bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Importance and Genetic Diversity of Vegetable-Infecting Tospoviruses in India
Authors: Kunkalikar Suresh R. , Poojari Sudarsana , Arun Bhanupriya M. , Rajagopalan Prem A. , Chen Tsung-Chi , Yeh Shyi-Dong , Naidu Rayapati A. , Zehr Usha B. , Ravi Kankanallu S.
Published: February 2011

A survey for Peanut bud necrosis virus (PBNV), Watermelon bud necrosis virus (WBNV), Capsicum chlorosis virus (CaCV), and Iris yellow spot virus (IYSV) was conducted between 2002 and 2009 in the major vegetable-growing areas in India. PBNV was documented widely in tomato and chili peppers in 14 states representing southern, north-western, north-eastern, and central regions and WBNV was predominantly detected in watermelons and cucurbits in all except north-eastern regions. In addition, the expanded host range of PBNV to watermelons and other cucurbits and WBNV to tomato and chili peppers was observed leading to natural mixed infection of the two viruses. IYSV was found in onion in southern, central, and north-eastern regions and CaCV in tomato and chili peppers in northern and southern regions, respectively. Phylogenetic analysis of the nucleocapsid gene revealed segregation of field isolates of PBNV and WBNV into two distinct subclades, whereas isolates of CaCV and IYSV each clustered into a single clade. A proposal for establishing WBNV as a distinct tospovirus species is made based on the molecular characterization of small- (S) and medium- (M) RNA segments.
Thermal structural properties of calcium tungstate
Authors: Senyshyn Anatoliy , Hoelzel Markus , Hansen Thomas , Vasylechko Leonid , Mikhailik Vitaliy , Kraus Hans , Ehrenberg Helmut
Published: February 2011

The results ofin situtemperature-resolved powder diffraction studies of CaWO4scheelite using both synchrotron radiation and neutron scattering are reported. The studies performed over a broad temperature range of 5–1773 K confirm the scheelite type of structure for calcium tungstate over the whole temperature range. The anisotropy of thermal expansion in calcium tungstate as well as the rigidity of WO4complexes have been analysed in terms of bond distances, interatomic angles and anisotropic displacement parameters. The WO42−complex anions showed a remarkable robustness in the whole studied temperature range, thus pointing out that the layered structure formed by two-dimensional CsCl-type arrangements of Ca cations and WO4complexes is the primary reason for the anisotropy of thermal expansion in calcium tungstate.
Genome‐wide association study reveals five nucleotide sequence variants for carcass traits in beef cattle
Authors: Kim Y. , Ryu J. , Woo J. , Kim J. B. , Kim C. Y. , Lee C.
Published: February 2011

Genetic associations of nucleotide sequence variants with carcass traits in beef cattle were investigated using a genome‐wide single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) assay. Three hundred and thirteen Korean cattle were genotyped with the Illumina BovineSNP50 BeadChip, and 39 129 SNPs from 311 animals were analysed for each carcass phenotype after filtering by quality assurance. Five sequence markers were associated with one of the meat quantity or quality traits; rs109593638 on chromosome 3 with marbling score, rs109821175 on chromosome 11 and rs110862496 on chromosome 13 with backfat thickness (BFT), and rs110228023 on chromosome 6 and rs110201414 on chromosome 16 with eye muscle area (EMA) (P < 1.27 × 10−6, Bonferonni P < 0.05). The ss96319521 SNP, located within a gene with functions of muscle development, dishevelled homolog 1 (DVL1), would be a desirable candidate marker. Individuals with genotype CC at this gene appeared to have increased both EMA and carcass weight. Fine‐mapping would be required to refine each of the five association signals shown in the current study for future application in marker‐assisted selection for genetic improvement of beef quality and quantity.
The role of bovine causal genes underlying dairy traits in Spanish Churra sheep
Authors: García‐Fernández M. , Gutiérrez‐Gil B. , Sánchez J. P. , Morán J. A. , García‐Gámez E. , Álvarez L. , Arranz J. J.
Published: February 2011

In dairy cattle, quantitative trait nucleotides (QTNs) underlying quantitative trait loci (QTL) for milk production traits have been identified in bovine DGAT1, GHR and ABCG2 genes. The SPP1 gene has also been proposed to be a regulator of lactation. In sheep, QTL underlying milk production traits have been reported only recently, and no proven QTN has been identified. Taking into account the close phylogenetic relationship between sheep and cattle, this study examined the possible effects of the aforementioned genes on sheep milk production traits. We first studied the genetic variability of the DGAT1, GHR, ABCG2 and SPP1 genes in 15 rams of the Spanish Churra dairy sheep breed. Second, we performed an association analysis between SNPs identified in these genes and three milk production traits recorded in a commercial population of Churra sheep. This analysis revealed only three significant associations at the nominal level (P‐value <0.05) involving allelic variants of the ABCG2 gene, whereas no significant association was found for the DGAT1, GHR and SPP1 genes. When the Bonferroni correction was applied to take into account the multiple tests performed, none of the associations identified at the nominal level remained significant. Nevertheless, taking into account the high level of false‐negative findings that can arise when applying the stringent Bonferroni correction, we think that our results provide a valuable primary assessment of strong candidate genes for milk traits in sheep.
Expression and clinical significance of glucose transporter 1 mRNA in bronchial brushing liquid‐based cytology specimens from patients with and without lung cancer
Authors: Lv M. , Fan Y.‐B. , Zhao Y.‐J. , Wang T.‐Y. , Wu G.‐P.
Published: February 2011

