bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Actigraphic Daytime Activity is Reduced in Patients With Cognitive Impairment and Apathy
Authors: Kuhlmei A. , Walther B. , Becker T. , Müller U. , Nikolaus T.
Published: June 2011

Objectives

Apathy is a neuropsychiatric symptom in mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and dementia. This study examines correlations between Apathy Evaluation Scale (AES) ratings and actigraphic measures of daytime activity. The aim of this study is to determine the value of ambulatory actigraphy in the assessment of locomotor deficits as a correlate of apathy in geriatric patients with cognitive impairment.

Patients and methods

In this cross-sectional study a total of 82 participants were recruited, 32 patients with dementia, 21 patients with MCI and 23 elderly controls. Rating scales for apathy (AES) and depression (Beck Depression Inventory, BDI) were completed. To measure daytime activity a wrist-worn actigraph and an established protocol were used. A single measure of mean daytime activity per participant was calculated for further statistical analysis.

Results

In the two groups of patients with MCI and dementia, apathy is associated with reduced daytime activity, independent of diagnosis (no group by apathy interaction). AES scores correlate significantly with daytime activity. Cognitive impairment reduces daytime activity (effect greater in dementia than in MCI). Daytime activity is negatively correlated with memory deficits.

Conclusion

Ambulatory actigraphy is a promising method to evaluate self-initiated action as a correlate of apathy in patients with cognitive impairment.
Activity of dlx5a/dlx6a regulatory elements during zebrafish GABAergic neuron development
Authors: Yu Man , Xi Yanwei , Pollack Jacob , Debiais‐Thibaud Mélanie , MacDonald Ryan B. , Ekker Marc
Published: June 2011

During vertebrate forebrain formation, Dlx homeobox genes play essential roles in the differentiation, migration and survival of subpallial precursor cells that will later give rise to diverse subtypes of γ‐aminobutyric acid (GABA)‐expressing neurons, including inhibitory cortical interneurons in mammals. They also participate in the regulation of the Gad genes encoding the enzymes necessary for GABA synthesis. In mice, at least four cis‐regulatory elements (CREs) control Dlx expression in the telencephalon and diencephalon: URE2 and I12b in the Dlx1/Dlx2 bigene cluster, and I56i and I56ii in the Dlx5/Dlx6 bigene cluster. However, little is known so far with respect to the function of orthologous dlx genes and their regulatory elements during zebrafish GABAergic neuron development. To investigate whether similar dlx‐mediated pathways exist in the early developing zebrafish forebrain, we generated independent lines of transgenic zebrafish carrying two distinct GFP reporter constructs driven by a β‐globin minimal promoter: one containing a ∼1.4 kb dlx5a/dlx6a intergenic sequence (encompassing I56i and I56ii) and one with a ∼1.1 kb fragment containing only the I56i CRE, respectively. The expression patterns of these two transgenes were compared with that obtained with another construct containing the ∼1.4 kb dlx5a/dlx6a intergenic sequence and driven by a ∼3.5 kb dlx6a 5′‐flanking fragment. Our comparative analysis showed that GFP expression of the three transgene is largely overlapping throughout the ventral forebrain. Intriguingly, the dlx6a 5′‐flanking fragment has a major impact on transgene expression in the mesencephalic tectum. Furthermore, comparison of transgene expression between the ∼1.4 kb and ∼1.1 kb intergenic fragments did not show any specific spatial expression conferred by I56ii. Almost all GFP‐expressing cells in the transgenic zebrafish are GABA‐positive and also express various GABAergic interneuron markers. Together, our data suggest that zebrafish dlx5a/dlx6a intergenic CREs may be involved in a conserved genetic pathway necessary for proper dlx expression during zebrafish GABAergic neuron development.
Brain energy metabolism is activated after acute and chronic administration of fenproporex in young rats
Authors: Rezin Gislaine T. , Jeremias Isabela C. , Ferreira Gabriela K. , Cardoso Mariane R. , Morais Meline O.S. , Gomes Lara M. , Martinello Otaviana B. , Valvassori Samira S. , Quevedo João , Streck Emilio L.
Published: June 2011

Obesity is a chronic disease of multiple etiologies, including genetic, metabolic, environmental, social, and other factors. Pharmaceutical strategies in the treatment of obesity include drugs that regulate food intake, thermo genesis, fat absorption, and fat metabolism. Fenproporex is the second most commonly consumed amphetamine‐based anorectic worldwide; this drug is rapidly converted in vivo into amphetamine. Studies suggest that amphetamine induces neurotoxicity through generation of free radicals and mitochondrial apoptotic pathway by cytochrome c release, accompanied by a decrease of mitochondrial membrane potential. Mitochondria are intracellular organelles that play a crucial role in ATP production. Thus, in the present study we evaluated the activities of some enzymes of Krebs cycle, mitochondrial respiratory chain complexes and creatine kinase in the brain of young rats submitted to acute and chronic administration of fenproporex. In the acute administration, the animals received a single injection of fenproporex (6.25, 12.5 or 25 mg/kg i.p.) or tween. In the chronic administration, the animals received a single injection daily for 14 days of fenproporex (6.25, 12.5 or 25 mg/Kg i.p.). Two hours after the last injection, the rats were sacrificed by decapitation and the brain was removed for evaluation of biochemical parameters. Our results showed that the activities of citrate synthase, malate dehydrogenase and succinate dehydrogenase were increased by acute and chronic administration of fenproporex. Complexes I, II, II–III and IV and creatine kinase activities were also increased after acute and chronic administration of the drug. Our results are consistent with others reports that showed that some psychostimulant drugs increased brain energy metabolism in young rats.
Is Treatment of Feline Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy Based in Science or Faith?
Authors: Rishniw Mark , Pion Paul D
Published: June 2011

