bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The group medical appointment (GMA) in haemophilia and von Willebrand’s disease: a new development in outpatient paediatric care
Authors: LOCK J. , DE BRUIN A. , SCHOLTEN M. , JOOSTEN M. , SEESING F. M. , BEISHUIZEN A. , DE GOEDE‐BOLDER A. , CNOSSEN M. H.
Published: March 2012

Summary.  The Group Medical Appointment (GMA) is a novel consultation form in which patients undergo individual consultations in each other’s presence. To compare participants’ experiences with GMA and Individual Medical Appointments (IMA), the usual standard of care, our team recently implemented the GMA for children aged 0–18 years with haemophilia or von Willebrand’s disease. Participants’ experiences with GMA were measured using a standardized QUOTE‐questionnaire. Of 100 addressed families, 53 participated in GMA. Of these 53 families, 38 parents (72%) and 14 adolescents (82%) filled in the questionnaire about the GMA. Patients not on prophylaxis were defined as less experienced and patients on prophylaxis, as experienced. Although parents were satisfied with both GMA and IMA (median score 8.0 vs. 9.0 of 10), a significant difference was demonstrated between less experienced and experienced parents. After GMA, less experienced parents were significantly more satisfied (median score 8.0 vs. 5.0; P‐value 0.006), felt more social support (82% vs. 30%; P‐value 0.005) and reported additional learning effects with regard to disease and treatment (64% vs. 0%; P‐value <0.001) than experienced parents. None of the less experienced parents reported privacy problems during GMA compared with 40% of experienced parents. In adolescents an identical trend was reported. Sixty‐six per cent of parents would join a GMA in the future and 87% would recommend a GMA to others. The GMA is a valuable addition in haemophilia and von Willebrand care, especially for less experienced patients. It leads to improved satisfaction, social support and improved information.
A before and after study assessing the impact of a new model for recognizing and responding to early signs of deterioration in an acute hospital
Authors: McDonnell Ann , Tod Angela , Bray Kate , Bainbridge Derek , Adsetts Dawn , Walters Stephen
Published: March 2012

Aim.  To evaluate the impact of a new model for the detection and management of deteriorating patients on knowledge and confidence of nursing staff in an acute hospital.

Background.  International evidence shows that clinical deterioration is not always recognized or acted on by nurses. The use of physiological track and trigger scoring systems accompanied by a graded response strategy has been recommended to monitor all adult patients in acute UK hospitals. However, little is known about the impact of these new systems in practice.

Design.  A single centre, mixed methods before‐and‐after study.

Methods.  A mixed methods before‐and‐after study, set in a district general hospital in England, in 2009, including a survey (n = 213) and qualitative interviews (n = 15) with nursing staff. The questionnaire examined knowledge and confidence in recognition and management of deteriorating patients 6 weeks before and after an intervention which included training, new observation charts and a new track and trigger system. Interviews further explored participants’ perspectives. Comparisons were made between registered and unregistered nurses.

Results.  Following the intervention, knowledge, and confidence to recognize and manage deteriorating patients increased; the number of concerns were reduced. Scores were higher for registered than unregistered nurses before and after the intervention. Interviews confirmed these findings and provided detail on how nurses felt the new system had improved practice.

Conclusion.  The new model had a positive impact on the self‐assessed knowledge and confidence of registered and unregistered nurses. Similar initiatives should take into account the clinical context and tailor training packages accordingly.
Quality of life in men receiving radiotherapy and neo‐adjuvant androgen deprivation for prostate cancer: results from a prospective longitudinal study
Authors: Mc Caughan Eilis , Mc Sorley Oonagh , Prue Gillain , Parahoo Kader , Bunting Brendan , Sullivan Joe O , McKenna Hugh
Published: March 2012

Aim.  To report a study measuring the quality of life and side effects in men receiving radiotherapy and hormone ablation for prostate cancer up to 1 year after treatment.

Background.  Prostate cancer incidence is increasing with the result that more men are living longer with the disease and the side effects of treatment. It is important to know the effects this has on their quality of life.

Design.  Survey.

Method.  Between September 2006–September 2007, all men who were about to undergo radical conformal radiotherapy ± neo‐adjuvant androgen deprivation for localized prostate cancer were invited to participate in the study; 149 men were recruited. They completed the European Organization on Research and Treatment of Cancer quality of life questionnaire C‐30 and Prostate Cancer module PR25 at four time‐points.

Results.  At 4–6 weeks after radiotherapy, participants experienced the biggest relative decline in global quality of life, social, physical, and role functioning and an increase in treatment side effects. At 6 months postradiotherapy the majority of men experienced an improvement in their side effects. However, a minority of men were experiencing severe side effects of radiotherapy at 1 year post‐treatment. Single men and men who had a low quality of life prior to radiotherapy, reported a lower quality of life at 1 year after treatment in comparison to married men.

