bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Frozen F1’s amidst a masterpiece of nature: new insights into the rare hybrid origin of gynogenesis in the Amazon molly (Poecilia formosa)
Authors: ROGERS S. M. , VAMOSI S. M.
Published: November 2010

All‐female ‘species’ of fish have been shown to be great models in ecological and evolutionary studies because of the insights they can provide into the origin and evolution of asexuality, the ecology of hybrids, associations between genotype and environment, and the maintenance of sex. Gynogenetic organisms that evolved from sexual ancestors, and combine the disadvantageous traits from sexuality and asexuality, have long baffled evolutionary biologists trying to understand their origin and persistence with their sympatric sexual counterparts. In this issue, a new study using an integrated molecular phylogenetic and classical genetic approach has uncovered compelling evidence regarding the obscure asexual origin of the Amazon molly, Poecilia formosa. By performing an extensive phylogeographic analysis, Stöck et al. (2010) provide evidence that the Amazon molly arose only once within its history, with monophyly being strongly supported by mitochondrial DNA and microsatellite analyses. This result, combined with an elaborate failed attempt to resynthesize the lineage, suggests that vertebrate gynogens such as the Amazon molly are not rare because they are at a disadvantage to their sexual counterparts, but because the genomic conditions under which they arise are rare. Organisms that apparently combine the disadvantages of both sexuality and asexuality remain difficult to understand from both an ecological and an evolutionary perspective, and Stöck et al. (2010) highlight several outstanding important questions. Nonetheless, given that we now have a better knowledge of the origin and history of this unique ‘species’, this should allow researchers to better understand how these frozen F1’s can persist amidst the masterpiece of nature.
Organization of the LEE1 operon regulatory region of enterohaemorrhagic Escherichia coli O157:H7 and activation by GrlA
Authors: Islam Md. Shahidul , Bingle Lewis E. H. , Pallen Mark J. , Busby Stephen J. W.
Published: November 2010

Expression of the genes in the locus of enterocyte effacement (LEE) in enterohaemorrhagic Escherichia coli is primarily co‐ordinated by expression of the LEE1 operon. GrlA is a LEE‐encoded transcription regulator that has been proposed to be involved in the regulation of expression of the LEE1 operon. We describe a simple plasmid‐based system to investigate the LEE1 operon regulatory region and to study GrlA‐dependent effects. We report that GrlA can activate transcription initiation at the LEE1 P1 promoter by binding to a target located within the 18‐base‐pair spacer between the promoter −10 and −35 elements, which were defined by mutational analysis. Shortening this spacer to 17 base pairs increases P1 promoter activity and short‐circuits GrlA‐dependent activation. Hence, at the P1 promoter, the action of GrlA resembles that of many MerR family transcription activators at their target promoters.
How can cleptoparasitic drosophilid flies emerge from the closed brood cells of the red Mason bee?
Authors: STROHM ERHARD
Published: November 2010

Aculeate Hymenoptera provision their progeny with large amounts of food. To protect their investment against brood parasites, females of many bee and wasp species construct brood cells that are hard to penetrate when finally sealed. However, the sealed brood cells also pose a problem for parasites that oviposit in the brood cell during provisioning. Brood parasites are smaller than their host and may lack strong mandibles to break through the solid brood cell walls. Furthermore, in nests built in existing cavities, newly‐eclosed brood parasites need information about the location of the nest entrance. In the present study, the mechanisms of emergence are investigated in Cacoxenus indagator Loew (Diptera, Drosophilidae), the major cleptoparasite in nests of the red Mason bee Osmia bicornis L. (Hymenoptera, Megachilidae). Larvae of C. indagator move to brood cells closer to the nest entrance and sometimes make small emergence holes in the final closure of the nest entrance. Nevertheless, approximately one‐third of newly‐eclosed flies orientate and break through at least one intact cell partition to emerge. Flies make most of their attempts to emerge at the correct side (i.e. the one pointing to the nest entrance, probably by using the shape of the cell partition as a cue). Newly‐eclosed flies use their head blister (ptilinum) to exert hydraulic pressure on particles of the cell partitions and produce small holes. Thus, C. indagator exhibits a set of behavioural and physiological adaptations enabling them to successfully emerge even from closed brood cells of their host.
The effect of mating system on growth of Arabidopsis lyrata in response to inoculation with the biotrophic parasite Albugo candida
Authors: HOEBE P. N. , STIFT M. , HOLUB E. B. , MABLE B. K.
Published: November 2010

The effects of variation in host reproductive systems on response to pathogens are not well understood. We inoculated individuals from outcrossing and inbreeding populations of North American Arabidopsis lyrata with Albugo candida (white blister rust) to test the effect of mating system and heterozygosity on disease response. We observed three host infection phenotypes, classified as fully resistant, partially resistant and fully susceptible. Overall, inbreeding populations had more susceptible and fewer partially resistant individuals than outcrossing populations, but the highest proportion of resistant individuals was found in two of the inbreeding populations. Mating system did not affect relative growth rate of inoculated plants, but there were strong effects of population and infection phenotype. We conclude that mating system per se does not determine the resistance of natural A. lyrata populations to infection by Albugo, but that the increased variability in responses among inbreeding populations may be due to reduced effective population size.
Exclusive Male Egg Care and Determinants of Brooding Success in a Millipede
Authors: Kudo Shin‐Ichi , Akagi Yoshinobu , Hiraoka Shuichiro , Tanabe Tsutomu , Morimoto Gen
Published: November 2010

