bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Differential leaf expansion can enable hydraulic acclimation to sun and shade
Authors: CARINS MURPHY MADELINE R. , JORDAN GREGORY J. , BRODRIBB TIMOTHY J.
Published: February 2012

Although leaf size is one of the most responsive plant traits to environmental change, the functional benefits of large versus small leaves remain unclear. We hypothesized that modification of leaf size within species resulting from differences in irradiance can allow leaves to acclimate to different photosynthetic or evaporative conditions while maintaining an efficient balance between hydraulic supply (vein density) and evaporative demand. To test this, we compared the function and anatomy of leaf hydraulic systems in the leaves of a woody angiosperm (Toona ciliata M. Roem.) grown under high and low irradiance in controlled conditions. Our results confirm that in this species, differential leaf expansion regulates the density of veins and stomata such that leaf hydraulic conductance and stomatal conductance remain proportional. A broader sample of field‐grown tree species suggested that differences in leaf venation and stomatal traits induced by sun and shade were not regulated by leaf size in all cases. Our results, however, suggest that leaf size plasticity can provide an efficient way for plants to acclimate hydraulic and stomatal conductances to the contrasting evaporative conditions of sun and shade.
Response of selected South Australian native plant species to Phytophthora cinnamomi
Authors: Kueh K. H. , McKay S. F. , Facelli E. , Facelli J. M. , Velzeboer R. M. A. , Able A. J. , Scott E. S.
Published: February 2012

Thirty‐seven South Australian native plant species from 11 families, including 15 threatened species in the state (of which six are listed as threatened under the federal Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999) were assessed for response to infection by Phytophthora cinnamomi. Seedlings, 3–6 months old and grown in a greenhouse, were inoculated by placing infested pine wood plugs in the potting mix, maintained in moist conditions and assessed for mortality and disease symptoms for between 3 and 10 months. Thirty species were found to be susceptible, of which nine were highly susceptible, 15 moderately susceptible and six slightly susceptible. Three species were found to be resistant and results for four species were inconclusive. Six of the 15 threatened, rare or locally endangered species tested (Eucalyptus viminalis var. viminalis, Correa aemula, C. calycina, Olearia pannosa ssp. pannosa, Pomaderris halmaturina ssp. halmaturina and Prostanthera eurybioides) were moderately susceptible, while two (Allocasuarina robusta and Pultenaea graveolens) were highly susceptible. Significant populations of at least five of the threatened species susceptible to the disease are located close to confirmed or suspected Phytophthora‐infested areas or growing in areas conducive for P. cinnamomi. An effective management strategy is therefore required to avoid extinction of such species due to infection by the phytophthora dieback pathogen.
Extended access to cocaine self‐administration results in reduced glutamate function within the medial prefrontal cortex
Authors: Ben‐Shahar Osnat M. , Szumlinski Karen K. , Lominac Kevin D. , Cohen Ami , Gordon Evan , Ploense Kyle L. , DeMartini Jeremy , Bernstein Nicholas , Rudy Nicole M. , Nabhan Ahmad N. , Sacramento Arianne , Pagano Kelly , Carosso Giovanni A. , Woodward Nick
Published: February 2012

Previous studies have shown that brief access to cocaine yields an increase in D2 receptor binding in the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC), but that extended access to cocaine results in normalized binding of D2 receptors (i.e. the D2 binding returned to control levels). Extended‐access conditions have also been shown to produce increased expression of the NR2 subunit of the N‐Methyl‐D‐aspartate receptor in the mPFC. These results implicate disrupted glutamate and dopamine function within this area. Therefore, in the present study, we monitored glutamate and dopamine content within the mPFC during, or 24 hours after, cocaine self‐administration in animals that experienced various amounts of exposure to the drug. Naïve subjects showed decreased glutamate and increased dopamine levels within the mPFC during cocaine self‐administration. Exposure to seven 1‐hour daily cocaine self‐administration sessions did not alter the response to self‐administered cocaine, but resulted in decreased basal dopamine levels. While exposure to 17 1‐hour sessions also resulted in reduced basal dopamine levels, these animals showed increased dopaminergic, but completely diminished glutamatergic, response to self‐administered cocaine. Finally, exposure to 17 cocaine self‐administration sessions, the last 10 of which being 6‐hour sessions, resulted in diminished glutamatergic response to self‐administered cocaine and reduced basal glutamate levels within the mPFC while normalizing (i.e. causing a return to control levels) both the dopaminergic response to self‐administered cocaine as well as basal dopamine levels within this area. These data demonstrate directly that the transition to escalated cocaine use involves progressive changes in dopamine and glutamate function within the mPFC.
Role of mGluR5 neurotransmission in reinstated cocaine‐seeking
Authors: Wang Xiusong , Moussawi Khaled , Knackstedt Lori , Shen Haowei , Kalivas Peter W.
Published: February 2012

