bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A family perspective of the value of a diagnosis for intellectual disability: experiences from a genetic research study
Authors: Statham Helen , Ponder Maggie , Richards Martin , Hallowell Nina , Raymond Frances Lucy
Published: March 2010

Accessible summary

This article is about families where more than one of the boys or men in the family have a learning disability. We found that

 Families usually want to know the cause of the disability and to be able to give it a name.

 Sometimes they want to know whether other people in the family will have babies who will have a learning disability.

 Genetic research is a way for families to find these things out.

 Families have to balance how they care for people who have a learning disability and what other family members need.

Many professionals working with individuals with intellectual disability are unconcerned with why someone has the impairment. Genetic aspects may be viewed as, at best irrelevant, but more often, potentially negative. However, where the intellectual disability may be inherited, there are implications for family members and the individual. The data reported here derive from a study of the experiences of families with many boys or men with intellectual disability who were participating in genetic research aimed at finding new causes of intellectual disability. A qualitative design was used, interviewing 120 members of 37 kinships and using framework analysis to explore the data. These family members were positive about participating in the genetic research. They wanted an explanation for what was going on in their family and to enable other family members to have choices about reproduction although the genetic research was unlikely to benefit individuals with intellectual disability.
Natural selection then and now
Authors: Lewens Tim
Published: March 2010

One often reads the following claims: (1) The modern conception of natural selection differs from Darwin's own conception only with respect to incidental features; (2) Natural selection is a very simple idea with enormous explanatory power. Both claims are problematic. R.A. Fisher famously argued that given a particulate view of inheritance, selection could proceed in a powerful manner even with frequent crossing, small fitness advantages and a low mutation rate. This is quite different from Darwin's view, which (roughly translated into a modern idiom) insists on infrequent crossing, large fitness advantages and a high mutation rate. The modern conception of natural selection is not the same as Darwin's, unless we describe natural selection in the most abstract manner. When so described, the ability of natural selection to account for adaptation is questionable.
Stimulation of lateral hypothalamic glutamate and acetylcholine efflux by nicotine: implications for mechanisms of nicotine‐induced activation of orexin neurons
Authors: Pasumarthi Ravi K. , Fadel Jim
Published: March 2010

J. Neurochem.(2010)113, 1023–1035.

The hypothalamus is a prominent target of nicotine action. We have previously shown that acute systemic nicotine treatment induces Fos expression in the lateral hypothalamus and perifornical area (LH/PFA), with orexin/hypocretin neurons being particularly responsive. However, the neurochemical correlates of acute nicotine treatment in the LH/PFA have not been described. Anatomical studies have revealed that this area receives afferents from cholinergic, glutamatergic, and GABAergic telencephalic brain regions, suggesting a potential role for these neurotransmitters in mediating the hypothalamic component of nicotine effects on homeostatic phenomena, such as arousal and appetite. Here, we usedin vivomicrodialysis to determine the effect of acute systemic or local nicotine on glutamate, acetylcholine, and GABA efflux in the LH/PFA of rats. Local administration of nicotine significantly increased acetylcholine and glutamate, but not GABA, in the LH/PFA. Thus, we further tested the role of afferent sources of glutamate and acetylcholine in mediating acute nicotine‐induced activation of orexin neurons by unilaterally lesioning the prefrontal cortex or basal forebrain cholinergic regions. Lesioned animals showed reduced Fos‐positive orexin neurons following nicotine treatment. These data suggest that both acetylcholine and glutamate may mediate the effects of acute nicotine on the activity of hypothalamic neurons, including orexin/hypocretin cells. Changes in cholinergic or glutamatergic transmission in this region with chronic nicotine may contribute to long‐term alterations in functions mediated by LH/PFA neurons, including feeding and arousal.
Role of adrenoceptors in the regulation of dopamine/DARPP‐32 signaling in neostriatal neurons
Authors: Hara Masato , Fukui Ryuichi , Hieda Eriko , Kuroiwa Mahomi , Bateup Helen S. , Kano Tatsuhiko , Greengard Paul , Nishi Akinori
Published: March 2010

J. Neurochem.(2010)113, 1046–1059.

Studies in animal models of Parkinson’s disease have revealed that degeneration of noradrenaline neurons is involved in the motor deficits. Several types of adrenoceptors are highly expressed in neostriatal neurons. However, the selective actions of these receptors on striatal signaling pathways have not been characterized. In this study, we investigated the role of adrenoceptors in the regulation of dopamine/dopamine‐ and cAMP‐regulated phosphoprotein of Mr32 kDa (DARPP‐32) signaling by analyzing DARPP‐32 phosphorylation at Thr34 [protein kinase A (PKA)‐site] in mouse neostriatal slices. Activation of β1‐adrenoceptors induced a rapid and transient increase in DARPP‐32 phosphorylation. Activation of α2‐adrenoceptors also induced a rapid and transient increase in DARPP‐32 phosphorylation, which subsequently decreased below basal levels. In addition, activation of α2‐adrenoceptors attenuated, and blockade of α2‐adrenoceptors enhanced dopamine D1and adenosine A2Areceptor/DARPP‐32 signaling. Chemical lesioning of noradrenergic neurons mimicked the effects of α2‐adrenoceptor blockade. Under conditions of α2‐adrenoceptor blockade, the dopamine D2receptor‐induced decrease in DARPP‐32 phosphorylation was attenuated. Our data demonstrate that β1‐ and α2‐adrenoceptors regulate DARPP‐32 phosphorylation in neostriatal neurons. Giactivation by α2‐adrenoceptors antagonizes Gs/PKA signaling mediated by D1and A2Areceptors in striatonigral and striatopallidal neurons, respectively, and thereby enhances D2receptor/Gisignaling in striatopallidal neurons. α2‐Adrenoceptors may therefore be a therapeutic target for the treatment of Parkinson’s disease.
Searching for non‐indigenous species: rapidly delimiting the invasion boundary
Authors: Leung Brian , Cacho Oscar J. , Spring Daniel
Published: March 2010