The evolution of exclusive male parental care is a major and controversial issue in behavioural ecology. Although arthropods practicing paternal care are thought to be key taxa for investigating this issue, few studies have attempted to clarify the selection factors associated with male behaviour and fitness consequences in arthropods. In the millipede Brachycybe nodulosa, males curl their bodies around egg masses on the undersides of decaying logs. Male‐removal experiments in the laboratory strongly suggest that males defend the eggs against fungal infection. Orphaned eggs were soon covered by hyphae and no eggs hatched, whereas almost all eggs brooded by males successfully hatched. The egg‐brooding males showed no aggressive responses when disturbed. Only some mature males bred in the field. Furthermore, the number of eggs brooded varied greatly among the males. Selected generalized linear models revealed that males with a wide seventh body segment, which possesses gonopods (genital legs), tended to succeed in brooding; and males with a wider body also obtained more eggs. Colony attributes had no significant effects on male brooding. We discuss the possible sexual selection mechanisms that could accomplish this pattern of brooding success among male B. nodulosa.
Symptoms and signs differentiating croup and epiglottitis
Authors: Tibballs James , Watson Tom
Published: November 2010

Aim:  To determine differentiating symptoms and signs of epiglottitis and laryngotracheobronchitis (croup).

Methods:  Contemporaneous interview of parents and clinical examination of children with acute upper airway obstruction presenting to the intensive care unit of a paediatric hospital.

Results:  Two hundred and three children were examined over a 40‐month period. One hundred and two had croup, of whom 49 had the diagnosis confirmed at intubation and another six by direct laryngeal inspection without intubation. One hundred and one had epiglottitis of whom 95 were diagnosed by direct inspection of the larynx at intubation, five by a lateral X‐ray of the neck and one on direct inspection without intubation. One child with epiglottitis died. Although both illnesses presented with stridor, the additional presence of drooling had a high sensitivity (0.79, 95% CI 0.70–0.86) and specificity (0.94, 95% CI 0.88–0.97) for epiglottitis while coughing had a high sensitivity (1.00, 95% CI 0.96–1.00) and high specificity (0.98, 95% CI 0.93–0.99) for croup. Coughing predicted croup but drooling predicted epiglottitis. Additional reliable signs of epiglottitis were a preference to sit, refusal to swallow and dysphagia. Thirty‐seven percent of children with epiglottitis and 16% with croup were treated as having another respiratory illness at least once before definitive diagnosis.

Conclusions:  Epiglottitis and croup are often confused because they share symptoms and signs including stridor. However, differentiation in early illness is possible by additional observation of coughing and absence of drooling in croup and by the additional observation of drooling with absence of coughing in epiglottitis.
Neonatal resuscitation capacity in Nepal
Authors: Nelson Christina A , Spector Jonathan M
Published: November 2010

Aim:  Perinatal asphyxia is a major contributor to the nearly 4 million neonatal deaths worldwide each year in resource‐limited settings. Neonatal resuscitation, a proven method for preventing newborn deaths, is effective only when local caregivers have proper training and access to essential supplies. There are few published data describing neonatal resuscitation capacity in Nepal, where neonatal mortality rates are high. The goal of this study was to quantify neonatal resuscitation capacity at birthing sites in urban and rural Nepal.

Methods:  Seventeen birth centres ranging from tertiary care hospitals to rural health posts were evaluated. Assessments included standardised interviews of health‐care workers and evaluation of newborn resuscitation areas. The availability of essential resuscitation tools was recorded.

Results:  Eleven of the 17 health centres conducted deliveries on‐site. Of those, 45% had posted and visible resuscitation algorithms; 72% had infant warmers; 91% had mechanical suction machines; 36% had bulb suctions and 82% had bag‐mask ventilation devices available. Tertiary hospitals were much better equipped compared with smaller health centres. None of the health‐care workers who attended home deliveries had access to algorithms, warming devices, suction or bag‐mask ventilation devices.

Conclusions:  Availability of appropriate resuscitation supplies was variable in health centres providing delivery services on‐site and was severely deficient among health staff attending to home deliveries. Limited availability of resuscitation equipment may contribute to the high neonatal mortality rates seen in Nepal. Sustainable training programmes and distribution of neonatal resuscitation equipment are critical priorities in this region.
Correlation between developmental quotients (DASII) and social quotient (Malin's VSMS) in Indian children aged 6 months to 2 years
Authors: Bhave Anupama , Bhargava Roli , Kumar Rashmi
Published: November 2010

Aim:  To determine correlation between developmental quotients (DQ) (DASII) and social quotients (SQ) (Malin's Vineland Social Maturity Scale (VSMS)).

Methods:  Malin's VSMS and DASII were done in 135 children aged 6 months to 2 years. SQ and DQ motor and mental were correlated using Pearson's correlation coefficient (r). Mean SQ and DQ and age equivalent scores were compared.

Results:  Correlation coefficients between SQ and DQ (mental and motor were 0.849 and 0.791, respectively. Social age correlated highly with mental age (r= 0.906). Mean SQ was higher than mean DQa.

