bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Low river flow alters the biomass and population structure of a riparian predatory invertebrate
Authors: GREENWOOD MICHELLE J. , McINTOSH ANGUS R.
Published: June 2010

1. Low flows in rivers are predicted to increase in extent and severity in many areas in the future, yet the consequent impacts of river drying on terrestrial communities via (i) changes to riparian microclimatic conditions and (ii) the identity and abundance of emerging aquatic insects available to riparian predators have not been quantified.

2. We investigated the influence of low river flow on a riparian fishing spider, Dolomedes aquaticus, in five New Zealand rivers containing permanently flowing and drying reaches and, in one river, along a longitudinal drying gradient.

3. The biomass of aquatic insects, potential prey for D. aquaticus, declined with low river flows while the abundance of potential terrestrial prey remained similar at all sites. In the replicate rivers, and along the longitudinal drying gradient, spider biomass was lower, and size classes were skewed towards more small and fewer large spiders, in drying sites. A desiccation experiment in the laboratory indicated high sensitivity of the spiders, with prey presence increasing spider survival.

4. Differences in the spatial distribution, biomass and population size structure of spiders were observed along the longitudinal drying gradient and disappeared within 16 days of the water returning to all sites.

5. In total, low river flow affected the biomass of D. aquaticus, as well as their size class structure and spatial distribution. This indicates that low river flows have the potential to affect adjacent terrestrial ecosystems.
Optimizing the treatment of haemophilia B: laboratory and clinical perspectives
Authors: ALEDORT L. M.
Published: June 2010

Summary.  Hemophilia A and B are traditionally thought of as a single bleeding disorder, viewed as opposite sides of the same coin. Yet the differences between the 2 forms of congenital hemophilia extend far beyond the type of deficient clotting factor—factor VIII for hemophilia A and factor IX (FIX) for hemophilia B. This supplement focuses on the unique laboratory and clinical issues associated with FIX replacement therapy for children and adults with hemophilia B.
Using mind mapping techniques for rapid qualitative data analysis in public participation processes
Authors: Burgess‐Allen Jilla , Owen‐Smith Vicci
Published: June 2010

Context  In a health service environment where timescales for patient participation in service design are short and resources scarce, a balance needs to be achieved between research rigour and the timeliness and utility of the findings of patient participation processes.

Objective  To develop a pragmatic mind mapping approach to managing the qualitative data from patient participation processes.

Design  While this article draws on experience of using mind maps in a variety of participation processes, a single example is used to illustrate the approach. In this example mind maps were created during the course of patient participation focus groups. Two group discussions were also transcribed verbatim to allow comparison of the rapid mind mapping approach with traditional thematic analysis of qualitative data.

Setting and participants  The illustrative example formed part of a local alcohol service review which included consultation with local alcohol service users, their families and staff groups.

Findings  The mind mapping approach provided a pleasing graphical format for representing the key themes raised during the focus groups. It helped stimulate and galvanize discussion and keep it on track, enhanced transparency and group ownership of the data analysis process, allowed a rapid dynamic between data collection and feedback, and was considerably faster than traditional methods for the analysis of focus groups, while resulting in similar broad themes.

Conclusion  This study suggests that the use of a mind mapping approach to managing qualitative data can provide a pragmatic resolution of the tension between limited resources and quality in patient participation processes.
Molecular cloning and characterisation of a pathogenesis‐related protein CsPR10 from Crocus sativus
Authors: Gómez‐Gómez L. , Rubio‐Moraga A. , Ahrazem O.
Published: June 2010

Plants have developed many mechanisms to protect themselves against most potential microbial pathogens and diseases. Among these mechanisms, pathogenesis‐related proteins are produced as part of the active defence to prevent attack. In this study, a full‐length cDNA encoding the CsPR10 protein was identified in fresh saffron stigmas (Crocus sativus). The deduced amino acid sequence from the nucleotide sequence of the coding region showed homology with PR10 proteins. The clone expressed as a protein in fusion with a GST tag produced a 47‐kDa protein in E. coli. CsPR10 had ribonuclease activity, with features common to class II‐type ribonucleases; its specific activity was quantified as 68.8 U·mg−1 protein, thus falling within the range of most PR10 proteins exhibiting RNase activity. Antifungal activity of CsPR10 was assayed against Verticillium dahliae, Penicillium sp. and Fusarium oxysporum. CsPR10 inhibited only F. oxysporum growth, and antifungal potency was reflected in a IC50 of 8.3 μm. Expression analysis showed the presence of high transcript levels in anther and tepal tissues, low levels in stigmas and roots, and no signal detected in leaves. This protein seems to be involved in the active defence response through activation of the jasmonic acid pathway.
Elevated CO2 effects on canopy and soil water flux parameters measured using a large chamber in crops grown with free‐air CO2 enrichment
Authors: Burkart S. , Manderscheid R. , Wittich K.‐P. , Löpmeier F. J. , Weigel H.‐J.
Published: June 2010