Aim  At first detection, little information is typically known about an invader’s characteristics, true arrival date or spatial extent. Yet, before management options such as control or eradication can be considered, we need to know where a nuisance species has already spread. This is particularly difficult because of stochastic processes. Here, we develop an approach that requires little a priori information, yet accurately delimits the range of a biological invader.

Location  We used a simulated landscape, subjected to stochasticity inherent in establishment and spread, to test novel theory for delimiting locally spreading populations.

Methods  We distinguish three stages to identify the boundary of an invasion, which we term Approach, Decline, Delimit (ADD). Our ADD algorithm uses general characteristics of the invasion pattern, obtained during a search for occupied sites, in combination with sampling and probability theory to delimit the invasion. We compare ADD against four naïve delimitation strategies, for long and normal dispersal kernels.

Results  Our results illustrate the potential difficulty in delimiting invasions. Naïve strategies, such as stopping when the invader is absent, typically failed to properly delimit the invasion. In contrast, ADD operated relatively efficiently, and was robust to habitat heterogeneity and knowledge of the true epicentre, but was sensitive to the sparseness of the invasion. For long‐distance dispersal kernels, ADD had 80% accurate delimitations when c. 5% or more of the cells were occupied within the invasion boundary; for normal dispersal kernels, ADD had 95% accurate delimitations when c. 2.5% or more of the cells were occupied.

Main conclusions  There is virtually no existing theory for delimiting invasions. ADD is efficient and accurate, even with unknown time of invasion, unknown dispersal kernels, stochastic establishment dynamics and spatial heterogeneity, except for very low invasion densities.
The complex G protein‐coupled receptor kinase 2 (GRK2) interactome unveils new physiopathological targets
Authors: Penela Petronila , Murga Cristina , Ribas Catalina , Lafarga Vanesa , Mayor Jr Federico
Published: March 2010

GRK2 is a ubiquitous member of the G protein‐coupled receptor kinase (GRK) family that appears to play a central, integrative role in signal transduction cascades. GRKs participate together with arrestins in the regulation of G protein‐coupled receptors (GPCR), a family of hundreds of membrane proteins of key physiological and pharmacological importance, by triggering receptor desensitization from G proteins and GPCR internalization, and also by helping assemble macromolecular signalosomes in the receptor environment acting as agonist‐regulated adaptor scaffolds, thus contributing to signal propagation. In addition, emerging evidence indicates that GRK2 can phosphorylate a growing number of non‐GPCR substrates and associate with a variety of proteins related to signal transduction, thus suggesting that this kinase could also have diverse ‘effector’ functions. We discuss herein the increasing complexity of such GRK2 ‘interactome’, with emphasis on the recently reported roles of this kinase in cell migration and cell cycle progression and on the functional impact of the altered GRK2 levels observed in several relevant cardiovascular, inflammatory or tumour pathologies. Deciphering how the different networks of potential GRK2 functional interactions are orchestrated in a stimulus, cell type or context‐specific way is critical to unveil the contribution of GRK2 to basic cellular processes, to understand how alterations in GRK2 levels or functionality may participate in the onset or development of several cardiovascular, tumour or inflammatory diseases, and to assess the feasibility of new therapeutic strategies based on the modulation of the activity, levels or specific interactions of GRK2.
Structural interpretation of P2X receptor mutagenesis studies on drug action
Authors: Evans Richard J
Published: March 2010

P2X receptors for ATP are ligand gated cation channels that form from the trimeric assembly of subunits with two transmembrane segments, a large extracellular ligand binding loop, and intracellular amino and carboxy termini. The receptors are expressed throughout the body, involved in functions ranging from blood clotting to inflammation, and may provide important targets for novel therapeutics. Mutagenesis based studies have been used to develop an understanding of the molecular basis of their pharmacology with the aim of developing models of the ligand binding site. A crystal structure for the zebra fish P2X4 receptor in the closed agonist unbound state has been published recently, which provides a major advance in our understanding of the receptors. This review gives an overview of mutagenesis studies that have led to the development of a model of the ATP binding site, as well as identifying residues contributing to allosteric regulation and antagonism. These studies are discussed with reference to the crystal to provide a structural interpretation of the molecular basis of drug action.
Beyond Identity Politics: Moral Psychology and the 2008 Democratic Primary
Authors: Iyer Ravi , Graham Jesse , Koleva Spassena , Ditto Peter , Haidt Jonathan
Published: March 2010

