bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Well‐being, satisfaction and commitment: the substitutable nature of resources for maternity hospital nurses
Authors: Rodwell John , Munro Louise
Published: February 2013

Aims

To investigate the relationship between three types of organizational resources (job control, social support and organizational justice) and the impact of job demands on nurse's well‐being and attitudes towards their work.

Background

The negative impact of work‐related stress on nurse's health and attitudes towards their work has been established. Increasingly, research is focusing on the role of organizational resources in reducing the impact of work‐related stress.

Design

Cross‐sectional survey.

Method

Data collected in November 2008 from 226 Australian nurses and midwives were analysed using the full Job Strain Model with the addition of organizational justice variables. Multiple regression analyses explored the relationships among job control, job demands, three sources of social support and four types of organizational justice on well‐being and work attitudes.

Results

The overall regression models explained a significant amount of variance in well‐being, job satisfaction and organizational commitment. Significant main effects were evident for support variables and organizational justice variables on well‐being and job satisfaction. Interactions between job control and supervisor support and between job demands and supervisor support were evident for job satisfaction.

Conclusions

Supervisor support and organizational justice have significant relationships with nurses' well‐being and job satisfaction. More broadly, the findings suggest that, in the triple‐matching approach from a work‐stressor to a resource to a work outcome, personal, supervisory and organizational resources may be substitutable. These findings provide nurse management with empirical endorsement for the development and delivery of the organization's resources for nursing staff.
Fatty acid binding protein 4 in circulating leucocytes reflects atherosclerotic lesion progression in Apoe−/− mice
Authors: Agardh Hanna E , Gertow Karl , Salvado M. Dolores , Hermansson Andreas , van Puijvelde Gijs H , Hansson Göran K. , Paulsson‐Berne Gabrielle , Gabrielsen Anders
Published: February 2013

Discovery of novel biomarkers for atherosclerosis is important to aid in early diagnosis of pre‐symptomatic patients at high risk of cardiovascular events. The aim of the present study was therefore to identify potential biomarkers in circulating cells reflecting atherosclerotic lesion progression in the vessel wall. We performed gene arrays on circulating leucocytes from atherosclerosis prone Apoe−/− mice with increasing ages, using C57BL/6 mice as healthy controls. We identified fatty acid binding protein 4 (FABP4) mRNA to be augmented in mice with established disease compared with young Apoe−/− or controls. Interestingly, the transcript FABP4 correlated significantly with lesion size, further supporting a disease associated increase. In addition, validation of our finding on protein level showed augmented FABP4 in circulating leucocytes whereas, importantly, no change could be observed in plasma. Immunofluorescence analysis demonstrated FABP4 to be present mainly in circulating neutrophils and to some extent in monocytes. Moreover, FABP4‐positive neutrophils and macrophages could be identified in the subintimal space in the plaque. Using human circulating leucocytes, we confirmed the presence of FABP4 protein in neutrophils and monocytes. In conclusion, we have showed that cellular levels of FABP4 in circulating leucocytes associate with lesion development in the experimental Apoe−/− model. The increased expression is primarily localized to neutrophils, but also in monocytes. We have identified FABP4 in leucocytes as a potential and easy accessible biomarker of atherosclerosis which could be of future clinical relevance.
Loss of CCM3 impairs DLL4‐Notch signalling: implication in endothelial angiogenesis and in inherited cerebral cavernous malformations
Authors: You Chao , Erol Sandalcioglu Ibrahim , Dammann Philipp , Felbor Ute , Sure Ulrich , Zhu Yuan
Published: February 2013

CCM3, a product of the cerebral cavernous malformation 3 or programmed cell death 10 gene (CCM3/PDCD10), is broadly expressed throughout development in both vertebrates and invertebrates. Increasing evidence indicates a crucial role of CCM3 in vascular development and in regulation of angiogenesis and apoptosis. Furthermore, loss of CCM3 causes inherited (familial) cerebral cavernous malformation (CCM), a common brain vascular anomaly involving aberrant angiogenesis. This study focused on signalling pathways underlying the angiogenic functions of CCM3. Silencing CCM3 by siRNA stimulated endothelial proliferation, migration and sprouting accompanied by significant downregulation of the core components of Notch signalling including DLL4, Notch4, HEY2 and HES1 and by activation of VEGF and Erk pathways. Treatment with recombinant DLL4 (rhDLL4) restored DLL4 expression and reversed CCM3‐silence‐mediated impairment of Notch signalling and reduced the ratio of VEGF‐R2 to VEGF‐R1 expression. Importantly, restoration of DLL4‐Notch signalling entirely rescued the hyper‐angiogenic phenotype induced by CCM3 silence. A concomitant loss of CCM3 and the core components of DLL4‐Notch signalling were also demonstrated in CCM3‐deficient endothelial cells derived from human CCM lesions (CCMEC) and in a CCM3 germline mutation carrier. This study defined DLL4 as a key downstream target of CCM3 in endothelial cells. CCM3/DLL4‐Notch pathway serves as an important signalling for endothelial angiogenesis and is potentially implicated in the pathomechanism of human CCMs.
Presence of N‐glycosylated transthyretin in plasma of V30M carriers in familial amyloidotic polyneuropathy: an escape from ERAD
Authors: Teixeira Anabela C. , Saraiva Maria J.
Published: February 2013