An arable crop rotation (winter barley–sugar beet–winter wheat) was exposed to elevated atmospheric CO2 concentrations ([CO2]) using a FACE facility (Free‐Air CO2 Enrichment) during two rotation periods. The atmospheric [CO2] of the treatment plots was elevated to 550 ppm during daylight hours (T > 5 °C). Canopy transpiration (EC) and conductance (GC) were measured at selected intervals (>10% of total growing season) using a dynamic CO2/H2O chamber measuring system. Plant available soil water content (gravimetry and TDR probes) and canopy microclimate conditions were recorded in parallel. Averaged across both growing seasons, elevated [CO2] reduced EC by 9%, 18% and 12%, and GC by 9%, 17% and 12% in barley, sugar beet and wheat, respectively. Both global radiation (Rg) and vapour pressure deficit (VPD) were the main driving forces of EC, whereas GC was mostly related to Rg. The responses of EC and especially GC to [CO2] enrichment were insensitive to weather conditions and leaf area index. However, differences in LAI between plots counteracted the [CO2] impact on EC and thus, at least in part, explained the variability of seasonal [CO2] responses between crops and years. As a consequence of lower transpirational canopy water loss, [CO2] enrichment increased plant available soil water content in the course of the season by ca. 15 mm. This was true for all crops and years. Lower transpirational cooling due to a [CO2]‐induced reduction of EC increased canopy surface and air temperature by up to 2 °C and 0.5 °C, respectively. This is the first study to address effects of FACE on both water fluxes at canopy scale and water status of a European crop rotation.
The Arterial Supply of the Pelvic Limb of the Adult Ostrich (Struthio camelus)
Authors: El‐Nahla S. M. , El‐Mahdy T. , Abbott L. C. , Hassan S. A. M.
Published: June 2010

With 25 figures

Blood to the pelvic limb of the ostrich is provided by the external iliac and ischiatic arteries that arise from the descending aorta. The external iliac artery (a.) gave rise to the pubic a. that supplied the obturator muscles and continued as the femoral a. The femoral a. gave off three branches: (1) cranial coxal a. to muscles above the pre‐acetabular ilium; (2) cranial femoral a. to muscles cranial to the femur, the gastrocnemius muscle, hip and stifle joints and (3) medial femoral a. to muscles caudal and medial to the femur. The ischiatic a. gave rise to the caudal coxal a. that supplied muscles caudal to the femur, muscular branches to the iliotibialis lateralis muscle and to the deep femoral a. that supplied the iliofibularis muscle, cutanea femoralis caudalis and lateralis aa., and branches to the flexors of the leg and knee joint, then terminated as the sural and popliteal arteries. The sural a. supplied most of the flexors of the foot. The popliteal a. supplied the knee joint and flexors of the leg, and then terminated as the cranial and caudal tibial arteries. The caudal tibial a. supplied flexors of the foot. The cranial tibial a. provided four branches to the knee and ankle joints and to the leg. The cranial tibial a. continued into the foot as the common dorsal metatarsal a., which gave off seven different branches to the ankle and foot. With few exceptions, the arteries of the ostrich pelvic limb are similar to those of domestic fowl.
Localization of Insulin‐Like Growth Factor‐I (IGF‐I) and IGF‐I Receptor (IGF‐IR) in Equine Testes
Authors: Yoon MJ , Berger T , Roser JF
Published: June 2010

Contents

The insulin‐like growth factor‐I (IGF‐I) is a key regulator of reproductive functions. IGF‐I actions are primarily mediated by IGF‐IR. The main objective of this research was to evaluate the presence of IGF‐I and IGF‐I Receptor (IGF‐IR) in stallion testicular tissue. The hypotheses of this study were (i) IGF‐I and IGF‐IR are present in stallion testicular cells including Leydig, Sertoli, and developing germ cells, and (ii) the immunolabelling of IGF‐I and IGF‐IR varies with age. Testicular tissues from groups of 4 stallions in different developmental ages were used. Rabbit anti‐human polyclonal antibodies against IGF‐I and IGF‐IR were used as primary antibodies for immunohistochemistry and Western blot. At the pre‐pubertal and pubertal stages, IGF‐I immunolabelling was present in spermatogonia and Leydig cells. At post‐pubertal, adult and aged stages, immunolabelling of IGF‐I was observed in spermatogenic cells (spermatogonia, spermatocyte, spermatid, and spermatozoa) and Leydig cells. Immunolabelling of IGF‐IR was observed in spermatogonia and Leydig cells at the pre‐pubertal stage. The immunolabelling becomes stronger as the age of animals advance through the post‐pubertal stage. Strong immunolabelling of IGF‐IR was observed in spermatogonia and Leydig cells at post‐puberty, adult and aged stallions; and faint labelling was seen in spermatocytes at these ages. Immunolabelling of IGF‐I and IGF‐IR was not observed in Sertoli cells. In conclusion, IGF‐I is localized in equine spermatogenic and Leydig cells, and IGF‐IR is present in spermatogonia, spermatocytes and Leydig cells, suggesting that the IGF‐I may be involved in equine spermatogenesis and Leydig cell function as a paracrine/autocrine factor.
Efficacy and safety of modified sequential three‐step empirical therapy for chronic cough
Authors: WEI Weili , YU Li , WANG Yu , LI Xin , QIU Zhihong , WANG Lan , LIU Bo , LIANG Siwei , LÜ Hanjing , QIU Zhongmin
Published: June 2010

Background and objective:  Sequential three‐step empirical therapy is useful for the management of chronic cough. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of modified sequential three‐step empirical therapy.