M. Lv, Y.‐B. Fan, Y.‐J. Zhao, T.‐Y. Wang and G.‐P. Wu

Expression and clinical significance of glucose transporter 1 mRNA in bronchial brushing liquid‐based cytology specimens from patients with and without lung cancer

Objective:  The aim of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic utility of glucose transporter 1 (GLUT1) mRNA expression in bronchial brushing specimens from patients with lung cancer.

Methods:  GLUT1 mRNA levels were detected by reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR) in SurePathTM liquid‐based cytology bronchial brushing specimens from patients with lung cancer (n = 76) and benign lung disease (n = 154).

Results:  Compared with patients with benign disease and compared with cytology, GLUT1 mRNA was found significantly more frequently in patients with all carcinomas, squamous cell carcinomas, adenocarcinomas and small cell carcinomas, as well as central, peripheral and diffuse carcinomas (P < 0.01). Minor differences were noted in GLUT1 mRNA and cytology results between histological types and tumour location but were not statistically significant. The diagnostic performance of RT‐PCR analysis of GLUT1 mRNA was significantly higher than cytology in terms of sensitivity (97.4 ± 3.6% versus 65.8 ± 10.7) and negative predictive value (98.6 ± 1.9%, versus 85.6 ± 5.1%) but specificity (90.9 ± 4.5%) and positive predictive value (84.1 ± 7.6%) were lower than cytology (100%).

Conclusions:  Using liquid‐based cytology, RT‐PCR can be performed on bronchial brushing specimens to detect GLUT1 mRNA expression, and may be a useful adjunct to cytology diagnosis. It was more sensitive than cytology but its lower specificity should be taken into account.
Functional traits and local environment predict vegetation responses to disturbance: a pan‐European multi‐site experiment
Authors: Bernhardt‐Römermann Markus , Gray Alan , Vanbergen Adam J. , Bergès Laurent , Bohner Andreas , Brooker Rob W. , De Bruyn Luc , De Cinti Bruno , Dirnböck Thomas , Grandin Ulf , Hester Alison J. , Kanka Róbert , Klotz Stefan , Loucougaray Grégory , Lundin Lars , Matteucci Giorgio , Mészáros Ilona , Oláh Viktor , Preda Elena , Prévosto Bernard , Pykälä Juha , Schmidt Wolfgang , Taylor Michele E. , Vadineanu Angheluta , Waldmann Theresa , Stadler Jutta
Published: February 2011

1. Disturbance is one of the most important factors structuring the taxonomic and functional composition of vegetation. Vegetation resistance or resilience to disturbance depends on local environmental conditions, further modifying the pool of species and traits. This paper aims to understand how disturbance and local environment combine to affect the resistance and resilience of vegetation.

2. A functional‐trait approach was used to detect traits related to vegetation resistance and resilience, and trait attributes of individual species responding to disturbance. Trait approaches enable comparison of vegetation responses across biogeographic regions containing different species pools.

3. At 35 European forest and grassland sites, experimental disturbance (human trampling) was applied at five intensities. Indices for resistance and resilience were calculated, based on total vegetation cover, and related to climate and local site factors. Additional indices were calculated for the most common species to demonstrate traits that confer resistance and resilience to disturbance.

4. Vegetation resistance was related to occurrence of species with traits selected by a history of intensive land use (smaller leaf size, rosette plant form) and local environmental conditions. Vegetation resilience, however, was associated with ecosystem properties that facilitate higher growth rates. Resilient vegetation occurred where irradiation was higher (grasslands, open forests) with sufficient water availability (summer precipitation, humidity) and comprised of species with traits related to enhanced growth rates (increased specific leaf area, decreased leaf dry matter content).

5. Synthesis. This pan‐European disturbance experiment demonstrates that different drivers (land use or climate) of vegetation response show different mechanistic responses to physical disturbance. Resistance depends on the functional composition of predominant species in the assemblage, which is strongly affected by land‐use history; resilience is directly connected to growth rates affected by climate. We argue for the inclusion of land‐use history and climate into the planning process for visitor management, especially in areas of high conservation interest.
The pepper receptor‐like cytoplasmic protein kinase CaPIK1 is involved in plant signaling of defense and cell‐death responses
Authors: Kim Dae Sung , Hwang Byung Kook
Published: February 2011