Familial amyloid polyneuropathy (FAP) is an autosomal dominant disease characterized by deposition of amyloid related to the presence of mutations in the transthyretin (TTR) gene. TTR is mainly synthesized in liver, choroid plexuses of brain and pancreas and secreted to plasma and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). Although it possesses a sequon for N‐glycosylation N‐D‐S at position 98, it is not secreted as a glycoprotein. The most common FAP‐associated mutation is TTR V30M. In a screening for monoclonal antibodies developed against an amyloidogenic TTR form, we detected a distinct TTR with slower electrophoretic mobility in Western of plasma from carriers of the V30M mutation, not present in normal plasma. Mass spectrometry analyses of this slower migrating TTR (SMT) identified both wild‐type and mutant V30M; SMT was undetectable upon N‐glycosidase F treatment. Furthermore, SMT readily disappeared in the plasma of V30M ‐ FAP patients after liver transplantation and appeared in plasma of transplanted domino individuals that received a V30M liver. SMT was also detected in plasma, but not in CSF of transgenic mice for the human V30M mutation. A hepatoma cell line transduced to express human V30M did not present the SMT modification in secretion media. Glycosylated TTR was absent in fibrils extracted from human kidney V30M autopsy tissue or in TTR aggregates extracted from the intestine of human TTR transgenic mice. Studies on the metabolism of this novel, glycosylated TTR secreted from FAP liver are warranted to provide new mechanisms in protein quality control and etiopathogenesis of the disease.
Cognitive behavioural therapy for chronic pain in people with an intellectual disability: a case series using components of the Feeling Better programme
Authors: McManus S. , Treacy M. , McGuire B. E.
Published: February 2013

Background

Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) has been shown to be effective in assisting people to cope with chronic pain. However, this approach has not been systematically evaluated with people with an intellectual disability (ID). This pilot study sought to examine the feasibility and clinical utility of CBT for people with an ID, using elements of a manualised CBT pain management programme called Feeling Better.

Method

Five people with chronic pain who were functioning within the mild range of ID received a modified, individual eight‐session cognitive behavioural intervention aimed at development of pain management skills. The participants' scores on a range of measures (pain management knowledge, pain self‐efficacy, use of pain coping strategies and effectiveness of coping strategies) were compared pre‐intervention, post‐intervention and at 1‐month follow‐up.

Results

The results indicated that participant scores on pain management knowledge, wellness‐focused coping and effectiveness of coping increased following the intervention. However, these gains were generally not maintained at follow‐up.

Conclusion

We concluded that CBT has potential utility for pain management in people with an ID, but that it requires a trial of a more intensive and prolonged intervention with the systematic involvement of care givers.
Delta‐like 1 Homologue is a Hypothalamus‐Enriched Protein that is Present in Orexin‐Containing Neurones of the Lateral Hypothalamic Area
Authors: Meister B. , Perez‐Manso M. , Daraio T.
Published: February 2013

Delta‐like 1 homologue (DLK1), also known as preadipocyte factor‐1, fetal antigen 1 or pG2, is a transmembrane protein belonging to the epidermal growth factor‐like superfamily. The protein becomes soluble and biologically active after cleavage of the tumour necrosis factor‐α‐converting enzyme. DLK1 is involved in the differentiation of several cell types, including adipocytes. Lack of the dlk1 gene in mice results in adiposity and a polymorphism within the gene encoding DLK1 has been associated with obesity. The dlk1 gene is expressed in restricted areas of the central nervous system with an enrichment of cell bodies expressing DLK1 mRNA in the hypothalamus. Goat and rabbit antisera to DLK1 were used to study the cellular localisation and chemical identity of DLK1‐immunoreactive neuronal cell bodies in rat hypothalamus. DLK1 immunoreactivity was demonstrated in the cell bodies of the suprachiasmatic, supraoptic, paraventricular, arcuate nuclei and in the lateral hypothalamus. At the subcellular level, DLK1 immunoreactivity was observed in the cell soma and dendrites, although not in axonal fibres or nerve terminals. Double‐labelling of sections from the lateral hypothalamic/perifornical area of colchicine‐treated rats (a treatment that increases the content of immunoreactive material in the cell soma) showed that DLK1 was present in the virually all orexin‐ and dynorphin‐containing neurones. By contrast, DLK1 was not demonstrated in any melanin‐concentrating hormone or cocaine‐ and amphetamine‐regulated transcript‐containing neurones of the lateral hypothalamic/perifornical area. The presence of DLK1 in a population of lateral hypothalamic neurones suggests a functional role for DLK1 in orexin/hypocretin/dynorphin neurones.
Women's understandings of sexual problems: findings from an in‐depth interview study
Authors: Bellamy Gary , Gott Merryn , Hinchliff Sharron
Published: February 2013

Aims and objectives

To explore women's understandings of sexual problems.

Background

Prevailing knowledge about women's sexual problems has prioritised the material body. Particular attention is given to the importance of penetrative sexual intercourse, orgasm and the reproductive imperative, which fail to take account of contextual factors that contribute to women's experiences of sexual problems.