Methods:  Consecutive patients (n = 240) with chronic cough were recruited and randomly assigned to receive modified (modified group) or primary (primary group) sequential three‐step empirical therapy. The primary end‐point was the overall rate of control of chronic cough. Secondary end‐points were the rate of control of chronic cough at each step of therapy, the duration of treatment required, changes in cough symptom score, health‐related quality of life and possible adverse effects.

Results:  The study was completed by 106 patients in the modified group and 108 patients in the primary group. The overall rate of control of chronic cough was 88.7% in the modified group and 91.7% in the primary group (χ2 = 0.54, P > 0.05). There were no obvious differences in the rate of control of cough at each step of therapy, the duration of treatment required, patterns of cough symptom scores or improvements in the health‐related quality of life between the modified and primary groups. However, the incidence of drowsiness was significantly lower in the modified group than in the primary group (11.7% vs 21.7%, χ2 = 4.32, P = 0.04).

Conclusions:  Modified three‐step empirical therapy was as efficacious as primary three‐step therapy for chronic cough, but was preferable because it had fewer side‐effects.
Dendritic spines, synaptic plasticity and neuronal survival: activity shapes dendritic spines to enhance neuronal viability
Authors: Segal Menahem
Published: June 2010

An emerging view of structure–function relations of synapses in central spiny neurons asserts that larger spines produce large synaptic currents and that these large spines are persistent (‘memory’) compared to small spines which are transient. Furthermore, ‘learning’ involves enlargement of small spine heads and their conversion to being large and stable. It is also assumed that the number of spines, hence the number of synapses, is reflected in the frequency of miniature excitatory postsynaptic currents (mEPSCs). Consequently, there is an assumption that the size and number of mEPSCs are closely correlated with, respectively, the physical size of synapses and number of spines. However, several recent observations do not conform to these generalizations, necessitating a reassessment of the model: spine dimension and synaptic responses are not always correlated. It is proposed that spines are formed and shaped by ongoing network activity, not necessarily by a ‘learning’ event, to the extent that, in the absence of such activity, new spines are not formed and existing ones disappear or convert into thin filopodia. In the absence of spines, neurons can still maintain synapses with afferent fibers, which can now terminate on its dendritic shaft. Shaft synapses are likely to produce larger synaptic currents than spine synapses. Following loss of their spines, neurons are less able to cope with the large synaptic inputs impinging on their dendritic shafts, and these inputs may lead to their eventual death. Thus, dendritic spines protect neurons from synaptic activity‐induced rises in intracellular calcium concentrations.
Understanding the parietal lobe syndrome from a neurophysiological and evolutionary perspective
Authors: Caminiti Roberto , Chafee Matthew V. , Battaglia‐Mayer Alexandra , Averbeck Bruno B. , Crowe David A. , Georgopoulos Apostolos P.
Published: June 2010

In human and nonhuman primates parietal cortex is formed by a multiplicity of areas. For those of the superior parietal lobule (SPL) there exists a certain homology between man and macaques. As a consequence, optic ataxia, a disturbed visual control of hand reaching, has similar features in man and monkeys. Establishing such correspondence has proven difficult for the areas of the inferior parietal lobule (IPL). This difficulty depends on many factors. First, no physiological information is available in man on the dynamic properties of cells in the IPL. Second, the number of IPL areas identified in the monkey is paradoxically higher than that so far described in man, although this issue will probably be reconsidered in future years, thanks to comparative imaging studies. Third, the consequences of parietal lesions in monkeys do not always match those observed in humans. This is another paradox if one considers that, in certain cases, the functional properties of neurons in the monkey’s IPL would predict the presence of behavioral skills, such as construction capacity, that however do not seem to emerge in the wild. Therefore, constructional apraxia, which is well characterized in man, has never been described in monkeys and apes. Finally, only certain aspects, i.e. hand directional hypokinesia and gaze apraxia (Balint’s psychic paralysis of gaze), of the multifaceted syndrome hemispatial neglect have been described in monkeys. These similarities, differences and paradoxes, among many others, make the study of the evolution and function of parietal cortex a challenging case.
The Diabetes UK Mozambique Twinning Programme. Results of improvements in diabetes care in Mozambique: a reassessment 6 years later using the Rapid Assessment Protocol for Insulin Access
Authors: Beran D. , Silva Matos C. , Yudkin J. S.
Published: June 2010

Diabet. Med. 27, 855–861 (2010)

Objective  To assess improvements in diabetes care in Mozambique between 2003 and 2009 following the implementation of the Diabetes UK Twinning Programme.