The two leading candidates for the 2008 Democratic Party presidential nomination, Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton, had very similar policy positions and yet demonstrated appeal to disparate populations. Much has been written in the press about demographic differences between supporters of these candidates, but little is known about these groups’ psychological profiles. We used standard personality and moral psychology scales to predict differential favorability ratings toward these candidates, while controlling for age, gender, education, and political orientation. Higher scores on group‐based morality, primary psychopathy, and moral relativism predicted relative favorability toward Clinton. Higher scores on individual‐based morality, empathy, and global concern for others predicted relative favorability toward Obama. The authors discuss how voters’ personalities and moral concerns may interact with media portrayals of the candidates—consistent with recent congruency models of political preference—especially in cases where policy differences are small.
The Effects of Early Institutionalization on the Discrimination of Facial Expressions of Emotion in Young Children
Authors: Jeon Hana , Moulson Margaret C. , Fox Nathan , Zeanah Charles , Nelson III Charles A.
Published: March 2010

The current study examined the effects of institutionalization on the discrimination of facial expressions of emotion in three groups of 42‐month‐old children. One group consisted of children abandoned at birth who were randomly assigned to Care‐as‐Usual (institutional care) following a baseline assessment. Another group consisted of children abandoned at birth who were randomly assigned to high‐quality foster care following a baseline assessment. A third group consisted of never‐institutionalized children who were reared by their biological parents. All children were familiarized to happy, sad, fearful, and neutral facial expressions and tested on their ability to discriminate familiar versus novel facial expressions. Contrary to our prediction, all three groups of children were equally capable of discriminating among the different expressions. Furthermore, in contrast to findings at 13–30 months of age, these same children showed familiarity rather than novelty preferences toward different expressions. There were also asymmetries in children’s discrimination of facial expressions depending on which facial expression served as the familiar versus novel stimulus. Collectively, early institutionalization appears not to impact the development of the ability to discriminate facial expressions of emotion, at least when preferential looking serves as the dependent measure. These findings are discussed in the context of the myriad domains that are affected by early institutionalization.
A Privileged Status for Male Infant‐Directed Speech in Infants of Depressed Mothers? Role of Father Involvement
Authors: Kaplan Peter S. , Danko Christina M. , Diaz Andres
Published: March 2010

Prior research showed that 5‐ to 13‐month‐old infants of chronically depressed mothers did not learn to associate a segment of infant‐directed speech produced by their own mothers or an unfamiliar nondepressed mother with a smiling female face, but showed better‐than‐normal learning when a segment of infant‐directed speech produced by an unfamiliar nondepressed father signaled the face. Here, learning in response to an unfamiliar nondepressed father’s infant‐directed speech was studied as a function both of the mother’s depression and marital status, a proxy measure of father involvement. Infants of unmarried mothers on average did not show significant learning in response to the unfamiliar nondepressed father’s infant‐directed speech. Infants of married mothers showed significant learning in response to male infant‐directed speech, and infants of depressed, married mothers showed significantly stronger learning in response to that stimulus than did infants of nondepressed, married mothers. Several ways in which father involvement may positively or negatively affect infant responsiveness to male infant‐directed speech are discussed.
Unexpected High Incidence of Esophageal Injury Following Pulmonary Vein Isolation Using Robotic Navigation
Authors: TILZ ROLAND R. , CHUN K. R. JULIAN , METZNER ANDREAS , BURCHARD ANDRE , WISSNER ERIK , KOEKTUERK BUELENT , KONSTANTINIDOU MELANIE , NUYENS DIETER , DE POTTER TOM , NEVEN KARS , FUERNKRANZ ALEXANDER , OUYANG FEIFAN , SCHMIDT BORIS
Published: March 2010

Esophageal Injury Following Robotic Navigation. Introduction: Robotic navigation (RN) is a novel technology for pulmonary vein isolation (PVI). We investigated the incidence of thermal esophageal injury using RN with commonly used power settings in comparison to manual PVI procedures.

Methods:
Thirty‐nine patients underwent circumferential PVI using a 3.5‐mm irrigated‐tip‐catheter. In the manual (n = 25) and the RN1 group (n = 4) power was limited to 30 W (17 mL/min flow, maximal temperature 43°C, max. 30 sec/spot) at the posterior left atrial (LA) wall. In RN‐based procedures, ablation was performed with a contact force of 10–40 g. The operator was blinded to the esophageal temperature (Teso). In the RN2 group ablation power along the posterior LA wall was reduced to 20 W and ablation terminated at Teso of 41°C. Endoscopy was carried out 2 days postablation.

Results:
PVI was achieved in all patients. In the manual group no esophageal lesions, minimal lesions, or ulcerations were found in 15 of 25 (60%), 7 of 25 (28%), and 3 of 25 (12%) patients, respectively. All patients in the RN1 group had an ulceration and one developed esophageal perforation. A covered stent was placed 14 days post‐PVI and removed at day 81. In the RN2 group, only a single minimal lesion was found.