Certain protein kinases have been shown to be crucial for plant cell signaling pathways associated with plant immune responses. Here we identified a pepper (Capsicum annuum) receptor‐like cytoplasmic protein kinase (RLCK) gene (CaPIK1) that is transcriptionally activated by infection with Xanthomonas campestris pv. vesicatoria (Xcv). Silencing of CaPIK1 in pepper plants confers enhanced susceptibility to Xcv infection. Salicylic acid‐dependent defense responses are attenuated in the CaPIK1‐silenced plants, including expression of salicylic acid‐dependent genes, but not of a jasmonic acid‐regulated gene. Induction of salicylic acid accumulation by Xcv infection is compromised in CaPIK1‐silenced plants. The functional CaPIK1 protein not only autophosphorylates, but also phosphorylates myelin basic protein. CaPIK1 exists in the cytoplasm and also localizes to the plasma membrane of plant cells via its N‐terminus. Transient expression of CaPIK1 in pepper leaves leads to generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), ultimately leading to hypersensitive cell death. Over‐expression (OX) of CaPIK1 in Arabidopsis enhances the basal resistance to infection with Pseudomonas syringae pv. tomato and Hyaloperonospora arabidopsidis, associated with elevated ROS bursts. Salicylic acid levels in CaPIK1‐OX plants are higher than those in wild‐type plants. Together, these results suggest that CaPIK1 modulates the signaling required for the salicylic acid‐dependent defense response to pathogen infection.
Poor compliance with antifungal drug use guidelines by transplant physicians: a framework for educational guidelines and an international consensus on patient safety
Authors: Muñoz Patricia , Rojas Loreto , Cervera Carlos , Garrido Gregorio , Fariñas Maria Carmen , Valerio Maricela , Giannella Maddalena , Bouza Emilio ,   on behalf of the COMIT Study Group
Published: February 2011

Muñoz P, Rojas L, Cervera C, Garrido G, Fariñas MCarmen, Valerio M, Giannella M, Bouza E. Poor compliance with antifungal drug use guidelines by transplant physicians: a framework for educational guidelines and an international consensus on patient safety.  Clin Transplant 2012: 26: 87–96.  © 2011 John Wiley & Sons A/S.

Abstract:  The rate of compliance with antifungal drug use guidelines by transplant physicians is mostly unknown. We performed a nationwide electronic survey to assess antifungal use by different types of transplant physicians.

Sixty‐one percent (53/87) of the transplant programs responded (accounting for 85% of heart transplant procedures, 65% of kidney transplantations, and 71.5% of liver transplantations). Antifungal prophylaxis was used in 41.5% programs (liver 93.3%, heart 30.8%, and kidney 16%). Prophylaxis was universal in 32% of the programs and targeted only to selected patients in 68%, mainly indicated after re‐transplantation (73.3%), re‐intervention (66.7%) and hemodialysis (60%). Main drugs for universal prophylaxis were fluconazole and itraconazole (42.9% each), while fluconazole (60%), L‐amphotericin B (AMB), and caspofungin (13.4% each) were preferred for targeted prophylaxis. Overall, 84.9% of the programs used galactomannan for the diagnosis of invasive aspergillosis (only 34% in BAL) and 66.6% used voriconazole as first‐line monotherapy. Combination first‐line therapy for invasive aspergillosis was used by 31.3%, mainly with voriconazole with caspofungin (40%) or anidulafungin (26.7%) or L‐AMB‐caspofungin (26.7%).

Adherence of transplant physicians to current recommendations on antifungal treatment and prophylaxis is poor. An international consensus that responds to differences in patients and centers and emphasizes patient safety is clearly needed.
Dietary docosahexaenoic acid in combination with arachidonic acid ameliorates allergen‐induced dermatitis in mice
Authors: Weise Christin , Heunemann Carolin , Loddenkemper Christoph , Herz Udo , van Tol Eric A.F. , Worm Margitta
Published: February 2011

To cite this article: Weise C, Heunemann C, Loddenkemper C, Herz U, van Tol EAF, Worm M. Dietary docosahexaenoic acid in combination with arachidonic acid ameliorates allergen‐induced dermatitis in mice. Pediatr Allergy Immunol 2011; 22: 497–504.

Objective:  In this study, we investigated the impact of dietary docosahexaenoic (DHA) and arachidonic acid (AA) on development and severity of allergen‐induced dermatitis.

Study design:  In sensitized mice, skin inflammation was induced by ovalbumin. Mice received either a diet containing 0.015% DHA, 0.029% AA or the combination of both. The severity of dermatitis was evaluated by using a clinical skin score (CSS), followed by immunohistologic and cytokine analysis. To unravel potential mechanisms, interleukin (IL)‐4 or tumor necrosis factor α–stimulated keratinocytes from the cell line Kera‐308 was cultured with different DHA/AA compositions and analyzed regarding proliferation and cytokine production.

Results:  Dietary DHA/AA significantly improved the severity of allergen‐induced dermatitis as the CSS was reduced by 36 ± 23% (p = 0.005). Furthermore, reduced epidermal KI67 expression, increased number of forkhead box P3+ cells, and elevated IL‐10 expression were determined in skin lesions of dietary‐treated mice. Correspondingly, in vitro DHA/AA‐treated keratinocytes exhibited increased IL‐10 expression and produced less thymic stromal lymphopoietin.