Design

Qualitative in‐depth interview study.

Methods

Individual in‐depth interviews conducted with 23 women aged 23–72 years, recruited from members of the general public and a psychosexual clinic.

Results

The findings suggest that sexual problems are bodily experienced and socially and psychologically mediated. Women's views were influenced by the relational context of their experiences. At the same time, their views were deeply embedded within a patriarchal framework to make sense of their own sexual functioning and satisfaction.

Conclusion

This study presents a challenge in the drive to medicalise women's sexual problems via the female sexual dysfunction label. It problematises the current diagnostic criteria for sexual problems outlined in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual, which presupposes a highly individualised framework and favours a more nuanced approach.

Relevance to clinical practice

Rather than adopting or eschewing an entirely medical or psychosocial model, women presenting with sexual problems should be seen by a clinician whose assessment is holistic and takes into account relational, cultural, psychosocial and health‐related concerns.
Effects of self‐regulation protocol on physiological and psychological measures in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
Authors: Kuo Chia‐Chi , Lin Chiu‐Chu , Lin Shu‐Yuan , Yang Yi‐Hsin , Chang Chao‐Sung , Chen Ching‐Huey
Published: February 2013

Aims and objectives

This study presents a discussion of the physiological and psychological efficacy of a self‐regulation protocol in lowering acute exacerbation symptoms in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Background

Patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease are often troubled by acute exacerbation and must learn how to prevent this.

Design

A two‐group, pretest–post‐test experimental design was used in this study.

Methods

Data were collected between January–July 2008. Sixty‐four participants were randomly assigned either to an intervention (n = 33) or to a comparison (n = 31) group. Both groups were assessed on four separate occasions, namely pretest, post‐test 1 (5th week), post‐test 2 (9th week) and post‐test 3 (13th week). The intervention group received a four‐week self‐regulation protocol. The comparison group received the self‐regulation guidebook only. The Borg Dyspnea Scale, the Symptom Distress Scale, the Pulmonary Functional Status Scale, the chronic obstructive pulmonary disease Self‐Efficacy Scale and the peak expiratory flow were used to measure differences between pretest and post‐test values.

Results

On the 5th, 9th and 13th weeks after the self‐regulation protocol intervention, we found significantly better scores in the four scales in the intervention group compared to those in the comparison group. On the 9th and 13th weeks, there was a significantly greater peak expiratory flow in the intervention group. The intervention group also showed a lower rate of unscheduled physician visits because of acute exacerbation than the comparison group.

Conclusion

The findings indicate that the self‐regulation protocol developed in this study could significantly assist participants to control their individual symptoms and avoid acute exacerbation.

Relevance to clinical practice

Healthcare professionals could apply the protocol developed in this study to assist patients to learn the strategies of self‐regulation to prevent their acute exacerbation symptoms.
How Wise Are Crowds? Insights from Retail Orders and Stock Returns
Authors: KELLEY ERIC K. , TETLOCK PAUL C.
Published: February 2013

We analyze the role of retail investors in stock pricing using a database uniquely suited for this purpose. The data allow us to address selection bias concerns and to separately examine aggressive (market) and passive (limit) orders. Both aggressive and passive net buying positively predict firms’ monthly stock returns with no evidence of return reversal. Only aggressive orders correctly predict firm news, including earnings surprises, suggesting they convey novel cash flow information. Only passive net buying follows negative returns, consistent with traders providing liquidity and benefiting from the reversal of transitory price movements. These actions contribute to market efficiency.
‘The Substitution of One Piece of Nonsense for Another’: Reflections on Resistance, Gaming, and Subjugation
Authors: Willmott Hugh
Published: February 2013

This article reflects upon Willmott's 1993 article (‘Strength is ignorance; slavery is freedom: managing culture in modern organizations’) by revisiting the idea of ‘Corporate Culturism’ and its relevance for contemporary developments in management and organization, including higher education. It incorporates a commentary on how 1984 and ‘Strength is ignorance’ have been read and some reflections on the genesis of the original 1993 article. It then expands on themes in ‘Strength is ignorance’ which are of continuing relevance, and draws out implications for our research and professional lives, as scholars, working in business schools.
Suspected exercise‐induced seizures in a young dog
Authors: Motta L. , Dutton E.
Published: February 2013

A 12‐month‐old female neutered crossbreed was referred for investigation of seizure‐like episodes occurring only at intense exercise. Thorough medical, neurological and cardiac investigations were performed and excluded the most commonly known causes of seizure‐like activity. The dog was fitted with an ambulatory electrocardiography device and underwent another exercise‐induced seizure. The electrocardiogram during the episode revealed a sinus tachycardia at approximately 300 beats/minute. A video recording of the episode revealed generalised tonic clonic limb activity with jaw chomping and frothing at the mouth typical of seizure activity. Antiepileptic medications were not prescribed and the owner was advised not to exercise the dog intensely. The dog responded well and did not seizure after 12 months of mild‐moderate off‐lead exercise. As all the seizures in this case were triggered by intense physical activity, it is suggested that this may be a new form of reflex seizure activity.
Long‐term outcome of hepatitis B virus‐related Chronic Hepatitis under protracted nucleos(t)ide analogues
Authors: Niro G. A. , Ippolito A. M. , Fontana R. , Valvano M. R. , Gioffreda D. , Iacobellis A. , Merla A. , Durazzo M. , Lotti G. , Di Mauro L. , Andriulli A.
Published: February 2013