Methods  As in 2003, a Rapid Assessment Protocol was implemented from August to September 2009 in order to assess the improvements in diabetes care and impact of the Diabetes UK Twinning Programme. One hundred and eighty‐four interviews were carried out at different levels of the health system in different areas of Mozambique.

Results  The Diabetes UK Twinning Programme in Mozambique allowed the development of the first comprehensive non‐communicable disease plan in sub‐Saharan Africa. The other main improvements include a strengthening of the diabetes association with an 8‐fold increase in membership, 265 health workers trained in diabetes care in all provinces, the development of patient education materials inspired by some Diabetes UK tools and the expansion of public awareness, particularly from events associated with World Diabetes Day.

Conclusions  Much progress has been made in Mozambique with regard to diabetes and non‐communicable diseases. Besides the direct impact of specific activities supported by Diabetes UK, this project allowed for ‘collateral’ benefits in the overall provision of diabetes care. As diabetes and non‐communicable diseases have a low profile on the global health agenda, twinning partnerships based on rigorous needs assessment have the capacity to make significant improvements in diabetes care at a relatively low level of investment. Moreover, this study suggests that the tool used might be of value in assessing progress in health system strengthening as well as in conducting the initial needs assessment.
Active classroom participation in a Group Scribbles primary science classroom
Authors: Chen Wenli , Looi Chee‐Kit
Published: June 2010

A key stimulus of learning efficacy for students in the classroom is active participation and engagement in the learning process. This study examines the nature of teacher–student and student–student discourse when leveraged by an interactive technology—Group Scribbles (GS) in a Primary 5 Science classroom in Singapore which supports rapid collaborative knowledge building (RCKB). We envisaged nine design principles for RCKB in the design of lessons and postulated a logic model that links and explains the effects of our design principles to the ultimate goal of learning efficacy. We presented a case study of a GS lesson which shows that GS affordances leveraged by good lesson and activity design could enable the students to have more epistemic agency. Students had opportunities to participate spontaneously in class discussions by fully expressing their ideas without inhibition. The technology effect is used to support instant formative feedback and interactions among students effectively.
Pedagogical applications of Vlogs: An investigation into ESP learners' perceptions
Authors: Hung Shao‐Ting
Published: June 2010

This study set out to examine the implementation of a video blog (vlog) project in an English for Specific Purposes (ESP) course that aimed to increase students' opportunities to use the target language. Specifically, it explored students' perceptions towards vlogs and analysed the advantages and disadvantages of vlogs as identified by the students. Data sources included an attitude survey, an open‐ended questionnaire, student interviews, written peer feedback, video clips in vlogs and reflective journals. The results indicated that firstly, the students favourably perceived the vlog project because vlogs not only helped them organise and reflect on their learning products, but also allowed them to archive their learning processes. Second, they reported a number of advantages associated with vlogging, such as visual representation, relief from time constraints, self‐evaluation, professional development, wider audience, peer learning and technical capability. Third, in the opinion of the students, the challenges compromising the effectiveness of the vlog project involved technical difficulties, affective interferences, weak linkage to real‐time communication and time issues. In light of these findings, the researcher proposes two pedagogical implications for ESP instructional practices.
Competencies for learning design: A review of the literature and a proposed framework
Authors: MacLean Piers , Scott Bernard
Published: June 2010

The term ‘learning design’ is used in this paper to refer to the process of designing effective learning experiences for a variety of contexts: in the classroom or laboratory, in the field, online and via standalone packages using a range of media. Learning design involves a wide set of knowledge, skills and competencies, including: learning theory and its applications, course design principles and procedures, use of media, use of different technologies, relevant business processes and so on. This paper briefly introduces a research project that investigated the field of learning design in the UK and elsewhere, and describes the production of a competency framework derived from the results of that research.
Genital candidosis in heterosexual couples
Authors: Lisboa C , Costa AR , Ricardo E , Santos A , Azevedo F , Pina‐Vaz C , Rodrigues AG
Published: June 2010

Background  Evidence suggests that Candida can be sexually transmitted; however, the contribution of sexual transmission to the pathogenesis of genital candidosis needs further elucidation.

Objective  The aim was to evaluate genital candidosis and its transmissibility in heterosexual couples.

Methods  Heterosexual couples were recruited among attendees of an Sexually Transmitted Diseases clinic. Specimens for yeast culture were collected from the glans penis and inner preputial layer using direct impression on CHROMagar Candida medium; vaginal exudates were collected using a cotton swab with subsequent inoculation on CHROMagar Candida medium. Mitochondrial DNA restriction analysis was performed to compare Candida isolates from both partners.

Results  A total of 64 couples were enrolled in the study. Frequency of sexual intercourse was significantly higher in couples where both partners yielded positive cultures and with at least one having genital candidosis (Odds ratios: 6.844; 95% CI 1.408–33.266). The same Candida species was found in both partners in 25% (16/64) of all couples but only 17.2% (11/64) were genetically similar. In total 12 of the 34 women suffering from vulvovaginal candidosis (VVC) had recurrent VVC (RVVC); two sexual partners of RVVC women (16.7%) had candida positive cultures, compared with 15 (68.2%) sexual partners of non RVVC women (Odds ratios: 0.093; 95% CI 0.016–0.544).

