bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Recovery patterns of salmonid populations following a fish kill event on the River Blackwater, Northern Ireland
Authors: KENNEDY R. J. , ROSELL R. , HAYES J.
Published: October 2011

Abstract  A severe fish kill event caused by agricultural pollution impacted 2.4 km of the River Blackwater, Northern Ireland, in August 2007. A post‐kill monitoring programme sampled existing monitoring sites in the fish kill zone as well as upstream and downstream control sites. Post‐kill monitoring in combination with historical background data facilitated an assessment of the extent and severity of the disturbance episode on local salmonid populations. Subsequent recovery patterns indicated that total salmonid abundance returned to control levels within 1 year. Total salmonid biomass recovered within 2 years, whereas brown trout age structure took up to 3 years to return to background levels. Recovery dynamics were dominated by large‐scale directional migrations rather than random local movements. This included an initial autumnal immigration of 0+ age class brown trout, Salmo trutta L., in late 2007 followed by spawning migrations of adult migratory salmonids. The significance of relatively rapid natural recovery patterns is discussed in the context of potential management options such as restocking.
Complexity of applying minimum legal sizes (MLS) of retention in an indigenous coral reef fishery
Authors: BUSILACCHI S. , WILLIAMS A. J. , RUSS G. R. , BEGG G. A.
Published: October 2011

Abstract  Retaining coral reef fish for subsistence during commercial fishing is a common practice for indigenous fishers in the Torres Strait, Australia, despite being inconsistent with legislation. Fisher access point surveys were completed between 2004 and 2006 on three islands in Torres Strait to characterise this subsistence practice and assess the level to which it undermines current minimum legal fish sizes. Approximately 15% of the annual total catch was retained for subsistence during commercial fishing. Notably, subsistence catch of the most commercially valuable species almost entirely comprised individuals smaller than the minimum legal sizes. The higher proportions of undersized individuals of valuable species retained during commercial fishing on some of the islands were most likely associated with an increase in professionalism of the fishers. These results demonstrate how the intended outcomes from a management strategy can be undermined when the specific operational conditions of the fishery are not considered. Successful implementation of management arrangements in indigenous communities ultimately depends on the sociocultural conditions of the communities and their understanding and adherence to the rules. A productive way forward for the management of this fishery is greater engagement of indigenous communities and managers in co‐management arrangements.
Deleterious effects of light exposure on immunity and sexual coloration in birds
Authors: Blount Jonathan D. , Pike Thomas W.
Published: October 2011

1. Sunlight ultraviolet (UV) exposure can be highly damaging to biological tissues, being known to cause cellular damage and immunosuppression in humans and rodents, and depletion of carotenoid‐based sexual plumage coloration in birds (i.e. photobleaching). However, it remains unknown whether sunlight may cause photobleaching in living tissues that comprise sexual signals such as bare parts in birds. It seems possible that any carotenoids depleted from bare parts by sunlight could be replenished, but if so, this could impact the availability of carotenoids for other functions such as immunity and antioxidant defence. Such trade‐offs seem particularly likely in individuals that have a low dietary intake of carotenoids, or small amounts of carotenoids in body storage.

2. We investigated the effects of exposure to simulated sunlight UV (UV+) on bill coloration, blood plasma and liver (i.e. body storage) carotenoids and pro‐inflammatory immune responses in male zebra finches (Taeniopygia guttata)in vivo, compared with individuals maintained in an identical environment but with the UV wavelengths removed by a filter (UV−). We also investigated whether any deleterious effects of UV exposure were mitigated by dietary carotenoid supplementation (UV+ Car+).

3. Exposure to simulated sunlight UV was associated with low levels of carotenoids in liver, and elevated levels of carotenoids in blood plasma, suggesting the mobilisation of stored carotenoids. Simulated sunlight UV also caused impaired pro‐inflammatory immune responses, whereas this was not seen in carotenoid‐supplemented birds. We found no effects of simulated sunlight UV or carotenoid supplementation on oxidative damage in blood plasma or bill.