Conclusion.  Men with prostate cancer suffer limitations due to the symptoms they experience and disruption to their quality of life. It is essential that nurses develop and deliver follow‐up care which is flexible and appropriate to the individual needs of these men.
Development of a new antibody for detecting natural killer enhancing factor (NKEF)‐like protein in infected salmonids
Authors: Bethke J , Rojas V , Berendsen J , Cárdenas C , Guzmán F , Gallardo J A , Mercado L
Published: March 2012

The main cellular responses of innate immunity are phagocytic activity and the respiratory burst, which produces a high amount of reactive oxygen species. Natural killer enhancing factor (NKEF) belongs to the peroxiredoxin family that has an antioxidant function and enhances cytotoxic cell activity. This molecule may play a key role in macrophage and cytotoxic cell communication during the innate immune response of fish against pathogens. In fish, the NKEF gene has been characterized in some species as showing an up‐regulation in infected fish, suggesting a trigger effect upon NK‐like cells. To detect and localize this molecule in salmonids at protein level, a monospecific polyclonal antibody was generated. A probable NKEF‐like protein epitope region was identified and characterized using bioinformatic tools, and the sequence was chemically synthesized using Fmoc strategy, analysed by RP‐HPLC and its molecular weight confirmed by mass spectrometry. The synthetic peptide was immunized and antibodies from ascitic fluid were obtained. The resulting antibody is a versatile tool for detecting NKEF by different immune techniques such as ELISA, Western blotting and immunohistochemistry. Analysis of NKEF‐like protein is a useful method for characterizing immune properties of this molecule in fish during response to pathogens.
Intrusive fathering, children's self‐regulation and social skills: a mediation analysis
Authors: Stevenson M. , Crnic K.
Published: March 2012

Background  Fathers have unique influences on children's development, and particularly in the development of social skills. Although father–child relationship influences on children's social competence have received increased attention in general, research on fathering in families of children with developmental delays (DD) is scant. This study examined the pathway of influence among paternal intrusive behaviour, child social skills and child self‐regulatory ability, testing a model whereby child regulatory behaviour mediates relations between fathering and child social skills.

Methods  Participants were 97 families of children with early identified DD enrolled in an extensive longitudinal study. Father and mother child‐directed intrusiveness was coded live in naturalistic home observations at child age 4.5, child behaviour dysregulation was coded from a video‐taped laboratory problem‐solving task at child age 5, and child social skills were measured using independent teacher reports at child age 6. Analyses tested for mediation of the relationship between fathers' intrusiveness and child social skills by child behaviour dysregulation.

Results  Fathers' intrusiveness, controlling for mothers' intrusiveness and child behaviour problems, was related to later child decreased social skills and this relationship was mediated by child behaviour dysregulation.

Conclusions  Intrusive fathering appears to carry unique risk for the development of social skills in children with DD. Findings are discussed as they related to theories of fatherhood and parenting in children with DD, as well as implications for intervention and future research.
Superfolder GFP reporters validate diverse new mRNA targets of the classic porin regulator, MicF RNA
Authors: Corcoran Colin P. , Podkaminski Dimitri , Papenfort Kai , Urban Johannes H. , Hinton Jay C. D. , Vogel Jörg
Published: March 2012

MicF is a textbook example of a small regulatory RNA (sRNA) that acts on a trans‐encoded target mRNA through imperfect base pairing. Discovery of MicF as a post‐transcriptional repressor of the major Escherichia coli porin OmpF established the paradigm for a meanwhile common mechanism of translational inhibition, through antisense sequestration of a ribosome binding site. However, whether MicF regulates additional genes has remained unknown for almost three decades. Here, we have harnessed the new superfolder variant of GFP for reporter–gene fusions to validate newly predicted targets of MicF in Salmonella. We show that the conserved 5′ end of MicF acts by seed pairing to repress the mRNAs of global transcriptional regulator Lrp, and periplasmic protein YahO, while a second targeting region is also required to regulate the mRNA of the lipid A‐modifying enzyme LpxR. Interestingly, MicF targets lpxR at both the ribosome binding site and deep within the coding sequence. MicF binding in the coding sequence of lpxR decreases mRNA stability through exacerbating the use of a native RNase E site proximal to the short MicF‐lpxR duplex. Altogether, this study assigns the classic MicF sRNA to the growing class of Hfq‐associated regulators that use diverse mechanisms to impact multiple loci.
Divergence estimates and early evolutionary history of Figitidae (Hymenoptera: Cynipoidea)
Authors: BUFFINGTON MATTHEW L. , BRADY SEÁN G. , MORITA SHELAH I. , VAN NOORT SIMON
Published: March 2012