Conclusions  Only in a few heterosexual couples a genetic similarity of Candida species recovered from both partners was found. RVVC women were more likely to have an asymptomatic candida negative sexual partner. This study suggests that male genitalia do not represent a relevant reservoir for RVVC; thus, the relevance of sexual transmission should not be emphasized.
Forensic learning disability nursing role analysis
Authors: Mason Tom , Phipps Dianne , Melling Kat
Published: June 2010

Accessible summary

 For nurses working with people with a learning disability in forensic settings (possibly having committed a criminal act), it is thought that they need different skills than those nurses in general learning disability settings.

 Research in forensic nurses working in mental health secure settings suggest that they nurse according to six themes.

 This research study tested this six theme framework for forensic learning disability nursing.

 Whilst some of the themes were relevant for nurses working in forensic learning disability services, some were not relevant.

This article reports on a study carried out on the role constructs of forensic and nonforensic Learning Disability Nursing in relation to six binary themes. The aims were to identify if there were differences in perceptions of forensic learning disability nurses and nonforensic learning disability nurses in relation to the six binary themes of the role construct framework and then to establish if there were differences between the two groups of nurses. The method was a survey design with the sample drawn from high, medium and low security settings and nonsecure settings in the UK. From 400 questionnaires distributed, response rates of 46% and 49% were achieved from secure and nonsecure settings, respectively. The results indicate that the forensic nurses group show a significant difference between ranked scores on a number of themes but no significant difference was found between scores on one of the themes. The nonforensic nurses group also showed a significant difference between scores on a number of the themes but no significant difference was found between scores on a number of themes. Finally, the results of the between group analysis show a significant difference between forensic and nonforensic groups scores on several themes but these are few in number. The conclusions drawn are that whilst there is some support for the relevance of the themes in relation to learning disabilities in the forensic setting, there is less support for nonforensic settings.
Target Price Accuracy in Equity Research
Authors: Bonini Stefano , Zanetti Laura , Bianchini Roberto , Salvi Antonio
Published: June 2010

Abstract:  Analysts’ target prices have received limited attention in academic research. In this paper we try to fill the gap by developing an innovative multi‐layer accuracy metric that we test on a novel database. Our analysis shows that forecasting accuracy is very limited: prediction errors are consistent, auto‐correlated, non‐mean reverting and large (up to 36.6%). The size of forecasting errors increases with the predicted growth in the stock price, the size of the company and for loss making firms. Additionally, the intensity of research and the market momentum negatively affect accuracy. These results suggest that analysts' research is systematically biased which supports theoretical predictions by Ottaviani and Sorensen (2006). Since stock price forecasting is largely an unmonitored activity, market participants may fail in fully understanding this behavior, thus not arbitraging away these inefficiencies.
Doing sensory ethnography in consumer research
Authors: Valtonen Anu , Markuksela Vesa , Moisander Johanna
Published: June 2010

This paper is a contribution to sensory‐aware cultural consumer research. It suggests that while the audio‐visual domain is unquestionably a crucial ingredient of contemporary consumer culture, there is a pressing need to explore the role of the other senses as well. The study works towards a practice‐based culturalist approach to sensory ethnography, a perspective that allows consumer scholars to empirically account for the cultural aspects of the senses. Through an empirical case study on sport fishing, the paper scrutinizes the challenges and opportunities related to conducting sensory ethnography. In addition, it discusses the benefits of this approach in consumer research.
Self‐reporting vs. observation: some cautionary examples from parent/child food shopping behaviour
Authors: Gram Malene
Published: June 2010

Most studies on decision‐making in relation to consumption are based on self‐reported behaviour. This approach assumes that consumers can account for their decision‐making processes. However, several studies show that consumers are not always aware of what happens when they purchase goods because of the role of habit and routines, or a lack of willingness to account accurately for their purchases. A clear example of this is family decision‐making about food shopping. It is well documented that parents know that their children influence what they buy in supermarkets but it is also found that parents and children do not agree on just how much influence children have. Thus, a gap exists in the knowledge about what is actually happening in this grey zone of grocery shopping which seemingly cannot be solved through retrospective data collection. Family shopping is neither a completely rational nor conscious process, which makes the use of self‐reported behaviour problematic. This study discusses the limits of survey and interview approaches to parents' and children's shopping decisions in comparison with observations. An observational study of parent/child supermarket shopping in Denmark is used to exemplify the strengths of observation. Findings show that both parents and children are juggling a number of roles and apply a range of negotiation strategies which can explain why it is hard to account for who decided what afterwards. The article concludes that mapping certain types of consumer actions calls for other methods than self‐reported behaviour.
Information seeking by female apparel consumers in South Africa during the fashion decision‐making process
Authors: van Staden Johanna , van Aardt Annette Marie
Published: June 2010

Fashion information is sought during the fashion decision‐making process and can be obtained from various sources such as magazines, fashion consultants, websites and store displays. Various levels and methods such as internal and external search for information are used to assist the consumer in making informed fashion decisions. The broad research aim of this study was to determine which methods, sources and economics of fashion information are sought and used by female educators in Vanderbijlpark (South Africa) during the fashion decision‐making process, and to which extent.