Practical relevance Feline hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is the most common cardiac disease of cats. Treatment of HCM is usually directed at controlling signs of congestive heart failure (CHF), preventing occurrence or recurrence of systemic thromboembolism or delaying/preventing/reversing progression of subclinical disease.

Study objective and design Despite the laudable goals of therapy, however, little objective evidence supporting therapeutic decisions has been published. We, therefore, hypothesized that cardiologists base their treatment strategies on information other than published clinically relevant science. To gain insight into therapeutic decisions that cardiologists and clinicians with an interest in cardiology (n = 99) make for cats with HCM, and on what information they base these decisions, we presented participants with, and asked them to select therapy for, 12 hypothetical scenarios of HCM (± CHF). Responses and justifications for treatment choices were compiled and compared with the results of a comprehensive literature search for published information about treatment of feline HCM.

Findings Evaluation of the therapeutic strategies chosen for these hypothetical cases of HCM suggests that cardiologists or clinicians with a strong interest in cardiology often prescribe treatments knowing that little documented evidence supports their decisions.
Feline Reproduction
Authors: Little Susan
Published: June 2011

Audience Many veterinarians are closely involved with pedigree cat breeding and have become familiar with the unique characteristics of feline reproduction and breeding management. However, even veterinarians who do not have involvement with the pedigree cat fancy require a basic knowledge of the reproductive problems that are most likely to be encountered in working with non-breeding pet cats as well as stray and feral cats.

Clinical challenges This article reviews reproductive problems and challenges in both sexes — namely, ovarian remnant syndrome, mammary fibroadenomatous hyperplasia, congenital anomalies of the reproductive tract and pregnancy diagnosis in the queen, and cryptorchidism and low libido in the tom.

Evidence base Feline reproduction has not received the amount of investigation and attention that has been directed at canine reproduction. The result is that less data is available both for description of normal reproduction and for management of common problems. This article reviews most of the available evidence for the conditions discussed. Efforts should focus on making information more readily available to the practitioner and expanding the knowledge base in this important area of feline medicine.
Malignant Melanoma in Pleural Effusion in a 14-Year-Old Cat
Authors: Morges Michelle A , Zaks Karen
Published: June 2011

Case details A 14-year-old female cat presented with signs of respiratory distress. Pleural fluid was found on radiographic assessment. Cytologic evaluation of the fluid revealed malignant melanocytosis. The cat had a previous history of a recurrent malignant melanoma near the base of the right ear. Due to declining clinical condition, the cat was euthanized.

Clinical significance Cutaneous malignant melanomas (or melanosarcomas) are uncommon neoplasms in cats, and knowledge is limited. As far as the authors are aware, there are no previous reports in the veterinary literature of malignant melanocytes being identified in pleural effusion in cats, as they have in dogs. This report suggests that, despite conflicting information in the literature regarding the clinical behavior of cutaneous melanomas in cats, these tumors are capable of recurrence and metastasis. Aggressive treatment may be necessary even, as in this case, if the tumor is well differentiated on histopathology.
The confusion about dietary fatty acids recommendations for CHD prevention
Authors: Kromhout Daan , Geleijnse Johanna M. , Menotti Alessandro , Jacobs David R.
Published: June 2011

A recent meta-analysis of prospective cohort studies has not found an association between dietary saturated fat intake and CHD incidence. This funnelled the discussion about the importance of the recommendation to lower the intake of saturated fat for the prevention of CHD. At the same time a document of the European Food Safety Authority has suggested that specific quantitative recommendations are not needed for individual fatty acids but that more general statements can suffice. In this review, we discuss methodological aspects of the absence of association between SFA intake and CHD incidence in prospective cohort studies. We also summarise the results of the controlled dietary experiments on blood lipids and on CHD incidence in which saturated fat was replaced by either cis-unsaturated fat or carbohydrates. Finally, we propose a nutritionally adequate diet with an optimal fatty acid composition for the prevention of CHD in the context of dietary patterns. Such diets are characterised by a low intake of saturated fat, and as low as possible intake of trans-fat and fulfil the requirements for the intake of n-6 and n-3 fatty acids. No recommendation is needed for the intake of cis-MUFA.
Effect of gelatinisation of starch with casein proteins on incretin hormones and glucose transporters in vitro
Authors: Bruen Christine M. , Kett Anthony P. , O'Halloran Fiona , Chaurin Valérie , Fenelon Mark A. , Cashman Kevin A. , Giblin Linda
Published: June 2011