Conclusions:
A high incidence of thermal esophageal injury including a perforation was noted following robotic PVI using 30 W along the posterior LA wall. During RN‐based PVI procedures esophageal temperature monitoring is advocated. Reduction of ablation power to 20 W and termination of energy delivery at Teso of 41°C significantly reduced the risk of esophageal injury. (J Cardiovasc Electrophysiol, Vol. 21, pp. 853‐858, August 2010)
Exploring the land development process and its impact on urban form in Hamilton, Ontario
Authors: MAOH HANNA F. , KORONIOS MANOLIS , KANAROGLOU PAVLOS S.
Published: March 2010

The form of many Canadian cities has dramatically evolved over the past six decades due to urban sprawl. Several patterns can characterize this evolution including unlimited horizontal expansion of the city, leapfrog, and low‐density residential development at the outskirts, and widespread strip commercial and power centre retail development. Hamilton, Ontario is an example of a Canadian city that has experienced suburbanization and sprawled development for several decades. However, the nature of this sprawled development is unclear and its impact on urban form is not entirely understood. In this article, several hypotheses pertaining to sprawled land development and urban form are postulated and tested. The tests rely on point source data of the developed land parcels in Hamilton during the period 1950–2003. A number of spatial statistics techniques, including kernel estimation and complete spatial randomness (CSR) K‐function tests, are employed to examine the emerging nature of urban form. We hypothesize that while the city has been sprawling, the ongoing land development process is leading urban form into multinucleation. To support this assumption, we further hypothesize the existence of an interdependent spatial relationship between residential and commercial land uses at the emerging nuclei. Accordingly, we examine the strength of co‐clustering among these land use activities over time. The findings indicate that while the city has been sprawling, several consequent urban nuclei with mixed land use activities have been emerging and become more visible in recent years. This is an indication that the city's form is progressively becoming multinuclear. Furthermore, the estimates for the 1990s indicate interdependence between the locational patterns of residential and commercial land development. Co‐clustering between these two types of land uses is bi‐directional and occurs at a time lag of three to seven years. These findings affirm the existence of interdependence between land use activities at the observed nuclei, which support the emergence of a multinucleation.
It's About Time: Use of Nonpharmacological Interventions in the Nursing Home
Authors: Kolanowski Ann , Fick Donna , Frazer Christine , Penrod Janice
Published: March 2010

Purpose: To provide a stronger evidence base for cultural change in the nursing home, this study elicited nursing, recreational therapy, and medical staff perceptions of barriers to the implementation of nonpharmacological interventions for the behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD).

Design: Thirty‐five staff members (registered nurses, licensed practical nurses, nurses’ aides, recreational therapists, activity personnel, and medical directors) from six nursing homes located in Pennsylvania and North Carolina participated in the qualitative study.

Methods: A focus group methodology was used to capture discussions that were audio‐recorded and transcribed verbatim. Data were analyzed using standard methods of content and thematic analysis.

Findings: Four broad themes were identified: the changing landscape; resident behaviors; reaching out to the person with dementia; and the educational needs of staff. The concept of time emerged as a key barrier to the use of nonpharmacological interventions for BPSD.

Conclusions: Successful use of nonpharmacological interventions requires the right staff with the right education at the right time. The Vulnerability Framework is a model that helped organize these findings into a meaningful perspective.

Clinical Relevance: To effect change in the nursing home, the findings indicate a need for: implementation of staffing patterns that allow staff the time to make a difference in the care of residents with BPSD; development of educational programs that promote staff understanding versus control; and design of research studies that answer questions about the influence of time on the selection of interventions for BPSD.
Attitudes of Relatives of Nursing Home Residents Toward Physical Restraints
Authors: Haut Antonie , Kolbe Nina , Strupeit Steve , Mayer Herbert , Meyer Gabriele
Published: March 2010

Purpose: Attitudes of nursing home staff, residents, and their relatives determine the decision‐making process about the use of physical restraints. Knowledge of staffs’ attitudes toward physical restraints is sparse; even less is known about relatives’ attitudes. Therefore, we surveyed relatives’ attitudes and opinions toward physical restraints and compared the results to a survey of nursing home staff.

Design: Cross‐sectional survey comparing 177 nursing home residents’ relatives from 13 German facilities in 2008 to 258 nursing home nurses from 25 German facilities in 2007.

Methods: The German version of the Maastricht Attitude Questionnaire was administered. Part I contains 22 items with three subscales (reasons, consequences, and appropriateness of restraints); Part II contains 16 items evaluating restrictiveness and discomfort of restraint measures, respectively. Descriptive and explorative inferential statistics were used for data analyses.

Findings: Response rate in both samples was above 90%. Mean age was 62 years (SD 12.60; range 24–93) in relatives and 44 years (SD 11.40; range 19–65) in nurses; 72% and 82% were female, respectively. Relatives assess physical restraints a little more positively compared to nurses, with an average of 3.40 (SD 0.60) versus 3.07 (SD 0.48) on a 5‐point scale (5=strongly positive attitude). Relatives assess physical restraints as slightly less restrictive, with 2.11 (SD 0.33), and as less discomforting, with 2.10 (SD 0.38) points, compared to nursing staff, who assess the restraints’ restrictiveness with 2.19 (SD 0.29) points and its discomfort with 2.17 (SD 0.32) on a 3‐point scale (3=very restrictive/discomforting). Both groups consider wrist and ankle belts as most restrictive and uncomfortable, while sensor mats, infrared systems, and unilateral bedrails were rated as the lowest for restrictiveness and discomfort.