A self‐administered, structured questionnaire was used to collect the data. Section A measured methods of information seeking, section B determined the economics of information search and section C investigated sources of fashion information. Demographic information was investigated in Section D. A random cluster sample of eight schools was chosen from the female educating staff of 22 schools.

The biggest group of the educators (40.18%) was between the ages of 41 and 50, which according to a South African categorization represents baby boomers. Almost all (95.5%) had a higher education qualification obtained at a university and most (82.14%) were married. Regarding the methods of information seeking, the respondents depended on internal information seeking more than on external methods and were moderately involved in the process. Shopping in stores was regarded the most important source of fashion information. Cluster analysis revealed that four clusters of respondents could be distinguished, each with a specific disposition towards the methods and economics of search as well as sources used during the fashion decision‐making process.
Calcite and aragonite seas and thede novoacquisition of carbonate skeletons
Authors: PORTER S. M.
Published: June 2010

A longstanding question in paleontology has been the influence of calcite and aragonite seas on the evolution of carbonate skeletons. An earlier study based on 21 taxa that evolved skeletons during the Ediacaran through Ordovician suggested that carbonate skeletal mineralogy is determined by seawater chemistry at the time skeletons first evolve in a clade. Here I test this hypothesis using an expanded dataset comprising 40 well‐defined animal taxa that evolved skeletonsde novoin the last 600 Myr. Of the 37 taxa whose mineralogy is known with some confidence, 25 acquired mineralogies that matched seawater chemistry of the time, whereas only two taxa acquired non‐matching mineralogies. (Ten appeared during times when seawater chemistry is not well constrained.) The results suggest that calcite and aragonite seas do have a strong influence on carbonate skeletal mineralogy, however, this appears to be true only at the time mineralized skeletons first evolve. Few taxa switch mineralogies (from calcite to aragonite or vice versa) despite subsequent changes in seawater chemistry, and those that do switch do not appear to do so in response to changing aragonite–calcite seas. This suggests that there may be evolutionary constraints on skeletal mineralogy, and that although there may be increased costs associated with producing a mineralogy not favored by seawater, the costs of switching mineralogies are even greater.
Effects of long‐term treatment with fluoxetine and venlafaxine on rat isolated vas deferens
Authors: Göçmez S. S. , Utkan T. , Ulak G. , Gacar N. , Erden F.
Published: June 2010

1 Antidepressant therapy is considered as one of the factors leading to male infertility.

2 In this study, the effects of long‐term treatment with fluoxetine or venlafaxine were investigated on electrical field stimulation (EFS, 1–64 Hz), noradrenaline (10−8 to 10−4 m), serotonin (10−8 to 10−4 m), adenosine 5′‐triphosphate [ATP (10−8 to 10−4 m)] and 80 mm KCl‐induced contractile responses in the epididymal and prostatic portions of rat isolated vas deferens strips.

3 Serotonin‐induced contractile responses were significantly increased in the epididymal portion of the vas deferens obtained from the fluoxetine‐treatment group, whereas in the prostatic portion there was no change. However, venlafaxine treatment had no effect on serotonin responses in the either portion of the vas deferens. Both fluoxetine and venlafaxine treatment significantly inhibited ATP‐evoked contractions of the prostatic and epididymal portions of the rat vas deferens, but had no effect on EFS, noradrenaline‐ and KCl‐evoked contractions of the vas deferentia in both portions.

4 In conclusion, these results suggest that chronic treatment with fluoxetine and venlafaxine affects vas deferens motility. Purinoceptors may, at least in part, responsible for the impaired motility in chronic treatment of venlafaxine and fluoxetine.
Acetyl‐l‐carnitine protects yeast cells from apoptosis and aging and inhibits mitochondrial fission
Authors: Palermo Vanessa , Falcone Claudio , Calvani Menotti , Mazzoni Cristina
Published: June 2010

In this work we report that carnitines, in particular acetyl‐l‐carnitine (ALC), are able to prolong the chronological aging of yeast cells during the stationary phase. Lifespan extension is significantly reduced in yca1 mutants as well in rho0 strains, suggesting that the protective effects pass through the Yca1 caspase and mitochondrial functions. ALC can also prevent apoptosis in pro‐apoptotic mutants, pointing to the importance of mitochondrial functions in regulating yeast apoptosis and aging. We also demonstrate that ALC attenuates mitochondrial fission in aged yeast cells, indicating a correlation between its protective effect and this process. Our findings suggest that ALC, used as therapeutic for stroke, myocardial infarction and neurodegenerative diseases, besides the well‐known anti‐oxidant effects, might exert protective effects also acting on mitochondrial morphology.
Cyclical Flows in Australian Labour Markets*
Authors: PONOMAREVA NATALIA , SHEEN JEFFREY
Published: June 2010