We examine the phylogenetic relationships of Figitidae and discuss host use within this group in light of our own and previously published divergence time data. Our results suggest Figitidae, as currently defined, is not monophyletic. Furthermore, Mikeiinae and Pycnostigminae are sister‐groups, nested adjacent to Thrasorinae, Plectocynipinae and Euceroptrinae. The recovery of Pycnostigminae as sister‐group to Mikeiinae suggests two major patterns of evolution: (i) early Figitidae lineages demonstrate a Gondawanan origin (Plectocynipinae: Neotropical; Mikeiinae and Thrasorinae: Australia; Pycnostigminae: Africa); and (ii) based on host records for Mikeiinae, Thrasorinae and Plectocynipinae, Pycnostigminae are predicted to be parasitic on gall‐inducing Hymenoptera. The phylogenetic position ofParnips(Parnipinae) was unstable, and various analyses were conducted to determine the impact of this uncertainty on both the recovery of other clades and inferred divergence times; whenParnipswas excluded from the total evidence analysis, Cynipidae was found to be sister‐group to [Euceroptrinae + (Plectocynipinae (Thrasorinae + (Mikeiinae + Pycnostigminae)))], with low support. Divergence dating analyses using BEAST indicate the stem‐group node of Figitidae to bec.126 Ma; the dipteran parasitoids (Eucoilinae and Figitinae), were estimated to have a median age of 80 and 88 Ma, respectively; the neuropteran parasitoids (Anacharitinae), were estimated to have a median age of 97 Ma; sternorrhynchan hyperparasitoids (Charipinae), were estimated to have a median age of 110 Ma; the Hymenoptera‐parasitic subfamilies (Euceroptinae, Plectocynipinae, Trasorinae, Mikeiinae, Pycnostigminae, and Parnipinae), ranged in median ages from 48 to 108 Ma. Rapid radiation of Eucoilinae subclades appears chronologically synchronized with the origin of their hosts, Schizophora (Diptera). Overall, the exclusion ofParnipsfrom the BEAST analysis did not result in significant changes to divergence estimates. Finally, though sparsely represented in the analysis, our data suggest Cynipidae have a median age of 54 Ma, which is somewhat older than the age ofQuercusspp (30–50 Ma), their most common host.
Phylogeny of the bee family Megachilidae (Hymenoptera: Apoidea) based on adult morphology
Authors: GONZALEZ VICTOR H. , GRISWOLD TERRY , PRAZ CHRISTOPHE J. , DANFORTH BRYAN N.
Published: March 2012

Phylogenetic relationships within the bee family Megachilidae are poorly understood. The monophyly of the subfamily Fideliinae is questionable, the relationships among the tribes and subtribes in the subfamily Megachilinae are unknown, and some extant genera cannot be placed with certainty at the tribal level. Using a cladistic analysis of adult external morphological characters, we explore the relationships of the eight tribes and two subtribes currently recognised in Megachilidae. Our dataset included 80% of the extant generic‐level diversity, representatives of all fossil taxa, and was analysed using parsimony. We employed 200 characters and selected 7 outgroups and 72 ingroup species of 60 genera, plus 7 species of 4 extinct genera from Baltic amber. Our analysis shows that Fideliinae and the tribes Anthidiini and Osmiini of Megachilinae are paraphyletic; it supports the monophyly of Megachilinae, including the extinct taxa, and the sister group relationship of Lithurgini to the remaining megachilines. The Sub‐Saharan genus Aspidosmia, a rare group with a mixture of osmiine and anthidiine features, is herein removed from Anthidiini and placed in its own tribe, Aspidosmiini, new tribe. Protolithurgini is the sister of Lithurgini, both placed herein in the subfamily Lithurginae; the other extinct taxa, Glyptapina and Ctenoplectrellina, are more basally related among Megachilinae than Osmiini, near Aspidosmia, and are herein treated at the tribal level. Noteriades, a genus presently in the Osmiini, is herein transferred to the Megachilini. Thus, we recognise four subfamilies (Fideliinae, Pararhophitinae, Lithurginae and Megachilinae) and nine tribes in Megachilidae. We briefly discuss the evolutionary history and biogeography of the family, present alternative classifications, and provide a revised key to the extant tribes of Megachilinae.
Myrtlemiris, a new genus and new species of Australian plant bugs (Insecta: Heteroptera: Miridae): systematics, phylogeny and host associations
Authors: CHENG MARINA , MUTUTANTRI ANOUK , CASSIS GERASIMOS
Published: March 2012

A new Australian genus of Orthotylinae, Myrtlemiris Cheng, Mututantri & Cassis gen.n., is described, with nine included species described as new to science (M. agnewsp.n., M. astartephilasp.n., M. meanarrasp.n., M. newmanensissp.n., M. rubrocuneatussp.n., M. russulatussp.n., M. silveiraesp.n., M. tesselatussp.n., M. yalgoosp.n.). A phylogenetic analysis based on 39 morphological characters is presented for all Myrtlemiris species and 6 outgroup taxa. This analysis establishes Myrtlemiris as monophyletic, defined by a broad apophysis on the left paramere. A key to species is provided and diagnostic characters are illustrated. Myrtlemiris is endemic to southwest Western Australia. Host plants for Myrtlemiris species are near restricted to the myrtaceous tribe Chamelaucieae.
Ecological adaptations of grassland‐inhabiting flightless Orthoptera: Fulvoscirtes and Acanthoscirtes, two new genera of African Karniellina (Orthoptera, Tettigoniidae, Conocephalinae, Conocephalini)
Authors: HEMP CLAUDIA , KEHL SIEGFRIED , HELLER KLAUS‐GERHARD , WOLFGANG WÄGELE JOHANN , HEMP ANDREAS
Published: March 2012