Conclusion:  SQ tends to be higher than DQ and correlates best with DQ mental.
Closing the evidence‐practice gap for newborn pain using clinical networks
Authors: Spence Kaye , Henderson‐Smart David
Published: November 2010

Aim:  The Australian New Zealand Neonatal Network undertook a project to close the evidence practice gap for the management of newborn pain in neonatal units within Australia. The aim was to establish a process for using evidence to support practice change and in doing so close the existing practice evidence gap for newborn pain.

Method:  An implementation model using a clinical network with state facilitators, local champions and project teams was used in 24 tertiary units and six district hospitals throughout Australia. The process included audit and feedback, benchmarking, educational workshops on critical appraisal and audit of family awareness of pain. Multiple types of data were collected to enable changes in practices for pain management to be evaluated.

Results:  There was a 21% overall improvement in the number of infants receiving breastfeeding or sucrose for procedural pain, however, breastfeeding rates remain poorly utilised. The use of a pain assessment tool increased from 14% to 22%, with 56% of units introducing the use of an assessment tool into their practice. Families became more aware that their infant can experience pain and strategies to manage the pain (from 19% to 57%) project through distribution of information.

Conclusion:  The networks for the uptake of evidence program have enabled the topic of procedure pain in neonates to be evaluated. We have shown that through a well planned program of coordination, facilitation and using local champions and project teams a change in practice can occur.
Preterm infants with chronic lung disease: Are protein and energy intakes after discharge sufficient for optimal growth?
Authors: McLeod Gemma , Simmer Karen , Benninger Helen , Mitoulas Leon , Doherty Dorota , Sherriff Jill
Published: November 2010

Aim:  To document post‐discharge feeding practices of preterm infants with chronic lung disease (CLD) and determine if sufficient protein and energy is consumed for optimal growth.

Method:  Protein and energy intakes of preterm infants with CLD were quantified through detailed analysis of measured food and fluid intakes at four corrected age (CA) assessments, post‐discharge. Most of the infants were in hospital for the term assessment. Milk intake from breastfeeding was determined by test weighing. Protein and energy intakes were compared with the Australian and New Zealand Nutrient Reference Values (NRV) for healthy term‐born infants, and CA z‐scores for weight, length and head circumference were calculated using Australian national gestational growth data and Centre for Disease Control 2000 growth data.

Results:  Ten of the 28 CLD infants who were exclusively receiving expressed breast milk in hospital were transitioned to infant formula within 1 month of discharge. Complementary foods were introduced at a median CA of 3.6 months. Protein intakes almost always exceeded the NRV for healthy term‐born infants, and at each assessment, at least 63% of infants met the energy NRV. Longitudinal growth data are available for 20 infants, four of whom had been small for gestational age. At the 12‐month assessment, 10 of these infants weighed less than the 10th percentile.

Conclusion:  Preterm infants who develop CLD do not always achieve reference growth in their first year following discharge, despite protein and energy intakes being mostly comparable to those recommended for healthy term‐born infants.
Serial measurements of serum alkaline phosphatase for early prediction of osteopaenia in preterm infants
Authors: Hung Yi‐Li , Chen Pau‐Chung , Jeng Suh‐Fang , Hsieh Chia‐Jung , Peng Steven Shinn‐Forng , Yen Rouh‐Fang , Chou Hung‐Chieh , Chen Chien‐Yi , Tsao Po‐Nien , Hsieh Wu‐Shiun
Published: November 2010

Aim:  Osteopaenia commonly occurs in preterm infants; however, its diagnosis is often delayed when based on radiological findings. The aim of this study was to examine whether serial measurements of bone turnover markers are useful for early prediction of osteopaenia in preterm infants.

Methods:  Premature infants of ≤34 weeks gestation were enrolled. Serum alkaline phosphatase (ALP), bone form ALP (BALP), calcium and inorganic phosphate were concurrently measured biweekly from 3 weeks post‐natal age until 40 weeks post‐conceptional age. Radiographic examination of the forearm was performed at term age. Osteopaenia was defined as positive radiographic findings according to Koo's criteria.

Results:  Of the 46 premature infants completing the follow‐up study at term age, 18 showed osteopaenia in radiographic examination. Serum ALP was highly correlated with BALP (R2 = 0.93, P < 0.001). Infants who had osteopaenia showed a higher level of ALP and BALP after 3 weeks post‐natal age than those who had no osteopaenia. ALP concentration exceeding 700 IU/L at 3 weeks post‐natal age was predictive of osteopaenia at term age (sensitivity 73% and specificity 73%) and so did for the predictive value of BALP concentration exceeding 95 ug/L (sensitivity 73% and specificity 80%). BALP measures provided no greater benefit of diagnostic performance than ALP in early detection of osteopaenia. Furthermore, premature infants with osteopaenia showed similar levels of calcium and inorganic phosphatase concentration compared with those without.