Conclusions: Attitudes of nursing home residents’ relatives toward physical restraints are rather positive and generally comparable with nursing home staffs’ attitudes.

Clinical Relevance: Interventions aimed to reduce physical restraints need to include education of both staff and relatives of nursing home residents.
Enhanced Pyroelectric and Piezoelectric Figure of Merit of Porous Bi0.5(Na0.82K0.18)0.5TiO3 Lead‐Free Ferroelectric Thick Films
Authors: Zhang Haibo , Jiang Shenglin , Kajiyoshi Koji
Published: March 2010

Bi0.5(Na0.82K0.18)0.5TiO3(NKBT) lead‐free ferroelectric thick films with various porosities have been produced by screen printing. Their microstructures, pyroelectric and piezoelectric properties were investigated with variation of porosity. The results show that the relative dielectric constant of the resulting 90 μm NKBT thick films with 19% and 32% porosity was down to 161 and 56, respectively. The pyroelectric voltage figure of merit (Fv) and detectivity figure of merit (FD) of NKBT thick films were increased from 10.2 × 10−13 to 19.7 × 10−13 Cm/J and 1.1 × 10−5 to 3.8 × 10−5 Pa−0.5. Moreover, the hydrostatic voltage constant and hydrostatic figure of merit of the NKBT thick films with 32% porosity reached 81 × 10−3 V/mPa and 8200 × 10−15 Pa−1 respectively. The decreasing of relative dielectric constant, volume specific heat, and piezoelectric coefficient with increasing porosity was responsible for the improved pyroelectric and piezoelectric figures of merit of the NKBT thick films. Furthermore, screen printing with the addition of controlled fraction of organic vehicle in pastes has been proved to be an alternative method for fabrication of porous pyroelectric and piezoelectric thick films. Our work demonstrates that introduction of pores in ferroelectric thick films creates a matrix void composite resulting in high figures of merit for pyroelectric and piezoelectric applications.
The Future of a Discipline: Considering the ontological/methodological future of the anthropology of consciousness, Part I†
Authors: SCHROLL MARK A.
Published: March 2010

Calling for an expanded framework of EuroAmerican science's methodology whose perspective acknowledges both quantitative/etic and qualitative/emic orientations is the broad focus of this article. More specifically this article argues that our understanding of shamanic and/or other related states of consciousness has been greatly enhanced through ethnographic methods, yet in their present form these methods fail to provide the means to fully comprehend these states. They fail, or are limited, because this approach is only a “cognitive interpretation” or “metanarrative” of the actual experience and not the experience itself. Consequently this perspective is also limited because the researcher continues to assess his or her data through the lens of their symbolic constructs, thereby preventing them from truly experiencing shamanic and psi/spirit approaches to knowing since the data collection process does not “in and of itself” affect the observer. We, therefore, need expanded ethnographic methods that include within their approaches an understanding of methods and techniques to experientially encounter these states of consciousness—and become transformed by them. Our becoming transformed and then recollecting our ethnoautobiographical experiences is the means toward a new kind of science and its methods of inquiry that this article seeks to encourage.
Conference Review: Notes on the “International Congress of Traditional Medicine, Interculturality, and Mental Health,” Takiwasi Center, Tarapoto, Peru, June 7–10, 20091
Authors: LABATE BEATRIZ CAIUBY
Published: March 2010

English translation by Glenn H. Shepard Jr. Revision by Matthew Meyer

This article reports on the recent “International Congress of Traditional Medicine, Interculturality, and Mental Health” held by the Takiwasi Center in Tarapoto in the Peruvian Amazon. The event united 218 researchers and indigenous and religious representatives from 22 countries to present results of scientific discussions and engage in political and ethical debates surrounding the increasingly globalized, transnational, and biomedicalized reach of indigenous medical practices, especially ayahuasca‐based therapy and religious practice. The author interviewed several key researchers and representatives present at the event, and presents several important controversies in the field of ayahuasca and traditional medicine. She also reports on the colorful and eclectic nonacademic sessions at the event which included Inca chiropractics, ayahuasca sessions, and various forms of indigenous medicine. The text also reflects on the tragic events that unfolded in nearby Bagua, Peru, on the evening of the meeting, bringing a special urgency to the event's focus on indigenous cultural heritage.
Le travail faiblement rémunéré dans cinq pays européens et aux Etats‐Unis
Authors: BOSCH Gerhard
Published: March 2010

Partant de recherches menées en Allemagne, au Danemark, en France, aux Pays‐Bas et au Royaume‐Uni, ainsi qu'aux Etats‐Unis, l'auteur montre que la proportion et la situation des travailleurs faiblement rémunérés dépendent des institutions nationales: salaire minimum, politiques actives du marché du travail, protection sociale et négociation collective. L'arbitrage entre emploi et salaires n'est pas incontournable, comme on le croit généralement: les politiques actives visant à l'autonomisation des individus et les institutions imposant des contraintes peuvent empêcher l'amélioration de la situation au bas de l'échelle salariale en aggravant le chômage, mais aussi réduire les inégalités.
L'industrie agro‐alimentaire française: salaires relatifs élevés et forte intensité du travail
Authors: CAROLI Eve , GAUTIÉ Jérôme , LAMANTHE Annie
Published: March 2010