In animal models of addiction, reducing glutamate stimulation of the metabotropic glutamate receptor 5 (mGluR5) inhibits drug‐seeking. The present study used the reinstatement model of cocaine‐seeking to show that blockade of mGluR5 directly in the core subcompartment of the nucleus accumbens (NAcore) prevented both conditioned cue‐ and cocaine‐reinstated drug‐seeking. Consistent with this finding, microinjection of the mGluR5 agonist (RS)‐2‐chloro‐5‐hydroxyphenylglycine into the NAcore produced modest reinstatement of lever pressing when given alone and significantly potentiated cue‐induced reinstatement. Homer proteins are contained in the post‐synaptic density and regulate mGluR5 intracellular signaling and trafficking to the membrane. Microinjecting a membrane permeable peptide antagonist of Homer binding to mGluR5 into the NAcore also inhibited cue‐ and cocaine‐reinstated lever pressing. However, this peptide did not change the surface expression of mGluR5, indicating that the peptide inhibitor did not alter the surface trafficking of mGluR5. Taken together, these data show that mGluR5 inhibition and stimulation in the NAcore can regulate cocaine‐seeking, and demonstrate that one mechanism for this effect is via interactions with Homer proteins.
Nicotine increases sucrose self‐administration and seeking in rats
Authors: Grimm Jeffrey W. , Ratliff Christine , North Kindsey , Barnes Jesse , Collins Stefan
Published: February 2012

Associations between nicotine in cigarettes and food consumption may alter the incentive value of food such that food cue‐reactivity is exaggerated during abstinence from smoking. This effect may contribute to the weight gain associated with cessation of smoking. We examined the effects of nicotine (0.4 mg/kg base subcutaneous) paired (NPD) or unpaired (NUP) with 10% sucrose self‐administration (SA; 0.2 ml/delivery, 1 h/day for 10 days) on SA response rate and intake as well as sucrose cue‐reactivity following either 1 or 30 days of forced abstinence. Rats were administered the training dose of nicotine prior to a second, consecutive cue‐reactivity session. NPD rats responded at over three times the rate for sucrose and earned nearly twice the number of sucrose deliveries as NUP rats or saline controls. Sucrose cue‐reactivity was greater after 30 days versus 1 day of forced abstinence for all groups. History of nicotine exposure had no effect on sucrose cue‐reactivity. However, the subsequent injection of nicotine increased sucrose cue‐reactivity only in the NPD groups. There were no abstinent‐dependent effects of nicotine challenge on sucrose cue‐reactivity. A study conducted in parallel with water as the reinforcer revealed a less dramatic effect of nicotine on intake. There was no history or abstinence‐dependent effects of nicotine on water cue‐reactivity. Nicotine increases the reinforcing effects of sucrose and sucrose‐paired cues when nicotine is present. An implication of these findings is that relapse to nicotine (cigarettes) could substantially elevate food cue‐reactivity.
Carrier‐bound nonallergenic Der p 2 peptides induce IgG antibodies blocking allergen‐induced basophil activation in allergic patients
Authors: Chen K.‐W. , Focke‐Tejkl M. , Blatt K. , Kneidinger M. , Gieras A. , Dall'Antonia F. , Faé I. , Fischer G. , Keller W. , Valent P. , Valenta R. , Vrtala S.
Published: February 2012

Background

More than 90% of house dust mite‐allergic patients are sensitized to the major Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus allergen, Der p 2. The aim of this study was to develop and characterize an allergy vaccine based on carrier‐bound Der p 2 peptides, which should allow reducing IgE‐ and T‐cell‐mediated side‐effects during specific immunotherapy (SIT).

Methods

Five Der p 2 peptides (P1–P5) were synthesized and analyzed regarding IgE reactivity and allergenic activity. Lymphoproliferative and cytokine responses induced with Der p 2 and Der p 2 peptides were determined in peripheral blood mononuclear cells from mite‐allergic patients. Der p 2‐specific IgG antibodies induced with carrier‐bound Der p 2 peptides in mice and rabbits were tested for their capacity to inhibit IgE binding and basophil activation in allergic patients.

Results

Of five overlapping peptides (P1–P5) covering the Der p 2 sequence, two peptides (P2 and P4) were identified, which showed no relevant IgE reactivity, allergenic activity, and induced lower Der p 2‐specific T‐cell activation than Der p 2. However, when coupled to a carrier, P2 and P4 induced Der p 2‐specific IgG antibodies in animals, which inhibited allergic patients' IgE binding to the allergen and allergen‐induced basophil activation similar as antibodies induced with Der p 2.

Conclusions

Carrier‐bound Der p 2 peptides should allow avoiding IgE‐mediated side‐effects, and because of their low potential to activate allergen‐specific T cells, they may reduce late‐phase side‐effects during SIT. Further, these peptides may be also useful for prophylactic vaccination.
IgE antibodies to animal‐derived lipocalin, kallikrein and secretoglobin are markers of bronchial inflammation in severe childhood asthma
Authors: Nordlund B. , Konradsen J. R. , Kull I. , Borres M. P. , Önell A. , Hedlin G. , Grönlund H.
Published: February 2012

Background:

Component‐resolved allergy diagnostics enables the detection of crossreactive or species‐specific allergen components. This study analysed Immunoglobulin E (IgE) profiles to single allergen components in relation to bronchial inflammation in severe childhood asthma.