Foods that have a low glycaemic index or foods that contain slowly digestible starch are beneficial in controlling fluctuations in blood glucose and insulin levels. The study hypothesis is that gelatinisation of starch in structured casein networks provides a method for decreasing the digestion rate of the starch and, hence, minimising postprandial glucose fluctuations. This study examined the effect of starch gelatinisation with or without casein on (1) gene expression and peptide secretion levels of the incretin hormones glucagon-like peptide 1 and glucose-independent insulinotropic polypeptide and (2) gene expression of the sodium–glucose cotransporter and GLUT-2 in intestinal cell culture systems. The intestinal epithelial cell line, STC-1, and the enteroendocrine colonic cell line, Caco-2, were exposed to in vitro digested foods (starch gelatinised with α-casein, starch gelatinised with β-casein and gelatinised starch alone). The encapsulation of starch with casein before in vitro digestion lowers levels of incretin hormone secretion. Digestion of starch gelatinised with casein also releases less glucose than starch alone as indicated by significantly (P < 0·05) lower levels of glucose transporter mRNA transcripts. Some subtle cellular response differences were observed following exposure to starch gelatinised with α- compared to β-casein. Fractionation of α-casein and β-casein by reverse-phase HPLC identified that fractions that differed in hydrophobicity differed significantly (P < 0·05) in their ability to promote secretion of the incretin hormones. Evidence suggests that gelatinisation of starch with casein may be a functional food ingredient that minimises blood glucose fluctuations.
Estimating changes in overall survival using progression-free survival in metastatic breast and colorectal cancer
Authors: Bowater Russell J. , Lilford Philippa E. , Lilford Richard J.
Published: June 2011

Objectives: In clinical trials of new cancer drugs, reliable data for progression-free survival will often become available far sooner than reliable data for overall survival. The aim of this study was to determine how many months it would be expected that any given new drug for metastatic breast or colorectal cancer will add to overall survival times given that the number of months the drug adds to progression-free survival times relative to a standard drug is roughly already known.

Methods: A literature search was conducted over Medline for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) published between January 1980 and August 2008 that assessed the effect of a drug treatment in comparison to an alternative drug treatment on patients with either metastatic breast or metastatic colorectal cancer.

Results: The literature search found 95 and 74 RCTs for metastatic breast and colorectal cancer, respectively, that satisfied the study's inclusion criteria. The results from these trials are consistent, in the case of each of these two metastatic cancers, with gains in time to disease progression being generally associated with no gains or with very slight gains or losses in post-progression survival (i.e., the time between disease progression and death).

Conclusions: It would appear that drugs for metastatic breast or colorectal cancer that extend, by a given amount, the time period between the start of treatment and disease progression (i.e., time to progression) have a strong tendency to extend, by roughly the same amount, the period between the start of treatment and death (i.e., overall survival).
Gender issues: Do as I say, not as I do?
Authors: Clifford Tammy J.
Published: June 2011

In this issue of the Journal, Panteli et al. (6) provide insight into the extent to which a gender-sensitive approach is adopted by sixty health technology assessment (HTA) agencies worldwide. Their findings should make all of us involved in the production of HTA take pause: less than a handful of the agency Web sites that were examined by Panteli's team made any mention of gender as an explicit consideration in priority setting processes or in the HTA methods used (6). This is despite the fact that gender is recognized as a social determinant of health (1) and despite best practices that acknowledge the need to account for equity issues—of which gender is one—in the design, conduct, and reporting of HTA (3;4). Assuming we take the findings of Panteli et al. at face value, this does seem to be a case of “do as I say, not as I do.”
Highly branched isoprenoids as proxies for variable sea ice conditions in the Southern Ocean
Authors: Massé Guillaume , Belt Simon T. , Crosta Xavier , Schmidt Sabine , Snape Ian , Thomas David N. , Rowland Steven J.
Published: June 2011

Concentrations of a highly branched isoprenoid (HBI) diene determined in over 200 sediment samples from the Arctic co-vary with those of an HBI monoene (IP25) shown previously to be a sedimentary sea ice proxy for the Arctic. The same diene, but not monoene IP25, occurred in nine sea ice samples collected from various locations around Antarctica. The diene has been reported previously in Antarctic sea ice diatoms and the 13C isotopic compositions of the diene determined in two Antarctic sea ice samples were also consistent with an origin from sea ice diatoms (δ13C -5.7 to -8.5‰). In contrast, HBIs found in two Antarctic phytoplankton samples did not include the diene but comprised a number of tri- to pentaenes. In sediment samples collected near Adélie Land, East Antarctica, both the diene and the tri- to pentaenes often co-occurred. 13C isotopic compositions of the tri- to pentaenes in three sediment samples ranged from -35 to -42‰ whereas that of the diene in a sediment sample was -18‰. We propose the presence of this isotopically 13C enriched HBI diene in Antarctic sediments to be a useful proxy indicator for contributions of organic matter derived from sea ice diatoms. A ratio of the concentrations of diene/trienes might reflect the relative contributions of sea ice to phytoplanktonic inputs of organic matter to Antarctic sediments.
Thermophilic bacteria present in a sample from Fumarole Bay, Deception Island
Authors: Muñoz Patricio A. , Flores Patricio A. , Boehmwald Freddy A. , Blamey Jenny M.
Published: June 2011