4. Bill ‘carotenoid chroma’ diminished, and bill ‘UV chroma’ correspondingly increased, in all groups during the experiment (i.e. even in UV+ Car+ birds, and in UV− birds). This likely arose because the illuminance in the experimental cages was far higher than in standard laboratory housing conditions and suggests that carotenoid pigmentation is highly susceptible to photobleaching even under exposure to human‐visible wavelengths.

5. These results highlight the potential for sunlight exposure to invoke a range of deleterious consequences for birds, including photobleaching and depression of immunity via pathways mediated by carotenoid allocation trade‐offs. The expression of carotenoid‐based sexual signals may therefore reveal an individual’s history of sunlight exposure and its deleterious effects on immunity.
Optimising by the response surface methodology the enzymatic elimination of clogging of a microfiltration membrane by pectin cake
Authors: Echavarría Ana‐Paola , Ibarz Albert , Conde Josep , Torras Carles , Pagán Jordi
Published: October 2011

The aim of this paper, in which clogging occurs on the filter at a constant vacuum pressure and constant pectin weight, is to find the optimal values of the variables, temperature and time, to know the best conditions to reduce this clogging by enzymatic hydrolysis. Moreover, different properties of the compression of the cake in the filter were determined such as the filtering medium total resistance (RfT), bed porosity (ε) and the cake‐specific resistance (α) at different times and temperatures. The filter area was 0.142 m2, and the value of the mass fraction of solids in the filtered suspension (S) was 0.12. Scanning electron microsopy (SEM) analyses were performed. The results showed that the compressive stress corresponding to the cake improves the flow rate in the filtration flux at the optimal temperature and time for the process, where the enzyme reaches its highest activity. The test results of this study can be applied in different system of filters during cross‐flow filtration.
Characterisation and stability of quality indices on storage of pumpkin (Cucurbita moschata and Cucurbita maxima) purees
Authors: Provesi João Gustavo , Dias Carolinne Odebrech , de Mello Castanho Amboni Renata Dias , Amante Edna Regina
Published: October 2011

Purees of Cucurbita moschata‘Menina Brasileira’ and of Cucurbita maxima‘Exposição’ pumpkins were produced. A commercial sterilisation test confirmed the effectiveness of the thermal treatment applied in the production. The stability was monitored during storage in ambient conditions. No significant alterations in pH, titratable acidity or soluble solids were noted. Both types of puree have a good concentration of carotenoids, although a slight decrease was detected in the ‘Exposição’ pumpkin puree after 15 days of storage. In relation to the colour of the purees, there were no significant alterations in a*, b* or ΔE during storage. Decreases in L* and WI were detected after 30–60 days of storage, thus suggesting a browning in an initial period. However, the scores given by the sensory assessors remained above 7 in a 9‐point scale, thus showing no significant alterations during storage. The results showed the stability of the pumpkin purees during the 180 days of storage under the proposed conditions.
Determination of toxic and essential elements in sunflower honey from Thrace Region, Turkey
Authors: Citak Demirhan , Silici Sibel , Tuzen Mustafa , Soylak Mustafa
Published: October 2011

The aim of this study was to determine the levels of copper (Cu), manganese (Mn), zinc (Zn), iron (Fe), cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), chromium (Cr), nickel (Ni) and selenium (Se) in sunflower honeys obtained from Thrace Region of Turkey. Trace and toxic element determination was performed by atomic absorption spectrometry after microwave digestion. The accuracy of the method was checked by the standard reference material, NIST‐SRM 1515 Apple leaves. The maximum contents of trace and toxic elements in honey samples from Kesan (polluted area) were found as 0.46, 0.82, 1.98, 14.0, 9.86 μg kg−1, 0.48 mg kg−1, 137, 115 and 290 μg kg−1 for Cu, Mn, Zn, Fe, Cd, Pb, Cr, Ni and Se, respectively.
The multifaceted role of Lon proteolysis in seedling establishment and maintenance of plant organelle function: living from protein destruction
Authors: Rigas Stamatis , Daras Gerasimos , Tsitsekian Dikran , Hatzopoulos Polydefkis
Published: October 2011

