bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The gender-migration-employment nexus
Authors: Piper Nicola
Published: March 2013

This paper discusses how migration impacts families—from the specific perspective of
gender in the context of employment. I shall give particular attention to those migrants who
end up working in low-skilled, low-paid jobs in destination countries. Gender is treated here
as a relational concept, comparing not only male migrants to female migrants, but exploring
relations between generations (parents, children, grandparents), employer and worker, based on
socially constructed understandings of specific roles and patterns of behavior according to sex,
generational standing and socio-economic status. When a gender dimension is incorporated into
the analysis, it also brings to the fore the social dimensions of the issues under debate.

I start this paper by outlining the main analytical framework used for the analysis of
the issue of gendered labour migration, which is based on establishing a link between three
feminisations—of poverty, work and migration—thus addressing the causes and consequences
of migration, posing the question of what the implications of the three feminisations are for
gender and family relations more broadly (dealt with in section II). The final section outlines the
main rights issues and makes suggestions for policy intervention.
Refugees and migration: Local governance, challenges and responses in the city of Johannesburg, South Africa
Authors: Zwane Wandile
Published: March 2013

The paper draws from the experiences of the City of Johannesburg, South Africa, to examine
the way an emerging democracy can on one hand respond to the challenges faced by the families
of its own citizens and on the other hand those faced by the migrant community. It further
looks at the costs of not prioritising the needs of the migrant families and the manner in which
community integration strategies can assist migrant communities to confront some of the
challenges facing their families.
“Thinking globally, acting locally.” Children left-behind: Their experience in the Americas
Authors: Cruz Victoria
Published: March 2013

Transcript of lecture given 28 March 2012

To begin, it is no coincidence that this week a meeting of the Regional Conference on
Migration—which brings together countries from Central and North America—is being held in
San Jose, Costa Rica. This meeting is specifically titled “Children and adolescents, migration and
refugees,” and central to this topic are child trafficking, child-migrant smuggling, the migration of
unaccompanied children and other issues associated with migration in transit and destination
countries. Although many of the countries participating in this conference are countries of
origin of migration, the plight of those “left behind” in their home communities is not part of the
agenda.

Likewise, if you run a search for information on ‘children left behind’ and ‘migration,’ you
will find that, at least in the Latin American region, the subject has not been widely researched,
and existing analyses are done along the same lines as migration; that is, it is analyzed from
the perspective of movements among countries of transit and destination without taking the
countries of origin into consideration. This is not surprising considering that the more developed
the destination site is (where more employment sources and access to other services exist),
the more relevant the migration paths leading there (mainly international ones) will be, with
home communities remaining less visible, and often forgotten. In other words, to talk about the
children left behind is a challenge and will remain so until the issue is placed squarely in the
debate about migration.
Family, Migration and Dignity: An Introduction
Authors: Mesdoua Amina , Taran Patrick
Published: March 2013

More than 214 million people live outside their countries of origin or citizenship today.
Among these, 105 million men and women are economically active , contributing to development,
economic progress and social welfare in origin and destination countries alike. It is estimated
that a similar number comprise children and other dependents accompanying working migrants.
However, many migrant workers have to leave husbands or wives and children “back home” in
order to work abroad to provide for their families. In some cases, both parents go abroad to work
because there are no possibilities for decent work at home, leaving care of children in the hands
of others.

The circumstances of migration today pose multiple challenges to family as the core cultural,
social, and economic unit in society, and to preparing the next generations for the world of work.
Welcoming statement
Authors: Al Malki Noor
Published: March 2013

Excellencies, distinguished guests,

Ladies and gentlemen,

What an honor and pleasure it is to welcome you all to this symposium on Family, Migration
and Dignity. As we are going to address the challenges and harness the benefits associated with
international migration, it gives me pleasure to see such a diverse audience gathered in this
room. I would also like to extend a warm welcome to the speakers. Thank you for agreeing to
share your knowledge and perspectives on this important topic.

The Mission of the Doha International Institute for Family Studies and Development is to
encourage, support and promote implementation of the Doha Declaration on the family of 2004,
and to reaffirm international commitments to strengthen the family. At DIIFSD, we consider that
policy making whether at the national, regional or international levels frequently ignores the
contribution that the family as a unit can leverage in achieving development objectives at all
levels.
Discriminatory Policies & Practices Intersectionality: The Promise & the Challenge
Authors: Clark Sevda
Published: March 2013

A Story

On one of my trips abroad I found myself in transit at Amsterdam airport. It is not an
enjoyable experience (to say the least) on the best of flights, but this one experience will be
one I continue to remember with a mixed sense of pain and disillusionment. Airport security
controls are not something unfamiliar to me, and again, I braced myself as I carefully unpacked
the dubious objects from my handbag—a clear plastic bag containing my lip gloss, perfume and
anti-bacterial lotion among other indispensable items, as well as my laptop. I don’t remember
‘beeping’ as I walked through the security gate. Yet, I was hailed to step aside by a female customs
officer who had been deemed as appropriate to physically examine my body—rub it from head
to toe to ensure that I had not carefully strapped any explosive devices to my admittedly fitted
clothing. She looked noticeably indignant, and she made no attempt to hide her scorn. I breathed
deeply and walked into the curtained area where I was to be further examined. I had the sense
that I was in for something different this time. The whole time, the power dynamics that were at
play were so thick that they almost took on a presence of their own.
The Impact of Wage Rate Growth on Tourism Competitiveness
Authors: Philander Kahlil , Roe Susan J.
Published: March 2013