Methods:

Ninety‐five schoolchildren were assessed, 39 with controlled mild‐to‐moderate asthma and 56 uncontrolled severe asthmatics. Allergen components (n = 111) of food allergens, pollen and perennial aeroallergens were analysed using an immunosolid‐phase allergen chip. Blood eosinophils (109 × l−1), bronchial inflammation (FeNO, ppb), lung function (FEV1%) and bronchial hyper‐responsiveness (BHR) (dose–response slope of methacholine challenge) were measured.

Results:

A specific IgE response to more than three animal‐derived components – lipocalin (nMus m 1, rEqu c 1, Fel d 4, rCan f 1, 2), kallikrein (rCan f 5) and secretoglobin (rFel d 1) – was more common among severe asthmatics compared to children with controlled asthma (n = 14 vs n = 3, P = 0.030). These subjects also displayed higher blood eosinophils (0.65 vs 0.39, P = 0.021), higher Fractional exhaled nitric oxide (38 ppb vs 25 ppb, P = 0.021) and increased BHR (112 vs 28, P = 0.002) compared to other severe asthmatics positive to fewer lipocalin/kallikrein/secretoglobin components. Among all sensitized subjects, there were correlations between specific IgE levels for rFel d 4 and nMus m 1 (r = 0.751, P ≤ 0.001) and for rFel d 4 and rEqu c 1 (r = 0.850, P ≤ 0.001).

Conclusion:

Multi‐sensitization towards lipocalin, kallikrein and secretoglobin components is associated with increased bronchial inflammation in severe asthmatics. In addition, crossreactive patterns were observed between different lipocalin components.
Prevention of oral food allergy sensitization via skin application of food allergen in a mouse model
Authors: Li W. , Zhang Z. , Saxon A. , Zhang K.
Published: February 2012

Background

Treatment options for food allergy remain limited. Development of novel approaches for the prevention and/or treatment of severe peanut allergy and other food allergies is urgently needed. The objective of this study was to test whether skin application of food allergen can be used as a prophylactic and/or therapeutic intervention for food allergy.

Methods

Balb/C mice were given 5 weekly cutaneous application of complete peanut extract (CPE) or ovalbumin (OVA) ranging from 10 to 1000 μg on the shaved back skin, followed by 5 weekly treatments with oral CPE or OVA plus cholera toxin to induce allergic reactivity to the food. At various time points, the immunologic responses and allergic clinical manifestations to allergens were examined.

Results

Skin application of a 10–1000 μg dose of CPE or OVA to structurally intact skin did not lead to allergic sensitization to peanut or OVA. Rather, cutaneous allergen application blocked, in a dose‐dependent fashion, the subsequent induction of the oral sensitization including inhibiting oral sensitization‐induced CPE‐specific IgE, IgG1, and IgG2a production, suppressing the peanut anaphylaxis, and modulating the oral sensitization‐promoted cytokine production. The cutaneous OVA application also resulted in similar results as seen with CPE application.

Conclusion

Cutaneous application of intact skin with peanut or OVA can block the development of orally induced corresponding food allergies, suggesting that allergic tolerance to peanuts and OVA might be achieved via allergen cutaneous application.
Development of self‐care educational material for patients with heart failure in Japan: a pilot study
Authors: Kato Naoko , Kinugawa Koichiro , Sano Miho , Seki Satomi , Kogure Asuka , Kobukata Kihoko , Ochiai Ryota , Wakita Sanae , Kazuma Keiko
Published: February 2012

This study assessed the need for information regarding heart failure and self‐care, developed self‐care educational material, and investigated the feasibility of the material. A total of 22 hospitalized heart failure patients (mean age: 63 years) completed a self‐administered questionnaire. We found that more than 90% of patients desired information, particularly about heart failure symptoms, time to notify healthcare providers, prognosis, and exercise/physical activity. After examining the eight existing brochures for Japanese heart failure patients, we developed self‐care educational material. This was based on heart failure guidelines and on the results of our inquiry regarding information needs. Finally, a pilot study was conducted in nine hospitalized heart failure patients (mean age: 57 years). None of the patients had difficulty reading or understanding the educational material. The self‐administrated questionnaire survey revealed that comprehension of the following improved after the educational sessions with the material: heart failure symptoms, medication, weighing, sodium intake, and fluid intake (P < 0.05). In conclusion, heart failure patients have a great need for information about heart failure. Our pilot study suggests that the material was readable and had a beneficial effect on heart failure comprehension.
Relationship among asthma knowledge, behavior management and social adaptation in school‐age children with asthma in Taiwan
Authors: Yang Bao‐Huan , Mu Pei‐Fan , Huang Chiu‐Mieh , Lou Hsiao‐Ling , Wu Keh‐Gong
Published: February 2012