Intracellular selective proteolysis is an important post‐translational regulatory mechanism maintaining protein quality control by removing defective, damaged or even deleterious protein aggregates. The ATP‐dependent Lon protease is a key component of protein quality control that is highly conserved across the kingdoms of living organisms. Major advancements have been made in bacteria and in non‐plant organisms to understand the role of Lon in protection against protein oxidation, ageing and neurodegenerative diseases. This review presents the progress currently made in plants. The Lon gene family in Arabidopsis consists of four members that produce distinct protein isoforms localized in several organelles. Lon1 and Lon4 that potentially originate from a recent gene duplication event are dual‐targeted to mitochondria and chloroplasts through distinct mechanisms revealing divergent evolution. Arabidopsis mutant analysis showed that mitochondria and peroxisomes biogenesis or maintenance of function is modulated by Lon1 and Lon2, respectively. Consequently, the lack of Lon selective proteolysis leading to growth retardation and impaired seedling establishment can be attributed to defects in the oil reserve mobilization pathway. The current progress in Arabidopsis research uncovers the role of Lon in the proteome homeostasis of plant organelles and stimulates biotechnology scenarios of plant tolerance against harsh abiotic conditions because of climate instability.
Anatomical Relationship Between the Collecting System and the Intrarenal Arteries in the Rabbit: Contribution for an Experimental Model
Authors: Shalgum A. , Marques‐Sampaio B. P. S. , Dafalla A. , Pereira‐Sampaio M. A.
Published: October 2011

With 6 figures and 2 tables

Intrarenal anatomy was studied in detail to evaluate how useful rabbits could be as a urologic model. Only one renal artery was observed, which was divided into dorsal and ventral branches in all cases. Three segmental arteries (cranial, mesorenal and caudal) was the most frequent branching pattern found in both the dorsal and ventral division. There was an important artery related to the ureteropelvic junction in both dorsal and ventral surfaces in all specimens. The cranial pole was supplied by both dorsal and ventral divisions of the renal artery in 23 of 41 casts (56%). Although the cranial pole of the rabbit kidney could be useful as a model because of the resemblances with human kidney, the different relationship between the intrarenal arteries and the kidney collecting system in other regions of the kidney must be taken into consideration by the urologists, when using rabbit kidney in urological research.
Cloning and Phylogenetic Analysis of Coat Protein of Barley yellow dwarf virus Isolates from Different Regions of Pakistan
Authors: Siddiqui Nadir Naveed , Ilyas Muhammad , Mansoor Shahid , Azhar Abid , Saeed Muhammad
Published: October 2011

Barley yellow dwarf virus (BYDVs) is an emerging threat for wheat and may seriously threaten its production, especially as climate change may result in increased infestation by aphids, the insect vectors of the virus. To assess the possibility of using pathogen‐derived resistance against the virus, the genetic diversity of BYDVs originating from different wheat‐growing areas of Pakistan where its incidence has been higher was investigated. Wheat samples with suspected symptoms of BYDVs were screened for the presence of Barley yellow dwarf and Cereal yellow dwarf viruses (B/CYDVs) subgroup 1 (Barley yellow dwarf virus‐PAV, BYDV‐MAV, BYDV‐SGV) and subgroup II (BYDV‐RPV, CYDV‐RPV, BYDV‐GPV) by PCR using basic multiplex oligonucleotides designed on coat protein (CP) of the virus. Of 37 samples tested, 13 were positive for BYDV subgroup I and only one sample was positive for BYDV subgroup II. Samples positive for subgroup I were further tested by PCR, and results showed that 10 samples were positive for BYDV‐PAV and three for BYDV‐MAV. DNA sequences of CP region of nine isolates (BYDV‐PAV) were determined and compared with available sequences in databases. Sequence analysis showed that three isolates (from Fatehjang, Nowshera and Attock districts) had maximum identity (92.8–94.6%) to BYDV‐PAS, and six isolates (from Peshawar, Islamabad Swabi and Faisalabad districts) had maximum identity (99.3–99.7%) to BYDV‐PAV. Thus BYDV‐PAV species may be dominant in northern wheat‐growing areas of Pakistan. The conserved nature of the BYDVs suggests that pathogen‐derived resistance strategies targeting the coat protein of the virus are likely to provide protection under field conditions.
Inheritance of resistance to sunflower broomrape (Orobanche cumana Wallr.) in an interspecific cross between Helianthus annuus and Helianthus debilis subsp. tardiflorus
Authors: Velasco Leonardo , Pérez‐Vich Begoña , Yassein Ahmed A. M. , Jan Chao‐Chien , Fernández‐Martínez José M.
Published: October 2011