Conclusion:  Dietary DHA/AA supplementation leads to a significant amelioration of allergen‐induced dermatitis. This was accompanied with the presence of increased regulatory T cells and IL‐10 expression in lesional skin. Moreover, we identify keratinocytes, which play a crucial role in the regulation of skin inflammation, as important targets of DHA/AA supplementation. Future studies are needed to clarify whether DHA/AA acts directly or whether its biologic active metabolites are responsible for these findings. This may unravel novel therapeutical compounds for allergen‐induced dermatitis.
PORTAL HAEMODYNAMICS AND HEPATIC BLOOD FLOW
Authors: KURIHARA TAKESHI , KITAMURA YOKO , ADACHI YUMIKO , OBUCHI MIHOKO , ABE KOUJI , AKIMOTO MASUMI , HASHIMOTO HIROSHI , ISHIGURO HISATAKA , NIIMI AKIKO , MAEDA ATSUSHI , SHIGEMOTO MUTSUO , YAMASHITA KATSUKO , YOKOYAMA IZUMI
Published: February 2011

Abstract  The major objective of the present study was to evaluate mechanisms by which teprenone, a gastric mucosal protecting agent, increases hepatic mucosal blood flow using male Sprague‐Dawley rats. Hepatic and gastric blood flow was measured using a laser blood flow meter after administration of teprenone, dissolved in Tween 80, into the inferior vena cava. Teprenone itself increased hepatic and gastric blood flow. It also increased hepatic and gastric blood flow in rats with acute hepatic disorders due to carbon tetrachloride (CCL4) and improved histological changes, such as inflammatory cell infiltration and fatty changes in the liver. The fact that blood endothelin (ET) concentrations increased after administration of teprenone suggest that teprenone has great affinity for ETB receptors and shows ETB ‐receptor antagonist‐like effects. Hepatic blood flow decreased after administration of N‐nitro‐L‐arginine methyl ester, a nitric oxide (NO) synthetase inhibitor, suggesting that teprenone increases NO activity. Teprenone was thought to increase hepatic and gastric blood flow by different mechanisms, because it increased gastric mucosal prostaglandin E2 concentrations.
The fishery for Antarctic krill – recent developments
Authors: Nicol Stephen , Foster Jacqueline , Kawaguchi So
Published: February 2011

The fishery for Antarctic krill (Euphausia superba) is the largest by tonnage in the Southern Ocean. The catch remained relatively stable at around 120 000 tonnes for 17 years until 2009, but has recently increased to more than 200 000 tonnes. The Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources precautionary catch limits for this species total over 8.6 million tonnes so it remains one of the ocean’s largest known underexploited stocks. Recent developments in harvesting technology and in products being derived from krill indicate renewed interest in exploiting this resource. At the same time, there are changes in the Southern Ocean environment that are affecting both krill and the fishery. This paper summarizes the current state of this fishery and highlights the changes that are affecting it.
The determinants of debt maturity in Australian firms
Authors: Alcock Jamie , Finn Frank , Tan Kelvin Jui Keng
Published: February 2011

We examine the determinants of debt maturity in the Australian capital market with the Top 400 firms listed on the Australian Securities Exchange for the period 1989–2006. We find that Australian firms not only exhibit a positive leverage–maturity relationship but also use short‐term debt to signal their high quality to the market. Our results are robust to different estimation methods that control for endogeneity and error‐dependence. We also find that ignoring the interaction between leverage and maturity can lead to erroneous conclusions about the support for the matching principle, the agency costs hypothesis and the transaction costs hypothesis.
Systematic liquidity risk and stock price reaction to shocks
Authors: Mazouz Khelifa , Alrabadi Dima W. H. , Yin Shuxing
Published: February 2011

This study examines the relationship between systematic liquidity risk and stock price reaction to large 1‐day price changes (or shocks). We base our analysis on a yearly updated constituents list of the FTSE All share index. Our overall results are consistent with the price continuation hypothesis, which suggests that positive (negative) shocks will be followed by positive (negative) abnormal returns. However, further analysis indicates that stocks with low systematic liquidity risk react efficiently to both positive and negative shocks, whereas stocks with high systematic liquidity risk underreact to both positive and negative shocks. Our results are valid irrespective of various robustness tests such as size of the shock, size of the firm, month‐of‐the‐year and day‐of‐the‐week effects. We conclude that trading on price patterns following shocks may not be profitable, as it involves taking substantial liquidity exposure.
Toward a Cognitive View of Trait Mindfulness: Distinct Cognitive Skills Predict Its Observing and Nonreactivity Facets
Authors: Anicha Cali L. , Ode Scott , Moeller Sara K. , Robinson Michael D.
Published: February 2011

Dispositional variations in mindfulness and its facets have garnered considerable recent interest in the clinical and personality literatures. Theoretically, high mindful individuals have been characterized as more attuned to momentary sensations and perceptions and/or better able to execute behavior in a controlled manner, yet data of this relatively cognitive type have not been reported. In addition, perceptual attunement and executive control are distinct skills that may underlie, or at least correlate with, distinct facets of mindfulness. In 3 studies involving college students (N = 297), support for the latter idea was found. Individuals high in the observing (but not nonreactivity) facet of mindfulness demonstrated superior perceptual abilities in visual working memory (Study 1) and temporal order (Study 2) tasks. On the other hand, individuals high in the nonreactivity (but not observing) facet of mindfulness exhibited greater cognitive control flexibility (Study 3). Implications for understanding the cognitive basis of mindfulness facets are discussed.
Five‐Factor Personality Traits and Age Trajectories of Self‐Rated Health: The Role of Question Framing
Authors: Löckenhoff Corinna E. , Terracciano Antonio , Ferrucci Luigi , Costa Paul T.
Published: February 2011

