bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Institution of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation late after lung transplantation – a futile exercise?
Authors: Marasco Silvana F. , Vale Matthew , Preovolos Arthur , Pellegrino Vince , Lee Geraldine , Snell Greg , Williams Trevor
Published: December 2011

Marasco SF, Vale M, Preovolos A, Pellegrino V, Lee G, Snell G, Williams T. Institution of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation late after lung transplantation – a futile exercise?  Clin Transplant 2012: 26: E71–E77.  © 2011 John Wiley & Sons A/S.

Abstract:  The use of and indications for extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) are expanding as its reliability improves with widely varying results reported. A retrospective review of 24 lung transplant recipients who required ECMO support postoperatively was performed with 13 patients requiring ECMO within the first 48 h (“early” group) and 11 requiring ECMO after seven d postoperatively (“late” group). The majority of early ECMO group had primary graft failure patients and the late ECMO group comprised patients with infection or non‐specific graft failure. There were significant differences in outcomes between groups, with 10/13 in the early group and 4/11 in the late group successfully weaned from ECMO (p = 0.045). Six of the 13 patients in the early group and none of the late group survived to hospital discharge (p = 0.009). The late ECMO group had a much higher incidence of death owing to complications existing prior to institution of ECMO (essentially uncontrolled infection or organ failure). There were no differences in complications arising during ECMO between groups. Late institution of ECMO in lung transplant recipients for causes other than primary graft failure is associated with such poor survival that its use should be considered only in very select cases.
Genetic variation in the Toll‐like receptor gene cluster (TLR10‐TLR1‐TLR6) influences disease course in sarcoidosis
Authors: Veltkamp M. , van Moorsel C. H. M. , Rijkers G. T. , Ruven H. J. T. , Grutters J. C.
Published: December 2011

Sarcoidosis is an inflammatory disease of unknown etiology. Various microorganisms have been proposed as etiologic agent suggesting a role for pattern‐recognition receptors such as Toll‐like receptors (TLRs) in disease pathogenesis, with a special interest in TLR‐2. TLR‐10, TLR‐1, and TLR‐6 act as co‐receptors for TLR‐2 and the genes encoding these receptors are located in a gene cluster on chromosome 4. The aim of our study was to assess differences in genetic variation in the TLR10‐TLR1‐TLR6 gene cluster between patients and controls. A total of eight single nucleotide polymorphisms were genotyped in 447 healthy controls and 533 patients, divided in 425 with sarcoidosis and 108 with Löfgren's syndrome. Comparison of the total patient cohort with controls showed that the allele frequencies of rs1109695, rs7658893 (TLR‐10), and rs5743604 as well as rs5743594 (TLR‐1) differed significantly. Haplotype analysis showed that the most common haplotype found was significantly decreased in patients with chronic sarcoidosis. Furthermore, a less common haplotype was found to be significantly increased in patients with Löfgren's syndrome as well as sarcoidosis patients with self‐remitting disease, indicating that it could act as a disease modifying haplotype. In conclusion, our study suggests that absence of the common haplotype in the TLR10‐TLR1‐TLR6 gene cluster increases the risk of developing chronic disease in patients already affected by sarcoidosis. Based on their role as co‐receptors for TLR‐2, this study supports the growing evidence that aberrant TLR‐2 function is important in sarcoidosis disease pathogenesis.
Patterns of spatio‐temporal distribution of winter chronic photoinhibition in leaves of three evergreen Mediterranean species with contrasting acclimation responses
Authors: Silva‐Cancino María Carolina , Esteban Raquel , Artetxe Unai , Plazaola José Ignacio García
Published: December 2011

High irradiance and relatively low temperature, which characterize Mediterranean winters, cause chilling stress in plants. Downregulation of photosynthetic efficiency is a mechanism that allows plants to survive these conditions. This study aims to address whether this process shows a regular spatial pattern across leaf surface or not. Three species (Buxus sempervirens, Cistus albidus and Arctostaphylos uva‐ursi) with contrasting responses to winter stress were studied. During 7 days, macro and micro Fv/Fm spatial patterns were monitored by the use of chlorophyll fluorescence imaging techniques. In the field, the strongest photoinhibition was found in B. sempervirens, while there was almost no chronic photoinhibition in C. albidus. In leaves of the first species, Fv/Fm decreased from base to tip while in C. albidus it was uniform over the leaf lamina. An intermediate behavior is shown by A. uva‐ursi leaves. Spatial heterogeneity distribution of Fv/Fm was found inside the leaves, resulting in greater Fv/Fm values in the inner layers than in the outer ones. Neither xanthophyll‐linked downregulation of Fv/Fm nor protein remobilization were the reasons for such spatial patterns since pigment composition and nitrogen content did not reveal tip‐base differences. During recovery from winter, photoinhibition changes occurred in Fv/Fm, pigments and chloroplast ultrastructure. This work shows for the first time that irrespective of physiological mechanisms responsible for development of winter photoinhibition, there is an acclimation response with strong spatio‐temporal variability at leaf level in some species. This observation should be taken into account when modeling or scaling up photosynthetic responses.
Small RNAs and transposon silencing in plants
Authors: Ito Hidetaka
Published: December 2011