Two new genera, Fulvoscirtesn.gen. and Acanthoscirtesn.gen., are established within the subtribe Karniellina of Conocephalini. Fulvoscirtes is based on Xiphidion kilimandjaricumSjöstedt, 1909 and Acanthoscirtes on Phlesirtes kevani Chopard from northern Kenya. The majority of Fulvoscirtes spp. are confined to open grasslands in the submontane zone of mountains. Fulvoscirtes contains eight species, seven of which are newly described in this paper. Three species and one subspecies occur on Mt Kilimanjaro. These are F. kilimandjaricum (Sjöstedt) constricted to the southern slopes, F. legumisheran.sp. confined to the northern side and F. sylvaticusn.sp. occurring on the western side of Kilimanjaro and on the eastern slopes of Mt Meru. Fulvoscirtes fulvusn.sp. is divided into two subspecies, F. fulvus fulvusn.ssp. found in the submontane zone of east Kilimanjaro and F. fulvus parensisn.ssp. in submontane to montane localities of the North and South Pare mountains. Fulvoscirtes fulvotaitensisn.sp. occurs in the Taita Hills of southern Kenya. Fulvoscirtes viridisn.sp. is described from savannah habitats between Mts Longido and Meru. Fulvoscirtes laticercusn.sp. is found in the Kenyan highlands, while the most southerly occurring species, Fulvoscirtes manyaran.sp., is found on Mt Hanang and the Mbulu highlands of northwestern Tanzania. Acanthoscirtes contains three species, of which A. albostriatusn.sp. is described newly from savannah habitas of eastern Kilimanjaro. Information is given on the ecology and the acoustic behaviour of some of the species together with keys to the genera of the Karniellina and the species of Fulvoscirtes and Acanthoscirtes. The genera of Karniellina probably evolved at a time when grasslands spread in East Africa due to an increasing aridification of the climate. The earliest lineage, the genus Karniella, is adapted to more forested habitats while the majority of the genera of Karniellina prefer open grasslands. Major splits within Karniellina probably occurred with the emergence of savannah grasslands due to the ongoing fragmentation of forest habitats several millions years ago, but most species within the genera are geologically young, their radiation being boosted by climatic fluctuations of the past 1–2 Ma.
Optimizing the Conditions for In Vitro Maturation and Artificial Activation of Sika Deer (Cervus nippon hortulorum) Oocytes
Authors: Yin Y , Tang L , Zhang P , Kong D , Wang Z , Guan J , Song G , Tang B , Li Z
Published: March 2012

Contents

With the goal of establishing experimental protocols for cloning sika deer, various conditions for in vitro maturation (IVM) and artificial activation of sika deer oocytes were examined. In vitro maturation was evaluated in seven different culture media. The highest rate of oocyte maturation was 75.4% in 10 μg/ml follicle‐stimulating hormone (FSH), 1 μg/ml LH, 0.2 mm cysteamine and 50 ng/ml epidermal growth factor (EGF) after 24 h of IVM. The efficiency after 24 h of IVM did not differ significantly (p > 0.05) from that observed after 20 h. Cysteamine (0.2 mm) significantly increased the maturation rates after 20 h (from 59.1% to 67.2%, p < 0.05) and after 24 h (from 63.2% to 71.6%, p < 0.05) of IVM. The IVM rates of oocytes collected during the oestrous season (75.4%) and the anoestrous season (23.3%) were significantly different at 24 h. The 20 μg/ml FSH, 2 μg/ml LH, 0.4 mm cysteamine and 100 ng/ml EGF significantly increased the maturation rates (from 23.3% to 54.2%, p < 0.01) at 24 h during the anoestrous season. For the activation experiments, the most effective method was chemical activation [ionomycin + 6‐dimethylaminopurine (6‐DMAP)], which promoted the development of sika deer oocytes to the blastocyst stage (32.4%). Our results indicate that in vitro matured sika deer oocytes are good candidates for parthenogenetic activation and that chemical treatment is needed for relatively efficient activation of the oocytes. These optimized conditions for IVM and parthenogenetic activation may be useful for efforts to restore populations of the endangered sika deer using the somatic cell nuclear transfer technique.
Appreciating age diversity and German nurse well‐being and commitment: Co‐worker trust as the mediator
Authors: Lehmann‐Willenbrock Nale , Lei Zhike , Kauffeld Simone
Published: March 2012

Nursing practice faces the challenges of succeeding with a great diversity of customers and managing a diverse workforce with a wide range of age differences. While age diversity can lead to increased creativity and a greater richness of values and skills, it can also lead to value clashes, disrespect of each other's viewpoints, and increased conflict. As a result, nurses frequently experience stress, work–life imbalance, and a withdrawal from commitment. We propose the injection of positive diversity mindsets (age diversity appreciation) as one remedy. Specifically, we suggest that age diversity appreciation is positively related to nurses' well‐being (stress and work–life balance), and also positively related to their team commitment. We further hypothesize that nurses' trust in co‐workers mediates the hypothesized relationships. Our survey data of 138 nurses in a large hospital in Germany supported our hypotheses. We discuss both theoretical and managerial implications of our findings in the context of age diversity and nursing work outcomes in hospitals.
A prospective audit of safety issues associated with general anesthesia for pediatric cardiac magnetic resonance imaging
Authors: Stockton Emma , Hughes Marina , Broadhead Mike , Taylor Andrew , McEwan Angus
Published: March 2012

Background/Objectives:  Cardiac MRI (CMR) is increasingly used for surgical planning and serial monitoring of children with congenital heart disease (CHD). For small children, general anesthesia (GA) is required. We describe our experience of the safety of GA for pediatric CMR, using data collected prospectively over 3 years.

Methods:  All consecutive infants undergoing GA for CMR at our institution, between November 2005 and May 2008, were included. Informed and written consent to participate in research investigation was acquired from the guardians of every patient prior to CMR. The cardiac anesthetist completed a standardized data collection form during each procedure. Information collected included demographics, diagnosis, surgical history, anesthetic management, significant incidents, and discharge circumstances.