We examined the influence of personality traits on mean levels and age trends in 4 single‐item measures of self‐rated health: general rating, comparison to age peers, comparison to past health, and expectations for future health. Community‐dwelling participants (N = 1,683) completed 7,474 self‐rated health assessments over a period of up to 19 years. In hierarchical linear modeling analyses, age‐associated declines differed across the 4 health items. Across age groups, high Neuroticism and low Conscientiousness, low Extraversion, and low Openness were associated with worse health ratings, with notable differences across the 4 health items. Furthermore, high Neuroticism predicted steeper declines in health ratings involving temporal comparisons. We consider theoretical implications regarding the mechanisms behind associations among personality traits and self‐rated health.
The Disguise of Sobriety: Unveiled by Alcohol in Persons With an Aggressive Personality
Authors: Giancola Peter R. , Parrott Dominic J. , Silvia Paul J. , DeWall C. Nathan , Bègue Laurent , Subra Baptiste , Duke Aaron A. , Bushman Brad J.
Published: February 2011

This investigation examined the factor structure of 8 well‐validated self‐report measures that assess traits that fall under the rubric of an “aggressive personality” and then determined how those factor(s) moderated the association between alcohol intoxication and aggression. Participants were 518 (252 men and 266 women) healthy social drinkers between 21 and 35 years of age. Following the consumption of an alcoholic or a placebo beverage, participants were tested on a laboratory aggression paradigm in which electric shocks were received from, and administered to, a fictitious opponent. Aggression was operationalized as the shock intensities and durations administered to the opponent. Results demonstrated a unidimensional factor structure for the aggressive personality traits, which were then combined into a latent variable. The aggressive personality variable moderated the alcohol‐aggression relation. Specifically, alcohol was significantly more likely to increase aggression in persons with higher, compared with lower, aggressive personality scores.
The Role of Scripts in Personal Consistency and Individual Differences
Authors: Demorest Amy , Popovska Ana , Dabova Milena
Published: February 2011

This article examines the role of scripts in personal consistency and individual differences. Scripts are personally distinctive rules for understanding emotionally significant experiences. In 2 studies, scripts were identified from autobiographical memories of college students (Ns = 47 and 50) using standard categories of events and emotions to derive event‐emotion compounds (e.g., Affiliation‐Joy). In Study 1, scripts predicted responses to a reaction‐time task 1 month later, such that participants responded more quickly to the event from their script when asked to indicate what emotion would be evoked by a series of events. In Study 2, individual differences in 5 common scripts were found to be systematically related to individual differences in traits of the Five‐Factor Model. Distinct patterns of correlation revealed the importance of studying events and emotions in compound units, that is, in script form (e.g., Agreeableness was correlated with the script Affiliation‐Joy but not with the scripts Fun‐Joy or Affiliation‐Love).
Body work in respiratory physiological examinations
Authors: Måseide Per
Published: February 2011

This article focuses on respiratory physiological examinations conducted in the respiratory physiological lab of a Norwegian hospital ward. The examinations were aimed at producing exact and objective measures of patients’ respiratory functions or capacities. The quality of the examinations depended on correct use of technology and adequate body work by professionals and patients. The concept of ‘body work’ has several meanings. The professionals’ body work was not direct hands‐on work. Their contact with the patient was communicative and informed or guided by technical devices. Although the patient’s objective body constituted the focus of examination, it necessitated an active and compliant patient. The concrete outcome of the examination was a textual artefact that in the examination situation counted as the accurate and objective representation of the patient’s respiratory physiological status. These examinations represented a mutually constitutive process between various agents, bodies and bodily modes required for and aimed at by the examination; different articulations of body work were essential for these processes. The objective of the article is to examine the kinds of body work that are conducted, paying particular attention to the conceptions of bodies that are practically generated during these examinations.
Extended services in schools: developing resources to prepare student teachers for a rapidly changing working environment
Authors: GRIFFITHS SUE , SMITH ANDY
Published: February 2011

The role of schools in providing extended services to their communities continues to undergo change and development. This has raised issues regarding the training of student teachers who are increasingly likely to take up appointments in schools offering extended services. This research project investigated the development of resources to prepare student teachers for a changing working environment. The project used a case study approach to gather data from primary and secondary schools providing extended services. From these case studies training materials were developed and trialled with focus groups of students in initial teacher training. Findings demonstrate the importance for tutors in initial teacher education to have access to authentic school‐focused materials to assist them in equipping students for the realities of school life.
Students' voices: a report of the student view of dyslexia study skills tuition
Authors: KIRWAN BERNADETTE , LEATHER CAROL
Published: February 2011