Long‐term outcome of patients with chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection under continuous nucleos(t)ide analogues (NUCs) has been poorly elucidated. We enrolled 121 anti‐HBe‐positive patients into a prospective surveillance programme while on (>36 months) NUCs therapy. HBV‐DNA clearance, add‐on therapy and safety were evaluated. Development of cirrhosis, events of liver decompensation and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) during the follow‐up were the main endpoints, as the complication‐free survival. At baseline, 74 patients (61%) had chronic hepatitis, the remainders a cirrhotic liver. HBV‐DNA levels >38 000 IU/mL were discovered in 103 patients. At enrolment, 79 patients were naïve to NUCs treatment. Lamivudine monotherapy (n = 70) or a different NUC (n = 51) was administered. At month 6 of therapy, HBV‐DNA clearance was documented in 88 patients (73%). Treatment schedule was modified in 52 patients due to breakthrough or suboptimal response. During a mean follow‐up of 6 ± 3 years, viral clearance was achieved in the majority of patients. Ten of 74 patients (13.5%) with chronic hepatitis progressed to cirrhosis, 1 patient developed a HCC. In the 47 patients with cirrhosis at presentation, HCC occurred in 14 (30%) and liver decompensation in 5 (11%). The 5 and 10‐year event‐free survivals were, respectively, 89.3% (95% CI, 81.7 −96.9) and 75.6% (95% CI, 61.5 −89.7) for patients with chronic hepatitis, and 70.2% (95% CI, 56.3 −84.1) and 40.4% (95% CI, 16.9 −63.9) for those with cirrhosis. Protracted, effective treatment with oral NUCs affects the natural history of chronic HBV infection by reducing the incidence of cirrhosis and risk of complications, but does not guarantee against the development of HCC in cirrhosis at presentation.
How to model species responses along ecological gradients – Huisman–Olff–Fresco models revisited
Authors: Jansen Florian , Oksanen Jari
Published: February 2013

Questions

In species response modelling, can a hierarchical logistic regression framework compete against GAM in terms of statistical inference? Are bimodal shapes useful to model species responses along ecological gradients?

Location

Germany.

Methods

In hierarchical logistic regression modelling [also known as Huisman, Olff, Fresco (HOF) models], the best model is chosen from a set of predetermined models using statistical information criteria, i.e. a balance between model fit to the data and simplicity of the model. We extended the classical five model types with two bimodal shapes. We improved the model optimization process to inhibit unrealistically steep slopes and abrupt changes. The stability of model choices is safeguarded through bootstrapping. The framework was tested on a data set of 547 vegetation plots of arable land with measured soil pHKCL. The ability to reproduce known shapes was tested with artificial data sets. Shape parameters, e.g. niche width and range, slope (turnover) and species optima, can be calculated from the models and used for further analyses. The model framework together with advanced plot functions is included in the package eHOF for the statistical software environment R.

Results

Based on the AIC, 66 out of 131 species are modelled with a better compromise between model fit and model complexity by one of the logistic regression models as compared to GAM with automatic smoother selection. Within the model framework, 17 species (13%) are best modelled with one of the new bimodal types. The test with artificial data of known shape reveals good reliability of eHOF models for unimodal responses in areas with homogeneous information, but increasing uncertainty if the sampling is uneven or if only a part of the response is covered within the observed gradient range.

Conclusions

Hierarchical logistic regression models offer a flexible way to efficiently fit species response data. They propose a sound theoretical background for ecological interpretation. Extended HOF models as presented here are judged as an effective tool for univariate species response modelling.
Winner of the SLS Annual Conference Best Paper Prize 2012
Authors: Chan Cora
Published: February 2013

One of the most contested issues in UK public law is how to calibrate the appropriate intensity of proportionality review in human rights adjudication. Here, the challenge lies in formulating a theory of intensity of review that can both comply with the constitutional framework introduced by the Human Rights Act 1998 (‘HRA’) and accommodate courts' varying levels of competence in different areas of litigation. This paper attempts to sketch such a theory in two steps. First, it argues that to fulfil the constitutional expectations brought about by the HRA, a minimum rigour of proportionality review should be observed. This baseline consists of requiring the government to demonstrate to the courts by means of cogent and sufficient evidence that a rights-limiting measure satisfies the distinct stages of the proportionality test. Secondly, this paper highlights the ways in which compliance with this baseline can nonetheless accommodate the courts' varying levels of competence in different adjudicative contexts. In particular, courts can vary the intensity of review once the baseline level of review is reached and adjust the nature of the evidence required from the government.
TIME‐CONSISTENT AND MARKET‐CONSISTENT EVALUATIONS
Authors: Pelsser Antoon , Stadje Mitja
Published: February 2013