Conclusion:  Serum ALP concentration exceeding 700 IU/L at 3 weeks post‐natal age can predict the risk of osteopaenia in preterm infants.
Should what we know about neurobehavioral development, complex congenital heart disease, and brain maturation affect the timing of corrective cardiac surgery?
Authors: DiNardo James A.
Published: November 2010

Despite remarkable improvements in perioperative care, adverse neurobehavioral outcomes following neonatal and infant cardiac surgery are commonplace and are associated with substantial morbidity. It is becoming increasingly clear that complex congenital heart disease is associated with both abnormalities in neuroanatomic development and a delay in fetal brain maturation. Substantial cerebral ischemic/hypoxic injury has been detected in neonates with complex congenital heart disease both prior to and following corrective cardiac surgery. The brain of the neonate with complex congenital heart disease appears to be uniquely vulnerable to the types of ischemic/hypoxic injury associated with perioperative care. It remains to be determined whether delaying surgical correction to allow for brain maturation will be associated with improvements in neurobehavioral outcomes.
Buprenorphine TTS for children – a review of the drug’s clinical pharmacology
Authors: Michel Erik , Anderson Brian J , Zernikow Boris
Published: November 2010

Objective: The transdermal therapeutic system (TTS) with buprenorphine is currently being used ‘off‐label’ to treat chronic pediatric pain. We compiled available pharmacokinetic (PK), pharmacodynamic (PD), and clinical pediatric data on buprenorphine to rationalize treatment regimens.

Methods: We conducted a systematic biomedical literature review focusing on pediatric buprenorphine data.

Results: There are few relevant pediatric buprenorphine data, particularly in children suffering chronic pain. There are no pediatric PK and PD data for children with chronic pain given sublingual or TTS formulations. Children given single dose buprenorphine have increased drug clearance referenced to bodyweight with a possible paradoxical longer duration of action. Buprenorphine metabolism is independent of renal function, which is advantageous in renal insufficiency. The risk of respiratory depression after buprenorphine is difficult to quantify. A concentration‐response relationship for respiratory effects has not been described and it is unknown whether children have a ceiling effect similar to that described in healthy adult volunteers.

Conclusions: Buprenorphine is of interest in pediatric postoperative pain and cancer pain control because of its multiple administration routes, long duration of action, and metabolism largely independent of renal function. There is little reason to expect buprenorphine effects in children out of infancy are fundamentally different to those in adults. From the limited pediatric data available, it appears that buprenorphine has no higher adverse potential than the more commonly used opioids. There is an urgent need for focused PK, PD, and safety studies in children before use in children becomes more widespread.
Cardiac arrest in anesthetized children: recent advances and challenges for the future
Authors: Morray Jeffrey P.
Published: November 2010

Over the past 50 years the incidence of anesthesia‐related cardiac arrest has declined, despite increased patient co‐morbidities, the most significant determinant of anesthetic risk. Multiple factors have contributed to this improvement including safer anesthetic agents, better monitoring devices and the development of a specialized pediatric environment. Provider skill has benefitted from improved training and recognition of high‐risk situations. Further improvements will depend on international, multispecialty efforts to standardize terminology and analyze large numbers of these infrequent adverse events.
Cloning of the unculturable parasite Pasteuria ramosa and its Daphnia host reveals extreme genotype–genotype interactions
Authors: Luijckx Pepijn , Ben‐Ami Frida , Mouton Laurence , Du Pasquier Louis , Ebert Dieter
Published: November 2010

Ecology Letters (2011) 14: 125–131

The degree of specificity in host–parasite interactions has important implications for ecology and evolution. Unfortunately, specificity can be difficult to determine when parasites cannot be cultured. In such cases, studies often use isolates of unknown genetic composition, which may lead to an underestimation of specificity. We obtained the first clones of the unculturable bacterium Pasteuria ramosa, a parasite of Daphnia magna. Clonal genotypes of the parasite exhibited much more specific interactions with host genotypes than previous studies using isolates. Clones of P. ramosa infected fewer D. magna genotypes than isolates and host clones were either fully susceptible or fully resistant to the parasite. Our finding enhances our understanding of the evolution of virulence and coevolutionary dynamics in this system. We recommend caution when using P. ramosa isolates as the presence of multiple genotypes may influence the outcome and interpretation of some experiments.
EMBEDDEDNESS OF ENTREPRENEURS IN RURAL AREAS: A COMPARATIVE ROUGH SET DATA ANALYSIS
Authors: AKGÜN ALIYE AHU , NIJKAMP PETER , BAYCAN TÜZIN , BRONS MARTIJN
Published: November 2010

This study aims to identify the critical factor(s) that determine the embeddedness level (EL) of rural entrepreneurs. In order to achieve this aim, existing applied studies on the embeddedness of entrepreneurs undertaken in different rural areas were systematically collected to create a database in order to provide the material for a systematic comparative analysis. This was done in order to highlight common and contrasting findings from a set of selected studies for different ELs. As many results of these studies were largely qualitative in nature and only partially comparable, a specific tool for analysing categorical data based on artificial intelligence methods, namely, rough set data analysis (RSDA), was employed. This experimental study is the first RSDA approach that compares the results of several rural case studies and infers general induction rules for the different ELs. The results of our analysis show that using and benefiting from local resources are the key factors that explain how entrepreneurs become embedded in rural areas.
SOCIAL CAPITAL THROUGH NETWORKS: THE CASE OF UNIVERSITY SPIN‐OFF FIRMS IN DIFFERENT STAGES
Authors: SOETANTO DANNY P. , VAN GEENHUIZEN MARINA
Published: November 2010