En France, les activités de la transformation de la viande et de la confiserie offrent des emplois peu qualifiés avec des salaires et des conditions de travail médiocres. Les auteurs font apparaître une situation complexe, plus positive qu'il n'y paraît, grâce au «modèle français», avec son salaire minimum national et l'extension des conventions collectives de branche à tous les travailleurs. Cependant, les pressions concurrentielles obligent à réduire le coût du travail, et les entreprises augmentent donc la productivité, la flexibilité et l'automatisation. En outre, la grande distribution cherche aussi à faire baisser les prix et impose une production en «juste‐à‐temps».
Le rôle des institutions sur le travail à bas salaire: l'exemple du secteur hospitalier au Royaume‐Uni
Authors: GRIMSHAW Damian
Published: March 2010

Des études internationales soulignent l'importance des institutions dans la structure salariale d'une économie. Ce constat est confirmé ici par l'observation de sept hôpitaux publics au Royaume‐Uni, qui suggère qu'un système de fixation des salaires coordonné et centralisé (comprenant l'extension des conditions du secteur public aux travailleurs externes) améliore les bas salaires des agents d'entretien et des aides‐soignants. La restauration de ces institutions est nécessaire mais insuffisante pour éliminer le travail mal rémunéré. Créer des emplois nouveaux plus qualifiés et renforcer les marchés du travail internes sont des réformes indispensables pour inciter le personnel à se former et lui permettre d'évoluer professionnellement.
Working at the boundary between market and flexicurity: Housekeeping in Danish hotels
Authors: ERIKSSON Tor , LI Jingkun
Published: March 2010

Though housekeeping in Danish hotels is unskilled, low‐paid work, because of Denmark's compressed wage structure it is comparatively well paid. The authors examine the working conditions and experience of housekeepers in eight hotels of various types, to establish the industry's response to growing competition and pressure to restructure. Approaches include reorganizing work, increased work intensity, outsourced and in‐house housekeeping, and Denmark's own “flexicurity”. Flexible work arrangements, job security and in‐kind social benefits prove to compensate for scanty unemployment insurance and career prospects.
Job quality in call centres in Germany
Authors: WEINKOPF Claudia
Published: March 2010

Since 1995, low‐wage employment has increased in Germany, and employers have tended to seek “exit options” from regulatory frameworks, in order to save on labour costs. This article reports on studies of six call centres (four from utilities, two from financial services), exploring the respective impact of institutional frameworks (notably collective wage agreements and works councils) on work organization, and pay and working conditions in in‐house call centres and external service providers. The wide variations in pay in German call centres are explained, and the repercussions of outsourcing on wages are discussed.
Age‐related treatment response following non‐surgical periodontal therapy
Authors: Trombelli Leonardo , Rizzi Alessandro , Simonelli Anna , Scapoli Chiara , Carrieri Alberto , Farina Roberto
Published: March 2010

Trombelli L, Rizzi A, Simonelli A, Scapoli C, Carrieri A, Farina R. Age‐related treatment response following non‐surgical periodontal therapy. J Clin Periodontol 2010; 37: 346–352. doi: 10.1111/j.1600‐051X.2010.01541.x.

Background: To date, no studies have evaluated the effect of patient age on the treatment response following non‐surgical periodontal therapy (NSPT).

Aim: To evaluate the outcomes of NSPT in two cohorts of patients with a substantial age difference.

Materials and Methods: Two groups of periodontitis patients with a substantial age difference (younger group, Y, and older group, O) were retrospectively selected. The effectiveness of NSPT was assessed by evaluating the changes in the prevalence of sites with different pocket probing depths (PPD) as well as the changes in patient‐ and site‐specific bleeding on probing (BoP) scores.

Results: Y group comprised 57 patients, mean age: 34.7 ± 4.4 years, and O group comprised 60 patients, mean age: 58.9 ± 5.3 years (p<0.0001). NSPT resulted in a significant improvement of PPD and BoP in both age groups. No statistically significant inter‐group differences were observed in the investigated clinical parameters as well as their changes with respect to pre‐treatment. However, multiple regression analysis showed a significantly higher risk of showing residual pockets following treatment in group O.

Conclusions: The results of the present study seem to indicate that age has a limited effect on treatment response following NSPT in periodontitis patients.
The uncertain nature of absences and their importance in species distribution modelling
Authors: Lobo Jorge M. , Jiménez‐Valverde Alberto , Hortal Joaquín
Published: March 2010