Transposons are highly conserved in plants and have created a symbiotic relationship with the host genome. An important factor of the successful communication between transposons and host plants is epigenetic modifications including DNA methylation and the modifications of the histone tail. In plants, small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) are responsible for RNA‐directed DNA methylation (RdDM) that suppresses transposon activities. Although most transposons are silent in their host plants, certain genomic shocks, such as an environmental stress or a hybridization event, might trigger transposon activation. Further, since transposons can affect the regulation mechanisms of host genes, it is possible that transposons have co‐evolved as an important mechanism for plant development and adaptation. Recent new findings reveal that siRNAs control not only transcriptional activation, but also suppress transgenerational transposition of mobile elements making siRNAs critically important towards maintaining genome stability. Together these data suggest host‐mediated siRNA regulation of transposons appears to have been adapted for controlling essential systems of plant development, morphogenesis, and reproduction.
Does seed germination contribute to ecological breadth and geographic range? A test with sympatric Diplusodon (Lythraceae) species from rupestrian fields
Authors: SILVEIRA FERNANDO AUGUSTO OLIVEIRA , NEGREIROS DANIEL , ARAÚJO LUZIA MÁRCIA , FERNANDES GERALDO WILSON
Published: December 2011

We tested the regeneration niche hypothesis by comparing the germination ecology of two sympatric Diplusodon species differing in their geographic range and microhabitat. Diplusodon orbicularis is an endemic shrub achieving high densities on sandy soils, whereas Diplusodon hirsutus has a wider geographic range and establishes on rocky outcrops. Seeds were set to germinate under constant temperatures of 15, 20, 25, 30 and 35°C under 12 h light/12 h dark conditions. Light induced germination in both species, but germination under darkness was also observed. Optimum conditions for germination were 25°C/light for both species. The lack of differences in soil temperatures between rocky outcrops and sandy soils provides evidence of no temperature‐dependent microhabitat selection. Unexpectedly, germinability of the more widespread species was lower than that of the endemic congener. Higher germinability of D. orbicularis may account for higher densities when compared with D. hirsutus. Our results provide limited support for the role of germination in contributing to ecological breadth and geographic range.
Bee venom induces apoptosis through intracellular Ca2+‐modulated intrinsic death pathway in human bladder cancer cells
Authors: Ip Siu‐Wan , Chu Yung‐Lin , Yu Chun‐Shu , Chen Po‐Yuan , Ho Heng‐Chien , Yang Jai‐Sing , Huang Hui‐Ying , Chueh Fu‐Shin , Lai Tung‐Yuan , Chung Jing‐Gung
Published: December 2011

Objectives:  To focus on bee venom‐induced apoptosis in human bladder cancer TSGH‐8301 cells and to investigate its signaling pathway to ascertain whether intracellular calcium iron (Ca2+) is involved in this effect.

Methods:  Bee venom‐induced cytotoxic effects, productions of reactive oxygen species and Ca2+ and the level of mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨm) were analyzed by flow cytometry. Apoptosis‐associated proteins were examined by Western blot analysis and confocal laser microscopy.

Results:  Bee venom‐induced cell morphological changes and decreased cell viability through the induction of apoptosis in TSGH‐8301 cell were found. Bee venom promoted the protein levels of Bax, caspase‐9, caspase‐3 and endonuclease G. The enhancements of endoplasmic reticulum stress‐related protein levels were shown in bee venom‐provoked apoptosis of TSGH‐8301 cells. Bee venom promoted the activities of caspase‐3, caspase‐8, and caspase‐9, increased Ca2+ release and decreased the level of ΔΨm. Co‐localization of immunofluorescence analysis showed the releases of endonuclease G and apoptosis‐inducing factor trafficking to nuclei for bee venom‐mediated apoptosis. The images revealed evidence of nuclear condensation and formation of apoptotic bodies by 4′,6‐diamidino‐2‐phenylindole staining and DNA gel electrophoresis showed the DNA fragmentation in TSGH‐8301 cells.

Conclusions:  Bee venom treatment induces both caspase‐dependent and caspase‐independent apoptotic death through intracellular Ca2+‐modulated intrinsic death pathway in TSGH‐8301 cells.
Isolation and characterization of a novel biomineral stalk‐forming iron‐oxidizing bacterium from a circumneutral groundwater seep
Authors: Krepski Sean T. , Hanson Thomas E. , Chan Clara S.
Published: December 2011