Deception Island, an active stratovolcano located in the South Shetland Islands, Antarctica, provides excellent conditions for the thermophilic bacteria growth because of high ground temperatures in specific areas, such as Fumarole Bay where the temperatures are above the mesophilic range. Denaturing Gradient Gel Electrophoresis (DGGE) was used with the 16S ribosomal gene to analyse cultures of thermophilic bacteria from a soil sample taken from Fumarole Bay. Nine bands were sequenced and analysed from DGGE and they indicated the presence of bacteria from the generaGeobacillus,Bacillus,Brevibacillus,Thermusand uncultured sulphate reducing bacteria. Some of which have been reported in other Antarctic geothermal sites.Geobacillus,BacillusandBrevibacillusgenera were successfully cultivated in an enriched medium. A pure culture of one thermophilicGeobacillusbacterium was obtained closely related toGeobacillus jurassicus.
Carbon dioxide emissions of Antarctic tourism
Authors: Farreny Ramon , Oliver-Solà Jordi , Lamers Machiel , Amelung Bas , Gabarrell Xavier , Rieradevall Joan , Boada Martí , Benayas Javier
Published: June 2011

The increase of tourism to the Antarctic continent may entail not only local but also global environmental impacts. These latter impacts, which are mainly caused by transport, have been generally ignored. As a result, there is a lack of data on the global impacts of Antarctic tourism in terms of energy consumption and carbon dioxide emissions. This paper presents and applies a methodology for quantifying CO2 emissions, both for the Antarctic vessel fleet as a whole and per passenger (both per trip and per day). The results indicate that the average tourist trip to Antarctica results in 5.44 t of CO2 emissions per passenger, or 0.49 t per passenger and day. Approximately 70% of these emissions are attributable to cruising and 30% to flying, which highlights the global environmental relevance of local transport for this type of tourism.
Practical collimator optimization in the management of prostate IMRT planning: A feasibility study
Authors: Badusha M Ahamed , McGarry CK
Published: June 2011

The objective of this study was to evaluate the delivery efficiency of intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) with a non-zero collimator rotation approach compared to conventional planning IMRT in the management of prostate carcinoma. Inverse plans, created using conventional collimator angle 0° (CA0) for eight prostate patients, were compared to plans using collimator angle 70° (CA70) for all fields and also with plans utilizing an automatic collimator angle optimization tool (CAopt) for each field. Results demonstrate that IMRT plans created with rotational collimator techniques can produce comparable dose distributions to standard CA0 plans. The rotational collimator approach significantly reduced the total number of monitor units (MU) by 6% (p value = 0.027) and 9% (p value = 0.003) for CA70 and CAopt, respectively. The mean monitor units for CA0, CA70 and CAopt were 635 ± 107 MU, 597 ± 96 MU and 587 ± 104 MU, respectively. The mean peripheral dose was significantly increased with CA70 against CA0 (p value < 0.001) despite reduced monitor units. Collimator optimization resulted in reduction in monitor units and peripheral dose. The number of monitor units are reduced with the rotational collimator approach, which results in reduced delivery time. However, we conclude that peripheral dose should be analyzed when assessing monitor unit differences in IMRT plans.
2011 Mass Media Fellow lands at Voice of America
Authors: Weiss Peter
Published: June 2011

Although on track to earn her Ph.D. in atmospheric physics next year, Dione Lee Rossiter is looking forward to a different sort of science career than the often‐sought‐after academic or research position. Her calling, she says, is science outreach, advocacy, and communication. Her eyes flash and her smile widens when she talks about illuminating science, making it feel relevant, credible, and important and rendering it understandable to the many people who often find science just the opposite. “If people just understood science on a little bit higher level, they could start making more informed decisions. That's one of my passions—seeing that people are as excited as I am,” she says.
Stanley receives 2010 William Gilbert Award: Response
Authors: Stanley Sabine
Published: June 2011

Sabine Stanley received the William Gilbert Award at the 2010 AGU Fall Meeting, held 13–17 December in San Francisco, Calif. The award recognizes outstanding and unselfish work in magnetism of Earth materials and of the Earth and planets.
Understanding the behavior of mercury in the cryosphere
Authors: Tretkoff Ernie
Published: June 2011

Anthropogenic emission of mercury is increasing, especially in Asia. Mercury in the atmosphere can be deposited into the cryosphere, regions covered by snow and ice. Some of the mercury deposited into the cryosphere is emitted back to the atmosphere, and some enters meltwater, where it can be converted to toxic methylmercury, which can enter the food chain. Many measurements of mercury concentrations in the cryosphere and atmosphere have been made at a variety of field locations and at a variety of times, but it can be difficult to extrapolate from individual field studies. Durnford and Dastoor aim to examine all available data together to derive a consistent theory of the physical and chemical processes governing the behavior of mercury in the cryosphere and the emission of cryospheric mercury to the atmosphere. They present a wide‐ranging review of what is known about mercury in the cryosphere. This should help in the development of dynamical, physically based models that accurately capture the behavior of cryospheric mercury and could be used to simulate how cryospheric mercury would respond in a future climate. The authors also present a list of measurements that should be made to provide a more complete view of mercury in the cryosphere and atmosphere. (Journal of Geophysical Research‐Atmospheres, doi:10.1029/2010JD014809, 2011)
Laparoscopy Pneumoperitoneum Fuzzy Modeling
Authors: Becker Otavio , Araujo Jose , Azevedo Joao
Published: June 2011