Species distribution models (SDM) are commonly used to obtain hypotheses on either the realized or the potential distribution of species. The reliability and meaning of these hypotheses depends on the kind of absences included in the training data, the variables used as predictors and the methods employed to parameterize the models. Information about the absence of species from certain localities is usually lacking, so pseudo‐absences are often incorporated to the training data. We explore the effect of using different kinds of pseudo‐absences on SDM results. To do this, we use presence information on Aphodius bonvouloiri, a dung beetle species of well‐known distribution. We incorporate different types of pseudo‐absences to create different sets of training data that account for absences of methodological (i.e. false absences), contingent and environmental origin. We used these datasets to calibrate SDMs with GAMs as modelling technique and climatic variables as predictors, and compare these results with geographical representations of the potential and realized distribution of the species created independently. Our results confirm the importance of the kind of absences in determining the aspect of species distribution identified through SDM. Estimations of the potential distribution require absences located farther apart in the geographic and/or environmental space than estimations of the realized distribution. Methodological absences produce overall bad models, and absences that are too far from the presence points in either the environmental or the geographic space may not be informative, yielding important overestimations. GLMs and Artificial Neural Networks yielded similar results. Synthetic discrimination measures such as the Area Under the Receiver Characteristic Curve (AUC) must be interpreted with caution, as they can produce misleading comparative results. Instead, the joint examination of ommission and comission errors provides a better understanding of the reliability of SDM results.
Football as a treatment for hypertension in untrained 30–55‐year‐old men: a prospective randomized study
Authors: Andersen L. J. , Randers M. B. , Westh K. , Martone D. , Hansen P. R. , Junge A. , Dvorak J. , Bangsbo J. , Krustrup P.
Published: March 2010

The present study investigated whether football has favorable effects in the treatment of mild‐to‐moderate arterial hypertension in untrained middle‐aged men. Twenty‐five untrained males aged 31–54 year with mild‐to‐moderate hypertension were randomized to a football training group (FTG, two 1‐h sessions per week) and a control group receiving physician‐guided traditional recommendations on cardiovascular risk factor modification (doctoral advice group, DAG). After 3 months, systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) were lowered (P<0.05) by 12 ± 3 and 7 ± 1 mmHg in FTG, respectively, whereas no significant changes were observed for DAG, with the 3 months values being lower (P<0.05) in FTG than DAG (SBP: 138 ± 2 vs 148 ± 2 mmHg; DBP: 84 ± 2 vs 92 ± 2 mmHg). The resting heart rate was lowered (P<0.05) by 12 ± 2 b.p.m. in FTG after 3 months (67 ± 3 vs 79 ± 3 b.p.m.), whereas no change was observed for DAG. After 3 months, FTG had higher (P<0.05) VO2max (8 ± 2%; 35.0 ± 1.6 vs 32.5 ± 1.3 mL/min/kg) and lower (P<0.05) fat mass (1.7 ± 0.6 kg), whereas no change was observed for DAG. In conclusion, football training is an attractive non‐pharmacological supplement to the treatment of mild‐to‐moderate arterial hypertension in untrained middle‐aged men.
Experiencing flow in different types of physical activity intervention programs: three randomized studies
Authors: Elbe A.‐M. , Strahler K. , Krustrup P. , Wikman J. , Stelter R.
Published: March 2010

This study explores whether inactive individuals can experience flow, a rewarding, psychological state, during an exercise intervention and if there are differences according to the type of intervention they perform. Furthermore, the study investigates if experiencing flow is connected to physiological improvements attained during the exercise intervention. The 12‐ to 16‐week interventions included six randomized intervention groups, two female and four male groups performing continuous running, football, interval running and strength training. The results indicate that all six randomized exercise intervention groups experience rather high levels of flow regardless of whether the intervention is a team or individual sport. Differences in experiencing flow, worry and exertion as well as physiological improvements could be found for the different types of sports and the two genders, with the male football group having the highest score for physiological improvement and the lowest score for worry. A connection between experiencing flow and physiological improvement could not be found. Future research should investigate the influence that the participant's gender and also the type of sport have on experiencing flow, worry and perceived exertion. Furthermore, it should be investigated whether experiencing flow is linked to the long‐term compliance of regular physical activity.
Mixed lineage leukemia: histone H3 lysine 4 methyltransferases from yeast to human
Authors: Malik Shivani , Bhaumik Sukesh R.
Published: March 2010

The fourth lysine of histone H3 is post‐translationally modified by a methyl group via the action of histone methyltransferase, and such a covalent modification is associated with transcriptionally active and/or repressed chromatin states. Thus, histone H3 lysine 4 methylation has a crucial role in maintaining normal cellular functions. In fact, misregulation of this covalent modification has been implicated in various types of cancer and other diseases. Therefore, a large number of studies over recent years have been directed towards histone H3 lysine 4 methylation and the enzymes involved in this covalent modification in eukaryotes ranging from yeast to human. These studies revealed a set of histone H3 lysine 4 methyltransferases with important cellular functions in different eukaryotes, as discussed here.
Mixed lineage leukemia: roles in human malignancies and potential therapy
Authors: Marschalek Rolf
Published: March 2010

The increasing number of chromosomal rearrangements involving the human MLL gene, in combination with differences in clinical behavior and outcome for MLL‐rearranged leukemia patients, makes it necessary to reflect on the cancer mechanism and to discuss potential therapeutic strategies. To date, 64 different translocations have been identified at the molecular level. With very few exceptions, most of the identified fusion partner genes encode proteins that display no homologies or functional equivalence. Only the most frequent fusion partners (AF4 family members, AF9, ENL, AF10 and ELL) are involved in the positive transcription elongation factor b‐dependent activation cycle of RNA polymerase II. Biological functions remain to be elucidated for the other fusion partners. This minireview tries to sum up some of the available data and mechanisms identified in leukemic stem and leukemic tumor cells and link this information with the known functions of mixed lineage leukemia and certain mixed lineage leukemia fusion partners.
Mixed lineage leukemia: a structure–function perspective of the MLL1 protein
Authors: Cosgrove Michael S. , Patel Anamika
Published: March 2010