The Fe‐depositing microorganism Gallionella ferruginea was first described in 1836 based on its association with Fe‐rich environments and its distinctive morphology. Since then, this morphology has been widely used to identify G. ferruginea. Researchers have isolated several Fe‐oxidizing bacteria (FeOB) related to Gallionella; however, few isolates have produced organized extracellular biomineral structures, and of these, only one stalk former has a sequenced 16S rRNA gene, listed as G. ferruginea in the GenBank database. Here we report the isolation and characterization of a novel stalk‐forming Fe‐oxidizing bacterium, strain R‐1, from a freshwater Fe seep. Despite a strong morphological similarity to G. ferruginea, this isolate has only 93.55% 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity with the previously determined sequence. R‐1 only grows on Fe(II) substrates, at pH 5.6 to 7.0 and from 10°C to 35°C, with a doubling time of ∼15 h at pH 6.3 and 22°C. It is a Betaproteobacterium, most closely related to uncultured bacteria from microaerobic Fe(II)‐rich groundwater springs. The most closely related isolates are Sideroxydans spp. (94.05–94.42% sequence similarity), FeOB that are not known to produce morphologically distinct minerals. To our knowledge, this is the first reported stalk‐forming freshwater FeOB isolate distinct from Gallionella.
Altemeier’s procedure for rectal prolapse: analysis of long‐term outcome in 60 patients
Authors: Ris F. , Colin J.‐F. , Chilcott M. , Remue C. , Jamart J. , Kartheuser A.
Published: December 2011

Aim  Altemeier’s procedure (perineal rectosigmoidectomy) is the operation of choice for rectal prolapse in the elderly. The aims of this prospective observational study were to evaluate its long‐term actuarial recurrence risk and the influence of the length of rectosigmoid resection and associated levatorplasty on recurrence rate and continence.

Method  The perioperative and long‐term data for all patients undergoing Altemeier’s procedure since 1992 were analysed with regard to mortality, morbidity, continence, anorectal function and recurrence rate.

Results  Sixty patients [median age 77 years (35–98)] underwent rectosigmoid resection [median length of bowel 14 (6–60) cm] with associated levatorplasty in 21 (35%). Overall mortality and morbidity were 1.6 and 11.6%, respectively. Manometry showed increased anal sphincter basal pressure and maximal squeeze pressure. We observed a decrease in postoperative rectal compliance (P = 0.002). Age, gender, prolapse duration before surgery, levatorplasty and length of resection had no statistically significant relationship with recurrence. Continence improved in 62% and was stable over a median follow‐up of 48 (1–186) months. Continence was positively related to a short length of bowel resection, but not to decreased rectal compliance. Actuarial recurrence was 14% at 4 years.

Conclusion  The long‐term recurrence rate after the Altemeier procedure was low and not linked to resection length or to levatorplasty. Improvement in continence was stable over time.
Spermatological characters in the diphyllobothriidean Schistocephalus solidus (Cestoda)
Authors: Levron Céline , Yoneva Aneta , Kalbe Martin
Published: December 2011

Levron, C., Yoneva, A. and Kalbe, M. 2011. Spermatological characters in the diphyllobothriidean Schistocephalus solidus (Cestoda). —Acta Zoologica (Stockholm) 00: 1–8.

The spermiogenesis and the mature spermatozoon of Schistocephalus solidus (Cestoda: Diphyllobothriidea) are described using transmission electron microscopy. Spermiogenesis in S. solidus begins with the formation in the spermatid of a differentiation zone surrounded by cortical microtubules and delimited by arching membranes. This conical area presents two centrioles associated with striated rootlets and a median cytoplasmic extension between them. The centrioles are separated by an intercentriolar body composed of three electron‐dense plates dividing four electron‐lucent plates. The centrioles give rise to two flagella that undergo a rotation and later fuse proximodistally with the median cytoplasmic expansion. The presence of an electron‐dense material in the distal part of the differentiation zone is observed in the early stage of spermiogenesis. This pattern corresponds to Type I spermiogenesis according to the classification proposed by Bâ and Marchand (Mémoires du Muséum National d’Histoire Naturelle 1995; 166: 87). The mature spermatozoon of S. solidus presents the Type I pattern defined by Levron et al. (Biological Reviews 2010; 85: 523). It consists of five regions that exhibit two axonemes, parallel cortical microtubules, nucleus and electron‐dense zones. The anterior tip of the spermatozoon possesses only a few singlets. The axonemes are of a 9 + ’1’ trepaxonematan pattern and do not reach the posterior extremity of the mature spermatozoon.
What can be learned about the impact of diabetes on hospital admissions from routinely recorded data?
Authors: Whitston M. , Chung S. , Henderson J. , Young B.
Published: December 2011

Diabet. Med. 29, 1199‐1205 (2012)

Aim  To determine whether inpatients with diabetes have different lengths of stay, day‐case listing rates or emergency readmission rates compared with those without diabetes receiving similar treatment.

Method  English 2007–2008 Hospital Episode Statistics were analysed alone and after linkage to the 1.6 million people included in the 2007–2008 English National Diabetes Audit. Length of stay, day‐case listing rates and emergency readmission rates were compared between those with and without diabetes by Health Resource Group chapter. Using univariate and multivariate statistics, the potential influences of age, sex, social deprivation, type and complexity of admission were considered.

Results  Of all inpatient spells in Hospital Episode Statistics, 6.2% have diabetes coded at discharge. Substantial under‐recording of diabetes has been identified—a further 3% of inpatient spells involve people with diabetes. Inpatients with recorded diabetes stay in hospital for 100% longer on average, are 50% less likely to be treated as day cases and are almost 100% more likely to be readmitted as an emergency. The adverse impact of diabetes on length of stay was similar to that for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Most of this adverse effect was in patients coded with diabetes in Hospital Episode Statistics. Multivariate statistical analysis showed that diabetes is independently associated with increased length of stay. The effect differed up to threefold between hospitals.