University spin‐off firms in their first, often critical, years face a shortage of basic resources needed for growth. A major way of gaining such resources is through knowledge derived from social networks. However, social networks may be quite different in nature such that the influence of these networks on growth of university spin‐offs may vary, like according to tightness, strength, social heterogeneity and spatial proximity of network partners. In this paper, we first examine theoretical ideas on social capital and the role of social networks. This is followed by an empirical study of university spin‐off firms to explore differences in social networks between two development stages and to estimate the influence of network characteristics on growth in these stages. Early stage spin‐offs tend to employ networks dominated by tightness, strong relationships, more homogeneous partners and local partners, whereas networks of spin‐offs in later stages tend to face clearly contrasting features. Furthermore, network characteristics tend to influence growth mainly in years following the early stage, with a positive influence of social capital in networks that are relatively open to new knowledge and information.
SUBJECTIVE MAPPING METHODOLOGIES FOR INCORPORATING SPATIAL VARIATION IN RESEARCH ON SOCIAL CAPITAL AND SENSE OF PLACE
Authors: JORGENSEN BRADLEY S.
Published: November 2010

In a number of areas of research concerning community sustainability, there is an emerging appreciation of the spatial component of social processes. One foremost spatial issue in community research involves variations in the level of scale of a number of social concepts including social capital. An appreciation of this issue highlights conceptual and empirical overlaps across research in community sustainability. Moreover, it provides an opportunity to contribute to urban and regional planning in meaningful ways through the development of existing place‐based methodologies which are capable of defining spatial scales of relevance to policy and research. This paper seeks to provide a level of methodological integration so that research can incorporate spatial variation in analyses of social capital and other concepts relevant to community sustainability. First, the importance of the spatial dimension of social capital and the methodological limitations of existing approaches is highlighted. Next, a number of methodologies for generating spatial data are noted as a basis for presenting a mapping method capable of capturing the individual‐level spatial variation in social capital. Finally, a data analysis approach is presented so that spatial data can be incorporated in place‐based analyses of social capital and community dynamics.
ANALYSING THE RURAL VITALITY ARGUMENT FOR RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT: LINKING DISCOURSES AND ACTUAL SPATIAL DEVELOPMENTS
Authors: VAN RIJ EVELIEN , KOOMEN ERIC
Published: November 2010

In the heated debate on new residential development in the countryside, rural vitality is used in three different discourses: the agri‐rural, utilitarian and hedonist. Discussions on the future of the Dutch countryside in general and a designated National Landscape north of Amsterdam in particular illustrate how the term rural vitality, depending on the discourse, is used to either support or oppose residential development. As in the region studied, the utilitarian discourse is increasingly important and its consequences – residential development in a highly valued landscape – are most controversial, we chose to evaluate its validity. This quantitative evaluation makes use of a geographical information system (GIS) and highly detailed spatial data. The results show no clear relationship between the construction of houses and different indicators of rural vitality such as employment and facility levels. Therefore, we question the validity of the utilitarian discourses' argument for supporting residential development.
Creativity and world Englishes
Authors: BOLTON KINGSLEY
Published: November 2010

ABSTRACT:  This paper sets out to discuss creativity and world Englishes from a range of perspectives. It begins with a discussion of the changing face of English studies over recent decades, and then proceeds to discuss definitions of ‘creativity’ and ‘bilingual creativity’. In the later sections of the paper, there is discussion of postcolonial literature and world fiction in English, with particular reference to the work of Timothy Mo. Finally, the implications of this discussion for contemporary English studies in Hong Kong are also considered.
Creativity in Hong Kong schools
Authors: BURTON PAULINE
Published: November 2010

ABSTRACT:  This paper examines discourses of creativity in English‐language education in post‐colonial Hong Kong, where educational reform has mandated a change from transmissive to interactive modes of teaching and learning and a shift towards more creative methods of teaching English. The literature is reviewed with regard to discourses of creativity both internationally and in the Hong Kong context. An ethnographic study of an innovative project in a Hong Kong secondary school, using poetry and creative writing in the language classroom, is presented. Findings from this study, carried out between 1999 and 2001, illustrate how pedagogical discourses of creativity – such as creative tasks, the creative process and communities of practice – are more significant at classroom level than simple East‐West dichotomies, and how such discourses can be productive both for teachers and students despite institutional and social constraints.
Creative multilingualism in Hong Kong popular music
Authors: CHIK ALICE
Published: November 2010

ABSTRACT:  In the post‐war years, Hong Kong popular music has been characterized by several different configurations of languages. In the 1950s, Mandarin Chinese popular songs, inherited from pre‐communist Shanghai, and Cantonese opera were the two main mass‐mediated styles. In the 1960s and early 1970s, Mandarin came second to English pop, with Cantonese playing a minor role, while the mid‐1970s saw the rise of mass‐market Cantonese popular music, known as Cantopop and the demise of English and Mandarin as many established stars switched to Cantonese. Recent scholarship has tended to identify Hong Kong popular music with Cantonese, and to understate the historical roles of English and Mandarin. This paper explores alternative ways of representing the history of Hong Kong popular music that are grounded in the notion of multilingualism, asking whether locally‐produced English music can also be “local” through its embedding in the matrix of Hong Kong languages and the hybridity of languages in contact.
Creative English and public relations in Hong Kong
Authors: PEIRSON‐SMITH ANNE , BHATIA VIJAY J. , BREMNER STEPHEN , JONES RODNEY H.
Published: November 2010