Abstract: Gas volume to intra-peritoneal pressure fuzzy modeling for evaluating pneumoperitoneum in videolaparoscopic surgery is proposed in this paper. The proposed approach innovates in using fuzzy logic and fuzzy set theory for evaluating the accuracy of the prognosis value in order to minimize or avoid iatrogenic injuries due to the blind needle puncture. In so doing, it demonstrates the feasibility of fuzzy analysis to contribute to medicine and health care. Fuzzy systems is employed here in synergy with artificial neural network based on backpropaga tion, multilayer perceptron architecture for building up numerical functions. Experimental data employed for analysis were collected in the accomplishment of the pneumoperitoneum in a random population of patients submitted to videolaparoscopic surgeries. Numerical results indicate that the proposed fuzzy mapping for describing the relation from the intra peritoneal pressure measures as function injected gas volumes succeeded in determinining a fuzzy model for this nonlinear system when compared to the statistical model.
Collaborative platforms for streamlining workflows in Open Science
Authors: Förstner Konrad , Hagedorn Gregor , Koltzenburg Claudia , Kubke M. Fabiana , Mietchen Daniel
Published: June 2011

Despite the internet’s dynamic and collaborative nature, scientists continue to produce grant proposals, lab notebooks, data files, conclusions etc. that stay in static formats or are not published online and therefore not always easily accessible to the interested public. Because of limited adoption of tools that seamlessly integrate all aspects of a research project (conception, data generation, data evaluation, peer-reviewing and publishing of conclusions), much effort is later spent on reproducing or reformatting individual entities before they can be repurposed independently or as parts of articles.We propose that workflows - performed both individually and collaboratively - could potentially become more efficient if all steps of the research cycle were coherently represented online and the underlying data were formatted, annotated and licensed for reuse. Such a system would accelerate the process of taking projects from conception to publication stages and allow for continuous updating of the data sets and their interpretation as well as their integration into other independent projects.A major advantage of such workflows is the increased transparency, both with respect to the scientific process as to the contribution of each participant. The latter point is important from a perspective of motivation, as it enables the allocation of reputation, which creates incentives for scientists to contribute to projects. Such workflow platforms offering possibilities to fine-tune the accessibility of their content could gradually pave the path from the current static mode of research presentation into a more coherent practice of open science.
An evaluation of the methane output associated with high-moisture grains and silages using the in vitro total gas production technique
Authors: Mc Geough E. J. , O'Kiely P. , O'Brien M. , Kenny D. A.
Published: June 2011

This study aimed to quantify the methane and total gas emissions associated with a range of ensiled feeds using the in vitro total gas production (TGP) technique. This suite of feeds included cereal grains (wheat, barley and triticale) and maize, whole-crop wheat and grass silages. The methane and total gas output of these feeds was then regressed on chemical composition to assess the relationship between these variables. Subsequently, the efficacy of the TGP technique was also discussed. From this analysis it was observed that 96% of the variation in methane output per unit of feed incubated was explained by variations in in vitro organic matter digestibility (IVOMD), neutral detergent fibre (NDF) and ash. Of these variables, the greatest single response was with NDF, which was negatively related to methane output. When expressed per unit of feed digested, 78% of the variation was explained by IVOMD, NDF and starch. The methane responses observed in this study contradicted expected in vivo trends in methane output, thus calling into question the reliability of the in vitro technique to accurately determine methane output of feeds differing this widely in NDF and starch contents.
Limitations to wheat starch digestion in growing broiler chickens: a brief review
Authors: Svihus Birger
Published: June 2011

Starch digestibility may be suboptimal in broilers fed pelleted wheat-based diets. In the present review, the digestion and absorption process related to starch is presented, followed by a discussion of the effect of wheat characteristics and bird-related effects. Enzyme secretion or glucose absorption and metabolism have not been shown to be limiting factors. Suboptimal starch digestibility is primarily observed when a large proportion of wheat is included in the diet, and appears to be partly associated with characteristics of the wheat such as hardness and cell wall structure, which cause starch granules to remain entrapped in the protein matrix and the cell wall of the endosperm or aleurone layer. There are indications that low starch digestibility is negatively correlated with feed intake, and that such a feed over-consumption is linked to an under-developed gizzard.
Alors between discourse and grammar
Authors: Degand Liesbeth , Fagard Benjamin
Published: June 2011