This study examined the relationships between asthma knowledge, behavior management, and social adaptation among school‐age children with asthma. A total of 210 school‐age asthmatic children and their parents were recruited from a medical hospital in Taiwan. The children completed asthma knowledge and behavior management questionnaires, and their parents completed the Child and Adolescent Adjustment Profile. There was a statistically significant positive correlation between behavior management and social adaptation among asthmatic children. Asthma knowledge and behavior management were positively associated but did not correlate with children's social adaptation. The behavior management of the children acted as a predictor of their social adaptation. These findings suggest that efforts to raise children's asthma knowledge will benefit these individuals in terms of behavior management. The introduction of asthma behavior management plans could facilitate the social adaptation of asthmatic children and, in particular, increase their independence and reduce their withdrawal as well as enhance their self‐confidence and self‐esteem.
Glaucoma and obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome
Authors: Faridi Omar , Park Sung Chul , Liebmann Jeffrey M , Ritch Robert
Published: February 2012

Abstract

Glaucoma is increasingly recognized as a manifestation of both ocular and systemic risk factors. A number of disorders associated with reduced blood flow and ischaemia, collectively termed vascular risk factors, such as migraine, Raynaud's phenomenon, atrial fibrillation and reduced nocturnal blood pressure, lead to decreased ocular perfusion pressure. During sleep, alterations occur in cardiovascular physiology that are balanced by autoregulation to maintain homeostasis. However, in obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA), the normal physiological balance is upset. A potentially modifiable risk factor, OSA has been increasingly associated with glaucoma independent of intraocular pressure. OSA may alter blood flow to the optic nerve head and, in combination with other predisposing factors, lead to decreased ocular perfusion pressure. This in turn may directly affect the optic nerve or it may indirectly increase its susceptibility to other insults. The purpose of this review is to shed light on the association between OSA and glaucoma.
Surgical management of glaucoma: a review
Authors: Morgan William H , Yu Dao‐Yi
Published: February 2012

Abstract

This review will briefly describe the history of surgical glaucoma treatment and concentrate on the current surgical strategies for managing glaucoma. A discussion of treatments for angle closure, open‐angle glaucoma and paediatric glaucoma with an emphasis on drainage surgery are included. The role of cataract surgery is also briefly described. Drainage surgery evolved from peripheral iridectomy and sclerotomy with an increasing understanding of aqueous flow within the eye and the production of a functioning bleb. The current mainstays include trabeculectomy, glaucoma drainage devices as well as goniotomy and trabeculotomy, which have all been in existence for more than 40 years. Their various advantages as well as methods used to minimize their disadvantages, including the antimitotics and case selection are discussed. We finish by discussing the preliminary results of some newer forms of drainage surgery illustrating the energetic search for methods to minimize the problems of hypotony and bleb failure.
Assembly rules operate only in equilibrium communities: Is it true?
Authors: CASH FLORENCE B. J. , CONN ARRON , COUTTS SEAN , STEPHEN MELANIE , MASON NORMAN W. H. , ANDERSON BARBARA J. , WILSON J. BASTOW
Published: February 2012

Very little is known of how disturbance affects community assembly rules. We examine this in three disturbance states in each of two ski areas on southern New Zealand mountains. Theory suggests that a community will become progressively more spatially organized during recovery from disturbance. Firstly, different patches of the community should become more similar through time, but this was seen in only one of the two areas and even then only examining species presence/absence. Secondly, it has been suggested that spatial autocorrelation will be stronger in less‐disturbed conditions, that is, there will be a stronger pattern of more distant patches being more dissimilar in species composition. This was generally borne out. However, the method indicated more point randomness in less‐disturbed sites. Assembly rules might be seen in species abundances. Previous work has found maximum evenness of abundances in later successional communities, but the pattern here was the opposite: high evenness in the most disturbed communities. The literature suggests that in undisturbed communities the distribution of species abundances (relative abundance distribution) will be general lognormal, and we further argue that the identity of the species across occupying rank positions in that distribution should be more consistent (rank consistency). Both predictions were borne out in one area, but neither in the other. Many workers suggest that niche‐based assembly rules will be stronger in undisturbed communities. However, there was only weak evidence of constancy in species richness. Local species assemblages tended to contain a relatively constant representation from different morphological/taxonomic guilds (guild proportionality) and this was significant in some tests, but contrary to theory this effect occurred mainly in the most disturbed sites. It is concluded that there is only limited truth in the frequent assumption that community structure is stronger in undisturbed, equilibrium communities.
Responses of house mice to the removal of mammalian predators and competitors
Authors: GOLDWATER NICK , PERRY GEORGE L. W. , CLOUT MICK N.
Published: February 2012

Efforts to eradicate multiple mammal pests from offshore islands and fenced mainland ‘habitat islands’ often fail to remove mice, and such failures can result in a dramatic change in the food‐web whereby the removal of larger mammal pests facilitates a population explosion of mice through predator and competitor release. We investigated the ecological responses of house mice to the removal of mammalian predators from a 500‐ha fenced sanctuary at Tawharanui, northern New Zealand. Data on population structure and body condition of mice trapped in 2007, in four habitat types within the sanctuary, were compared with baseline data collected in 2001, before mammal control operations commenced. We hypothesized that: (i) in the absence of mammalian predators mouse densities would increase in all habitat types that provide vegetation cover, and (ii) in the absence of mammalian competitors mice would become heavier due to greater access to food resources. Mouse densities were significantly higher in 2007 than in 2001 in three habitat types. The high density of mice in forest – where none were trapped prior to control – suggests a competitive release, in which mice profited from the removal of ship rats. No mice were caught in the presence of ship rats on a forest trap‐line at a control site outside the sanctuary. Mice trapped in 2007 were significantly heavier than those trapped in 2001, and significantly heavier than mice trapped at the control site. Greater access to food in the absence of competing and predatory mammals probably explains the heavier body weight of Tawharanui mice. There has been a significant change in the mammalian food‐web at Tawharanui, such that the house mouse is now the primary pest. A rapid and dramatic increase in mouse numbers is likely to adversely impact invertebrates and seedling recruitment, which in turn could affect ecosystem functions.
Dopamine modulates memory consolidation of discrimination learning in the auditory cortex
Authors: Schicknick Horst , Reichenbach Nicole , Smalla Karl‐Heinz , Scheich Henning , Gundelfinger Eckart D. , Tischmeyer Wolfgang
Published: February 2012