Conclusions  Diabetes has an independent adverse effect on key aspects of hospital inpatient stays. If the lowest levels of adverse impact on inpatients with diabetes were more common, substantial cost savings and improved experience of care would be realized.
Validation of a tool to assess medication treatment satisfaction in patients with Type 2 diabetes: the Diabetes Medication System Rating Questionnaire (DMSRQ)
Authors: Peyrot M. , Harshaw Q. , Shillington A. C. , Xu Y. , Rubin R. R.
Published: December 2011

Diabet. Med. 29, 1060–1066 (2012)

Aim  To assess the reliability and validity of the Diabetes Medication System Rating Questionnaire among 537 US adults with Type 2 diabetes using five different diabetes medication regimens (oral agents with and without insulin; insulin only by syringe and by pen; glucagon‐like peptide 1 agents).

Methods  The Diabetes Medication System Rating Questionnaire assesses the treatment experience of patients using any diabetes medication system that uses nine measures (Convenience, Negative Events, Interference, Self‐Monitoring of Blood Glucose Burden, Efficacy, Social Burden, Psychological Well‐Being, Treatment Satisfaction, Treatment Preference). It was administered via an initial online survey, along with other validated measures of treatment satisfaction and medication adherence, with a retest administered within 2 weeks. Participants were 52.5% male, 57.4% aged 40–64 years, 83.6% white and 95.2% non‐Hispanic. Most (75.6%) had attended college and 58.3% had been diagnosed with diabetes for more than 10 years.

Results  Median inter‐item agreement was 0.86. Median test–retest reliability was also 0.86. All correlations between Diabetes Medication System Rating Questionnaire measures and criterion measures of treatment satisfaction and adherence were statistically significant (P < 0.01) in the expected direction. Correlations between Diabetes Medication System Rating Questionnaire and the corresponding criterion measures of treatment satisfaction ranged from 0.349 to 0.629 (absolute values; interpolated median 0.568); correlations of the same measures with adherence ranged from 0.384 to 0.450 (absolute values; mean 0.411). Diabetes Medication System Rating Questionnaire measures differentiated among groups taking different medications and those using different delivery systems for the same medication.

Conclusions  This study suggests that the Diabetes Medication System Rating Questionnaire has good reliability and validity and provides a more comprehensive set of measures than existing medication satisfaction questionnaires.
Gestational diabetes mellitus in Europe: prevalence, current screening practice and barriers to screening. A review
Authors: Buckley B. S. , Harreiter J. , Damm P. , Corcoy R. , Chico A. , Simmons D. , Vellinga A. , Dunne F. ,   on behalf of the DALI Core Investigator Group
Published: December 2011

Diabet. Med. 29, 844–854 (2012)

Background  Gestational diabetes mellitus is a potentially serious condition that affects many pregnancies and its prevalence is increasing. Evidence suggests early detection and treatment improves outcomes, but this is hampered by continued disagreement and inconsistency regarding many aspects of its diagnosis.

Methods  The Vitamin D and Lifestyle Intervention for Gestational Diabetes Mellitus Prevention (DALI) research programme aims to promote pan‐European standards in the detection and diagnosis of gestational diabetes and to develop effective preventive interventions. To provide an overview of the context within which the programme will be conducted and its findings interpreted, systematic searching and narrative synthesis have been used to identify and review the best available European evidence relating to the prevalence of gestational diabetes, current screening practices and barriers to screening.

Results  Prevalence is most often reported as 2–6% of pregnancies. Prevalence may be lower towards the Northern Atlantic seaboard of Europe and higher in the Southern Mediterranean seaboard. Screening practice and policy is inconsistent across Europe, hampered by lack of consensus on testing methods, diagnostic glycaemic thresholds and the value of routine screening. Poor clinician awareness of gestational diabetes, its diagnosis and local clinical guidelines further undermine detection of gestational diabetes.

Conclusions  Europe‐wide agreement on screening approaches and diagnostic standards for gestational diabetes could lead to better detection and treatment, improved outcomes for women and children and a strengthened evidence base. There is an urgent need for well‐designed research that can inform decisions on best practice in gestational diabetes mellitus screening and diagnosis.
The effect of rising vs. falling glucose level on amperometric glucose sensor lag and accuracy in Type 1 diabetes
Authors: Ward W. K. , Engle J. M. , Branigan D. , El Youssef J. , Massoud R. G. , Castle J. R.
Published: December 2011

Diabet. Med. 29, 1067–1073 (2012)

Background  Because declining glucose levels should be detected quickly in persons with Type 1 diabetes, a lag between blood glucose and subcutaneous sensor glucose can be problematic. It is unclear whether the magnitude of sensor lag is lower during falling glucose than during rising glucose.

Methods  Initially, we analysed 95 data segments during which glucose changed and during which very frequent reference blood glucose monitoring was performed. However, to minimize confounding effects of noise and calibration error, we excluded data segments in which there was substantial sensor error. After these exclusions, and combination of data from duplicate sensors, there were 72 analysable data segments (36 for rising glucose, 36 for falling). We measured lag in two ways: (1) the time delay at the vertical mid‐point of the glucose change (regression delay); and (2) determination of the optimal time shift required to minimize the difference between glucose sensor signals and blood glucose values drawn concurrently.