Results:  A total of 120 patients with varying cardiac physiology and a range of hemodynamics underwent GA for CMR during the study period. Gas induction was predominantly used, even in those with impaired ventricular function. The majority (71%) of procedures were undertaken without significant incident. Minor adverse incidents were recorded in 32 patients, mild hypotension being most frequent. One major adverse event occurred. A patient with hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS) suffered hypotension then cardiac arrest in the scanner. This patient was successfully resuscitated.

Conclusion:  Although the majority of cases were safe and without incident, the complication rate in children with CHD receiving a GA for CMR is higher than in the general pediatric population. This reinforces the need for a senior, multidisciplinary team to be involved in the care of these children during imaging.
Motivation and parental presence during induction of anesthesia: an examination of the role of ethnicity and language
Authors: Fortier Michelle A. , Gomez Sulay H. , Kain Alexandra
Published: March 2012

Objectives:  To examine the role of ethnicity and language in parental desire and motivation to be present for children’s anesthesia induction.

Aim:  To compare motivation for parental presence at induction of anesthesia (PPIA) between English‐ and Spanish‐speaking White and Hispanic parents of children undergoing outpatient surgery.

Background:  The effectiveness of PPIA may depend, in part, on parental motivation and desire to be present at children’s anesthesia induction; however, cultural variables such as ethnicity and language have not previously been explored in this relationship.

Methods/Materials:  Participants included 258 parents of children undergoing outpatient surgery and general anesthesia. Parents were grouped by self‐reported ethnicity and primary language spoken into English‐speaking White (ESW, n = 55), English‐speaking Hispanic (ESH, n = 108), and Spanish‐speaking Hispanic (SPH, n = 95) groups. Measures included the Motivation for Parental Presence during Induction of Anesthesia (MPPIA) and a 4‐item measure of preference for PPIA.

Results:  The majority of parents (73%) expressed a preference for PPIA. Analyses controlling for group differences in socioeconomic status and demographic variables revealed that English‐ (P = 0.03) and Spanish‐speaking (P = 0.06) Hispanic parents reported significantly greater levels of desire to be present for their child’s anesthesia induction compared to English‐speaking White parents. English‐speaking Hispanic parents also reported greater levels of beliefs about the impact of anxiety on children’s anesthesia induction compared to English‐speaking White parents (P = 0.07).

Conclusions:  Parental ethnicity and language may impact desire and motivation for PPIA, which may subsequently impact the effectiveness of PPIA and child anxiety at anesthesia induction. Future research should examine the impact of parental characteristics, including cultural variables, on children’s preoperative anxiety.
Forgotten in the ocean: systematics, biogeography and evolution of the Trachylepis skinks of the Socotra Archipelago
Authors: Sindaco R. , Metallinou M. , Pupin F. , Fasola M. , Carranza S.
Published: March 2012

Sindaco, R., Metallinou, M., Pupin, F., Fasola, M. & Carranza, S. (2012). Forgotten in the ocean: systematics, biogeography and evolution of the Trachylepis skinks of the Socotra Archipelago. —Zoologica Scripta, 41, 346–362.

The Socotra Archipelago, in the north‐west Indian Ocean, is considered to be one of the most remote and most biodiversity rich and distinct islands in the world. Often referred to as the ‘Galapagos of the Indian Ocean’, it was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Natural site in 2008. Despite having a very rich and bizarre fauna and flora with a high level of endemicity at both species and generic levels, the taxonomy of most of the groups is still not clear, and their origin and evolution remain unknown. Reptiles constitute the most relevant vertebrate fauna of the Socotra Archipelago, with 90% of the 30 species and 45% of the 12 genera being found nowhere else in the world. The skinks of the endemic species Trachylepis socotrana are the only reptile species in the Archipelago distributed across all four islands (Socotra, Darsa, Samha and Abd Al Kuri). Although the species is very well known from Socotra Island, it was not discovered on Samha until 1999 and on Darsa until 2000, whereas only a few citations and one single Museum specimen exist for the population from Abd Al Kuri. To clarify the systematics, biogeography and evolution of Trachylepis socotrana, we assembled a dataset for Mabuya sensu lato including 904 base pairs (bp) of sequence (392 bp from the 12S and 512 from the 16S rRNA mitochondrial genes) for 115 individuals, including specimens of T. socotrana from all four island populations, numerous representatives of the genus Trachylepis from the Middle East, Africa and Madagascar, plus some individuals from each of the other three genera of Mabuya sensu lato (Chioninia, Eutropis and Mabuya). The results of the phylogenetic analyses indicate that, contrary to what was previously thought, members of the genus Trachylepis have colonized the Socotra Archipelago in two independent events, with the first giving rise to the populations from Socotra, Samha and Darsa and the second to the Trachylepis from Abd Al Kuri Island. According to the calibrations, both colonization events occurred within the last fourteen million years, when the Socotra Archipelago had already drifted away from Arabia, thus ruling out vicariance. Both morphological and genetic data show that the Trachylepis from Abd Al Kuri is a distinct taxon, which is herein described as a new species belonging to the T. brevicollis species complex. On the basis of this evidence, the terrestrial herpetofauna from Abd Al Kuri is composed exclusively of endemic species (one of which, the gecko Pristurus abdelkuri, was introduced into some parts of Socotra).
INTERNATIONAL EVIDENCE ON RECOVERY FROM RECESSIONS
Authors: CERRA VALERIE , PANIZZA UGO , SAXENA SWETA C.
Published: March 2012