We consider evaluation methods for payoffs with an inherent financial risk as encountered for instance for portfolios held by pension funds and insurance companies. Pricing such payoffs in a way consistent to market prices typically involves combining actuarial techniques with methods from mathematical finance. We propose to extend standard actuarial principles by a new market‐consistent evaluation procedure which we call “two‐step market evaluation.” This procedure preserves the structure of standard evaluation techniques and has many other appealing properties. We give a complete axiomatic characterization for two‐step market evaluations. We show further that in a dynamic setting with continuous stock prices every evaluation which is time‐consistent and market‐consistent is a two‐step market evaluation. We also give characterization results and examples in terms of g‐expectations in a Brownian‐Poisson setting.
Large spinel grains in a CM chondrite (Acfer 331): Implications for reconstructions of ancient meteorite fluxes
Authors: Bjärnborg Karolina , Schmitz Birger
Published: February 2013

By dissolving 30–400 kg of marine limestone in HCl and HF acid, our group has previously recovered common relict chromite grains (approximately 63–250 μm) from ordinary chondritic micrometeorites that fell on ancient sea floors, up to 500 Myr old. Here, we evaluate if CM group carbonaceous chondritic material, which makes up an important fraction of the micrometeorite flux today, contains analogous grains that can be searched for in acid residues. We dissolved 8 g of CM2 meteorite Acfer 331 in HF, which yielded a characteristic assemblage of both transparent Mg‐Al‐ and opaque Cr‐spinels >28 μm. We find on average 4.6 and 130 Mg‐Al‐spinel grains per gram in the 63–250 and 28–63 μm size fractions, respectively. These grains are mostly pink or colorless, and often characterized by heterogeneous Cr‐content. Black, opaque Cr‐spinel grains are absent from the >63 μm fraction, but in the 28–63 μm fraction we find approximately 65 such grains per gram meteorite. The individual grains have a characteristic composition, with heterogeneous major element compositions (e.g., 44.4–61.7 wt% Cr2O3), but narrow ranges for maximum TiO2 (0.6–1.6 wt%) and V2O3 (0.5–1.0 wt%) concentrations. The content of spinel grains in the 28–63 μm fraction of CM meteorites appears comparable at the order of magnitude level with the content of >63 μm sized chromite grains in fossil L‐chondrites from Ordovician limestone. Our approach of recovering meteoritic spinel from sediment may thus be extended to include CM meteorites, but the smaller size fraction of the acid residues should be searched.
The role of biogeography in shaping diversity of the intestinal microbiota in house mice
Authors: Linnenbrink Miriam , Wang Jun , Hardouin Emilie A. , Künzel Sven , Metzler Dirk , Baines John F.
Published: February 2013

The microbial communities inhabiting the mammalian intestinal tract play an important role in diverse aspects of host biology. However, little is known regarding the forces shaping variation in these communities and their influence on host fitness. To shed light on the contributions of host genetics, transmission and geography to diversity in microbial communities between individuals, we performed a survey of intestinal microbial communities in a panel of 121 house mice derived from eight locations across Western Europe using pyrosequencing of the bacterial 16S rRNA gene. The host factors studied included population structure estimated by microsatellite loci and mitochondrial DNA, genetic distance and geography. To determine whether host tissue (mucosa)‐associated communities display properties distinct from those of the lumen, both the caecal mucosa and contents were examined. We identified Bacteroides, Robinsoniella and Helicobacter as the most abundant genera in both the caecal content and mucosa‐associated communities of wild house mice. Overall, we found geography to be the most significant factor explaining patterns of diversity in the intestinal microbiota, with a comparatively weaker influence of host population structure and genetic distance. Furthermore, the influence of host genetic distance was limited to the mucosa communities, consistent with this environment being more intimately coupled to the host.
Profligate biotin synthesis in α‐proteobacteria – a developing or degenerating regulatory system?
Authors: Feng Youjun , Zhang Huimin , Cronan John E.
Published: February 2013

Biotin (vitamin H) is a key enzyme cofactor required in all three domains of life. Although this cofactor was discovered over 70 years ago and has long been recognized as an essential nutrient for animals, our knowledge of the strategies bacteria use to sense biotin demand is very limited. The paradigm mechanism is that of Escherichia coli in which BirA protein, the prototypical bi‐functional biotin protein ligase, both covalently attaches biotin to the acceptor proteins of central metabolism and represses transcription of the biotin biosynthetic pathway in response to biotin demand. However, in other bacteria the biotin protein ligase lacks a DNA‐binding domain which raises the question of how these bacteria regulate the synthesis of biotin, an energetically expensive molecule. A bioinformatic study by Rodionov and Gelfand identified a protein termed BioR in α‐proteobacteria and predicted that BioR would have the biotin operon regulatory role that in most other bacteria is fulfilled by the BirA DNA‐binding domain. We have now tested this prediction in the plant pathogen Agrobacterium tumefaciens. As predicted the A. tumefaciens biotin protein ligase is a fully functional ligase that has no role in regulation of biotin synthesis whereas BioR represses transcription of the biotin synthesis genes. Moreover, as determined by electrophoretic mobility shift assays, BioR binds the predicted operator site, which is located downstream of the mapped transcription start site. qPCR measurements indicated that deletion of BioR resulted in a c. 15‐fold increase of bio operon transcription in the presence of high biotin levels. Effective repression of a plasmid‐borne bioB‐lacZ reporter was seen only upon the overproduction of BioR. In contrast to E. coli and Bacillus subtilis where biotin synthesis is tightly controlled, A. tumefaciens synthesizes much more biotin than needed for modification of the biotin‐requiring enzymes. Protein‐bound biotin constitutes only about 0.5% of the total biotin, most of which is found in the culture medium. To the best of our knowledge, A. tumefaciens represents the first example of profligate biotin synthesis by a wild type bacterium.
Changing eating behaviour: What can we learn from behavioural science?
Authors: Atkins L. , Michie S.
Published: February 2013