Results  Using the regression delay method, the mean sensor lag for rising vs. falling glucose segments was 8.9 min (95% CI 6.1–11.6) vs. 1.5 min (95% CI –2.6 to 5.5, P < 0.005). Using the time shift optimization method, results were similar, with a lag that was higher for rising than for falling segments [8.3 (95% CI 5.8–10.7) vs. 1.5 min (95% CI –2.2 to 5.2), P < 0.001]. Commensurate with the lag results, sensor accuracy was greater during falling than during rising glucose segments.

Conclusions  In Type 1 diabetes, when noise and calibration error are minimized to reduce effects that confound delay measurement, subcutaneous glucose sensors demonstrate a shorter lag duration and greater accuracy when glucose is falling than when rising.
Potential implications of future climate and land‐cover changes for the fate and distribution of persistent organic pollutants in Europe
Authors: Paul Alexander G. , Hammen Volker C. , Hickler Thomas , Karlson Ulrich G. , Jones Kevin C. , Sweetman Andrew J.
Published: December 2011

Aim  Climate change is having far‐reaching effects on the global environment. Here, the ALARM (Assessing Large‐scale Risks for Biodiversity with Tested Methods, European Union 6th Framework Programme) climate change scenarios were used to assess changes to the fate of selected persistent organic pollutants (POPs). Scenarios detailing climate and land‐cover changes, such as precipitation, temperature and vegetation cover, were used as input in a European multi‐media chemical fate model to help understand their impact on the environmental fate and behaviour of POPs over the period 1990–2100 in Europe.

Location  Europe.

Methods  Chemicals chosen for study included four classical POPs (two polychlorinated biphenyl congeners and two polybrominated diphenyl ether congeners). Using 30‐year time steps, the model was run in steady‐state mode four times for each chemical and each ALARM scenario.

Results  PCB153 displayed the greatest changes, with a reduction in burden of up to 40% in some Mediterranean compartments (e.g. soil and fresh water) under the worst case climate change scenario. The overall continental persistence of PCB153 was reduced by 1.5 years (12%) due to increased volatilization and degradation in air from a drier and warmer south‐western Europe. This predicted loss resulted in a transfer and redeposition to the cooler and wetter north‐eastern Europe, and increased the burden of PCB153 to Arctic compartments by up to 22%. The remaining chemicals displayed less pronounced changes, particularly under more the sustainable scenarios.

Main conclusions  Overall, the model simulations suggest that the dominant driver behind differences seen between the present and climate‐changed future scenarios is temperature, resulting in a slight shift in chemical distribution from surface compartments to the air. This subsequently leads to a reduced continental persistence for PCBs and a north‐easterly migration due to prevailing meteorological conditions. As a result of these calculations, it is reasonable to conclude that chemicals with properties similar to PCBs may experience enhanced mobility due to climate change. However, the climate‐induced temperature changes were not large enough to significantly alter the distribution of brominated diphenyl ethers (BDEs), which are less volatile and have greater enthalpies of phase change.
Projecting the future distribution of European potential natural vegetation zones with a generalized, tree species‐based dynamic vegetation model
Authors: Hickler Thomas , Vohland Katrin , Feehan Jane , Miller Paul A. , Smith Benjamin , Costa Luis , Giesecke Thomas , Fronzek Stefan , Carter Timothy R. , Cramer Wolfgang , Kühn Ingolf , Sykes Martin T.
Published: December 2011

Aim  To assess the extent to which climate change might cause changes in potential natural vegetation (PNV) across Europe.

Location  Europe.

Method  We parameterized a generalized dynamic vegetation model (LPJ‐GUESS) for the most common European tree species, and, for the first time, modelled large‐scale vegetation dynamics using a process‐based model explicitly representing tree species, age cohorts, gap dynamics and biogeochemical cycles in a single framework. For projections, the model was driven with climate scenario data from two atmosphere–ocean general circulation models (AOGCMs), downscaled to 10 × 10′ spatial resolution (c. 18.5 × 12 km at 50° N).

Results  At a general level, modelled present‐day PNV corresponded better with an expert reconstruction of the PNV than most earlier plant functional type (PFT)‐based simulations, but at a finer scale the model and the expert map showed substantial discrepancies in some areas. Simulations until 2085 showed considerable successional shifts in vegetation types in most areas: 31–42% of the total area of Europe was projected to be covered by a different vegetation type by the year 2085. In the long term, equilibrium changes are substantially larger: simulations with one climate scenario suggest that 76–80% of the European land surface could exist within another PNV if climate was stabilized by the end of the century and vegetation had unlimited time to achieve equilibrium with the new climate. ‘Hotspots’ of change include arctic and alpine ecosystems, where trees replace tundra in the model, and the transition zone between temperate broad‐leaved and boreal conifer forest. In southern Europe, the model projected widespread shifts from forest to shrublands as a result of drought.