Although negative shocks have persistent effects on output on average, this article shows that macroeconomic policies can influence the speed of recovery and mitigate the persistence of the shock. Indeed, monetary and fiscal stimulus and foreign aid can spur a rebound, with impacts that are asymmetrically stronger than in non‐recovery years. Real depreciation and the exchange rate regime also have asymmetric growth effects in a recovery year relative to other years of expansion. (JEL C23, E32, F43, O43)
DOUBLING U.S. EXPORTS UNDER THE PRESIDENT'S NATIONAL EXPORT INITIATIVE: IMPLICATIONS OF SUCCESSFUL IMPLEMENTATION
Authors: DIXON PETER B. , RIMMER MAUREEN T.
Published: March 2012

President Obama's National Export Initiative (NEI) is targeted at doubling U.S. exports between 2010 and 2015. We apply USAGE to quantify what the NEI would need to do to foreign import‐demand curves and domestic export‐supply curves to achieve this target. USAGE is a dynamic economy‐wide model of the U.S. incorporating recession‐relevant factor market specifications including excess capacity and wage/labor‐demand elasticities that vary with the level of employment. In our central simulation, export‐promotion policies compatible with the President's target reduce the cost of the current recession from about 70 million 1‐year jobs for the period 2008–2020 to 45 million jobs. (JEL E17, C68, E62, E65, F16)
Dynamic Informative Advertising of New Experience Goods
Authors: Saak Alexander E.
Published: March 2012

This paper analyzes the optimal advertising and price policies of a monopolist who sells a new experience good over time to a population of heterogeneous forward‐looking buyers. We consider advertising that can complement or substitute for learning‐by‐purchasing, and we show that the advertising intensity always peaks during the early stages when the price extracts surplus from the buyers who are yet to learn their valuation for the good. We also show that even though informative advertising may temporarily raise prices and slow down the learning process, an advertising ban can reduce welfare.
Information Gathering Externalities for a Multi‐Attribute Good
Authors: Bar‐Isaac Heski , Caruana Guillermo , Cuñat Vicente
Published: March 2012

Most goods and services vary in numerous dimensions. Customers choose to acquire information to assess some characteristics and not others. Their choices affect firms' incentives to invest in quality and so lead to indirect externalities in consumers' choices. We characterize a model in which a monopolist invests in the quality of a product with two characteristics, and consumers are heterogeneous ex‐ante. Consumers do not internalize their influence on the firm's investment incentives when choosing which information to acquire. Cheaper information affects consumers' information gathering and thereby firm investment. This can paradoxically reduce consumer surplus, profits, and welfare.
Competition and Managerial Incentives: Board Independence, Information and Predation
Authors: Kanatas George , Qi Jianping
Published: March 2012

We show that the choice of an independent board serves as a commitment by management that it will abstain from ex post decisions that are not in shareholder interests. However, an independent board, relying on product market information to make or approve strategic decisions, also makes the firm more vulnerable to predatory information manipulation by its industry rivals. The optimal board type trades off the cost of the agency problem with that from predation. We show that only for weaker firms is an independent board the better choice, and for such firms, increased competition makes board independence even more beneficial.
Disciplining Disability under Danish Active Labour Market Policy
Authors: Møller Marie Østergaard , Stone Deborah
Published: March 2012

This article explores how caseworkers are re‐constructing disability in the Danish welfare system and disciplining themselves and clients according to the active labour policy paradigm. Combining Foucault's ideas about discipline with Maynard‐Moody and Musheno's method of interpreting street‐level bureaucrats' stories (Foucault 1977; Maynard‐Moody and Musheno 2003), we analyze caseworkers' stories about their clients, fellow caseworkers and themselves to understand how they practice the ideology behind active labour policy. Our analysis uses Møller's (2009) interviews with 24 Danish caseworkers who administer social welfare and sick leave benefits based on disability as the primary eligibility criterion. We selected stories told by caseworkers that exemplify archetypes of good and bad citizens, good and bad clients, and good and bad caseworkers. Through interpretative analysis, we elucidate how caseworkers make sense of active labour policy and internalize the pressures of managerial reforms to discipline both citizens and each other.
From Defamilialization to Degenderization: Toward a New Welfare Typology1
Authors: Saxonberg Steven
Published: March 2012

This article discusses the debate on gendering welfare states. It criticizes typologies based on the differentiation between degrees of familialization and defamilialization and proposes a new typology based on the notion of genderization and degenderization. It also argues against the notion of regime types, which includes outputs in their classification systems. Instead it argues that typologies should concentrate on policies to make it possible for researchers and policymakers to analyze the influence of different types of policies on different societies. It is important to know whether similar policies would lead to different outcomes under different socio‐economic or cultural conditions. The article goes on to show how one could analyze family policies based on a typology based on genderization and degenderization.
Black‐market Medicine and Public Opinion Towards the Welfare State: Evidence from Israel
Authors: Cohen Nissim , Mizrahi Shlomo , Yuval Fany
Published: March 2012