Designing effective behaviour change interventions is key to promoting healthy eating. This paper takes a theoretical perspective to consider why people do not behave in ways that promote health and summarises evidence‐based principles and strategies for behaviour change. We present a theoretically driven, comprehensive method for intervention design using several tools recently developed in behavioural science.
A perspective on the strategic approach to the complexity and challenges of behaviour change in relation to dietary health
Authors: Bestwick C. S. , Douglas F. C. G. , Allan J. L , Macdiarmid J. I. , Ludbrook A. , Carlisle S.
Published: February 2013

Understanding the drivers for improving Scotland's dietary health is one of the key objectives within the ‘Food, Land and People’ component of the Scottish Government's Strategic Research Programme (SRP). Food producer, processor, retailer and consumer behaviour relative to diet and health are investigated through the programme's ‘Healthy Safe Diets’ theme. The research recognizes both the importance of food to Scotland's economy, health and wellbeing, as well as the challenges faced by the burden of obesity and dietary‐related illness. The Healthy Safe Diets theme's analysis of diet and behaviour has a focus on the interplay of the social, biological, behavioural and environmental determinants of nutritional health and aims to develop and test prototype policy interventions relevant to improving the health of Scotland's population. Here, we argue the necessity for concerted and coordinated multidisciplinary approaches to understand and influence dietary behaviour within the changing technological, economic, social and cultural context of individuals within society. The SRP's structure encourages and is developing such interdisciplinary links. Inherent to this is the combining of qualitative and quantitative approaches; using the insights gained from in depth study of small numbers of people, both to provide a better understanding of the results of quantitative analysis and to inform new research questions. Placed in context with the SRP's wider research objectives (such as on physical activity, the role of ‘urban green space’, enhancing the health‐beneficial properties of foods and the environmental sustainability of food production and supply), SRP interconnection offers significant opportunity to develop synergies and reconcile conflicts between research areas to create cohesive policy advice and enhance health and wellbeing outcomes.
Active travel: Transport policy and practice for health
Authors: Insall P.
Published: February 2013

Past transport policies have tended to prioritise private motorised transport above health‐enhancing, low‐emission active travel – walking and cycling. Decision makers, most of whom are drivers themselves, suffer from the ‘windscreen perspective’ and have difficulty seeing the issues around transport policy in a clear way. As a result, policy and investment planning still lean towards the car.

However, a range of factors now all point towards active travel for local trips. Climate change, peak oil, security of energy supply, road safety, noise and local air pollution all back up the arguments in favour of active travel as an easy and accessible way to incorporate physical activity into daily life. As forms of physical activity, walking and cycling offer valuable protection against cardiovascular disease, various forms of cancer, type 2 diabetes, depression and other forms of mental ill‐health, while also helping to maintain bone strength and fitness. Over the past decade, the evidence has accumulated and public health policy is now firmly in favour of active travel.

It is also now clear that there is great potential to shift large numbers of sedentary, motorised trips to active travel, with all the health and other benefits that would bring. Britons are using motorised transport for large numbers of short journeys, many of which could easily be walked or cycled.

The move of public health back into local government offers a real opportunity to influence transport policies and practice. Public health teams may be able to develop collaboration with their transport colleagues. The capital budgets of local authority transport departments can be used to improve the walking and cycling environment, while public health revenue funds could support individuals to adapt their behaviour and profit from those physical changes.
Chronobiology, endocrinology, and energy‐ and food‐reward homeostasis
Authors: Gonnissen H. K. J. , Hulshof T. , Westerterp‐Plantenga M. S.
Published: February 2013

Energy‐ and food‐reward homeostasis is the essential component for maintaining energy balance and its disruption may lead to metabolic disorders, including obesity and diabetes. Circadian alignment, quality sleep and sleep architecture in relation to energy‐ and food‐reward homeostasis are crucial. A reduced sleep duration, quality sleep and rapid‐eye movement sleep affect substrate oxidation, leptin and ghrelin concentrations, sleeping metabolic rate, appetite, food reward, hypothalamic‐pituitary‐adrenal (HPA)‐axis activity, and gut‐peptide concentrations, enhancing a positive energy balance. Circadian misalignment affects sleep architecture and the glucose‐insulin metabolism, substrate oxidation, homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA‐IR) index, leptin concentrations and HPA‐axis activity. Mood disorders such as depression occur; reduced dopaminergic neuronal signaling shows decreased food reward.