This paper presents an in-depth study of the semantics of the French discourse marker alors ‘at that time, then, so’. Its evolution from temporal adverbial with local anaphoric meaning to polysemous marker including conversation management uses in spoken French is traced through a systematic diachronic corpus analysis. Of particular interest in this perspective is the relationship between the different meanings of alors and the position it occupies in the sentence. Our main hypothesis is that the semantic evolution of alors goes hand in hand with grammatical and functional changes leading to new discourse functions, viz. from sentence adverbial to discourse structuring marker. We show that semantic meaning is driven by syntactic position changes which gradually evolve over time.
The syntactic flexibility of (new) verbs of instrument of communication
Authors: De Clerck Bernard , Verroens Filip , Willems Dominique , Colleman Timothy
Published: June 2011

In this paper, the structural possibilities of well-established ‘verbs of instruments of communication’ (Levin 1993) such as telephone, fax and telegraph are compared with the syntactic possibilities of recent newcomers to the field such as skype and blackberry. The analysis, which is based on extensive web-based material shows that the structural possibilities of older members are more diverse than reported in previous studies, while the recent Verbs of Instrument of Communication display a set of structural possibilities that is similar to those of the older members, despite their relatively low(er) token frequency. In this way, the data neither entirely refute nor fully corroborate observed links between token frequency (Hollmann 2007) and social distribution (Barðdal 2003, 2008), on the one hand, and syntactic possibilities (e.g. the occurrence in double object constructions), on the other hand. They do show, however, that there is substantial internal variation between individual members of this category in terms of structural preferences, depending on the kinds of events that are depicted. This attested variation also leads us to question the boundaries of this verb category as a whole.
Molecular and chemical characters to evaluate species status of two cuckoo bumblebees: Bombus barbutellus and Bombus maxillosus (Hymenoptera, Apidae, Bombini)
Authors: LECOCQ THOMAS , LHOMME PATRICK , MICHEZ DENIS , DELLICOUR SIMON , VALTEROVÁ IRENA , RASMONT PIERRE
Published: June 2011

Many methods, based on morphological, molecular or chemical characters, have been used to address the question of species taxonomic status. Integrative taxonomy aims to define stronger supported taxonomic hypotheses by considering complementary datasets from different characters. By following an integrative approach, the present study includes molecular, chemical and morphological criteria to establish the taxonomic status of two rare and doubtful cuckoo bumblebee taxa: Bombus (Psithyrus) barbutellus and Bombus (Psithyrus) maxillosus. These two sympatric taxa are discriminated by few morphological criteria (mainly wing darkness and hair length). We used these morphological character diagnoses to establish an a priori status of our samples (23 specimens). We developed a combined molecular dataset from one nuclear gene, elongation factor 1α (EF‐1α), and one mitochondrial gene, cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI), spanning 1623 bp, and a chemical dataset of sexual marking pheromones (73 compounds). The molecular data were subjected to maximum‐likelihood and Bayesian phylogenetic inference under partitioned model and maximum parsimony. The chemical data were analysed by clustering and the two‐group k‐means method to test divergences between the two species. The resulting phylogenetic trees show no consistent divergence between the two taxa. Moreover, we found no divergence in the sexual marking pheromones in the clustering and two‐group k‐means analyses. These converging results support the conspecificity of both taxa. Nonetheless, our determinations using the traditional morphological criteria separated our samples into two taxa. We conclude that the morphological criteria seem to relate to intraspecific variations: B. maxillosus is regarded as a syn.n. of B. barbutellus.
Palliative care, double effect and the law in Australia
Authors: White B. P. , Willmott L. , Ashby M.
Published: June 2011

Care and decision‐making at the end of life that promotes comfort and dignity is widely endorsed by public policy and the law. In ethical analysis of palliative care interventions that are argued potentially to hasten death, these may be deemed to be ethically permissible by the application of the doctrine of double effect, if the doctor's intention is to relieve pain and not cause death. In part because of the significance of ethics in the development of law in the medical sphere, this doctrine is also likely to be recognized as part of Australia's common law, although hitherto there have been no cases concerning palliative care brought before a court in Australia to test this. Three Australian States have, nonetheless, created legislative defences that are different from the common law with the intent of clarifying the law, promoting palliative care, and distinguishing it from euthanasia. However, these defences have the potential to provide less protection for doctors administering palliative care. In addition to requiring a doctor to have an appropriate intent, the defences insist on adherence to particular medical practice standards and perhaps require patient consent. Doctors providing end‐of‐life care in these States need to be aware of these legislative changes. Acting in accordance with the common law doctrine of double effect may not provide legal protection. Similar changes are likely to occur in other States and Territories as there is a trend towards enacting legislative defences that deal with the provision of palliative care.
LEARNING‐BY‐DOING AND MARKET STRUCTURE*
Authors: BALASUBRAMANIAN NATARAJAN , LIEBERMAN MARVIN B.
Published: June 2011

Applying the Olley‐Pakes estimation technique to an augmented production function, we estimate rates of learning‐by‐doing in over 250 SIC4 industries in the U.S. manufacturing sector. We then examine the link between learning and producer concentration using Sutton's bounds approach. We find that the lower bound of concentration is higher in high‐learning industries, which suggests that learning‐by‐doing has characteristics of an endogenous sunk cost.
IS MULTIMEDIA CONVERGENCE TO BE WELCOMED?*
Authors: THANASSOULIS JOHN
Published: June 2011