In Mongolian gerbils, the auditory cortex is critical for discriminating rising vs. falling frequency‐modulated tones. Based on our previous studies, we hypothesized that dopaminergic inputs to the auditory cortex during and shortly after acquisition of the discrimination strategy control long‐term memory formation. To test this hypothesis, we studied frequency‐modulated tone discrimination learning of gerbils in a shuttle box GO/NO‐GO procedure following differential treatments. (i) Pre‐exposure of gerbils to the frequency‐modulated tones at 1 day before the first discrimination training session severely impaired the accuracy of the discrimination acquired in that session during the initial trials of a second training session, performed 1 day later. (ii) Local injection of the D1/D5 dopamine receptor antagonist SCH‐23390 into the auditory cortex after task acquisition caused a discrimination deficit of similar extent and time course as with pre‐exposure. This effect was dependent on the dose and time point of injection. (iii) Injection of the D1/D5 dopamine receptor agonist SKF‐38393 into the auditory cortex after retraining caused a further discrimination improvement at the beginning of subsequent sessions. All three treatments, which supposedly interfered with dopamine signalling during conditioning and/or retraining, had a substantial impact on the dynamics of the discrimination performance particularly at the beginning of subsequent training sessions. These findings suggest that auditory‐cortical dopamine activity after acquisition of a discrimination of complex sounds and after retrieval of weak frequency‐modulated tone discrimination memory further improves memory consolidation, i.e. the correct association of two sounds with their respective GO/NO‐GO meaning, in support of future memory recall.
Posterior urethral complications of the treatment of prostate cancer
Authors: Mundy Anthony R. , Andrich Daniela E.
Published: February 2012

What's known on the subject? and What does the study add?

Urethral strictures, bladder neck and posterior urethral contractures, and urorectal fistulation are three well‐recognised complications of the treatment of prostate cancer, whether by surgery or non‐surgical treatment. Because these are relatively rare problems the treatment is uncertain. There is a heavy reliance on endoscopic or instrumental management of urethral strictures and of bladder neck and posterior urethral contractures, and there is little discrimination in any of these conditions between those that are the result of surgery and those that are the result of radiotherapy and other treatment methods using external energy sources.

This review aims to clarify out current understanding of these three clinical problems and draws attention to the role of reconstructive surgery, particularly when dealing with bladder neck contractures, prostatic urethral stenoses and urorectal fistula. This also shows that the nature of the problem, the recovery time after treatment and the degree of functional recovery is radically different in the surgical as against the non‐surgical group, to a degree that the authors believe is not sufficiently stressed when patients are counselled and consented before their primary treatment.

To review the less common and not widely discussed, but much more serious complications of prostate cancer treatment of: urethral stricture, bladder neck contracture and urorectal fistula.

The treatment options for patients with organ‐confirmed prostate cancer include: radical prostatectomy (RP), brachytherapy (BT), external beam radiotherapy (EBRT), high‐intensity focussed ultrasound (HIFU) and cryotherapy; with each method or combination of methods having associated complications.

Complications resulting from RP are relatively easy to manage, with rapid recovery and return to normal activities, and usually a return to normal bodily functions.

However, after non‐surgical treatments, i.e. BT, EBRT, HIFU and cryotherapy, these same problems are more difficult to treat with a much slower return to a much lower level of function.

When counselling patients about the primary treatment of prostate cancer they should be advised that although the same type of complication may occur after surgical or non‐surgical treatment, the scope and scale of that complication, the ease with which it is treated and the degree of restoration of normality after treatment, is altogether in favour of surgery in those for whom surgery is appropriate and who are fit for surgery.
Parental supply of alcohol and adolescent risky drinking
Authors: GILLIGAN CONOR , KYPRI KYPROS , JOHNSON NATALIE , LYNAGH MARITA , LOVE STEPHANIE
Published: February 2012

Introduction and Aims. In Australia, 20% of 14‐ to 19‐year‐olds drink at least weekly. Some parents supply alcohol to their adolescent children with the intention of limiting the quantity consumed, but it is possible that such supply facilitates risky drinking. We sought to determine whether there is an association between parental supply and risky drinking.

Design and Methods. A cross‐sectional survey was conducted in seven high schools in New South Wales, Australia. Five hundred and thirty students (mean age 16.0 years, SD 1.3) completed survey items relating to their alcohol consumption, sources of alcohol, circumstances of parental supply, and peers' consumption.