This article reports research using case studies of 22 university students receiving study skills development funded by the Disabled Student's Allowance at an independent dyslexia consultancy. In‐depth semi‐structured interviews were conducted. The students identify the primary benefits of the tuition as: developing an understanding of dyslexia and specific learning difficulty as part of the process of self‐development; normalising their experiences; and developing their critical analysis and problem‐solving techniques to support the skills needed for studying. The implications for good practice in supporting university students with dyslexia are considered.
Children's experiences of reading classes and reading schools in Ireland
Authors: CASSERLY ANN MARIE
Published: February 2011

In this article the author reports on the experiences of 20 children who attended a reading class/reading school for a placement period before returning to mainstream. While the original much larger doctoral study encompassed parents' and teachers' perspectives, this article is confined to the views of children. Their prevailing positive experiences of reading classes and schools are relayed, illustrating a snapshot of education provided in these settings, but they also provide an insight into how inclusive practices are orchestrated and function in these segregated settings. While academic and socio‐emotional gains are evident, the findings also highlight the challenges for mainstream schools in becoming more inclusive, particularly in the area of interactive approaches in addressing the needs of pupils with dyslexia.
AIRPORT CONGESTION PRICING AND ITS WELFARE IMPLICATIONS: THE CASE OF VARIABLE PASSENGER TIME COSTS
Authors: Yuen Andrew C. L. , Zhang Anming
Published: February 2011

This paper develops an analytical framework for airport congestion pricing by considering variable passenger time costs. We find that, first, congestion delays will not be fully internalized at the carrier level under different market structures, including those airports dominated by a monopoly airline. Therefore, congestion pricing is necessary regardless of the market structures. Second, although congestion pricing is welfare‐improving, it may not be Pareto‐improving. This might explain why congestion pricing is unpopular in the real world.
NOTE ON THE PRODUCTIVITY CONVERGENCE OF AIRPORTS IN CHINA
Authors: Fung Michael Ka Yiu , Chow Clement Kong Wing
Published: February 2011

The present paper uses a Malmquist index measure of productivity growth to study the productivity convergence of 25 airports in China during the period 1995–2004. By decomposing the Malmquist index, we find evidence for the convergence of the efficiency level of airports, but not the productivity and technology levels. These results imply that the more productive airports are pushing the frontiers of technology faster by adopting new technology, and that the relative efficiency level of the laggards increases quickly and catches up with the efficiency level of the leaders over time.
The Use of Earnings Forecasts in Stock Recommendations: Are Accurate Analysts More Consistent?
Authors: Simon Andreas , Curtis Asher
Published: February 2011

Abstract: We examine how analysts’ conflicting incentives to be either accurate or optimistic affect their choice to generate stock recommendations with rigorous valuation models or growth‐based heuristics. Consistent with prior research the average analyst recommendation is negatively associated with rigorous valuation models and positively associated with growth‐based heuristics, we document that these associations are weakest for the most accurate analysts and strongest for the least accurate analysts. We also find evidence consistent with consistency between recommendations and valuation models underlying the positive future returns from trading on the most accurate analysts’ recommendations. Our results are consistent with reputation incentives to be accurate mitigating the use of optimistic growth‐based models in generating stock recommendations.
Foraging ecology of Gentoo Penguins Pygoscelis papua at Macquarie Island during the period of chick care
Authors: Robinson Susan A. , Hindell Mark A.
Published: February 2011

The diet, diving behaviour, swimming velocity and foraging range of Gentoo Penguins Pygoscelis papua were studied at Macquarie Island during the breeding season in the 1993–1994 austral summer. Gentoo Penguins are considered to be inshore feeders, and at Macquarie Island the diet and estimated foraging ranges supported this. The diet consisted of 91.6% fish and 8.3% squid, by mass. The dominant prey taxa were the fish Gymnoscopelus sp. and Paranotothenia magellanica. A mixture of pelagic and benthic prey was consumed, with a greater proportion of benthic species occurring later in the season. The penguins exhibited a strong diurnal pattern in their diving behaviour. Deep diving (≥30 m) began near sunrise (03.00 h) and finished close to sunset (21.00 h). Diving at night was less common and very shallow (<10 m). Early in the breeding season, dive profiles indicated that birds were probably following vertically migrating pelagic prey through the water column and were foraging in waters over 100 m deep. Later in the season, more uniform, shallower depths were used, suggesting an increase in benthic foraging activity. These changes in dive pattern and depth were consistent with the habitat preferences of prey species found in the diet. Gentoo Penguins swam at 1.04 m per s and had a maximum potential foraging range of about 26 km for single‐day trips. They tended to forage within 14 km of the colony, with a mean range of 5.4 km. This range encompassed the deep ocean habitat to the west and east of the island and a shallow area to the north.
Variable effects of the Hen Flea Ceratophyllus gallinae on the breeding success of the Great Tit Parus major in relation to weather conditions
Authors: Dufva R. , Allander K.
Published: February 2011