Several acute lymphoblastic and myelogenous leukemias are correlated with alterations in the human mixed lineage leukemia protein‐1 (MLL1) gene. MLL1 is a member of the evolutionarily conserved SET1 family of histone H3 lysine 4 (H3K4) methyltransferases, which are required for the regulation of distinct groups of developmentally regulated genes in metazoans. Despite the important biological role of SET1 family enzymes and their involvement in human leukemias, relatively little is understood about how these enzymes work. Here we review several recent structural and biochemical studies that are beginning to shed light on the molecular mechanisms for the regulation of H3K4 methylation by the human MLL1 enzyme.
Characterization of macrofaunal assemblages associated with sponges and tunicates collected off the southeastern United States
Authors: Fiore Cara L. , Jutte Pamela Cox
Published: March 2010

Abstract. Sponges can serve as hosts to invertebrate assemblages that live and reproduce within them. Sponges also constitute a major part of the benthic epifaunal community on the continental shelf of the southeastern United States; however, little is known about these sponges and the assemblages they harbor. In this study, the associated fauna from a variety of sponges and one species of tunicate collected by submersible from the continental shelf and slope of the southeastern United States at depths in the range 18–875 m were examined. Seventeen sponges, comprising eight species (Ircinia campana, Topsentia sp., Geodia sp., Characella sp., Erylus sp., Apylsina archeri, Cliona sp., and Pheronema carpenteri), and three tunicate colonies (Didemnidae) were fully dissected and all associated organisms were identified and counted. Additionally, the sponges Pheronema annae (951 m) and P. carpenteri (770 m) represent new records for the region. The diversity (H′) and density of associates varied considerably among hosts; the densities of associates ranged 0.4–11,684 per 1 L of host volume. Polychaete worms were the most common organisms found, with one species, Haplosyllis spongicola, being especially abundant in I. campana, Topsentia sp., and Cliona sp. The amphipods Ericthonius punctatus and Leucothoe cf. spinicarpa, as well as decapods such as snapping shrimp (Synalpheus sp.) and crabs (e.g., Pilumnus floridana, Micropanope urinator), were also common. The number of symbiont taxa did not significantly increase as the sponge size increased. However, weak positive trends were found between the diversity of associates and increasing canal diameter. Sponges and tunicates were judged to represent legitimate ecological communities harboring a complete food web as well as gravid and juvenile individuals.
Anatomy in Toledonia warenella n. sp. (Gastropoda: Opisthobranchia: Diaphanidae) visualized by three‐dimensional reconstruction
Authors: Golding Rosemary E.
Published: March 2010

Abstract. A new species in the cephalaspidean family Diaphanidae, Toledonia warenella n. sp., is described from New South Wales, Australia. Three‐dimensional, computer‐aided reconstructions of the anatomy, based on serial histological sections, show that T. warenella n. sp. has some features in common with other diaphanids, including lack of jaws, gizzard plates, or an operculum. A gill was not detected in the mantle cavity, which is dominated by large, triangular, opposed ciliary bands and a kidney with lobed edges. The buccal mass is large with thick, muscular walls, perhaps indicative of a suctorial feeding behavior. Comparison with other diaphanid genera was hindered by lack of detailed published anatomical data, but shell and radula morphology suggests a close relationship between the new species and the polar genera Toledonia and Bogasonia (members of Toledoniinae), and for this reason, it is provisionally included in Toledonia. The systematics of Diaphanidae are addressed in the light of the anatomical data presented here.
Histomorphology of the female pallial gonoduct in Dicathais orbita (Neogastropoda, Muricidae): sperm passage, fertilization, and sperm storage potential
Authors: Westley Chantel B. , Lewis Michelle C. , Benkendorff Kirsten
Published: March 2010

Abstract. The current investigation provides the first histomorphological description of the female pallial gonoduct in the muricid mollusc Dicathais orbita, and of sperm passage in the subfamily Rapaninae. Gonoduct anatomy, musculature, and sperm distribution were documented over the annual reproductive cycle to confirm the site of fertilization in members of the Muricidae, provide evidence for sperm storage, and allow subfamilial comparisons in reproductive anatomy and strategies. This approach revealed morphological plasticity of the ingesting gland in D. orbita, which has implications for the use of gonoduct character traits in taxonomic studies of the Muricidae. Other features of subfamilial diagnostic interest, including the ventral channel and both albumen and capsule glands, are highlighted to show common character traits between the Rapaninae, Ocenebrinae, and Muricinae. Conversely, distinct differences in posterior capsule and pedal gland morphology may aid subfamilial classification of Rapaninae species in future revisions of the Muricidae. Histomorphology coupled with sperm distribution revealed the passage of sperm and identified the dorsal albumen gland as the site of fertilization. Temporally replicated sampling indicated the potential for sperm storage for ≤10 months within the seminal receptacles in D. orbita. Sperm ingestion provides a possible mechanism for sexual selection, suggesting further investigation into sperm storage is warranted in the Muricidae.