With 2 tables

Sunflower broomrape (Orobanche cumana Wallr.) constrains sunflower cultivation in many areas of Europe and Asia. Populations classified as race G that overcome all known resistance genes have recently appeared. The objective of this research was to study the inheritance of resistance to broomrape race G in a resistant accession of Helianthus debilis subsp. tardiflorus. Heads of H. debilis subsp. tardiflorus were emasculated and pollinated with pollen of the Helianthus annuus‐susceptible line HA 89. BC1F1, BC1F2, BC1F3, BC2F1, BC2F2 and BC2F3 generations were developed and evaluated for broomrape resistance. F1 plants were resistant, indicating dominance of resistance. BC1 populations segregated in a ratio of one resistant to one susceptible plant, whereas BC1F2 and BC2F2 populations segregated in a ratio of three resistant to one susceptible plant, which was confirmed in the evaluation of the BC1F3 and BC2F3 populations. The results indicated that resistance to broomrape race G in H. debilis subsp. tardiflorus is controlled by dominant alleles at a single locus. This mode of inheritance will facilitate the introgression of resistance into elite cultivars.
Leukoaraiosis is associated with arterial wall thickness: A quantitative analysis
Authors: Auriel Eitan , Csiba Laszlo , Berenyi Ervin , Varkonyi Ildiko , Mehes Gabor , Kardos Laszlo , Karni Arnon , Bornstein Natan M.
Published: October 2011

Leukoaraiosis refers to an age‐related, abnormal appearance of the brain white matter on neuroimaging. The association between leukoaraiosis and cerebrovascular disease suggests that ischemia may be an important contributing factor; however, the pathogenesis of the condition remains controversial. We hypothesized that physical abnormalities of blood vessels might be culpable and compared the external and internal measurements of blood vessel walls between brains that demonstrated leukoaraiosis on imaging and normal control brains. Fourteen brains of individuals who had been diagnosed as having severe leukoaraiosis and five non‐leukoaraiosis control brains were studied. Arterial cross‐sections were evaluated by length measurements with an image analysis device. Arterial wall thickness and the ratio of the outer and inner diameters of the vessel were measured. We measured a total of 108 vessels in the leukoaraiosis group and 95 vessels in the control group. The vessel walls of the leukoaraiosis patients were an average of 5.5 µm thicker than the walls of control vessels of the same inside diameter (P = 0.0000, 95% CI 3.01–8.08) and an average of 2.3 µm thicker than walls of control vessels of the same outside diameter (P = 0.016, 95% CI 0.48–4.17). Our data provide evidence that leukoaraiosis is associated with vessel wall thickening in an additive fashion and indicate that structural vascular abnormalities are associated with leukoaraiosis.
Intentional signals during saccadic and reaching delays in the human posterior parietal cortex
Authors: Galati Gaspare , Committeri Giorgia , Pitzalis Sabrina , Pelle Gina , Patria Fabiana , Fattori Patrizia , Galletti Claudio
Published: October 2011

In the monkey posterior parietal cortex (PPC), there is clear evidence of anatomically segregated neuronal populations specialized for planning saccades and arm‐reaching movements. However, functional neuroimaging studies in humans have yielded controversial results. Here we show that the human PPC contains distinct subregions responsive to salient visual cues, some of which combine spatial and action‐related signals into ‘intentional’ signals. Participants underwent event‐related functional magnetic resonance imaging while performing delayed saccades and long‐range arm reaches instructed by visual cues. We focused on activity in the time period following the cue and preceding the actual movement. The use of individual cortical surface reconstructions with detailed sulcal labeling allowed the definition of six responsive regions with distinctive anatomical locations in the PPC. Each region exhibited a distinctive combination of transient and sustained signals during the delay, modulated by either the cue spatial location (contralateral vs. ipsilateral), the instructed action (saccades vs. reaching) or both. Importantly, a lateral and a medial dorsal parietal region showed sustained responses during the delay preferentially for contralateral saccadic and reaching trials, respectively. In the lateral region, preference for saccades was evident only as a more sustained response during saccadic vs. reaching delays, whereas the medial region also showed a higher transient response to cues signaling reaching vs. saccadic actions. These response profiles closely match the behavior of neurons in the macaque lateral and medial intraparietal area, respectively, and suggest that these corresponding human regions are encoding spatially directed action plans or ‘intentions’.
Stomatal innovation and the rise of seed plants
Authors: McAdam Scott A. M. , Brodribb Timothy J.
Published: October 2011