We investigated the effect of an ectoparasite, the Hen Flea Ceratophyllus gallinae (Siphonaptera), on the reproductive success of the Great Tit Parus major, a hole‐nesting passerine bird. Parasite levels of cleaned nesting boxes were experimentally manipulated during the egg‐laying period of the birds either by spraying nests with pyrethrin or by introducing c. 100 adult fleas, while other nests were left as controls. Only in 2 out of 5 years did hen fleas significantly affect reproductive success. Nestlings from parasitized nests showed reduced body‐mass, tarsus‐length and condition, whereas wing‐length did not differ between nestlings reared with or without fleas. The impact of the fleas on the growth performance of host nestlings was more noticeable in years with lower temperatures and higher precipitation.
Viewpoint: Measuring the well‐being of the poor with income or consumption: a Canadian perspective
Authors: Brzozowski Matthew , Crossley Thomas F.
Published: February 2011

Abstract There is a long tradition of using consumption measures derived from Statistics Canada's household expenditures surveys to study material well‐being, inequality, and poverty. We offer an introduction to this research. Income and consumption measures give different pictures of the patterns of material well‐being in Canada, but the differences are not as large as in the US. We also provide a comparison to Meyer and Sullivan's results on data quality. Canadian expenditure surveys are of high quality. Unique aspects of these surveys (variation in quality control measures over time and the possibility of comparing to income tax data) provide important insights into the quality of survey data on income and consumption.
Does the expectation or realization of a federal election precipitate Canadian output growth?
Authors: Ferris J. Stephen , Voia Marcel‐Cristian
Published: February 2011

Abstract This paper asks whether Canadian data is consistent with the predicted effects of political opportunism, partisanship, and political competition on real output growth since Confederation. Using annual data from 1870 to 2005 we find new support for an opportunistic electoral cycle in Canadian data but only if the actual election date used in most studies is replaced by an estimate of the incumbent governing party's subjectively held likelihood of an election arising. In our case the estimate is generated from a Cox‐proportional hazard model. The paper explores in detail the issues raised by using a generated regressor to approximate a subjectively held expectation versus an observable proxy and argues that these conditions are met in our case. Finally we also find evidence consistent with partisan cycles in the data but much less evidence consistent with the hypothesis that changes in the degree of political competition have affected real output growth.
Informal work networks
Authors: Arbex Marcelo , O’Dea Dennis
Published: February 2011

Abstract We present a model of time allocation between formal and informal labour supply, where workers learn of informal job opportunities from their peers. In addition to formal income taxation and enforcement, individuals’ labour supply decisions depend on the number of their peers with informal jobs and the strength of social ties. Workers allocate more time to informal activities when tax enforcement is lax and job information transmission is good. More connected social networks (e.g., wheel, complete) feature lower average income but higher average utility than poorly connected social networks (e.g., star, empty). Average income may be non‐monotonic in tax enforcement.
Equity home bias, incomplete financial markets, and nominal rigidities
Authors: Pang Ke
Published: February 2011

Abstract This paper analyzes optimal portfolio decisions in a monetary open‐economy framework. It is found that market completeness and the specific form of nominal rigidities, namely, nominal price vs. nominal wage rigidities, matter for justifying the observed structure of equity holdings. When markets are complete, sticky prices generate a negative correlation between the non‐diversifiable labour income and the profit of domestic firms with respect to the productivity shocks, which explains why households invest little abroad. In contrast, when markets are incomplete, rigidities in goods prices result in a counterfactual ‘super home bias’, because domestic equities provide a good hedge against not only the labour income risk but also the relative price risk. Wage rigidities, however, have the opposite effect. Therefore, nominal rigidities in both goods prices and wage rates are needed to address the empirical composition of gross equity positions under incomplete markets.
An Empirical Analysis of the Effect of Financial Education on Graduating Business Students’ Perceptions of Their Retirement Planning Familiarity, Motivation, and Preparedness
Authors: Power Mark L. , Hobbs Jonathan M. , Ober Ashley
Published: February 2011

Abstract

Today's multifaceted and dynamic financial environment requires a high level of individual financial literacy to ensure that sound financial behaviors are the norm. Unfortunately, many individuals have limited knowledge regarding financial issues and are ill prepared to make sound financial choices. The purpose of this article was to benchmark and then determine if graduating business students’ perception of their retirement planning familiarity, motivation, and preparedness improved after taking a semester‐long course in Personal Risk Management and Insurance (PRMI). We discovered that business students were more financially literate than nonbusiness students and that business students’ familiarity with retirement plans and personal level of readiness to make retirement planning decisions improved significantly after taking the principles class. Specifically, we showed that only 15.8 percent and 42.3 percent of the nonbusiness and business control students, respectively, felt adequately prepared to make retirement decisions, while 82 percent of the business students who completed the PRMI class felt prepared. Ex post, graduating seniors who were exposed to coursework covering life‐cycle risks and options to treat those risks perceived that they are leaving college with a better ability to meet the financial challenges that await them. Last, we showed that significant differences existed in retirement plan and investment familiarity based on gender. Our findings provide support for including financial literacy as a general education requirement at colleges and universities.
Empirical Evidence on the Value of Group‐Level Financial Information in Insurer Solvency Surveillance
Authors: Pottier Steven W. , Sommer David W.
Published: February 2011