Main conclusions  The model presents a considerable advance in modelling dynamic changes in natural vegetation across Europe. Climate change might cause substantial changes in PNV across Europe, which should be considered in the management of reserves and forestry.
Climate change and historical biogeography of the barnacle Semibalanus balanoides
Authors: Jones Sierra J. , Southward Alan J. , Wethey David S.
Published: December 2011

Aim  Marine sessile inter‐tidal invertebrates are expected to undergo shifts in distribution due to climate change. Using a combination of survey and transplant data with thermal modelling, we investigated the role of climate on the poleward contraction of the southern range edge of the north temperate barnacle Semibalanus balanoides.

Location  Western Atlantic of the United States.

Methods  Barnacle surveys were conducted along the east coast of the United States in 1963 and 2007. Presence, absence and abundance data were collected and the time periods were compared. Transplant experiments monitoring survival with relation to temperature were conducted upon S. balanoides along the more southerly portion of their range, and modelling predicting barnacle survival with relation to biogeography was completed.

Results  The southern limit of S. balanoides has contracted approximately 350 km to the north.

Main conclusions  The changes thus far observed in climate along the east coast of the United States have contributed to the southern limit range contraction of S. balanoides. Further changes in the biogeography of S. balanoides are expected with continued climate warming.
Foreign Direct Investment and Managerial Knowledge Spillovers through the Diffusion of Management Practices
Authors: Fu Xiaolan
Published: December 2011

abstract

Although managerial knowledge spillovers have long been claimed to be a major benefit of foreign direct investment (FDI), such spillovers have not yet been systematically analysed. This paper adds to the literature by analysing the nature and extent of managerial knowledge spillovers from FDI through the diffusion of management practices. Taking into account the tacit and explicit elements of management practices and distinguishing between industry and non‐industry specific practices, the paper identifies different types of spillovers and discusses their transmission mechanisms. Evidence from establishment‐level panel data from the UK attests to the existence and significance of intra‐industry, linkage, and non‐linkage based inter‐industry spillovers of managerial knowledge from foreign to local firms, although the strength varies for different types of practices. The spillovers are geographically localized, especially in channels without supply chain linkages. Local firms are selective in the adoption of individual practices and the spillover effects are more significant at the cluster and management system level. Reverse spillovers from local firms to MNEs from industrialized countries appear to be limited despite significant spillovers of practices amongst local firms.
Economic Policies in G‐20 and African Countries during the Global Financial Crisis: Who's the Apprentice, Who's the Master?
Authors: te Velde Dirk Willem
Published: December 2011

Abstract:  The global financial crisis has affected G‐20, African and other countries. Effects have been widespread and have encompassed a wide range of transmission belts, albeit different ones in different countries, and with different levels of impact. When the crisis broke, several analyses at the time (in September 2008) suggested that sub‐Saharan Africa (SSA) would not be affected as much because financial systems were not leveraged as much as in the UK and the US. By the end of 2008, however, it had become clear that SSA was feeling the effects of the crisis, probably mostly through real channels. Recently, it has become clear that SSA has been affected also by financial contagion. International bank lending increased at unsustainably fast rates until September 2008, but has since decreased significantly, by around 10 per cent in the case of Africa. Based on actual evidence so far, and forecasts in some cases, we note a shortfall of some $134 billion for SSA countries (trade, bank lending, remittances, portfolio flows and foreign direct investment (FDI)). As a result of the crisis, 10 African countries are experiencing declines in real GDP (compared with forecasts made before the crisis) of more than 5 per cent in 2009, 11 of between 3 per cent and 5 per cent and 19 of between 1 per cent and 3 per cent; others have been affected less.
Consumer susceptibility to interpersonal influence in Mainland China
Authors: Huang Yunhui , Shi Junqi , Wang Lei
Published: December 2011

To validate the consumer susceptibility to interpersonal influence (SUSCEP) scale in China, questionnaires were administered to 1114 adult employees and 350 university students. Confirmatory factor analyses showed that the consumer susceptibility to interpersonal influence scale had a stable three‐factor structure (i.e. the utilitarian, value‐expressive, and informational dimensions) in both samples, while the original two‐factor structure could not be retrieved. Using Chinese samples, the consumer susceptibility to interpersonal influence scale and its three sub‐scales demonstrated acceptable internal reliability, as well as convergent and discriminant validity. Positive correlations between the consumer susceptibility to interpersonal influence scale (as well as its sub‐scales) and attention to social comparison information also indicated good convergent validity. The distinction between utilitarian dimension and value‐expression dimension in Chinese samples as well as the non‐significant correlations of the utilitarian dimension with self‐esteem and the informational dimension with self‐esteem revealed cultural differences between the East and the West.
Conditional Cash Transfer Programs, Credit Constraints, and Migration
Authors: Angelucci Manuela
Published: December 2011

This paper models the effect of anti‐poverty conditional cash transfer programs on labor migration. Their effect on migration depends on both the size and type of transfers. Conditional transfers, where the potential recipient has to comply with some requirement in order to qualify for eligibility, may decrease contemporaneous migration for some households, but increase future migration for others. In contrast, unconditional grants may increase current migration.
Employability of Young Italian Men after a Jobless Period, 1989–98
Authors: Contini Bruno , Poggi Ambra
Published: December 2011