Based on a survey and interviews, this article presents and analyses Israeli public opinion toward black‐market medicine (BMM) and the welfare state. In addition to providing quantitative and qualitative evidence of the existence of under‐the‐table payments in Israel, we suggest various insights into this phenomenon. While most citizens admit that they would consider making under‐the‐table payments in order to receive preferential medical treatment, when the questions mention words such as ‘illegal’ or ‘bribe’, respondents tend to be less tolerant of such activities. We find that, first, there is a basic willingness among Israeli citizens to use BMM. Second, despite this predilection, Israeli citizens are reluctant to articulate their willingness to engage in such illegal activities. This reluctance implies the existence of a moral barrier among the population as far as identifying themselves with illegal behaviour is concerned. We may infer the existence of a gap between declared attitudes and behaviour. Third, the fact that people's willingness to engage in BMM is greater than their willingness to adopt black‐market strategies in other areas signifies the special nature of health care. Finally, by connecting the phenomenon of BMM to public opinion regarding the welfare state, we point to a possible gap between normative attitudes and preferences produced by structural conditions.
HLA alleles in Brazilian patients with fissured tongue
Authors: Gonzaga H.F.S. , Marcos E.V.C. , Santana F.C.S. , Jorge M.A. , Tomimori J.
Published: March 2012

Background  Fissured tongue (FT) is a clinical condition manifested by numerous little furrows on the tongue’s surface. Previously, the authors observed an association with HLA‐C×06 in psoriasis (PS) and benign migratory glossitis (BMG); however, HLA‐C was not surveyed in FT.

Objective  This study investigated the association between HLA alleles and FT.

Methods  Thirty‐three FT bearers were studied, after evaluation of criteria for inclusion. These patients did not present PS, BMG or any other conditions associated with FT. The control group (CG) was composed of 561 individuals with HLA‐A, 560 individuals with HLA‐B, 168 individuals with HLA‐C, 564 individuals with HLA‐DRB1 and 390 individuals with HLA‐DQB1. Samples from these individuals were processed to extract DNA. The HLA classes I and II were determined using the reverse line blot technique. The frequencies of HLA antigens found in patients were compared with the CG using Fisher’s exact test.

Results  The comparison of the frequencies of HLA antigens found in the patient groups and in CG revealed no association with any of the alleles studied, except for HLA‐A*01, which exhibited a decreased frequency in patient groups. HLA‐C*06 was detected in 7.57% of FT patients and 10.42% of the CG (not significant).

Conclusion  The lack of association of FT with HLA‐C*06 reinforces the proposal that this disease does not have a common genetic factor in the triad of BMG, FT and PS.
Constitutive expression of ciliary neurotrophic factor in mouse hypothalamus
Authors: Severi Ilenia , Carradori Maria Rita , Lorenzi Teresa , Amici Adolfo , Cinti Saverio , Giordano Antonio
Published: March 2012

Ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF) is a potent survival molecule for a large number of neuronal and glial cells in culture; its expression in glial cells is strongly upregulated after a variety of nerve tissue injuries. Exogenously administered CNTF produces an anorectic effect via activation of hypothalamic neurons and stimulates neurogenesis in mouse hypothalamus. To determine whether CNTF is produced endogenously in the hypothalamus, we sought cellular sources and examined their distribution in adult mouse hypothalamus by immunohistochemistry. CNTF immunoreactivity (IR) was predominantly detected in the ependymal layer throughout the rostrocaudal extension of the third ventricle, where numerous ependymocytes and tanycytes exhibited specific staining. Some astrocytes in the grey matter of the anterior hypothalamus and in the median eminence of the hypothalamic tuberal region were also positive. Stimulation of cells bearing CNTF receptor α (CNTFRα) induces specific activation of the signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) signalling system. Treatment with recombinant CNTF and detection of the nuclear expression of phospho‐STAT3 (P‐STAT3) showed that CNTF‐producing ependymal cells and tanycytes were intermingled with, or very close to, P‐STAT3‐positive, CNTFRα‐bearing cells. A fraction of CNTF‐producing ependymal cells and tanycytes and some median eminence astrocytes also exhibited P‐STAT3 IR. Thus, in normal adult mice the ependyma of the third ventricle is both a source of and a target for CNTF, which may play hitherto unknown roles in hypothalamic function in physiological conditions.
Assessing educational outcomes in middle childhood: validation of the Teacher Academic Attainment Scale
Authors: JOHNSON SAMANTHA , MARLOW NEIL , WOLKE DIETER
Published: March 2012

Aim  Assessing educational outcomes in high‐risk populations is crucial for defining long‐term outcomes. As standardized tests are costly and time‐consuming, we assessed the use of the Teacher Academic Attainment Scale (TAAS) as an outcome measure.

Method  Three hundred and forty three children in mainstream schools aged 10 to 11 years (144 males, 199 females; 190 extremely preterm and 153 term; mean age 10y 9mo, SD 5.5mo, range 9y 8mo–12y 3mo) were assessed using the reading and mathematics scales of the criterion standard Wechsler Individual Achievement Test, 2nd (UK) edition (WIAT‐II). Class teachers completed the TAAS, a seven‐item questionnaire for assessing academic attainment. The TAAS was also completed at 6 years of age for 266 children.

Results  Cronbach’s alpha 0.95 indicated excellent internal consistency, and the correlation between TAAS scores at 6 and 11 years indicated good test–retest reliability (r=0.77, p<0.001). Significantly higher TAAS scores for term vs preterm children demonstrated discriminative validity. TAAS scores at 6 and 11 years were significantly correlated with WIAT‐II reading (r=0.69 and 0.75, p<0.001) and mathematics (r=0.75 and 0.82, p<0.001) scores, demonstrating good predictive and concurrent validity respectively. TAAS scores of <2.5 were good predictors of learning difficulties.