Ecology Letters (2011) 14: 1–8

Stomatal valves on the leaves of vascular plants not only prevent desiccation but also dynamically regulate water loss to maintain efficient daytime water use. This latter process involves sophisticated active control of stomatal aperture that may be absent from early‐branching plant clades. To test this hypothesis, we compare the stomatal response to light intensity in 13 species of ferns and lycophytes with a diverse sample of seed plants to determine whether the capacity to optimise water use is an ancestral or derived feature of stomatal physiology. We found that in seed plants, the ratio of photosynthesis to water use remained high and constant at different light intensities, but fern and lycophyte stomata were incapable of sustaining homeostatic water use efficiency. We conclude that efficient water use in early seed plants provided them with a competitive advantage that contributed to the decline of fern and lycophyte dominated‐ecosystems in the late Paleozoic.
Endoscopic mucosal resection vs transanal endoscopic microsurgery for the treatment of large rectal adenomas
Authors: Barendse R. M. , van den Broek F. J. C. , van Schooten J. , Bemelman W. A. , Fockens P. , de Graaf E. J. R. , Dekker E. ,   on behalf of the TREND study group
Published: October 2011

Aim  Large (> 2 cm) rectal adenomas are currently treated by transanal endoscopic microsurgery (TEM) or piecemeal endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR). The potential lower morbidity of EMR becomes irrelevant if it is less effective. We aimed to compare the safety and effectiveness of EMR and TEM for large rectal adenomas.

Method  Data from patients undergoing TEM or EMR for a rectal adenoma > 2 cm in eight hospitals were retrospectively collected. Patient‐ and procedure‐related characteristics, complications and recurrences were recorded. As EMR may require several attempts to achieve complete resection, early (after a single intervention) and late (permitting re‐treatment for residual adenoma within 6 months) recurrence rates were determined.

Results  Two hundred and ninety‐two (292) patients (49% male; mean age 67 years) were included; 219 were treated by TEM and 73 by EMR. Adenomas treated by EMR were smaller (median 30 vs 40 mm; P = 0.007). Perioperative complication rates were 2% for TEM and 6% for EMR (P = 0.171). Postoperative complications occurred in 24% of TEM patients and in 13% of EMR patients (P = 0.038). Median hospitalization after TEM was 3 days vs 0 days after EMR (P < 0.001). Median follow‐up was 12.6 months (0–47 months); Early recurrence rates were 10.2% in TEM patients and 31.0% in EMR patients (P < 0.001); late recurrence rates were 9.6% and 13.8%, respectively (P = 0.386).

Conclusion  After a single intervention, EMR of large rectal adenomas seems less effective, but safer than TEM. When allowing re‐treatment of residual adenoma within 6 months, EMR and TEM seem equally effective. A prospective randomized comparison seems to be necessary.
Laparoscopic sigmoid resection with transrectal specimen extraction: a systematic review
Authors: Wolthuis A. M. , Van Geluwe B. , Fieuws S. , Penninckx F. , D’Hoore A.
Published: October 2011

Aim  A systematic review was performed to identify differences in surgical technique, postoperative morbidity, length of hospital stay and safety for procedures involving left‐sided laparoscopic colectomy with natural orifice specimen extraction.

Method  A PubMed search was performed to retrieve studies reporting on left‐sided laparoscopic colorectal resection with transrectal specimen extraction. The quality of the different reports was assessed according to the Newcastle–Ottawa Scale. Six studies were included and all but one were cohort studies. Studies on transanal, transvaginal or transcolonic specimen extraction were excluded, as were reports on paediatric surgery.