Abstract

The existing empirical research on insurer insolvency relies almost exclusively upon individual insurance company financial data, even though the insurance industry is dominated by group‐affiliated firms. This is the first study to evaluate the benefit of using group‐level data to predict insurer insolvencies for group‐affiliated insurers. The study uses financial ratios from the NAIC FAST scoring system, measured at both the company level and group level, as potential predictor variables. The results indicate that group‐level financial information substantially improves the predictive power of an insolvency prediction model relative to a model that uses only the analogous company‐level variables. In fact, the group‐level variables are found to often be substantially more powerful than company‐level variables in predicting individual insurer insolvencies. These results suggest that future insolvency analysis should, whenever feasible, include group‐level information to obtain higher predictive accuracy.
Measuring and Interpreting the Structure of Grain‐Boundary Networks
Authors: Rohrer Gregory S.
Published: February 2011

Recently developed techniques to measure the structure of interfacial networks in three dimensions have the potential to revolutionize our ability to control the microstructures of polycrystals and interface‐dominated materials properties. This paper reviews recent findings from two‐ and three‐dimensional orientation mapping studies. The observations confirm a strong inverse correlation between the relative energies of grain boundaries and the frequency with which they occur in microstructures. The observations also show that during microstructure evolution, relatively higher energy grain boundaries are more likely to be shrinking while lower energy interfaces are more likely to be growing. These processes can lead to a steady‐state distribution of grain boundaries that is influenced as much by the relative grain‐boundary energies as by the exact processing conditions. Recent findings and emerging opportunities for grain‐boundary characterization are reviewed in the final section of the paper.
Rethinking Families and Community: The Color, Class, and Centrality of Extended Kin Ties1
Authors: Gerstel Naomi
Published: February 2011

Although a focus on marriage and the nuclear family characterizes much sociological research and social commentary, this article suggests that this focus ignores the familial experiences of many Americans, particularly those on the lower end of the economic spectrum for whom extended kin are central. African Americans and Latinos/as are more involved with kin than whites, but class trumps race in this regard: African Americans, Latinos/as, and whites with fewer economic resources rely more on extended kin than do those more affluent. The emphasis on marriage and the nuclear family may actually promulgate a vision of family life that dismisses the very social resources and community ties that are critical to the survival strategies of those in need. In contrast to those who have argued that marriage is the foundation of the community or even, in that overused phrase, the “basic unit of society,” this article suggests that marriage actually detracts from social ties to broader communities just as an emphasis on marriage and the nuclear family, to the exclusion of the extended family, distorts and reduces the power and reach of social policy.
The Magic of Multiple Emotions: An Examination of Shifts in Emotional Intensity During the Reclaiming Movement’s Recruiting/Training Events and Event Reattendance1
Authors: Williamson Elizabeth
Published: February 2011

This article examines whether emotional fluctuations predict the likelihood of future attendance at a movement’s week‐long recruitment and training events. I present a statistical analysis of longitudinal survey data, and then examine qualitative data on multiple emotions and “chains” of emotions over time. Qualitative and quantitative data together generate a multifaceted understanding of emotions’ interactions over time and their independent and combined ability to predict who returns to the events a year later. Previous work on emotions and movement recruitment has confined itself to whether emotional experiences were positive or negative or focused in depth on one particular emotion. This article’s findings show that confusion, courage, fear, and hope have a substantial and sometimes interactive impact on attendance at subsequent events.
The Cultural Context of Cognition: What the Implicit Association Test Tells Us About How Culture Works1
Authors: Shepherd Hana
Published: February 2011

This article employs evidence from a literature within social psychology on the malleability of scores on the Implicit Association Test (IAT), a measure that is widely used to assess implicit attitudes, and other implicit cognition measures, to provide a theoretical framework for incorporating implicit processes into sociological accounts of culture. Studies from this literature demonstrate the fundamentally contextual and interactional nature of implicit cognition; that is, how the cultural environment shapes the activation of cognitive associations. Understanding how culture works to influence behavior requires attention to the interaction between the cultural environment—including symbols and media, place, situations, and networks—and cognitive representations. Using this theoretical framework, I discuss how evidence from the sociology of culture regarding the nature of this cultural environment can inform our understanding of culture in action.
Motivations and Differential Participation in a Community Currency System: The Dynamics Within a Local Social Movement Organization1
Authors: Collom Ed
Published: February 2011

Community currency is an understudied, alternative social movement. These local networks are grassroots, collective efforts to form an alternative market with the hopes of empowering the economically marginalized and building social capital. Original data collected from members of a local currency system are employed to investigate their motivations to join and the congruence between motivating factors and various forms of participation. Four categories of motivations are identified and multivariate models are estimated to assess which are the most salient predictors of differential participation. The results provide some support for the congruence hypothesis. As

Knoke (1988)

predicted, member motivations play a role in shaping forms of participation. This evidence is used to draw larger implications for social movement research.
The Forum: Therapeutic Politics—An Oxymoron?
Authors: Stein Arlene
Published: February 2011

In this essay, I explore the connections between the personal and the political, and what those connections suggest for discourse, action, and meaning.