Interpretation  The TAAS is a brief, psychometrically sound teacher‐report of academic attainment that yields continuous and categorical outcomes. It provides a cost‐ and time‐efficient outcome measure for large‐scale studies.
Antidepressant‐like activity of gallic acid in mice subjected to unpredictable chronic mild stress
Authors: Chhillar Ritu , Dhingra Dinesh
Published: March 2012

This study was designed to evaluate antidepressant‐like activity of gallic acid in Swiss young male albino mice subjected to unpredictable chronic mild stress and to explore the possible underlying mechanisms for this activity. Gallic acid (5, 10, 20 mg/kg, i.p.) and fluoxetine (10 mg/kg, i.p.) per se were administered daily to unstressed mice and other groups of mice subjected to unpredictable mild stress, 30 min after the injection for 21 successive days. The antidepressant‐like activity was evaluated using forced swim test (FST) and sucrose preference test. Stress significantly increased immobility period of mice in FST. Gallic acid (10 and 20 mg/kg, i.p.) and fluoxetine significantly decreased immobility period of unstressed and stressed mice in FST and prevented the stress‐induced decrease in sucrose preference, indicating significant antidepressant‐like activity. There was no significant effect on locomotor activity of the mice by the drugs. Gallic acid (10 and 20 mg/kg, i.p.) significantly decreased Monoamine oxidase‐A (MAO‐A) activity, malondialdehyde levels, and catalase activity in unstressed mice; and significantly prevented the stress‐induced decrease in reduced glutathione and catalase activity; and also significantly prevented stress‐induced increase in MAO‐A activity, malondialdehyde levels, plasma nitrite, and corticosterone levels. Thus, gallic acid showed antidepressant‐like activity in unstressed and stressed mice probably due to its antioxidant activity and through inhibition of MAO‐A activity and decrease in plasma nitrite levels. In addition, gallic acid also showed antidepressant‐like activity in stressed mice probably through decrease in plasma corticosterone levels.
A new species of Trichogramma (Hymenoptera: Trichogrammatidae) parasitic on eggs of the alderfly Sialis melania (Neuroptera: Sialidae) from Japan, with comments on its phylogeny and male wing polymorphism
Authors: YASHIRO Naoya , HIROSE Yoshimi , HONDA Jeffrey Y. , TAKEUCHI Yoshinori , YASHIRO Toshihisa
Published: March 2012

A new species of Trichogramma that parasitizes Sialis melania eggs is described as Trichogramma tajimaense Yashiro, Hirose and Honda, sp. nov. from Japan. Its phylogenetic position is based on a DNA‐based analysis, and data regarding its male wing polymorphism are also presented. The view that T. tajimaense is closely related to T. semblidis, another parasitoid of Sialis eggs, is supported by the results of a phylogenetic analysis, as well as by the biological and morphological similarities between both species. Trichogramma tajimaense is also similar in male wing polymorphism to T. kurosuae, a gregarious egg parasitoid of the lepidopteran Ivela auripes, as both Trichogramma species exhibit male wing trimorphism (fully alate, brachypterous and apterous forms) in contrast to the male wing dimorphism (fully alate and apterous forms) of T. semblidis. However, no phylogenetic analysis reveals a close relationship between T. tajimaense and T. kurosuae, and a difference exists between these two species in the mean percentage of flightless (brachypterous and apterous) males that emerge from a host egg mass; 96% of T. tajimaense males are incapable of flight, whereas about 50% of T. kurosuae males are flightless. Because all or almost all males of T. semblidis parasitizing Sialis eggs are apterous, T. tajimaense is more similar to T. semblidis than to T. kurosuae in the proportion of flightless males. In addition, male wing polymorphisms of Trichogramma in relation to mating systems could also show a similarity between T. tajimaense and T. semblidis when considering both species as quasi‐gregarious parasitoids of Sialis eggs.
Vincristine and bortezomib cause axon outgrowth and behavioral defects in larval zebrafish
Authors: Khan Tahsin M. , Benaich Nathan , Malone Clare F. , Bernardos Rebecca L. , Russell Amy R. , Downes Gerald B. , Barresi Michael J. , Hutson Lara D.
Published: March 2012

Peripheral neuropathy is a common side effect of a number of pharmaceutical compounds, including several chemotherapy drugs. Among these are vincristine sulfate, a mitotic inhibitor used to treat a variety of leukemias, lymphomas, and other cancers, and bortezomib, a 26S proteasome inhibitor used primarily to treat relapsed multiple myeloma and mantle cell lymphoma. To gain insight into the mechanisms by which these compounds act, we tested their effects in zebrafish. Vincristine or bortezomib given during late embryonic development caused significant defects at both behavioral and cellular levels. Intriguingly, the effects of the two drugs appear to be distinct. Vincristine causes uncoordinated swimming behavior, which is coupled with a reduction in the density of sensory innervation and overall size of motor axon arbors. Bortezomib, in contrast, increases the duration and amplitude of muscle contractions associated with escape swimming, which is coupled with a preferential reduction in fine processes and branches of sensory and motor axons. These results demonstrate that zebrafish is a convenient in vivo assay system for screening potential pharmaceutical compounds for neurotoxic side effects, and they provide an important step toward understanding how vincristine and bortezomib cause peripheral neuropathy.