Results  Six papers (including 94 patients) fulfilled the search criteria. The techniques reported were not standardized and this technical heterogeneity hampered pooled analysis. A meta‐analysis could also not be performed because of differences in inter‐study methods, study population and results. All studies showed, nevertheless, that the technique is feasible with low morbidity and short postoperative hospital stay. No anal dysfunction was reported.

Conclusion  To date, the evidence in favour of left‐sided laparoscopic colectomy with transrectal specimen extraction is weak (level IV–V). Future clinical research should focus on standardization of the technique. Randomized controlled trials are necessary to show the superiority of this approach with regard to postoperative pain and morbidity, hospital stay, recovery, function and cosmesis.
Contemporary diagnosis and management of squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the penis
Authors: Deem Samuel , Keane Thomas , Bhavsar Robin , El‐Zawahary Ahmed , Savage Stephen
Published: October 2011

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

Penile cancer is a rare malignancy with limited evidence to support most treatment recommendations. No randomised controlled trials have been published and few recommendations are available for guiding management. However, evidence‐based guidelines are currently available through the European Association of Urology.

This review provides the reader with the most up‐to‐date information on diagnosis and management of all stages of squamous cell carcinoma of the penis. It provides a rapid review and study guide for this rare disease.

To review the current literature available on squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the penis and provide a contemporary management algorithm for treatment based on the best evidence available.

A complete review of the current English language literature was performed via PubMed and all available guidelines were reviewed.

Large randomised controlled trials are lacking in penile SCC due to the fortunately rare occurrence of the disease.

Treatment recommendations for the primary lesion, lymph nodes, and follow‐up in this review are based on the best current available literature.

Early diagnosis and aggressive organ‐sparing treatment remains the mainstay of therapy for penile SCC.

Variable institutional expertise currently makes treatment decisions difficult and unstandardised.

A multidisciplinary approach should be used in attempt to improve outcomes in this mutilating disease.
External quality assurance for image grading in the Scottish Diabetic Retinopathy Screening Programme
Authors: Goatman K. A. , Philip S. , Fleming A. D. , Harvey R. D. , Swa K. K. , Styles C. , Black M. , Sell G. , Lee N. , Sharp P. F. , Olson J. A.
Published: October 2011

Diabet. Med. 29, 776–783 (2012)

Aims  To develop and evaluate an image grading external quality assurance system for the Scottish Diabetic Retinopathy Screening Programme.

Method  A web‐based image grading system was developed which closely matches the current Scottish national screening software. Two rounds of external quality assurance were run in autumn 2008 and spring 2010, each time using the same 100 images. Graders were compared with a consensus standard derived from the top‐level graders’ results. After the first round, the centre lead clinicians and top‐level graders reviewed the results and drew up guidance notes for the second round.

Results  Grader sensitivities ranged from 60.0 to 100% (median 92.5%) in 2008, and from 62.5 to 100% (median 92.5%) in 2010. Specificities ranged from 34.0 to 98.0% (median 86%) in 2008, and 54.0 to 100% (median 88%) in 2010. There was no difference in sensitivity between grader levels, but first‐level graders had a significantly lower specificity than level‐two and level‐three graders. In 2008, one centre had a lower sensitivity but higher specificity than the majority of centres. Following the feedback from the first round, overall agreement improved in 2010 and there were no longer any significant differences between centres.

Conclusions  A useful educational tool has been developed for image grading external quality assurance.
Severe hypoglycaemia and late‐life cognitive ability in older people with Type 2 diabetes: the Edinburgh Type 2 Diabetes Study
Authors: Aung P. P. , Strachan M. W. J. , Frier B. M. , Butcher I. , Deary I. J. , Price J. F. ,   on behalf of the Edinburgh Type 2 Diabetes Study Investigators
Published: October 2011

Diabet. Med. 29, 328–336 (2012)

Objective  To determine the association between lifetime severe hypoglycaemia and late‐life cognitive ability in older people with Type 2 diabetes.