This study tests whether national labour costs affect international competitiveness in the tourism industry. Using a fixed effect model design and two-stage least squares (2SLS) estimation, a set of 40 countries is examined during the period 1990–2010. The study reveals that labour costs may be an important supply-side determinant of tourism expenditures, and supports the hypothesis of a negative relationship between these two variables. Implications of the reported findings for industry and for government macroeconomic policy are provided. Potential extensions of these findings to the tourism area life cycle model are also discussed.
Visitors' Expenditure Behaviour at Cultural Events: The Case of Christmas Markets
Authors: Brida Juan Gabriel , Disegna Marta , Osti Linda
Published: March 2013

This paper examines the determinants of visitors' expenditure behaviour at cultural events. The authors analyse visitors' expenditure at the micro-level, dividing it into expenditure on accommodation and expenditure on food and beverages. The explicative variables taken into account are socio-demographic, economic, psychological and trip–related attributes. An ad hoc survey was conducted on the three most famous Christmas markets in the north of Italy in December 2008 and 2009. To achieve their aims, the authors use the robust double-hurdle model. The results indicate that travel purpose, region of origin, perception of the event, length of stay and age are significant factors influencing both the propensity to spend and the amount of money actually spent during visits. The findings will provide destination managers and tourism businesses with practical knowledge useful for destination marketing, event development and customer service.
Using Business Registers to Conduct a Regional Analysis of Enterprise Demography and Employment in the Tourism Industries: Learning from the Irish Experience
Authors: MacFeely Steve , Delaney Jillian , O'Donoghue Fiachra
Published: March 2013

Business registers are the foundation upon which all business statistics are compiled. In addition to providing sampling and weighting frames, they are a rich source of information on national and regional economic and industrial structures. The comprehensive coverage of business registers is of particular relevance in the context of tourism, which is a fragmented sector dispersed across a variety of industries. This paper presents a profile of enterprise demography and employment for the tourism industries in Ireland at county level, which corresponds with level 4 of the European Union spatial classification ‘NUTS’. New metrics, entitled ‘Tourism Dependency Ratios’ are derived and mapped. These ratios illustrate how the tourism supply side can be analysed and understood from a spatial perspective. A full-time equivalent (FTE) estimate of employment in the tourism industries is also provided; this is especially important, as it provides a more stable and comparable measure of employment over time.
Assessing the Impacts of the High-Speed Train on Tourism Demand in China
Authors: Yan York Qi , Zhang Hanqin Qiu , Ye Ben Haobin
Published: March 2013

The high-speed railway has been an appropriate embodiment both of China's phenomenal rise and of its inherent economic and social dilemmas, which are assuming growing regional and international relevance. This study develops an econometric model to investigate the impacts of the Wuhan–Guangzhou high-speed railway on domestic tourism receipts in three Chinese provinces. The auto regressive and moving average (ARMA) model is integrated into a time series approximation and analysis. The results indicate that, while the provinces of Guangdong and Hunan have benefited from the high-speed railway, it has limited influence on Hubei province. The theoretical contributions and practical implications of the study are also elaborated.
Direct Photopatterning of Electrochromic Polymers
Authors: Jensen Jacob , Dyer Aubrey L. , Shen D. Eric , Krebs Frederik C. , Reynolds John R.
Published: March 2013

Propylenedioxythiophene (ProDOT) polymers are synthesized using an oxidative polymerization route that results in methacrylate substituted poly(ProDOTs) having a Mn of 10–20 kDa wherein the methacrylate functionality constitutes from 6 to 60% of the total monomer units. Solutions of these polymers show excellent film forming abilities, with thin films prepared using both spray‐casting and spin‐coating. These polymers are demonstrated to crosslink upon UV irradiation at 350 nm, in the presence of an appropriate photoinitiator, to render the films insoluble to common organic solvents. Electrochemical, spectroelectrochemical, and colorimetric analyses of the crosslinked polymer films are performed to establish that they retain the same electrochromic qualities as the parent polymers with no detriment to the observed properties. To demonstrate applicability for multi‐film processing and patterning, photolithographic patterning is shown, as is desired for fully solution processed and patterned devices.
Energetics of Donor‐Doping, Metal Vacancies, and Oxygen‐Loss in A‐Site Rare‐Earth‐Doped BaTiO3
Authors: Freeman Colin L. , Dawson James A. , Chen Hung‐Ru , Ben Liubin , Harding John H. , Morrison Finlay D. , Sinclair Derek C. , West Anthony R.
Published: March 2013