Using a four‐state model, we show that Australian labour markets exhibited more mobility after 1980, but most gains occurred before 1993. We find large and significant procyclical effects in the transition probabilities from unemployment to jobs, which contribute significantly to the variations of unemployment. Transitions from jobs to unemployment are countercyclical, but the effects are small and in most cases insignificant. Although job‐losing and job‐finding both matter for the evolution of unemployment over the whole business cycle, job‐finding has become more important in recent years. During recessions, job‐finding is a bigger issue. Each transition probability explains only a small proportion of participation rates.
Pharmacokinetic interaction between itraconazole and metformin in rats: competitive inhibition of metabolism of each drug by each other via hepatic and intestinal CYP3A1/2
Authors: Choi YH , Lee U , Lee BK , Lee MG
Published: June 2010

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Fungal infection is prevalent in patients with diabetes mellitus. Thus, we investigated whether a pharmacokinetic interaction occurs between the anti‐fungal agent itraconazole and the anti‐glycaemic drug metformin, as both drugs are commonly administered together to diabetic patients and are metabolized via hepatic CYP3A subfamily in rats.

EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH Itraconazole (20 mg·kg−1) and metformin (100 mg·kg−1) were simultaneously administered i.v. and p.o. to rats. Concentrations (I) of each drug in the liver and intestine, maximum velocity (Vmax), Michaelis–Menten constant (Km) and intrinsic clearance (CLint) for the disappearance of each drug, apparent inhibition constant (Ki) and [I]/Ki ratios of each drug in the liver and intestine were determined. Also the metabolism of each drug in rat and human CYPs was measured in vitro.

KEY RESULTS After simultaneous administration of both drugs, either i.v. or p.o., the total area under the plasma concentration–time curve from time zero to infinity (AUC)s of itraconazole and metformin were significantly greater than that of either drug administered alone. The metabolism of itraconazole and metformin was significantly inhibited by each other via CYP3A1 and 3A2 in rat and 3A4 in human microsomes.

CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS The significantly greater AUCs of itraconazole and metformin after i.v. administration of both drugs are probably due to competitive inhibition of the metabolism of each drug by each other via hepatic CYP3A1/2. Whereas after oral administration of both drugs, the significantly greater AUCs of each drug administered together than that of either drug alone is mainly due to competitive inhibition of intestinal metabolism of each drug by each other via intestinal CYP3A1/2.
Reversal of acid‐induced and inflammatory pain by the selective ASIC3 inhibitor, APETx2
Authors: Karczewski Jerzy , Spencer Robert H , Garsky Victor M , Liang Annie , Leitl Michael D , Cato Matthew J , Cook Sean P , Kane Stefanie , Urban Mark O
Published: June 2010

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Inflammatory pain is triggered by activation of pathways leading to the release of mediators such as bradykinin, prostaglandins, interleukins, ATP, growth factors and protons that sensitize peripheral nociceptors. The activation of acid‐sensitive ion channels (ASICs) may have particular relevance in the development and maintenance of inflammatory pain. ASIC3 is of particular interest due to its restricted tissue distribution in the nociceptive primary afferent fibres and its high sensitivity to protons.

EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH To examine the contribution of ASIC3 to the development and maintenance of muscle pain and inflammatory pain, we studied the in vivo efficacy of a selective ASIC3 inhibitor, APETx2, in rats.

KEY RESULTS Administration of APETx2 into the gastrocnemius muscle prior to the administration of low pH saline prevented the development of mechanical hypersensitivity, whereas APETx2 administration following low‐pH saline was ineffective in reversing hypersensitivity. The prevention of mechanical hypersensitivity produced by acid administration was observed whether APETx2 was applied via i.m. or i.t. routes. In the complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA) inflammatory pain model, local administration of APETx2 resulted in a potent and complete reversal of established mechanical hypersensitivity, whereas i.t. application of APETx2 was ineffective.

CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS ASIC3 contributed to the development of mechanical hypersensitivity in the acid‐induced muscle pain model, whereas ASIC3 contributed to the maintenance of mechanical hypersensitivity in the CFA inflammatory pain model. The contribution of ASIC3 to established hypersensitivity associated with inflammation suggests that this channel may be an effective analgesic target for inflammatory pain states.
Late Holocene climatic variability reconstructed from incremental data from pines and pearl mussels – a multi‐proxy comparison of air and subsurface temperatures
Authors: HELAMA SAMULI , LÄÄNELAID ALAR , TIETÄVÄINEN HANNA , FAURIA MARC MACIAS , KUKKONEN ILMO T. , HOLOPAINEN JARI , NIELSEN JAN K. , VALOVIRTA ILMARI
Published: June 2010

Helama, S., Läänelaid, A., Tietäväinen, H., Macias Fauria, M., Kukkonen, I. T., Holopainen, J., Nielsen, J. K. & Valovirta, I. 2010: Late Holocene climatic variability reconstructed from incremental data from pines and pearl mussels – a multi‐proxy comparison of air and subsurface temperatures. Boreas, Vol. 39, pp. 734–748. 10.1111/j.1502‐3885.2010.00165.x. ISSN 0300‐9483.