A good sleep hygiene, together with circadian alignment of food intake, a regular meal frequency, and attention for protein intake or diets, contributes in curing sleep abnormalities and overweight/obesity features by preventing overeating; normalizing substrate oxidation, stress, insulin and glucose metabolism including HOMA‐IR index, and leptin, GLP‐1 concentrations, lipid metabolism, appetite, energy expenditure and substrate oxidation; and normalizing food reward.

Synchrony between circadian and metabolic processes including meal patterns plays an important role in the regulation of energy balance and body‐weight control.

Additive effects of circadian alignment including meal patterns, sleep restoration, and protein diets in the treatment of overweight and obesity are suggested.
The development and shell microstructure of the pseudodeltidium and interarea in thecideide brachiopods
Authors: LOGAN ALAN , BAKER PETER
Published: February 2013

Abstract: This study examines the development of the delthyrium, pseudodeltidium and interarea, their growth during the early juvenile stages of ontogeny and the extrapolation of morphology from adult shells to the probable juvenile state. Examination of the development and shell microstructure of the cardinalia of early juvenile thecideide brachiopod ventral valves from Jurassic, Cretaceous and Holocene specimens suggests that the delthyrium develops early in ontogeny and that the initial development of the pseudodeltidium precedes that of the interarea. Also, until the interarea is formed, the postero‐lateral flanks of the ventral umbo are palintropic. The development of the interarea can be seen to be a consequence of the lateral extension of the early juvenile hinge line. Initially, the pseudodeltidium consists solely of a thin plate of primary shell material. Comparison of the morphology of the pseudodeltidium of early juveniles with that of adults suggests that the initially curved lateral profile of the pseudodeltidium is retained, or even accentuated, in the ontogeny of lacazellines, but in all thecidellinines, with the exception ofPachymoorellinaandMinutella, following the appearance of the interarea, the pseudodeltidium becomes flattened and often appears continuous with the interarea. However, we do not support any proposal that suggests that, in thecideides, only those forms in which the delthyrium is closed by a dorsally convex plate should be considered to possess a pseudodeltidiumsensu stricto, mainly because of physiological differences and the prospect of possible taxonomic confusion in the future. Instead, we propose the termplanodeltidiumfor a flat pseudodeltidium, typically developed in the thecidellinines, andrugideltidiumfor a convex pseudodeltidium, typically developed in the lacazellines, but also inPachymoorellinaandMinutella. Despite the presence of a rugideltidium, we believe the affinities ofMinutellaare more strongly with the thecidellinines and have included it in the new subfamily Minutellinae of the family Thecidellinidae.
The Uk Minimum Wage at 22 Years of Age: A Regression Discontinuity Approach
Authors: Dickens Richard , Riley Rebecca , Wilkinson David
Published: February 2013

A regression discontinuity approach is used to analyse the effect of the legislated increase in the UK national minimum wage that occurs at age 22 years on various labour market outcomes. Using data from the Labour Force Survey we find an increase of 3–4 percentage points in the rate of employment of low skilled individuals. Unemployment declines among men and inactivity among women. We find no such effect before the national minimum wage was introduced and no robust impacts at age 21 or 23 years. Our results are robust to a range of specification tests.
Form or Function?: The Effect of New Sports Stadia on Property Prices in London
Authors: Ahlfeldt Gabriel M. , Kavetsos Georgios
Published: February 2013

Professional sports facilities are among the most expensive development projects. Assessing the external effects related to these and the channels through which these effects operate is a challenging task. We propose a strategy to value the external effects that stadia deliver to their neighbourhoods based on the variation in property prices. Our strategy allows for unobserved spatial heterogeneity, anticipation effects, and disentangles the stadium's function as a sports facility from its form as a physical structure that (visually) dominates the neighbourhood. We apply this strategy to two of the largest stadium projects of the recent decade, the New Wembley and the Emirates Stadium in London. Our results suggest that there are positive stadium effects on property prices, which are large compared with construction costs. Notable anticipation effects are found immediately following the announcement of the stadium plans. We further argue that stadium architecture plays a role in promoting positive spillovers to the neighbourhood.
Comparing Distributions by using Dependent Normalized Random-Measure Mixtures
Authors: Griffin J. E. , Kolossiatis M. , Steel M. F. J.
Published: February 2013

A methodology for the simultaneous Bayesian non-parametric modelling of several distributions is developed. Our approach uses normalized random measures with independent increments and builds dependence through the superposition of shared processes. The properties of the prior are described and the modelling possibilities of this framework are explored in detail. Efficient slice sampling methods are developed for inference. Various posterior summaries are introduced which allow better understanding of the differences between distributions. The methods are illustrated on simulated data and examples from survival analysis and stochastic frontier analysis.
Fast BivariateP-Splines: The Sandwich Smoother
Authors: Xiao Luo , Li Yingxing , Ruppert David
Published: February 2013