In this paper we investigate the existence of negative jobless duration dependence and the impact of jobless spells on future wages. Our findings are somewhat out of line compared with analogous explorations. We find evidence of very long unemployment duration of the young male labor force, higher than reported anywhere else in Western Europe, as well as large negative unemployment duration dependence. On the other hand, young Italian men experiencing jobless periods in their early careers face small re‐employment wage losses. Such losses do increase with the duration of joblessness, but they are lower than reported in the USA, Canada, the UK, France, and Spain.
Cultural diversity, democracy and the prospects of cosmopolitanism: a theory of cultural encounters
Authors: Delanty Gerard
Published: December 2011

The most appropriate way of theorizing cultural diversity is to situate it in the context of a broader relational theory of culture in which the key dynamic is cultural encounters. The relational conception of culture places the emphasis on the relations between social actors and the processes by which some of these relations generate enduring cultural regularities and forms. This has important implications for political community and in particular for cosmopolitanism. It is in relationships that cultural phenomena are generated and become the basis of different kinds of political community. The paper outlines a typology of six kinds of cultural encounters and discusses four major cultural trends that variously emerge from these encounters. This approach with its emphasis on cultural encounters is the broad sociological context in which questions about cultural change and the prospects of cosmopolitanism should be discussed.
Interdisciplinarity and the social sciences: capital, institutions and autonomy1
Authors: Garforth Lisa , Kerr Anne
Published: December 2011

Recent discussions about disciplinarity and interdisciplinarity in the social sciences have tended to map and critique methods, theories and approaches to knowledge production, but spend less time exploring the ways in which institutional constraints and personal trajectories produce different kinds of disciplinarity and interdisciplinarity. In this paper we present findings on interdisciplinarity from UK research undertaken as part of an EC project on knowledge, gender and institutions. The research involved a small survey (n = 14), in‐depth interviews (n = 5), two focus groups (n = 7) and observation of social scientists in one university department between June 2006 and April 2007. We reflect on the unwillingness of social scientists to confront the conditions of our academic labour in an account of our difficulties with gaining access and respondents in this study, before moving on to consider some of the different ways in which interdisciplinarity and disciplinary commitments were related to particular forms of scientific and symbolic capital. We go on to discuss this in relation to the autonomy of academic teaching‐and‐research staff compared to contract researchers, and consider the implications of our findings for the future of interdisciplinarity and the social sciences.
Personal vote‐seeking in flexible list systems: How electoral incentives shape Belgian MPs' bill initiation behaviour
Authors: BRÄUNINGER THOMAS , BRUNNER MARTIN , DÄUBLER THOMAS
Published: December 2011

It is well known that different types of electoral systems create different incentives to cultivate a personal vote and that there may be variation in intra‐party competition within an electoral system. This article demonstrates that flexible list systems – where voters can choose to cast a vote for the list as ordered by the party or express preference votes for candidates – create another type of variation in personal vote‐seeking incentives within the system. This variation arises because the flexibility of party‐in‐a‐district lists results from voters' actual inclination to use preference votes and the formal weight of preference votes in changing the original list order. Hypotheses are tested which are linked to this logic for the case of Belgium, where party‐in‐a‐district constituencies vary in their use of preference votes and the electoral reform of 2001 adds interesting institutional variation in the formal impact of preference votes on intra‐party seat allocation. Since formal rules grant Belgian MPs considerable leeway in terms of bill initiation, personal vote‐seeking strategies are inferred by examining the use of legislative activity as signalling tool in the period between 1999 and 2007. The results establish that personal vote‐seeking incentives vary with the extent to which voters use preference votes and that this variable interacts with the weight of preference votes as defined by institutional rules. In addition, the article confirms the effect of intra‐party competition on personal vote‐seeking incentives and illustrates that such incentives can underlie the initiation of private members bills in a European parliamentary system.
Regionalist Parties and the Mobilization of Territorial Difference in Germany
Authors: Hepburn Eve , Hough Dan
Published: December 2011

Analysis of political regionalism and regionalist parties has traditionally neglected the case of Germany. We argue that this is a curious ommission. This article looks to redress this balance by applying frameworks created for understanding the determinants of regionalist party success to the Bavarian Christian Social Union (CSU) and the eastern Germany Party of Democratic Socialism (1990–2005, PDS). Although very different in terms of their politics, both parties have been successful as they have followed strategies and tactics evident in the broader regionalist parties' literature. This article therefore deepens our knowledge of regionalism in Germany, while also testing regionalist literatures in a new country-context.
‘England Does Not Love Coalitions’: The Most Misused Political Quotation in the Book
Authors: McLean Iain
Published: December 2011

In mid-2011, it certainly looks as if England does not love coalitions, or at any rate the coalition that is governing it. The phrase was coined by Benjamin Disraeli in 1852. This article begins with the context in which Disraeli spoke, then gradually broadens its scope from England to the UK to the set of advanced democracies. Modern political economy has a great deal to say on the subject of coalitions. In conclusion we return to the prospects for future coalitions and minority governments in the UK.
Phylogenetic analysis based on multiple gene sequences revealing cryptic biodiversity in Simulium multistriatum group (Diptera: Simuliidae) in Thailand
Authors: PRAMUAL Pairot , NANORK Piyamas
Published: December 2011