Results. Among respondents (response rate 43%), 93% of participants had tried alcohol, 66% had consumed at least a full glass, and 40% had consumed more than four drinks on a single occasion in the preceding month (risky drinking). Risky drinkers obtained alcohol mainly from friends (48%) and parents (19%). After controlling for school year and gender, and adjusting for clustering, parental supply for drinking under ‘other’ supervision (P = 0.004) and with no supervision (P = 0.007), the number of close friends believed to have consumed alcohol in the past month (P < 0.001), and Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander status (P = 0.02) were all significantly associated with risky drinking.

Discussion and Conclusions. Parental supply of alcohol for unsupervised drinking is associated with risky drinking among 13‐ to 17‐year‐olds. Longitudinal studies would assist in studying the temporal sequence and controlling for confounding.[Gilligan C, Kypri K, Johnson N, Lynagh M, Love S. Parental supply of alcohol and adolescent risky drinking. Drug Alcohol Rev 2012;31:754–762]
A review of emergency room studies on alcohol and injuries conducted in Latin America and the Caribbean region
Authors: ANDREUCCETTI GABRIEL , CARVALHO HERACLITO B. , KORCHA RACHAEL , YE YU , BOND JASON , CHERPITEL CHERYL J.
Published: February 2012

Issues. Alcohol‐attributable burden of injury is one of the most serious public health problems in Latin America and the Caribbean region (LAC). Although knowledge on alcohol's involvement in injuries has progressed along with the implementation of evidenced‐based alcohol policies in developed countries, this was not true for the most part of LAC countries for which reducing alcohol‐related injuries is an urgent necessity.

Approach. A systematic review was performed in order to identify the most up‐to‐date information on alcohol and injuries derived from emergency room (ER) studies conducted in LAC.

Key Findings. Findings corroborate that alcohol has a high prevalence among injured patients in the ER setting in LAC, with violence‐related injuries showing an increased association with alcohol use compared to unintentional injuries. However, a large number of studies did not include all types of injury and the measurement of injury risk associated with alcohol consumption. The amount of alcohol consumed in the event and hazardous drinking patterns seem to be strongly associated with injury occurrence, as well as drinking in public spaces, but a paucity of data relating to social‐contextual factors limits the interpretation of the heterogeneity in the magnitude of the association of alcohol and injuries found across studies.

Conclusions. There is a lack of ER studies able to support strategies to reduce alcohol‐related injuries in a region where effective alcohol policies are scant. Future research should focus on understanding how drinking influenced by local contexts and drinking behaviours may affect the risk of injury within each LAC country.[Andreuccetti G, Carvalho HB, Korcha R, Ye Y, Bond J, Cherpitel CJ. A review of emergency room studies on alcohol and injuries conducted in Latin America and the Caribbean region. Drug Alcohol Rev 2012;31:737–746]
THE PRODUCTION IMPACT OF “CASH‐FOR‐CLUNKERS”: IMPLICATIONS FOR STABILIZATION POLICY
Authors: COPELAND ADAM , KAHN JAMES
Published: February 2012

Stabilization policies frequently aim to boost spending as a means to increase gross domestic product. Spending does not necessarily translate into production, however, especially when inventories are involved. We look at the “cash‐for‐clunkers” program that helped finance the purchase of nearly 700,000 vehicles in 2009. An analysis of auto sales and production movements reveals that the program did prompt a large spike in sales. But the program had only a modest and fleeting impact on production, as inventories buffered the movements in sales. These findings suggest caution in judging the efficacy of such policies by their impact on spending alone. (JEL E23, E65, L62)
IDENTIFYING THE ROLE OF RISK SHOCKS IN THE BUSINESS CYCLE USING STOCK PRICE DATA
Authors: ALPANDA SAMI
Published: February 2012

I analyze the sources of U.S. business cycle fluctuations in an estimated Dynamic Stochastic General Equilibrium model with a rich set of nominal and real rigidities and various exogenous disturbances. The model includes a shock to the expected risk‐premium, which introduces a time‐varying wedge between the policy rate set by the central bank and the cost‐of‐capital of firms. In the aggregate data, most U.S. corporations finance their investment using internal funds, and stock prices reveal the opportunity cost of this type of financing. I therefore use corporate market value and dividend data in the Bayesian estimation of the model to identify risk shocks. Variance decomposition exercises show that these shocks account for a substantial part of the variation in the stock market, as well as the variation in output and investment, especially at short forecast horizons. The variation of these variables at longer forecast horizons are mainly captured by shocks to investment‐specific technological change. Historical decomposition points to the important role played by risk shocks in the run up of stock prices and output in the late 90s, and in the reversal of these variables in the early 2000s and during the recent recession. (JEL E32, E44)
WHEN IS TRADE PROTECTION GOOD FOR GROWTH?
Authors: MINIER JENNY , UNEL BULENT
Published: February 2012