This paper considers the consumer implications of the process of convergence across multimedia and telecoms markets. Convergence starts when one firm begins to sell products in hitherto separate horizontal markets competing against rivals active in just one or another of the markets. Convergence creates a strategic link between the markets which alters the price levels, creates the possibility of bundle prices, and creates winners and losers in the population. Partial convergence (e.g., a merged provider of telephony and internet services vs. independent sellers of telephony or internet broadband) lowers prices in the less competitive sector, raises them in the more competitive sector and raises the total prices paid by consumers active in both sectors as compared to the counter‐factual of no convergence. Full convergence (e.g., multiple firms offering TV and internet bundles) leads to deep discounts for bundle purchases but no reductions in stand alone prices paid by consumers in only one of the converging sectors. The bundle on bundle competition is so fierce that profits for all converging firms are reduced compared to the counter‐factual of partial convergence.
LISTING PRICES AS SIGNALS OF QUALITY IN MARKETS WITH NEGOTIATION*
Authors: WANG RUQU
Published: June 2011

We analyze markets where a buyer may pay the listing price or negotiate. We show that listing prices can signal quality to attract the right type of buyers. Prices are lower without quality uncertainty or without some of the lower qualities. In equilibrium, higher qualities/prices induce more bargaining, and thus more expensive goods are sold more often through bargaining.
LICENSE AUCTIONS WHEN WINNING BIDS ARE FINANCED THROUGH DEBT*
Authors: HAAN MARCO A. , TOOLSEMA LINDA A.
Published: June 2011

We study an auction where two licenses to operate on a new market are sold and winning bidders finance their bids on the debt market. Higher bids imply higher debts which affects product market competition. When debt induces firms to compete more aggressively, retail prices are lower than in a model without debt, as are auction revenues. When debt induces firms to compete less aggressively, retail prices are higher than in a model without debt, and the effect on auction revenues is ambiguous. Net firm profits are always higher than in a model without debt due to endogenous credit rationing.
ANOTHER LOOK AT PRICE PROMOTION*
Authors: CAO WEN
Published: June 2011

Weekly sales at retail stores exhibit several patterns that the literature on price promotion does not fully capture. In this paper we develop a simple symmetric model where duopoly manufacturers distribute through a monopoly retailer to serve consumers with heterogeneous reservation prices. We show that the heterogeneity in consumers' reservation prices coupled with the retailer's market power is sufficient to resolve the deficiency in the literature. We then show that, while pricing patterns under this model differ significantly from those under a model where the retailer has no market power, the manufacturers' expected profits are the same in both cases.
Rhetorics of Value: Constituting Worth and Meaning through Cultural Display
Authors: KRATZ CORINNE A.
Published: June 2011

Museum exhibitions are commonly seen as critical sites for the constitution of identity and difference. They provide occasions and resources for representing and reflecting on notions of quality, worth, and other social values and meanings. Buthoware values and identities shaped and produced through exhibitions? How are exhibitions put together in ways that might communicate particular values and shape various identities? This article begins to consider how “rhetorics of value” are produced through contemporary museum exhibitions by exploring the multilayered, multimedia communication involved as exhibitions convey evaluations and interpretations through visual and verbal means and through “designed space.”
Ethnographic Terminalia: An Introduction
Authors: BRODINE MARIA , CAMPBELL CRAIG , HENNESSY KATE , McDONALD FIONA P. , SMITH TRUDI LYNN , TAKARAGAWA STEPHANIE
Published: June 2011

Ethnographic Terminalia is a collective project that brings together art and anthropology within the gallery space. This article traces the origin of the project, its past and current exhibitions, and situates for the reader the scope of how various projects from installations, to sound works, sculptures, photography, film, community‐based works, material culture, and performance transcend the borders of art and anthropology. The essays that follow in this issue are contextualized in this essay.
“Foreign Brides” Meet Ethnic Politics in Taiwan
Authors: Tsai Ming-Chang
Published: June 2011

A great number of women from China, Vietnam, and Indonesia recently arrived in Taiwan to marry men of lower social strata. Such an unusual pattern of migration has stimulated debates about the status and the citizenship of the new arrivals. This study analyzes Taiwanese responses toward these marriage migrants by using a national survey conducted in 2004. Three aspects of restrictive attitudes were tapped concerning these newcomers: (1) rights to work; (2) access to public health insurance; and (3) full citizenship. Immigrants from China were most opposed, compared to women with other origins (Southeast Asia, Japan, Europe, and the US). The seemingly unrelated regression estimation regression results do not support the split labor market hypotheses, as marriage migrants do not appear to be economic threats toward members of the lower classes. In contrast, ethnic nationalism plays a key role in determining the natives’ restrictive attitudes. The case of Taiwan represents a special genre, where ethnic politics selectively arouses the social rejection of women immigrants of certain origins.
Partner Selection and Divorce in Ethnic Minorities: Distinguishing between Two Types of Ethnic Homogamous Marriages
Authors: Eeckhaut Mieke C. W. , Lievens John , Van de Putte Bart , Lusyne Patrick
Published: June 2011