Methods  Cross‐sectional, population‐based study of 1066 men and women aged 60–75 years, with Type 2 diabetes. Frequency of severe hypoglycaemia over a person’s lifetime and in the year prior to cognitive testing was assessed using a previously validated self‐completion questionnaire. Results of age‐sensitive neuropsychological tests were combined to derive a late‐life general cognitive ability factor, ‘g’. Vocabulary test scores, which are stable during ageing, were used to estimate early life (prior) cognitive ability.

Results  After age‐ and sex‐ adjustment, ‘g‘ was lower in subjects reporting at least one prior severe hypoglycaemia episode (n = 113), compared with those who did not report severe hypoglycaemia (mean ‘g’−0.34 vs. 0.05, P < 0.001). Mean vocabulary test scores did not differ significantly between the two groups (30.2 vs. 31.0, P = 0.13). After adjustment for vocabulary, difference in ‘g’ between the groups persisted (means −0.25 vs. 0.04, P < 0.001), with the group with severe hypoglycaemia demonstrating poorer performance on tests of Verbal Fluency (34.5 vs. 37.3, P = 0.02), Digit Symbol Testing (45.9 vs. 49.9, P = 0.002), Letter–Number Sequencing (9.1 vs. 9.8, P = 0.005) and Trail Making (P < 0.001). These associations persisted after adjustment for duration of diabetes, vascular disease and other potential confounders.

Conclusions  Self‐reported history of severe hypoglycaemia was associated with poorer late‐life cognitive ability in people with Type 2 diabetes. Persistence of this association after adjustment for estimated prior cognitive ability suggests that the association may be attributable, at least in part, to an effect of hypoglycaemia on age‐related cognitive decline.
The American Right and Israel
Authors: DURHAM MARTIN
Published: October 2011

In recent years there has been considerable controversy over the relationship between the United States and Israel. Neoconservatives and Christian Zionists have been vociferous in support of the relationship, while John Mearsheimer and other critics have questioned what America gains from such an alliance. While the G. W. Bush administration has often been portrayed as uncritically favouring Israel, it was the subject of criticism on the issue from within the American Right. Now it is the Obama administration which is drawing fire for its stance on Israel.
Cosmopolitanism and Global Politics
Authors: MARTELL LUKE
Published: October 2011

This article discusses whether global politics are the best means for achieving cosmopolitan ends. It distinguishes the cosmopolitan goal of global obligations from the cosmopolitan politics of global governance. Evidence for cosmopolitanism in society and culture is not strong. In global politics states pursue their own material interests rather than cosmopolitan goals. Copenhagen and the financial crisis did not lead to global cosmopolitan politics as might have been hoped. The article argues that it is dangerous to continue to believe in cosmopolitan politics in such a context. Cosmopolitanism is better pursued through a politics that recognises material interests, conflict, is bottom‐up and based in what is happening, rather than top‐down and optimistic about cosmopolitan attitudes.
Risk and Financial Armageddon in Ireland: The Politics of the Galway Tent
Authors: TAYLOR GEORGE
Published: October 2011

This article examines Ireland's financial crisis. Thus far explanation has focused on individual or collective administrative failure: the office(r) of financial regulation singularly failed to scrutinise the banks sufficiently: it was a matter of poor risk management. While this article would agree that the (mis)management of risk was important to how the crisis unfolded, I argue that an explanation of why the crisis emerged demands an altogether different focus. Put simply, after financial regulatory reform, a reconfiguration of risk in politics took place as the locus of decision‐making about financial risk shifted from the realm of the political/legal (Cabinet/Central Bank/Department of Finance) to the economic/legal (retail banks, shareholders/consumers). It was a critical development, one that mirrored events taking place in the UK, upon which Ireland drew experience, for now assessments about risk undertaken by the banks demanded that intervention could be justified only on an ascertainable risk, not a theoretical uncertainty (or spurious fear). The evidentiary bar for intervention was therefore raised, removing the precautionary instinct implicit in the prudential governance of Central Banks.
Keynes and Myself
Authors: BRITTAN SAMUEL
Published: October 2011