The empirical relationship between trade protection and economic growth is surprisingly fragile, as shown in a number of other papers. We address one possible explanation for these findings: that the relationship is contingent on the pattern of comparative advantage, following the endogenous growth literature. Our findings suggest that such contingencies do in fact exist—in particular, the correlation between tariffs and growth is strong and positive for skill‐abundant countries—and are robust to the choice of control variables. (JEL F13, F43, O19, O24)
INTERNATIONAL TRADE AND THE COMPOSITION OF LABOR MARKET TURNOVER
Authors: SLY NICHOLAS
Published: February 2012

The composition of labor market turnover is shown to influence patterns of international trade. Job and worker turnover have opposing marginal effects on industry export intensity, highlighting the importance of relative turnover shares on either side of the labor market, as opposed to total volumes of labor mobility, in shaping economic outcomes. Industries with relatively greater shares of worker turnover export more of total production, and those with higher job turnover export less. Furthermore, relatively high job turnover hinders industry adjustment following trade liberalization. These predictions receive support for U.S. manufacturing industries using turnover data in the Quarterly Workforce Indicators available from the U.S. Census Bureau. (JEL F16)
THREAT AND PUNISHMENT IN PUBLIC GOOD EXPERIMENTS
Authors: MASCLET DAVID , NOUSSAIR CHARLES N. , VILLEVAL MARIE‐CLAIRE
Published: February 2012

Experimental studies of social dilemmas have shown that while the existence of a sanctioning institution improves cooperation within groups, it also has a detrimental impact on group earnings in the short run. Could the introduction of pre‐play threats to punish have enough of a beneficial impact on cooperation, while not incurring the cost associated with actual punishment, so that they increase overall welfare? We report an experiment in which players can issue non‐binding threats to punish others based on their contribution levels to a public good. After observing others' actual contributions, they choose their actual punishment level. We find that threats increase the level of contributions significantly. Efficiency is improved, but only in the latter periods. However, the possibility of sanctioning differences between threatened and actual punishment leads to lower threats, cooperation, and welfare, restoring them to levels equal to or below the levels attained in the absence of threats. (JEL C92, H41, D63)
Using avatar species to model the potential distribution of emerging invaders
Authors: Larson Eric R. , Olden Julian D.
Published: February 2012

Aim  Anticipating the potential distributions of emerging invasive species is complicated by the tendency for species distribution models to perform better when both native and invasive range data are available for model development. If invasive range data are lacking, species models are liable to under‐estimate distributions for emerging invaders, particularly for species that are not at equilibrium with their native range environment due to historical factors, dispersal limitation and/or ecological interactions. We demonstrate the potential to use well‐quantified niche shifts from established ‘avatar’ (i.e. the remote or virtual manifestation of an entity) invaders to develop plausible distributions for data‐poor emerging invaders contingent on niche shifts of similar magnitude or character.

Location  Global.

Methods  Using the globally invasive crayfishes Pacifastacus leniusculus and Procambarus clarkii as our avatar invaders, we quantify how niche position, size and structure differs between native and total ranges using Mahalanobis distance (a measure of multivariate similarity) and the climate predictors of annual minimum and maximum air temperature. We then generalize patterns of niche shift from these species to the emerging crayfish invader Cherax quadricarinatus.

Results  Some patterns of niche shifts were similar for Pacifastacus leniusculus and Procambarus clarkii, but niche shifts were of considerably greater magnitude for P. clarkii. When a native range model for C. quadricarinatus was modified with generalized niche shifts similar to Pacifastacus leniusculus and Procambarus clarkii, the potential global distribution for this species increased considerably, including many areas not identified by the native range model.

Main conclusions  We illustrate the potential to use avatar invaders to provide cautionary, niche shift‐assuming species distribution models for emerging invaders. Many theoretical and applied implications of the avatar species concept require additional investigation, including the development of frameworks to select appropriate avatar species and evaluate the performance of avatar‐derived models for emerging invaders. Despite these research needs, we believe this concept will have considerable utility for predicting vulnerability to invasion by data‐poor species; this is a critical management need because shifting pathways of introduction and climate change will produce many novel, emerging invasive species in the future.
Regime Network Restructuring in Akron, Ohio, 1975–2009: A Longitudinal Social Network Analysis
Authors: DE SOCIO MARK
Published: February 2012

The purpose of this paper is to explore the impacts of extra‐local economic and political forces on the business community participants of the governing regime coalition in Akron, Ohio, and in turn, how other regime partners responded to and engaged with the changing constitution of Akron's business community. Unlike the UK where municipalities receive substantial fiscal support from regional and national governments, American cities are more readily forced into regime partnerships with other public and private actors for fiscal solvency, including, primarily, the local business community. In the case of Akron, the local business community experienced a prolonged and ongoing period of comprehensive deindustrialization and economic restructuring, forcing the city into partnerships with less traditional non‐private sector actors as Akron's business community structure continues to transform. A secondary objective is to forward the utility of social network analysis in regime theory applications. Social network analysis offers a way to situate arguably the most influential actors in a regime coalition. Utilizing the directories of Standard and Poor's Index of Corporations and Directors from 1975 through 2006, social network analysis is performed on the interlocking network of corporations and civic organizations based in Akron for each decade, allowing a longitudinal view of the changing business community partners of Akron's governing coalition.
Product Design: a Review and Research Agenda for Management Studies
Authors: Ravasi Davide , Stigliani Ileana
Published: February 2012