The energetics of La‐doping in BaTiO3 are reported for both (electronic) donor‐doping with the creation of Ti3+ cations and ionic doping with the creation of Ti vacancies. The experiments (for samples prepared in air) and simulations demonstrate that ionic doping is the preferred mechanism for all concentrations of La‐doping. The apparent disagreement with electrical conduction of these ionic doped samples is explained by subsequent oxygen‐loss, which leads to the creation of Ti3+ cations. Simulations show that oxygen‐loss is much more favorable in the ionic‐doped system than undoped BaTiO3 due to the unique local structure created around the defect site. These findings resolve the so‐called “donor‐doping” anomaly in BaTiO3 and explain the source of semiconductivity in positive temperature coefficient of resistance (PTCR) BaTiO3 thermistors.
Hyperphagia, Mild Developmental Delay But Apparently No Structural Brain Anomalies in a Boy Without SOX3 Expression
Authors: Helle Johan Robert , Barøy Tuva , Misceo Doriana , Braaten Øivind , Fannemel Madeleine , Frengen Eirik
Published: March 2013

The transcription factor SOX3 is widely expressed in early vertebrate brain development. In humans, duplication of SOX3 and polyalanine expansions at its C‐terminus may cause intellectual disability and hypopituitarism. Sox3 knock‐out mice show a variable phenotype including structural and functional anomalies affecting the branchial arches and midline cerebral structures such as the optic chiasm and the hypothalamo‐pituitary axis. SOX3 is claimed to be required in normal brain development and function in mice and humans, as well as in pituitary and craniofacial development. We report on an 8‐year‐old boy with a 2.1 Mb deletion in Xq27.1q27.2, which was found to be inherited from his healthy mother. To our knowledge, this is the smallest deletion including the entire SOX3 gene in a male reported to date. He is mildly intellectually disabled with language delay, dysarthria, behavior problems, minor facial anomalies, and hyperphagia. Hormone levels including growth, adrenocorticotropic and thyroid stimulating hormones are normal. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) at age 6 years showed no obvious brain anomalies. Genetic redundancy between the three members of the B1 subfamily of SOX proteins during early human brain development likely explains the apparently normal development of brain structures in our patient who is nullisomic for SOX3. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Arzneistoffentwicklung, ein moderner Zehnkampf
Authors: Laufer Stefan , Holzgrabe Ulrike , Steinhilber Dieter
Published: March 2013

Der zunehmende Kostendruck sowie die ständig beklagte Innovationslücke bei neuen Arzneistoffentwicklungen lassen Diskussionen über einen möglichen Beitrag der akademischen Landschaft, hier speziell der Pharmazie, aufkommen. In den USA gibt es bereits erfolgreiche Beispiele.
Drug Discovery: A Modern Decathlon
Authors: Laufer Stefan , Holzgrabe Ulrike , Steinhilber Dieter
Published: March 2013

The increasing costs as well as the lack of innovation potency in the development of new drugs have led to a discussion of the possible contribution of the German university landscape, especially pharmaceutical sciences. Successful examples are already apparent in the US.
Selective Semihydrogenation of Alkynes on Shape‐Controlled Palladium Nanocrystals
Authors: Chung Jooyoung , Kim Chanhoi , Jeong Hansaem , Yu Taekyung , Binh Do Huy , Jang Jyongsik , Lee Jaichan , Kim B. Moon , Lim Byungkwon
Published: March 2013

A systematic study on the selective semihydrogenation of alkynes to alkenes on shape‐controlled palladium (Pd) nanocrystals was performed. Pd nanocrystals with a cubic shape and thus exposed {100} facets were synthesized in an aqueous solution through the reduction of Na2PdCl4 with L‐ascorbic acid in the presence of bromide ions. The Pd nanocubes were tested as catalysts for the semihydrogenation of various alkynes such as 5‐decyne, 2‐butyne‐1,4‐diol, and phenylacetylene. For all substrates, the Pd nanocubes exhibited higher alkene selectivity (>90 %) than a commercial Pd/C catalyst (75–90 %), which was attributed to a large adsorption energy of the carbon–carbon triple bond on the {100} facets of the Pd nanocubes. Our approach based on the shape control of Pd nanocrystals offers a simple and effective route to the development of a highly selective catalyst for alkyne semihydrogenation.
In vivo performance evaluation and establishment of IVIVC for osmotic pump based extended release formulation of milnacipran HCl
Authors: Parejiya Punit B. , Barot Bhavesh S. , Patel Hetal K. , Chorawala Mehul R. , Shelat Pragna K. , Shukla Arunkumar
Published: March 2013

The objective of the present study was to carry out a pharmacokinetics evaluation of an oral modified release formulation [Aquarius EKX 19102 SRX–2 based osmotic pump (OP)] containing highly soluble milnacipran HCl (MH) as a model drug. It was also aimed at developing an in vitro–in vivo correlation (IVIVC) model for a developed OP. In vivo plasma concentration data were obtained from six healthy male New Zealand albino rabbits after administration of immediate‐release milnacipran HCl solution (IRMHSOL) and milnacipran HCl osmotic pump (MHOP). In vitro samples were analysed using an in house developed spectrophotometry method and in vivo samples were analysed using a RP‐HPLC method developed by the author. A deconvolution based Level A model was attempted through a correlation of the percent in vivo input obtained through deconvolution and the percent in vitro dissolution obtained experimentally. A good correlation between the percentages dissolved vs absorbed (R2 = 0.978) was obtained using level A correlation. Evaluation of the internal predictability of level A correlation was calculated in terms of the percent prediction error, which was found to be below 15%. In a nutshell, the success of the present study warrants further studies in patient volunteers to assess the ability of the MHOP to provide an effective therapy for depression. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Quantitative assessment of craniofacial morphology in Johanson–Blizzard syndrome
Authors: Deutsch Curtis K. , Hreczko Tania , Holmes Lewis B.
Published: March 2013

BACKGROUND

Here we apply objective, reliable methods of dysmorphology diagnosis to a patient with Johanson–Blizzard syndrome (MIM #243800). Using an extensive normative database, we computed standardized scores on a graded continuum for operational definitions of nasal alar hypoplasia, a commonly observed feature of this condition.

