intercultural education of nurses and health professionals in Europe’.

Aims:  The study aimed to explore the perceived learning and teaching needs of students and practitioners of health‐care professions in relation to preparation for working in another European country and/or in a multicultural environment. The participating countries were: Belgium, Bulgaria, Germany, Romania and the UK.

Methods:  Questionnaires, consisting of open questions, were completed by a total of 118 participants. Data analysis adopted both a priori and inductive approaches. The predetermined constructs of cultural awareness, cultural knowledge, cultural sensitivity and cultural competence were used to structure suggestions for theoretical input and practical activities and experiences. Inductive analysis revealed other emergent themes that underpin all four of these constructs.

Results:  Practical experiences form a fundamental part of preparation for labour mobility and/or for practice within a multicultural environment. However, health‐care practitioners need to be adequately prepared for such experiences and value the opportunity to learn about culture, to explore values and beliefs, and to practise intercultural skills within the safe environment of an educational establishment, facilitated by skilled teachers.
THINKING ON: A CAREER IN PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION
Authors: RHODES R. A. W.
Published: March 2011

This article provides a brief intellectual history of my journey from traditional public administration through modernist‐empiricism to an interpretive approach and its associated research themes; a story of how I got to where I am. I do so to provide the context for a statement of where I stand now and key themes in my research; a story of where I go from here. I have a vaulting ambition: to establish an interpretive approach and narrative explanations in political science, so redefining public policy analysis.