We propose a fast penalized spline method for bivariate smoothing. Univariate P-spline smoothers are applied simultaneously along both co-ordinates. The new smoother has a sandwich form which suggested the name ‘sandwich smoother’ to a referee. The sandwich smoother has a tensor product structure that simplifies an asymptotic analysis and it can be fast computed. We derive a local central limit theorem for the sandwich smoother, with simple expressions for the asymptotic bias and variance, by showing that the sandwich smoother is asymptotically equivalent to a bivariate kernel regression estimator with a product kernel. As far as we are aware, this is the first central limit theorem for a bivariate spline estimator of any type. Our simulation study shows that the sandwich smoother is orders of magnitude faster to compute than other bivariate spline smoothers, even when the latter are computed by using a fast generalized linear array model algorithm, and comparable with them in terms of mean integrated squared errors. We extend the sandwich smoother to array data of higher dimensions, where a generalized linear array model algorithm improves the computational speed of the sandwich smoother. One important application of the sandwich smoother is to estimate covariance functions in functional data analysis. In this application, our numerical results show that the sandwich smoother is orders of magnitude faster than local linear regression. The speed of the sandwich formula is important because functional data sets are becoming quite large.
Affect‐as‐Information about Processing Styles: A Cognitive Malleability Approach
Authors: Isbell Linda M. , Lair Elicia C. , Rovenpor Daniel R.
Published: February 2013

Over the past three decades research has overwhelmingly supported the notion that positive affect promotes global, abstract, heuristic information processing whereas negative affect promotes local, detailed, and systematic processing. Yet despite the weight of the evidence, recent work suggests that such a direct relationship may be highly tenuous. In line with the affect‐as‐information account, we maintain that affective cues are adaptive and serve to provide individuals with information about their current psychological environment. We argue that these cues do not directly produce specific processing styles, but instead confer value on whatever processing inclination is dominant at the time. Positive affect (e.g., happiness) tends to promote reliance on currently dominant processing inclinations, whereas negative affect (e.g., sadness) tends to inhibit such reliance. Thus the impact of affect on processing is highly malleable and depends on both the type of processing that is currently active and the information provided by affective cues.
Identifying with Our Desires
Authors: Miller Christian
Published: February 2013

A number of philosophers have become convinced that the best way of trying to understand human agency is by arriving at an account of identification. My goal here is not to criticize particular views about identification, but rather to examine several assumptions which have been widely held in the literature and yet which, in my view, render implausible any account of identification that takes them on board. In particular, I argue that typically identification does not involve either reflective consideration of our mental states or endorsement of those states. If it did, we would rarely be agents.
Who Uses Intermediaries in International Trade? Evidence from Firm‐level Survey Data
Authors: Abel‐Koch Jennifer
Published: February 2013

The present paper uses data from the World Bank Enterprise Survey conducted in Turkey in 2005 to shed light on the firms that use intermediaries in international trade. It lends robust empirical support to recent theories which suggest that indirect exporters are mostly small firms that are not profitable enough to cover the high fixed costs of building an own distribution network abroad. Manufacturers who develop new products are more likely to use trade intermediaries, as are firms that produce low‐quality goods. In contrast, neither foreign ownership nor credit constraints are correlated with the choice of export mode. Moreover, firms that rely on trade intermediaries to sell their goods abroad also do so to source their foreign inputs, implying that the role of intermediaries in facilitating trade may be larger than previous studies suggest.
The Extensive and Intensive Margins of Exports: The Role of Innovation
Authors: Chen Wei‐Chih
Published: February 2013

An important prediction of trade theories is that innovation can improve a country’s export performance. Using data on patents granted by the US as a proxy for innovation and data on manufacturing exports from 105 countries over the period 1975–2001, I investigate the extent to which innovation increases the number of products traded (the extensive margin) and the export value of each product (the intensive margin). The empirical results show that (i) innovation has a positive and significant effect on both the extensive and intensive margins. The intensive margin contributes 70 per cent of the effect, and the extensive margin accounts for 30 per cent. (ii) The effect of innovation on exports is stronger for low‐income countries than for high‐income countries. (iii) More innovative countries export greater quantities and charge higher prices, suggesting that innovation increases the product quality of exports.
The Use and Abuse of Export Subsidies: Evidence from Colombia
Authors: Helmers Christian , Trofimenko Natalia
Published: February 2013

(12033) Christian Helmers and Natalia Trofimenko

We evaluate the impact of firm‐specific export subsidies on exports in Colombia. Using a two‐step selection model, we predict firm‐specific subsidy amounts that can be explained by the characteristics that determine firms’ eligibility for government support and its amount. Drawing on the accounts of the discretionary allocation of subsidies in developing countries, we interpret the discrepancy between the predicted and the observed subsidy amounts as a proxy for a firm's ties to government officials. Controlling for observable and unobservable firm characteristics as well as persistence in exporting, we find that although, in general, subsidies exhibit a positive impact on export volumes, this impact is diminishing in subsidy size and in the degree of a firm's connectedness.
The standard conjectures for holomorphic symplectic varieties deformation equivalent to Hilbert schemes ofK3 surfaces
Authors: Charles François , Markman Eyal
Published: February 2013

We prove the standard conjectures for complex projective varieties that are deformations of the Hilbert scheme of points on aK3 surface. The proof involves Verbitsky’s theory of hyperholomorphic sheaves and a study of the cohomology algebra of Hilbert schemes of K3 surfaces.