CASE

Most of these measurements in this case were greater than 2 standard deviations below the mean, adjusted for age, gender, and ethnicity.

CONCLUSION

This report provides a worked example of quantitative anthropometric assessment in the context of a case report, using tools that may find general application in clinical genetics. Birth Defects Research (Part A), 2013. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Cycling progenitors maintain epithelia while diverse cell types contribute to repair
Authors: Doupé David P. , Jones Philip H.
Published: March 2013

It has recently been shown that stem and progenitor cells undergo population self‐renewal to maintain epithelial homeostasis. The fate of individual cells is stochastic but the production of proliferating and differentiating cells is balanced across the population. This new paradigm, originating in mouse epidermis and since extended to mouse oesophagus and mouse and Drosophila intestine, is in contrast to the long held model of epithelial maintenance by exclusively asymmetric division of stem cells. Recent lineage tracing studies have now shown that wound responses vary between tissues, and that a stem cell reserve is not essential as cycling progenitors and even differentiating cells contribute to regeneration.
Flow injection chemiluminescence determination of naphazoline hydrochloride in pharmaceuticals
Authors: Iranifam Mortaza , Sorouraddin Mohammad H.
Published: March 2013

A simple and sensitive flow injection chemiluminescence (FI‐CL) method was developed for the determination of naphazoline hydrochloride (NPZ). The method is based on the enhancing effect of NPZ on the weak CL signal from the reaction of KIO4 with H2O2. Experimental parameters that affected the CL signal, including the pH of the KIO4 solution, concentrations of KIO4, H2O2 and disodium‐EDTA and flow rate were optimized. Under the optimum conditions, the increment of CL intensity was linearly proportional to the concentration of NPZ in the range 5.0 × 10−6 to 70 × 10−6 mol/L. The detection limit was 1.0 × 10−6 mol/L and the relative standard deviation for 50 × 10−6 mol/L NPZ solution was 2.8% (n = 11). In addition, a high throughput of 120 samples/h was achieved. The utility of this method was demonstrated by determining NPZ in pharmaceuticals. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Stoichiometric CH Bond Cleavage Reaction in a Bis(carboxylato)ruthenium(II) Complex and Its Application to the Catalytic H–D Exchange Reaction of Carboxylic Acids
Authors: Hirano Masafumi , Fujimoto Ryo , Hatagami Kohei , Komine Nobuyuki , Komiya Sanshiro
Published: March 2013

A cationic complex [Ru{OC(O)CMeCH2‐κ2O,O′}(PMe3)4]+CH2CMeCO2− (5 a) and its related carboxylato complexes are newly prepared by the reaction of [cis‐RuH2(PMe3)4] (4) with carboxylic acids in methanol in 76–100 % yield. Complex 5 a reversibly transforms to the neutral form [cis‐Ru{OC(O)CMeCH2‐κ1O}2(PMe3)4] (2 a) in nonpolar solvents. Complex 2 a reversibly liberates a PMe3 group to give [Ru{OC(O)CMeCH2‐κ1O}{OC(O)CMeCH2‐κ2O,O′}(PMe3)3] (12 a) from which a stereoselective CH bond cleavage reaction occurs to give a ruthenalactone [Ru{OC(O)CMeCH‐κ2O,C}(PMe3)4] (1 a) from the release of methacrylic acid. Complexes 2 a and 5 a also give 1 a but the prior dissociation of a PMe3 is indispensable for the CH bond cleavage reaction. Complex 1 a establishes an equilibrium with 2 a (or 5 a) in solution. In this reaction, one coordinated carboxylato ligand is engaged in the CH bond cleavage reaction as a proton acceptor, but neither the added carboxylato anion nor typical proton acceptors such as proton sponge assist the reaction. In [D4]MeOH, a catalytic stereospecific deuteration of carboxylic acids has been achieved by 4, in which the equilibrium between 5 a and 1 a plays a key role.
Mechanistic Insights into the Reduction of Carbon Dioxide with Silanes over N‐Heterocyclic Carbene Catalysts
Authors: Riduan Siti Nurhanna , Ying Jackie Y. , Zhang Yugen
Published: March 2013

A metal‐free reduction of carbon dioxide to methanol with N‐heterocyclic carbenes (NHCs) as organocatalysts was achieved, which was conducted under ambient conditions with hydrosilane as the reducing reagent and the hydrogen source. Experimental results and density functional theory calculations indicated that the overall process involved a three‐step cascade reaction. All three steps in the cascade reaction were found to be exothermic and were catalyzed by NHCs. The rate‐determining step for the process was the first hydrosilylation step, which produced the formoxysilane intermediate, with an activation energy barrier of 19.6 kcal mol−1. This observation explained the high tendency of the system to form the methoxide end product, with a hydrogen‐transfer yield in excess of 95 %.
Sucrose‐Assisted Loading of LiFePO4 Nanoparticles on Graphene for High‐Performance Lithium‐Ion Battery Cathodes
Authors: Wu Yongmin , Wen Zhenhai , Feng Hongbin , Li Jinghong
Published: March 2013