This article compares divorce risks according to marriage type. The common dichotomy between ethnic homogamous and ethnic heterogamous marriages is further elaborated by differentiating a third marriage type; ethnic homogamous marriages between individuals from an ethnic minority group and a partner from the country of origin. Based on the analysis of data concerning the Turkish and Moroccan minorities in Belgium, it has been confirmed that the divorce risk associated with these marriages is higher than that of other ethnic homogamous marriages. However, specific divorce patterns according to marriage type also indicate the importance of differences between the minority groups.
Cultural Dissimilarity and Intermarriage. A Longitudinal Study of Immigrants in Sweden 1990–2005
Authors: Dribe Martin , Lundh Christer
Published: June 2011

Intermarriage with natives is a key indicator of immigrant integration. This article studies intermarriage for 138 immigrant groups in Sweden, using longitudinal individual level data. It shows great variation in marriage patterns across immigrant populations, ranging from over 70 percent endogamy in some immigrants groups to below 5 percent in other groups. Although part of this variation is explained by human capital and the structure of the marriage market, cultural factors (values, religion, and language) play an important role as well. Immigrants from culturally more dissimilar countries are less likely to intermarry with natives, and instead more prone to endogamy.
Decoupling Migration Effects from Income Effects on Reproduction in Central American Migrant-Sending Households
Authors: Davis Jason
Published: June 2011

Contemporary data for three Central American countries (Costa Rica, Guatemala, and Nicaragua) surveyed by the Latin American Migration Project were analyzed to determine if migration length and remittance transfers had an influence on fertility. The analysis was structured to separate societal influences on fertility attributable to migration from the income effects associated with remittance transfers. At the couple level, the odds that a birth would occur were negatively associated with an increase in U.S. remittance receipts and an increase in a wife's migration duration. However, no correlation was found between length of male migration and couple fertility.
The Educational Legacy of Unauthorized Migration: Comparisons across U.S.-Immigrant Groups in how Parents’ Status Affects Their Offspring
Authors: Bean Frank D. , Leach Mark A. , Brown Susan K. , Bachmeier James D. , Hipp John R.
Published: June 2011

This research compares several national-origin groups in terms of how parents’ entry, legalization and naturalization (i.e., membership) statuses relate to their children's educational attainment. In the case of Asian groups, the members of which predominantly come to the United States as permanent legal migrants, we hypothesize (1) that father's and mother's statuses will be relatively homogenous and few in number and (2) that these will exert minimal net effects on second-generation attainment. For Mexicans, many of whom initially come as temporary unauthorized migrants, we hypothesize (1) that parental status combinations will be heterogeneous and greater in number and (2) that marginal membership statuses will exert negative net effects on education in the second generation. To assess these ideas, we analyze unique intergenerational data from Los Angeles on the young adult members of second-generation national-origin groups and their parents. The findings show that Asian immigrant groups almost universally exhibit similar father–mother migration statuses and high educational attainment among children. By contrast, Mexicans manifest more numerous discrepant father–mother combinations, with those in which the mother remains unauthorized carrying negative implications for children's schooling. The paper discusses the theoretical and policy implications of the delays in incorporation that result from Mexican Americans needing extra time and resources compared to the members of other groups to overcome their handicap of marginal membership status {i.e., being more likely to enter and remain unauthorized).
Contextualizing Ethnic Educational Inequality: The Role of Stability and Quality of Neighborhoods and Ethnic Density in Second-Generation Attainment
Authors: Fleischmann Fenella , Phalet Karen , Neels Karel , Deboosere Patrick
Published: June 2011

This study examines the joint impact of neighborhood structure and ethnic density on the educational attainment of the second generation. Using second-generation samples and a majority reference sample from the Belgian Census, multi-level analysis yields the expected positive effects of neighborhood stability and quality and ethnic density on second-generation school completion. Reflecting the ethnic stratification of the Belgian housing market, majority residential concentration tends to coincide with high neighborhood stability and quality and high completion rates, whereas Moroccan concentrations overlap with low neighborhood quality, and low completion rates. For the Turkish and Italian second generation, neighborhood structure moderates ethnic density effects on school completion, in line with segmented assimilation. Our findings suggest distinct Moroccan, Turkish and Italian incorporation modes which reflect differential access to, and investments in ethnic versus mainstream social networks.
Cognitive and Language Skills of Turkish Children in Germany: A Comparison of the Second and Third Generation and Mixed Generational Groups
Authors: Becker Birgit
Published: June 2011

The paper compares several generational groups of Turkish children in Germany with respect to cognitive skills and German language skills at an early age. Empirically, children of inter-marriages outperform the other groups of Turkish children in both tests while children with a first generation mother and a second generation father score worse than all others. All group differences regarding children's cognitive skills can be explained by the families’ socio-economic status and educational resources. In contrast, with respect to children's language skills also parents’ endowment with receiving country specific resources {e.g., parental German language proficiency) needs to be taken into account.