Phylogenetic relationships among four species of the Simulium multistriatum group (Diptera: Simuliidae) in Thailand were examined based on two mitochondrial genes (COI, COII) and one nuclear gene (18S/ITS1). Simulium takense was found to be genetically divergent (>20.3% for COI) from the other species, consistent with their distinctive morphology. Simulium chainarongi and S. chaliowae were monophyletic but were included in paraphyletic S. fenestratum. Simulium fenestratum was divided into three distinct lineages with high levels of genetic divergence. This suggests that S. fenestratum is a species complex. Neither morphological nor cytological examinations revealed evidence of sibling species. The clades derived from phylogenetic analyses were found to be correlated with the ecological conditions of larval habitat. Therefore, ecological adaptation may have played a role in black fly diversification and evolution. These results suggest the use of integrated, multidisciplinary approaches for fully understanding black fly biodiversity and systematics.
Status of Japanese Dytiscus species (Coleoptera: Dytiscidae) based on mitochondrial DNA sequence data
Authors: INODA Toshio , BALKE Michael
Published: December 2011

We sequenced 628 base pairs of the mitochondrial cytochrome‐c oxidase subunit 1 (cox1) gene to investigate the genetic differentiation among Japanese Dytiscus diving beetles (Coleoptera: Dytiscidae). Dytiscus beetles are a charismatic part of the fauna of lakes, ponds and swamps. Three species are known from Japan: D. dauricus Gebler, 1832; D. marginalis czerskii Zeitzev*, 1953; and D. sharpi Wehncke, 1875. Adults of D. sharpi collected in Chiba and Ishikawa Prefectures were morphologically highly similar, but here we found that they differed by 20 cox1 base pairs (3.18%). Our results imply that conservation strategies especially for Japanese D. sharpi sharpi and D. sharpi validus Régimbart, 1899 might need to be adjusted to address the presence of two evolutionarily significant units.
ONTOGENY, HOMOLOGY, AND TERMINOLOGY—WALL MORPHOGENESIS AS AN AID TO CHARACTER RECOGNITION AND CHARACTER STATE DEFINITION FOR PENNATE DIATOM SYSTEMATICS1
Authors: Cox Eileen J.
Published: December 2011

This article reviews current knowledge of wall morphogenesis in pennate diatoms in relation to the way characters are defined and described for taxonomic and systematic analyses. It argues that an understanding of ontogeny is essential for the accurate identification of character homologies, which in turn must underpin all phylogenetic and systematic analyses. Terminology should reflect character homology, but most diatom terminology fails to do this, with concomitant confusion and potential taxonomic mistakes. Identifying where information is lacking or misinterpreted are first steps toward improving our understanding of diatom structure and relationships. After reviewing the current knowledge on pennate diatom structure and its development, this article briefly discusses the significance of morphological variation, character polarity, and the vital importance of applying diatom terminology correctly.
Lay Psychology of Globalization and Its Social Impact
Authors: Yang Daniel Y‐J. , Chiu Chi‐Yue , Chen Xia , Cheng Shirley Y. Y. , Kwan Letty Y‐Y. , Tam Kim‐Pong , Yeh Kuang‐Hui
Published: December 2011

As a first step to establish social psychology of globalization as a new area of investigation, we carried out two cross‐regional studies to examine lay people's perception of globalization and its related concepts, as well as lay people's appraisal of the social impacts of globalization. The participants were undergraduates from regions with markedly different experiences with globalization (the United States, Mainland China, Taiwan, and Hong Kong). Despite regional differences in experiences with globalization, cross‐regional similarities were found in the way globalization‐related issues were classified and how their social impacts were evaluated. Participants in all four regions (1) perceived globalization to be related to but not synonymous with modernization, Westernization, and Americanization; (2) used international trade versus technology, and globalization of consumption versus global consequences as the dimensions to categorize globalization‐related issues; and (3) perceived globalization to have stronger positive effects on people's competence than on their warmth.
Globalization and Folk Theory of Social Change: How Globalization Relates to Societal Perceptions about the Past and Future
Authors: Kashima Yoshihisa , Shi Junqi , Tsuchiya Koji , Kashima Emiko S. , Cheng Shirley Y. Y. , Chao Melody Manchi , Shin Shang‐hui
Published: December 2011

Folk theory of social change (FTSC) is a generic knowledge structure that frames societal perceptions. According to FTSC, society develops from a traditional community where people are trustworthy though unsophisticated to a more sophisticated, but less warm‐hearted modern society. People make future forecast about society within this generic structure while flexibly incorporating particular information about the past history and the present social trend. We report evidence for the proposition that globalization provides particular information that people incorporate in forming their future societal perceptions. We take an intranational perspective by examining people's beliefs about globalization (Study 1) and a cross‐national perspective by comparing future societal perceptions in People's Republic of China, Japan, and Australia (Study 2). We suggest that future societal perceptions may play a constitutive role in the future of humanity, and FTSC and folk beliefs about globalization are a significant part of this process.