A simple approach for loading LiFePO4 (LFP) nanoparticles on graphene (G) that could assemble amorphous LiFePO4 nanoparticles into a stable, crystalline, graphene‐modified layered materials (G‐S‐LFP, S=sucrose) by using graphene as building block and sucrose as a linker has yet to be developed. On the basis of differential scanning calorimetric and transmission electron microscopy analysis of the samples from controlled experiment, a possible mechanism was proposed to explain the “linker” process of LFP and graphene with sucrose as the linker. The electrochemical properties of the samples as cathode material for lithium‐ion batteries were studied by cyclic voltammogrametry and galvanostatic methods. Results showed that G‐S‐LFP displayed superior lithium‐storage capability with current density changes randomly form 0.5 to 10 C. The significant improvement for rate and cycle performance could be attributed to the high conductivity of the graphene host, the high crystallinity, and the layered structure.
Foldamer‐Derived Preorganized Bi‐ and Tri‐zinc Porphyrin Tweezers for a Pentafluorobenzene‐bearing Pyridine Guest: The Binding Pattern Study
Authors: Li Changzhi , Zhao Xin , Gao Xiang , Wang Quanrui , Li Zhanting
Published: March 2013

By introducing two and three zinc porphyrin units to one side of hydrogen bonding‐induced aromatic amide foldamers, two new molecular tweezers 1 and 2 have been prepared. To explore new possible binding patterns, a leucine‐based pyridine ligand 3 that bears a pentafluorophenyl group has been prepared. UV‐Vis and 1H NMR experiments reveal that 1 and 2 favorably complex one or two molecules of 3. UV‐Vis titration experiments show that the apparent association constants of the complexes of the zinc porphyrin units of the two receptors and 3 are considerably higher than that of the complex between a simple control zinc porphyrin and 3. In the presence of excess of 3, the left zinc porphyrin unit of 1 and 2 can bind one more molecule of 3, which is, however, stabilized only by the single Zn‐N coordination.
Risk association of HbA1c variability with chronic kidney disease and cardiovascular disease in type 2 diabetes: prospective analysis of the Hong Kong Diabetes Registry
Authors: Luk Andrea O. Y. , Ma Ronald C. W. , Lau Eric S. H. , Yang Xilin , Lau Winnie W. Y. , Yu Linda W. L. , Chow Francis C. C. , Chan Juliana C. N. , So Wing‐Yee
Published: March 2013

Background

In type 2 diabetes, tight glycaemic control lowers the risk of diabetic complications, but it remains uncertain whether variability of glycaemia influences outcomes. We examined the association of glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) variability with incident chronic kidney disease and cardiovascular disease in a prospective cohort of 8439 Chinese patients with type 2 diabetes recruited from 1994 to 2007.

Methods

Intrapersonal mean and SD of serially measured HbA1c were calculated. Chronic kidney disease was defined as estimated glomerular filtration rate <60 ml/min per 1.73 m2. Cardiovascular disease was defined as events of ischemic heart disease, heart failure, ischemic stroke or peripheral vascular disease.

Results

Over a median follow‐up period of 7.2 years, 19.7 and 10.0% of patients developed chronic kidney disease and cardiovascular disease, respectively. Patients who progressed to chronic kidney disease had higher mean HbA1c (7.8 ± 1.3% vs 7.4 ± 1.2%, p < 0.001) and SD (1.0 ± 0.8% vs 0.8 ± 0.6%, p < 0.001) than nonprogressors. Similarly, patients who developed cardiovascular disease had higher mean HbA1c (7.7 ± 1.3% vs 7.4 ± 1.2%, p < 0.001) and SD (1.4 ± 1.1% vs 1.1 ± 0.8%, p < 0.001) than patients who did not develop cardiovascular disease. By using multivariate‐adjusted Cox regression analysis, adjusted SD was associated with incident chronic kidney disease and cardiovascular disease with corresponding hazard ratios of 1.16 (95% CI 1.11–1.22), p < 0.001) and 1.27 (95% CI 1.15–1.40, p < 0.001), independent of mean HbA1c and other confounding variables.

Conclusions

Long‐term glycaemic variability expressed by SD of HbA1c predicted development of renal and cardiovascular complications. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Both total testosterone and sex hormone‐binding globulin are independent risk factors for metabolic syndrome: results from Fangchenggang Area Male Health and Examination Survey in China
Authors: Zhang Jiange , Huang Xianghua , Liao Ming , Gao Yong , Tan Aihua , Yang Xiaobo , Zhang Haiying , Mo Linjian , Zhang Youjie , Lu Zheng , Wu Chunlei , Hu Yanling , Mo Zengnan
Published: March 2013

Background

Metabolic syndrome is often beneficial from testosterone replacement therapy. Although testosterone and sex hormone‐binding globulin (SHBG) are inversely associated with the risk of metabolic syndrome, it is controversial whether the association between testosterone and metabolic syndrome is independent of SHBG.