This paper reviews research on product design in the broad domain of business studies. It highlights established and emerging perspectives and lines of inquiry, and organizes them around three core areas, corresponding to different stages of the design process (design activities, design choices, design results). Avenues for further research at the intersection of these bodies of research are identified and discussed, and the authors argue that management scholars possess conceptual and methodological tools suited to enriching research on design and effectively pursuing lines of investigation only partially addressed by other communities, such as the construction and deployment of design capabilities, or the organizational and institutional context of design activities.
Coenzyme Q10 enhances dermal elastin expression, inhibits IL‐1α production and melanin synthesis in vitro
Authors: Zhang M. , Dang L. , Guo F. , Wang X. , Zhao W. , Zhao R.
Published: February 2012

Synopsis

Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) is a well‐known antioxidant and has been used in many skincare products for anti‐ageing purpose. However, the molecular mechanisms of CoQ10 function in skin cells are not fully understood. In this paper, we compared the effects of CoQ10 on primary human dermal fibroblasts from three individuals, including adult. We demonstrated that CoQ10 treatment promoted proliferation of fibroblasts, increased type IV collagen expression and reduced UVR‐induced matrix metalloproteinases‐1 (MMP‐1) level in embryonic and adult cells. In addition, CoQ10 treatment increased elastin gene expression in cultured fibroblasts and significantly decreased UVR‐induced IL‐1α production in HaCat cells. Taken together, CoQ10 presented anti‐ageing benefits against intrinsic ageing as well as photo damage. Interestingly, CoQ10 was able to inhibit tyrosinase activity, resulting in reduced melanin content in B16 cells. Thus, CoQ10 may have potential depigmentation effects for skincare.
IPO Underpricing to Retain Family Control under Concentrated Ownership: Evidence from Hong Kong
Authors: Yu Xin , Zheng Ying
Published: February 2012

Abstract:  This study examines whether family firms utilize IPO underpricing in order to retain family control as a means of avoiding outside blockholders. Using a sample of firms listed in Hong Kong where corporate ownership is concentrated, we find that larger IPO underpricing is associated with stronger family involvement, and with greater potential for diffusing ownership among family members. We further find evidence that firms with strong family involvement attract more subscription for their shares, have less concentrated outside blockholdings, and reduce ownership more slowly than do firms with weak family involvement, suggesting that family owners use underpricing to reduce outside blockholdings. We also find that firms controlled by family trusts have less IPO underpricing, suggesting that IPO underpricing and the family trust are effective substitute methods for retaining family control.
Media Reporting of Nuclear Emergencies: The Effects of Transparent Communication in a Minor Nuclear Event
Authors: Perko Tanja , Turcanu Catrinel , Carlé Benny
Published: February 2012

IN 2008, a nuclear event occurred at Krško nuclear power plant in Slovenia. Even though it was classified as level 0 on International Nuclear Event Scale, the transparency policy of the Slovenian nuclear safety authorities prompted it to notify the international community. This was the first time that the European Community Urgent Radiological Information Exchange (ECURIE) notification system was used outside the exercise framework. The event was reported in all major European. In this contribution, we report on a content analysis of media articles related to this event. The main research question was if a nuclear emergency generates significant media coverage, even in the case of a minor event and a transparent communication policy. The analysis included more than 200 articles from printed and spoken media in Slovenia and other countries. The analysis revealed a high‐intensity media coverage, emotional reactions and heated political discussion. The main media sources in countries with open political discussions on nuclear energy end up being the politicians, rather than resident experts.
Cognitive dysfunction is worse among pediatric patients with bipolar disorder Type I than Type II
Authors: Schenkel Lindsay S. , West Amy E. , Jacobs Rachel , Sweeney John A. , Pavuluri Mani N.
Published: February 2012

Background:  Impaired profiles of neurocognitive function have been consistently demonstrated among pediatric patients with bipolar disorder (BD), and may aid in the identification of endophenotypes across subtypes of the disorder. This study aims to determine phenotypic cognitive profiles of patients with BD Type I and II.

Methods:  Subjects (N = 79) consisted of BD I (n = 27) and BD II (n = 19) patients and demographic and intellectually matched healthy controls (HC; n = 33) that completed a battery of neurocognitive tasks.

Results:  Bipolar disorder Type I patients performed significantly more poorly compared to HC on all domains of cognitive function including attention, executive function, working memory, visual memory, and verbal learning and memory. BD I patients also performed more poorly compared to BD II patients on all domains of cognitive functioning with the exception of working memory, whereas BD II patients did poorly relative to HC only on verbal learning and memory.

Conclusions:  Findings from the current study indicate that BD I patients are characterized by more severe cognitive impairment relative to BD II patients who show an intermediate pattern of performance between BD I patients and HC. Verbal learning and memory may effectively differentiate pediatric BD patients and controls, regardless of the subtype of BD, and may serve as a cognitive endophenotype for the disorder. Additionally, these findings move us closer to developing effective cognitive interventions tailored to specific subtypes of pediatric BD patients.