Dendrochronological and sclerochronological records are mean series of arboreal and molluscan increments that are correctly aligned in time by rigorous dating. These records of tree rings and annual shell‐growth increments exhibit climate signals that can be used to reconstruct fluctuations and trends in past climates. Here we present a multi‐proxy reconstruction of temperature histories using a combination of dendrochronological and sclerochronological evidence. Regional curve standardization (RCS) was used to remove the non‐climatic variations from dendrochronological and sclerochronological series prior to palaeoclimatic interpretation. Conventional and signal‐free methods of RCS were compared. It was found that the signal‐free methods produced more reliable chronologies and systematically higher climate–proxy correlations. Consequently, the temperature reconstructions were derived using the chronologies constructed by this method. Proxy‐based histories of summer (July–August) temperatures were reconstructed from AD 1767 onwards. The compound use of proxies resulted in reconstructions that were of higher quality than single‐proxy reconstructions. Further improvement of reconstructions was accomplished by the inclusion of lagging increment values in the transfer functions. The final multi‐proxy model explained 58% of the temperature variance over the instrumental period. The multi‐proxy temperature reconstruction correlated well with the long records of instrumental temperatures from Tornedalen, St. Petersburg, Uppsala and Stockholm. Overall, the reconstruction for the past 250 years agreed reasonably well with borehole temperature reconstructions obtained in northern Finland. In general, this study demonstrates the benefits of the compound use of several proxies in reconstructing climate histories. In particular, the study emphasizes the so far largely unexploited advantages of multi‐proxy data sets obtained by rigorously cross‐dated incremental chronologies to produce more robust palaeoclimatic reconstructions.
Air Removal Efficiency of a Venous Bubble Trap in a Minimal Extracorporeal Circuit During Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting
Authors: Roosenhoff Tamara P.A. , Stehouwer Marco C. , De Vroege Roel , Butter René P. , Van Boven Wim‐Jan , Bruins Peter
Published: June 2010

The use of minimized extracorporeal circuits (MECC) in cardiac surgery is expanding. These circuits eliminate volume storage and bubble trap reservoirs to minimize the circuit. However, this may increase the risk of gaseous micro emboli (GME). To reduce this risk, a venous bubble trap was designed. This study was performed to evaluate if incorporation of a venous bubble trap in a MECC system as compared to our standard minimized extracorporeal circuit without venous bubble trap reduces gaseous micro emboli during cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). Forty patients were randomly assigned to be perfused either with or without an integrated venous bubble trap. After preliminary evaluation of the data of 23 patients, the study was terminated prior to study completion. The quantity and volume of GME were significantly lower in patients perfused with a venous bubble trap compared to patients perfused without a venous bubble trap. The present study demonstrates that a MECC system with a venous bubble trap significantly reduces the volume of GME and strongly reduces the quantity of large GME (>500 µm). Therefore, the use of a venous bubble trap in a MECC system is warranted.
Limited Effects of Large‐Scale Riparian Restoration on Seed Banks in Agriculture
Authors: Langridge Suzanne M.
Published: June 2010

I examined the effect of riparian forest restoration on plant abundance and diversity, including weed species, on agricultural lands along the Sacramento River in California (United States). Riparian forest restoration on the Sacramento River is occurring on a large‐scale, with a goal of restoring approximately 80,000 ha over 160 km of the river. In multiuse habitats, such as the Sacramento River, effects of adjoining habitat types and movement of species across these habitats can have important management implications in terms of landscape‐scale patterns of species distributions. Increased numbers of pest animals and weeds on agricultural lands associated with restored habitats could have negative economic impacts, and in turn affect support for restoration of natural areas. In order to determine the distribution and abundance of weeds associated with large‐scale restoration, I collected seed bank soil samples on orchards between 0 and 5.6 km from adjacent restored riparian, remnant riparian, and agricultural habitats. I determined the abundance, species richness, and dispersal mode of plant species in the seed bank and analyzed these variables in terms of adjacent habitat type and age of restored habitat. I found that agricultural weed species had higher densities at the edge of restored riparian habitat and that native plants had higher densities adjacent to remnant riparian habitat. Weed seed abundance increased significantly on walnut farms adjacent to restored habitat with time since restored. I supply strong empirical evidence that large areas of natural and restored habitats do not lead to a greater penetration of weed species into agricultural areas, but rather that weed penetration is both temporally and spatially limited.
Satisfaction with Firm Performance in Family Businesses
Authors: Mahto Raj V. , Davis Peter S. , Pearce John A. , Robinson Richard B.
Published: June 2010

Business goals in family businesses are often subsumed by family goals. As a result, reference performance for each family business is different. This makes the popular financial performance measure of publicly traded companies, profit maximization, insufficient for family businesses. We believe that for evaluating family businesses, the family members‘ satisfaction with firm performance is a better measure of performance. In the study, we identify three predictors of family members‘ satisfaction with firm performance and test the proposed linkages on two samples of family businesses.