Methods

Testosterone, SHBG and metabolic syndrome were evaluated in 2361 men aged 20–73 years, who participated in the population‐based Fangchenggang Area Male Health and Examination Survey. Total testosterone, SHBG and other biochemical profiles were measured. Free testosterone and bioavailable testosterone were calculated on the basis of Vermeulen's formula. Metabolic syndrome was defined according to the National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III criteria for Asian population. The independent associations with metabolic syndrome were determined by multivariate logistic regression analysis.

Results

Men with metabolic syndrome had a lower level of total testosterone, bioavailable testosterone, free testosterone, or SHBG than those without metabolic syndrome (all p < 0.001). Both total testosterone and SHBG were inversely correlated with body mass index or homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (all age‐adjusted p < 0.001). Men within the lowest quartile of total testosterone [odds ratio (OR) = 4.86, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 2.72–8.68], bioavailable testosterone (OR = 3.04, 95% CI = 1.81–5.10), free testosterone (OR = 3.08, 95% CI = 1.81–5.27) or SHBG (OR = 4.28, 95% CI = 2.52–7.27) had a risk of metabolic syndrome after adjusting for age, smoking, homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance and body mass index. Total testosterone remained inversely associated with metabolic syndrome after further adjusting for SHBG (OR = 0.95, 95% CI = 0.92–0.99), while SHBG remained inversely associated with metabolic syndrome after further adjusting for total testosterone (OR = 0.99, 95% CI = 0.97–1.00).

Conclusion

Total testosterone and SHBG are independent risk factors of metabolic syndrome. Prospective studies are needed to explore whether the association between sex hormones and metabolic syndrome was mediated by insulin resistance or obesity. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Can C‐peptide mediated anti‐inflammatory effects retard the development of microvascular complications of type 1 diabetes?
Authors: Luppi Patrizia , Kallas Åsa , Wahren John
Published: March 2013

Hyperglycemia is considered to be the major cause of microvascular complications of diabetes. Growing evidence highlights the importance of hyperglycemia‐mediated inflammation in the initiation and progression of microvascular complications in type 1 diabetes. We hypothesize that lack of proinsulin C‐peptide and lack of its anti‐inflammatory properties contribute to the development of microvascular complications. Evidence gathered over the past 20 years shows that C‐peptide is a biologically active peptide in its own right. It has been shown to reduce formation of reactive oxygen species and nuclear factor‐κB activation induced by hyperglycemia, resulting in inhibition of cytokine, chemokine and cell adhesion molecule formation as well as reduced apoptotic activity. In addition, C‐peptide stimulates and induces the expression of both Na+, K+‐ATPase and endothelial nitric oxide synthase. Animal studies and small‐scale clinical trials in type 1 diabetes patients suggest that C‐peptide replacement combined with regular insulin therapy exerts beneficial effects on kidney and nerve dysfunction. Further clinical trials in patients with microvascular complications including measurements of inflammatory markers are warranted to explore the clinical significance of the aforementioned, previously unrecognized, C‐peptide effects. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Disturbances, organisms and ecosystems: a global change perspective
Authors: Ponge Jean‐François
Published: March 2013

The present text exposes a theory of the role of disturbances in the assemblage and evolution of species within ecosystems, based principally, but not exclusively, on terrestrial ecosystems. Two groups of organisms, doted of contrasted strategies when faced with environmental disturbances, are presented, based on the classical r‐K dichotomy, but enriched with more modern concepts from community and evolutionary ecology. Both groups participate in the assembly of known animal, plant, and microbial communities, but with different requirements about environmental fluctuations. The so‐called “civilized” organisms are doted with efficient anticipatory mechanisms, allowing them to optimize from an energetic point of view their performances in a predictable environment (stable or fluctuating cyclically at the scale of life expectancy), and they developed advanced specializations in the course of evolutionary time. On the opposite side, the so‐called “barbarians” are weakly efficient in a stable environment because they waste energy for foraging, growth, and reproduction, but they are well adapted to unpredictably changing conditions, in particular during major ecological crises. Both groups of organisms succeed or alternate each other in the course of spontaneous or geared successional processes, as well as in the course of evolution. The balance of “barbarians” against “civilized” strategies within communities is predicted to shift in favor of the first type under present‐day anthropic pressure, exemplified among others by climate warming, land use change, pollution, and biological invasions.
Modulating Lectin Inhibition with N‐Glycosyl‐1,2,3‐triazole Scaffolds
Authors: Azcune Itxaso , Balentová Eva , Sagartzazu‐Aizpurua Maialen , Ignacio Santos J. , Miranda Jose I. , Fratila Raluca M. , Aizpurua Jesus M.
Published: March 2013

The synthesis of three families of sialyl LewisX (sLeX) mimetics based on triazole and bis‐triazole scaffolds is reported. The flexibility of these mimetics is dictated by the scaffold and gradually increases from flexible to rigid. All three families were accessible by straightforward synthetic routes and by taking advantage of the unique features and high yields of CuI‐catalyzed alkyne–azide cycloaddition (CuAAC) reaction. Glycopeptidomimetics 12–15 were submitted to an extensive evaluation of their binding affinities towards fucose‐specific Ulex Europaeus lectin I by using conformational analysis (molecular dynamics), docking calculations, and saturation‐transfer difference (STD) NMR experiments. The results reveal that the recognition of the ligands is mostly dictated by the fucose moiety and that semi‐rigid ligands are better sLex mimic candidates because their degree of flexibility enables the modulation of their conformation to the best‐fitting position.
Enhanced electrothermal pumping with thin film resistive heaters
Authors: Williams Stuart J.
Published: March 2013