ABSTRACT:  This paper investigates employer perceptions of the nature and importance of the English language in public relations agencies in Hong Kong. Based on in‐depth interviews with senior managers from eight Hong Kong‐based public relations companies, it examines how the linguistic currency of English is used collaboratively in creative organizations. Findings suggest that English is used as the common language among transnational public relations work teams and the clients that they service. It is also used as a creative resource for facilitating collaboration, staff development and socialization into corporate and professional cultures.
Asian linkages in children's writing and writing for children
Authors: GEOK‐LIN LIM SHIRLEY
Published: November 2010

ABSTRACT: Reflecting on the influence of English nursery rhyme poems on one individual Asian child's language development, the paper reviews current studies on the socio‐cultural dynamics of creativity, to examine how these theoretical and empirical investigations may help shape specific pedagogical practices in the expressive language arts in a Hong Kong context where English is not the first language, with particular reference to some Hong Kong young students’ responses to these creative writing classroom strategies.
English‐language creative writing in mainland China
Authors: DAI FAN
Published: November 2010

ABSTRACT:  This paper presents the background, purpose and components of a creative writing course conducted in the Department of English at Sun Yat‐sen University as part of the reform in the teaching of English in China. It explains and demonstrates the different components of the course and argues, drawing on evidence from students’ work and reflections, that creative writing motivates students to write, is a good vehicle for improving students’ proficiency in English, and enables them to think critically, and to share their common experiences. Creative writing is presented not just as an effective way to teach English as a second language but also to enhance students’ personal development in general. It is hoped that such a course will eventually make it possible for more Chinese writers to share their unique cultural perspective with a wider audience through the medium of English.
A conversation with Timothy Mo
Authors: GEOK‐LIN LIM SHIRLEY , MO TIMOTHY
Published: November 2010

ABSTRACT:  Timothy Mo is author of six internationally acclaimed novels, The Monkey King (1978), Sour Sweet (1982), An Insular Possession (1986), The Redundancy of Courage (1991), Brownout on Breadfruit Boulevard (1995), Renegade or Halo2 (2000). His novels have received numerous accolades, among them the 1979 Geoffrey Faber Memorial Prize for The Monkey King; the1982 Booker Prize for Fiction (shortlist) for Sour Sweet; the 1982 Hawthornden Prize for Sour Sweet; the 1986 Booker Prize for Fiction (shortlist) for An Insular Possession; the 1991 Booker Prize for Fiction (shortlist) for The Redundancy of Courage; the 1992 E. M. Forster Award; and in 1999 the James Tait Black Memorial Prize (for fiction) for Renegade or Halo2. Mo spoke on his work at City University, Hong Kong, on the occasion of the conference, Discourse and Creativity, in May 2009.
Vocational education and training – an engine for economic growth and a vehicle for social inclusion?
Authors: Nilsson Anders
Published: November 2010

Vocational education and training (VET) has in recent years enjoyed a revival for two major reasons. Firstly, it is regarded as a suitable means of promoting economic growth. Secondly, it is seen as a potentially powerful tool for fostering social inclusion. In this review, these assumed effects are critically examined on the basis of the vastly expanding literature in the field. Evidence of the productivity‐enhancing effects of VET at company level is quite solid, but evidence of the effect on overall economic growth is far from conclusive. The effects on social inclusion are uncertain because reform of VET systems has not been sufficient and because it has proved difficult to bring about the necessary institutional change. The review identifies policy implications and makes some suggestions for future research.
Training evaluation in Italian corporate universities: a stakeholder‐based analysis
Authors: Guerci Marco , Bartezzaghi Emilio , Solari Luca
Published: November 2010

Corporate universities have emerged as a mechanism for providing companies with a wide variety of training and development activities. They are a recent but under‐researched phenomenon, and given their substantial budgets, it might be expected that they would wish to evaluate what they do. The authors explore the evaluation practices of six Italian corporate universities, paying particular attention to the means by which these practices are tailored to the needs of the various stakeholders. Stakeholder‐based evaluation provides the theoretical framework for the study.

The literature suggests that much evaluation of training focuses on a single stakeholder, the shareholder, and that practice draws heavily on Kirkpatrick's hierarchical model. In the context of the corporate university, however, the authors find that multi‐stakeholder evaluation is used in practice. Moreover, various aspects of corporate university performance were evaluated, and data were supplied to stakeholders depending on the nature of their involvement. Stakeholder‐based evaluation is argued to be a useful framework where there are a number of stakeholders, but training evaluation models other than the hierarchical one are needed if all relevant training factors are to be evaluated. The implications for research and practice are discussed.
The effects of organizational training on organizational commitment
Authors: Bulut Cagri , Culha Osman
Published: November 2010

This empirical study investigated the impact of organizational training on employee commitment focusing on employees' emotional and affective responses towards their organization. Organizational training is conceptualized within a multidimensional framework consisting of motivation for training, access to training, benefits from training and support for training. The hypothesis of this study has been built on a resource‐based view, social exchange theory and psychological contract theory. Field research was conducted through surveys with 298 participants of four‐ and five‐star hotels operating in Izmir, Turkey. Confirmatory factor analyses were used to analyse the quality of the training scales and multiple regression analyses were conducted to test the hypotheses of the study. The results revealed that all dimensions of training positively affected employee commitment. Implications have been presented for both researchers and human resource practitioners as to how to utilize organizational training factors to increase employee commitment.
Biomechanical properties and innervation of the female caveolin‐1‐deficient detrusor
Authors: Sadegh Mardjaneh Karbalaei , Ekman Mari , Rippe Catarina , Sundler Frank , Wierup Nils , Mori Michiko , Uvelius Bengt , Swärd Karl
Published: November 2010

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Caveolin‐1‐deficiency is associated with substantial urogenital alterations. Here, a mechanical, histological and biochemical characterization of female detrusors from wild‐type and caveolin‐1‐deficient (KO) mice was made to increase the understanding of detrusor changes caused by lack of caveolae.

EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH Length–tension relationships were generated, and we recorded responses to electrical field stimulation, the muscarinic receptor agonist carbachol and the purinoceptor agonist ATP. Tyrosine nitration and the contents of caveolin‐1, cavin‐1, muscarinic M3 receptors, phospholipase Cβ1, muscle‐specific kinase (MuSK) and L‐type Ca2+ channels were determined by immunoblotting. Innervation was assessed by immunohistochemistry.

KEY RESULTS Bladder to body weight ratio was not changed, nor was there any change in the optimum circumference for force development. Depolarization‐ and ATP‐induced stress was reduced, as was carbachol‐induced stress between 0.1 and 3 µM, but the supramaximal relative (% K+) response to carbachol was increased, as was M3 expression. The scopolamine‐sensitive component of the electrical field stimulation response was impaired, and yet bladder nerves contained little caveolin‐1. The density of cholinergic nerves was unchanged, whereas CART‐ and CGRP‐positive nerves were reduced. Immunoblotting revealed loss of MuSK.

CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS Ablation of caveolae in the female detrusor leads to generalized impairment of contractility, ruling out prostate hypertrophy as a contributing factor. Cholinergic neuroeffector transmission is impaired without conspicuous changes in the density of cholinergic nerves or morphology of their terminals, but correlating with reduced expression of MuSK.
Mechanisms for anti‐inflammatory effects of 1‐[15(S)‐hydroxyeicosapentaenoyl] lysophosphatidylcholine, administered intraperitoneally, in zymosan A‐induced peritonitis
Authors: Hung Nguyen Dang , Kim Mee Ree , Sok Dai‐Eun
Published: November 2010

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSELysophosphatidylcholines (lysoPCs) with polyunsaturated acyl chains are known to exert anti‐inflammatory actions. 15‐Lipoxygeanation is crucial for anti‐inflammatory action of polyunsaturated acylated lysoPCs. Here, the anti‐inflammatory actions of 1‐(15‐hydroxyeicosapentaenoyl)‐lysoPC (15‐HEPE‐lysoPC) and its derivatives were examined in a mechanistic analysis.

EXPERIMENTAL APPROACHAnti‐inflammatory actions of 15‐HEPE‐lysoPC in zymosan A‐induced peritonitis of mice were examined by measuring plasma leakage and leucocyte infiltration, and determining levels of lipid mediators or cytokines.

KEY RESULTSWhen each lysoPC, administered i.v., was assessed for its ability to suppress zymosan A‐induced plasma leakage, 15‐HEPE‐lysoPC was found to be more potent than 1‐(15‐hydroperoxyeicosapentaenoyl)‐lysoPC or 1‐eicosapentaenoyl‐lysoPC. Separately, i.p. administration of 15‐HEPE‐lysoPC markedly inhibited plasma leakage, in contrast to 15‐HEPE, which had only a small effect. 15‐HEPE‐lysoPC also decreased leucocyte infiltration. Moreover, it reduced the formation of LTC4and LTB4, 5‐lipoxygenation products, as well as the levels of pro‐inflammatory cytokines. The time‐course study indicated that 15‐HEPE‐lysoPC might participate in both the early inflammatory phase and resolution phase. Additionally, 15‐HEPE‐lysoPC administration caused a partial suppression of LTC4‐induced plasma leakage and LTB4‐induced leucocyte infiltration. In the metabolism study, peritoneal exudate was shown to contain lysoPC‐hydrolysing activity, crucial for anti‐inflammatory activity, and a system capable of generating lipoxin A from 15‐hydroxy eicosanoid precursor.

CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS15‐HEPE‐lysoPC, a precursor for 15‐HEPE in target cells, induced anti‐inflammatory actions by inhibiting the formation of pro‐inflammatory leukotrienes and cytokines, and by enhancing the formation of lipoxin A. 15‐HEPE‐lysoPC might be one of many potent anti‐inflammatory lipidsin vivo.
Sphingosine‐1‐phosphate antibodies as potential agents in the treatment of cancer and age‐related macular degeneration
Authors: Sabbadini Roger A.
Published: November 2010

Sphingosine‐1‐phosphate (S1P) is a pleiotropic bioactive lipid thought to be dysregulated in a variety of disease conditions. In this review, we discuss the roles of S1P in cancer and in wet age‐related macular degeneration. We also explore potential treatment strategies for these disorders, including the utility of anti‐S1P antibodies acting as molecular sponges to neutralize dysregulated S1P in relevant tissues.
Hydrogen sulphide protects mouse pancreatic β‐cells from cell death induced by oxidative stress, but not by endoplasmic reticulum stress
Authors: Taniguchi S , Kang L , Kimura T , Niki I
Published: November 2010

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Hydrogen sulphide (H2S), a potentially toxic gas, is also involved in the neuroprotection, neuromodulation, cardioprotection, vasodilatation and the regulation of inflammatory response and insulin secretion. We have recently reported that H2S suppresses pancreatic β‐cell apoptosis induced by long‐term exposure to high glucose. Here we examined the protective effects of sodium hydrosulphide (NaHS), an H2S donor, on various types of β‐cell damage.

EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH Isolated islets from mice or the mouse insulinoma MIN6 cells were cultured with palmitate, cytokines (a mixture of tumour necrosis factor‐α, interferon‐γ and interleukin‐1β), hydrogen peroxide, thapsigargin or tunicamycin with or without NaHS. We examined DNA fragmentation, caspase‐3 and ‐7 activities and reactive oxygen species (ROS) production in the treated cells thereafter. Apoptotic cell death in isolated islets was also assessed by the terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase‐mediated deoxyuridine triphosphate nick end labelling (TUNEL) method.

KEY RESULTS NaHS suppressed DNA fragmentation and the activities of caspase‐3 and ‐7 induced by palmitate, the cytokines or hydrogen peroxide. In contrast, NaHS failed to protect islets and MIN6 cells from apoptosis induced by thapsigargin and tunicamycin, both of which cause endoplasmic reticulum stress. NaHS suppressed ROS production induced by cytokines or hydrogen peroxide but it had no effect on ROS production in thapsigargin‐treated cells. NaHS increased Akt phosphorylation in MIN6 cells treated with cytokines but not in cells treated with thapsigargin. Treatment with NaHS decreased TUNEL‐positive cells in cytokine‐exposed islets.

CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS H2S may prevent pancreatic β‐cells from cell apoptosis via an anti‐oxidative mechanism and the activation of Akt signalling.
Rescuing iron‐overloaded macrophages by conservative relocation of the accumulated metal
Authors: Sohn Yang‐Sung , Mitterstiller Anna‐Maria , Breuer William , Weiss Guenter , Cabantchik Z Ioav
Published: November 2010

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Systemic iron deficiency concomitant with macrophage iron retention is characteristic of iron‐refractory anaemias associated with chronic disease. The systemic misdistribution of iron, which is further exacerbated by parenteral iron supplementation, is mainly attributable to iron retention exerted on resident macrophages by hepcidin‐mediated down‐regulation of the iron exporter ferroportin. We aimed at developing an experimental macrophage‐based cell model that recapitulates pathophysiological features of iron misdistribution found in chronic disorders and use it as a screening platform for identifying agents with the potential for relocating the accumulated metal and restoring affected functions.

EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH A RAW macrophage subline was selected as cell model of iron retention based on their capacity to take up polymeric iron or aged erythrocytes excessively, resulting in a demonstrable increase of cell labile iron pools and oxidative damage that are aggravated by hepcidin.

KEY RESULTS This model provided a three‐stage high throughput screening platform for identifying agents with the combined ability to: (i) scavenge cell iron and thereby rescue macrophage cells damaged by iron‐overload; (ii) bypass the ferroportin blockade by conveying the scavenged iron to other iron‐starved cells in co‐culture via transferrin but (iii) without promoting utilization of the scavenged iron by intracellular pathogens. As test agents we used chelators in clinical practice and found the oral chelator deferiprone fulfilled essentially all of the three criteria.

CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS We provide a proof of principle for conservative iron relocation as complementary therapeutic approach for correcting the misdistribution of iron associated with chronic disease and exacerbated by parenteral iron supplementation.
Functional antagonism of β‐adrenoceptor subtypes in the catecholamine‐induced automatism in rat myocardium
Authors: Boer DC , Bassani JWM , Bassani RA
Published: November 2010

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSEMyocardial automatism and arrhythmias may ensue during strong sympathetic stimulation. We sought to investigate the relevant types of adrenoceptor, as well as the role of phosphodiesterase (PDE) activity, in the production of catecholaminergic automatism in atrial and ventricular rat myocardium.

EXPERIMENTAL APPROACHThe effects of adrenoceptor agonists on the rate of spontaneous contractions (automatic response) and the amplitude of electrically evoked contractions (inotropic response) were determined in left atria and ventricular myocytes isolated from Wistar rats.

KEY RESULTSCatecholaminergic automatism was Ca2+‐dependent, as it required a functional sarcoplasmic reticulum to be exhibited. Although both α‐ and β‐adrenoceptor activation caused inotropic stimulation, only β1‐adrenoceptors seemed to mediate the induction of spontaneous activity. Catecholaminergic automatism was enhanced and suppressed by β2‐adrenoceptor blockade and stimulation respectively. Inhibition of either PDE3 or PDE4 (by milrinone and rolipram, respectively) potentiated the automatic response of myocytes to catecholamines. However, only rolipram abolished the attenuation of automatism produced by β2‐adrenoceptor stimulation.

CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONSα‐ and β2‐adrenoceptors do not seem to be involved in the mediation of catecholaminergic stimulation of spontaneous activity in atrial and ventricular myocardium. However, a functional antagonism of β1‐ and β2‐adrenoceptor activation was identified, the former mediating catecholaminergic myocardial automatism and the latter attenuating this effect. Results suggest that hydrolysis of cAMP by PDE4 is involved in the protective effect mediated by β2‐adrenoceptor stimulation.