This work demonstrates the use of thin film heaters to enhance electrothermal pumping in microfluidic systems. Thin film heating electrothermal pumping is more efficient than Joule heating alone. Numerical simulations of an asymmetric electrode array are performed to demonstrate the advantages of incorporating thin film heaters. This specific simulation shows that thin film heater electrothermal pumping provides approximately two and one‐half times more volumetric flow than Joule heating alone for the same input power to both systems. In addition, external heating allows for electrothermal pumping to be applicable to low conductivity media.
Pending templates imprinted polymers—hypothesis, synthesis, adsorption, and chromatographic properties
Authors: Yang Chun , Luan Xinjie , Zhao Meifeng , Liu Guofeng , Wang Jian , Qu Qishu , Hu Xiaoya
Published: March 2013

This is the first time when protein‐imprinted polymers are prepared with “pending templates.” The polymers were synthesized in the presence of a real sample (chicken egg white), rather than any known commercial proteins. Compared with a simultaneously synthesized nonimprinted control polymer, the polymers show higher adsorption capacity for abundant components (as “pending templates”) in the original sample. Chromatography experiments indicated that the columns made of the imprinted polymers could retain abundant species (imprinted) and separate them from those not imprinted. Thus, the sample could be split into dimidiate subfractions with reduced complexities. “Pending template imprinting” suggests a new way to investigate molecular imprinting, especially to dissect, simplify, and analyze complicated samples through a series of polymers just imprinted by the samples per se.
Citizen‐Driven Performance Measurement: Opportunities for Evaluator Collaboration in Support of the New Governance
Authors: de Lancer Julnes Patria
Published: March 2013

Performance measurement has often been defined in contrast with program evaluation. However, many now recognize that the methods and experiences of performance measurement and program evaluation can support and strengthen each other, thereby making relevant and timely contributions to evidence‐based decision making. The argument in this chapter is that recent developments, emphasizing citizen engagement and incorporating community indicators, broaden the opportunities for collaboration between program evaluators and performance measurement professionals. Such collaboration, with an appreciation of the complementary strengths of the two approaches, can not only improve the practice of evaluation, but also enhance governance. © Wiley Periodicals, Inc., and the American Evaluation Association.
Performance Management and Evaluation in Norwegian Local Government: Complementary or Competing Tools of Management?
Authors: Johnsen Åge
Published: March 2013

This chapter identifies some important factors that can explain the use of performance management, and discusses how performance management and evaluation can complement each other. The chapter draws on the life‐cycle approach to performance management, as well as previous empirical studies of performance management in Norwegian local government. Both performance management and evaluation are subject to organizational and partisan politics, possibly to different degrees. Better utilization of complementarities could improve both performance management and evaluation. Performance management and evaluation compete for institutional power and scarce resources, which affects how well these tools are integrated or developed as competing systems. © Wiley Periodicals, Inc., and the American Evaluation Association.
Challenges to and Forms of Complementarity Between Performance Management and Evaluation
Authors: Nielsen Steffen Bohni , Hunter David E. K.
Published: March 2013

This chapter situates findings and insights from the case studies in this issue of New Directions for Evaluation in relation to ongoing debates among evaluators pertaining to performance management. It highlights ways in which the complementarity between evaluation and performance management has been described in the case studies and identifies five types of complementarity between performance measurement and evaluation: sequential, informational, organizational, methodical, and hierarchical. It concludes with a survey of the literature on the challenges in implementing performance management and argues that evaluators need to take a more active role in performance‐management efforts. © Wiley Periodicals, Inc., and the American Evaluation Association.
A taxonomic revision of Taraxacum sect. Erythrosperma (Compositae‐Lactuceae) in Corsica
Authors: Štěpánek Jan , Kirschner Jan
Published: March 2013

Taraxacum sect. Erythrosperma (H. Lindb.) Dahlst. in Corsica was revised on the basis of a detailed study of old collections used by J. L. van Soest in his first studies of the genus in Corsica, and new collections and cultivations. All the names based on the specimens from Corsica are interpreted, 16 species of the section are recognized. Particular attention was paid to a group of the sect. Erythrosperma with a number of endemics or subendemics, around T. purpureomarginatum. Four new species are described. A number of names are newly interpreted and typified. All the specimens studied are cited, with the exception of taxa common in Europe. All the species of the sect. Erythrosperma known from Corsica are agamospermous; ten species proved to be triploid or tetraploid. All the taxa endemic to, or having a substantial part of their distribution range in Corsica are given full description. (© 2012 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Assessing uncertainty in best management practice effectiveness under future climate scenarios
Authors: Woznicki Sean A. , Pouyan Nejadhashemi A.
Published: March 2013

Uncertainty of best management practice (BMP) performance in future climates is an important consideration for water resources managers. The objective of this study was to quantify the level of uncertainty in performance of seven agricultural BMPs due to climate change in reducing sediment, total nitrogen, and total phosphorus loads. The Soil and Water Assessment Tool coupled with mid‐21st century climate data from the Community Climate System Model were used to develop climate change scenarios for the Tuttle Creek Lake Watershed of Kansas and Nebraska. Uncertainty level of each BMP was determined using Latin Hypercube Sampling, a constrained Monte Carlo sampling technique. Samples were taken from distributions of several variables (monthly precipitation, temperature, CO2, and BMP implementation parameters). Cumulative distribution functions were constructed for each BMP, pollutant, and climate scenario combination. Results demonstrated that BMP performance uncertainty is amplified in the extreme climate scenario. Among BMPs, native grass replacement generally had higher uncertainty level but also had the greatest reductions. This study highlights the importance of incorporating uncertainty analysis into mitigation strategies aiming to reduce negative impacts of climate change on water resources. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Distributed empirical algorithms to estimate catchment scale sediment connectivity and yield in a subtropical region
Authors: Jamshidi Reza , Dragovich Deirdre , Webb Ashley A.
Published: March 2013

The intensity of soil loss and sediment delivery, representing hydrologic and geomorphic processes within a catchment, accelerates with rapid changes in land cover and rainfall events. An underlying component of sustainable management of water resources is an understanding of spatial and temporal variability and the adverse influences of regional parameters involved in generating sediment following widespread changes in land cover. A calibrated algorithm of soil loss coupled with a sediment delivery ratio (SDR) was applied in raster data layers to improve the capability of a combined model to estimate annual variability in sediment yields related to changes in vegetation cover identified by analyses of SPOT imagery. Four catchments in Kangaroo River State forest were assessed for annual changes in sediment yields. Two catchments were selectively logged in 2007, while the two other sites remained undisturbed. Results of SDR estimates indicated that only a small proportion of total eroded sediment from hillslopes is transported to catchment outlets. Larger SDR values were estimated in regions close to catchment outlets, and the SDR reduced sharply on hillslopes further than 200–300 m from these areas. Estimated sediment yield increased by up to 30% two years after land cover change (logging) in 2009 when more storm events were recorded, despite the moderate density of vegetation cover in 2009 having almost recovered to its initial pre‐logging (2005) condition. Rainfall had the most significant influence on streamflow and sediment delivery in all catchments, with steeply sloping areas contributing large amounts of sediment during moderate and high rainfall years in 2007 and 2009. It is concluded that the current scenario of single‐tree selection logging utilized in the study area is an acceptable and environmentally sound land management strategy for preservation of soil and water resources. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
THE IMPACT OF FEATURE SELECTION: A DATA‐MINING APPLICATION IN DIRECT MARKETING
Authors: Tan Ding‐Wen , Yeoh William , Boo Yee Ling , Liew Soung‐Yue
Published: March 2013

The capability of identifying customers who are more likely to respond to a product is an important issue in direct marketing. This paper investigates the impact of feature selection on predictive models which predict reordering demand of small and medium‐sized enterprise customers in a large online job‐advertising company. Three well‐known feature subset selection techniques in data mining, namely correlation‐based feature selection (CFS), subset consistency (SC) and symmetrical uncertainty (SU), are applied in this study. The results show that the predictive models using SU outperform those without feature selection and those with the CFS and SC feature subset evaluators. This study has examined and demonstrated the significance of applying the feature‐selection approach to enhance the accuracy of predictive modelling in a direct‐marketing context. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Early inflammatory response in soft tissues induced by thin calcium phosphates
Authors: Rydén L. , Molnar D. , Esposito M. , Johansson A. , Suska F. , Palmquist A. , Thomsen P.
Published: March 2013

The inflammatory response to titanium and hydroxyapatite (HA)‐coated titanium in living tissue is controlled by a number of humoral factors, of which monocyte chemoattractant protein‐1 (MCP‐1) has been specifically linked to the recruitment of monocytes. These cells subsequently mature into tissue‐bound macrophages. Macrophages adhering to the proteins adsorbed at the implant surface play a pivotal role in initiating the rejection or integration of the foreign material. Despite this, little is known about the initial inflammatory events that occur in soft tissues following the implantation of titanium and HA‐coated titanium implants. In this study, circular discs of commercially pure titanium (c.p. Ti) with either a thin crystalline HA coating or amorphous HA coating or uncoated were implanted subcutaneously into rats. The implants were retrieved after 24 and 72 h. The lactate dehydrogenase (LD) activity, DNA content, expression of MCP‐1, interleukin‐10 (IL‐10), tumor necrosis factor α (TNF‐α), as well as monocyte and polymorphonuclear granulocyte counts in the exudate surrounding the implants were analyzed. There were significantly higher DNA and LD levels around the titanium implants at 24 h compared with HA‐coated titanium. A rapid decrease in MCP‐1 levels was observed for all the implants over the period of observation. No statistically significant differences were found between the two HA‐coated implants. Our results suggest a difference in the early soft‐tissue response to HA‐coated implants when compared with titanium implants, expressed as a downregulation of inflammatory cell recruitment. This suggests that thin HA coatings are promising surfaces for soft tissue applications. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A: 101A: 2712–2717, 2013.