The heart of the Keynesian message is the need for demand management by monetary and fiscal means to counteract seriously deficient demand. The unemployment of the 1980s had at its heart union monopoly and was accompanied initially by double digit inflation. Keynesian demand management would have made no sense. The situation is now totally different when the credit crunch has brought on genuine demand deficiency. But Keynes left unsolved the role, if any of the budget balance. It is not good enough to say that ‘growth’ will take care of that too.
Reform of Press Self‐regulation
Authors: MOORE MARTIN
Published: October 2011

In July 2011 following the revelations about phone hacking, all three political party leaders called for radical reform of the current system of press self‐regulation. Those within the press itself, including the Daily Mail, also conceded that serious changes were necessary. At the same time both politicians and press stressed the importance of protecting the freedom of the press and preventing undue government interference. Starting with both these pre‐requisites in mind—the creation of a new independent system and the protection of press freedom—this essay suggests four possible models of reform. For each model the essay sketches the basic parameters of reform and then suggests three problems associated with each. It argues against those who claim that anything more than small changes to the status quo would be too costly, would threaten press freedom, or would be technologically impractical.
Unravelling Equality: The Impact of the United Kingdom's Spending Cuts on Women
Authors: STEPHENSON MARY‐ANN , HARRISON JAMES
Published: October 2011

This article examines a report on the likely impact of the spending cuts on women. The report, Unravelling Equality: A Human Rights and Equality Impact Assessment of the Spending Cuts on Women in Coventry, concludes that the public spending cuts will increase inequality between women and men. For some women the cuts may have serious negative effects on their human rights. The article argues that this report provides a blueprint for the kind of analysis which should be carried out all over the country to ensure that the impact of spending cuts on women is better understood and acted upon.
Can Democracy Cope?
Authors: RUNCIMAN DAVID
Published: October 2011

The success story of democracy over the twentieth century has given way to doubts in the twenty‐first, as democracies struggle to cope with difficult wars, mounting debts, climate change and the rise of China. This essay uses intellectual history to explain the link between long‐term democratic success and short‐term democratic failure. It distinguishes three distinct views of what can go wrong with democracy, and identifies the third (which I call ‘the confidence trap’, an idea that originates with Tocqueville) as the key to understanding our present predicament. Democratic success creates blind spots and a reluctance to tackle long‐term problems. I use this idea to explain and put in context Fukuyama's claims about the end of history, and to examine the link between democratic failure and market failure.
Ricardian Comparative Advantage and Geographical Concentration
Authors: Okubo Toshihiro
Published: October 2011

This paper analyses geographical concentration using the continuum‐of‐goods trade model in the presence of labor migration, Ricardian comparative advantage and Marshallian‐type external increasing returns to scale. The findings show that higher transportation costs lead to concentration in one region, and lower transportation costs lead to diversification between the regions. For intermediate transportation costs, asymmetric diversification becomes a stable equilibrium in which the smaller population region has higher wage rates and a smaller externality, and vice versa. However, because the asymmetric equilibrium is an inefficient outcome, it leaves room for government intervention.
Dynamic Interactions in Trade Policy in a Differential Game Model of Tariff Protection
Authors: Fujiwara Kenji , Shinozaki Tsuyoshi , Yanase Akihiko
Published: October 2011

This paper develops a two‐country dynamic game model of tariff protection to reconsider optimal trade policies and their implications for welfare. The authors show that an import subsidy is optimal in the feedback Nash equilibria, which results in a curious possibility that the domestic market is monopolized by the foreign firrm. However, welfare comparisons among Nash equilibria, free trade, and autarky reveal that feedback Nash equilibria involve higher welfare than both autarky and free trade, i.e. dynamic noncooperative choices of policy serve as tacit policy coordination and ensure larger trade gains relative to free trade.
General Equilibrium Impacts of Monetary and Fiscal Policies on Welfare of Households in South Asia
Authors: Bhattarai Keshab
Published: October 2011

Impacts of fiscal and monetary policies are assessed in an open economy two sector multi‐household general equilibrium tax model with money for South Asia. Despite impressive growth rates there is evidence for alarming gaps in the distribution of income among households that require very careful design of economic policies. Generally the impacts of fiscal expansions are positive for all categories of households under the flexible price system but the gains are much higher for households in the upper income group than for those in the bottom. In theory the equilibrium relative prices guarantee the optimal allocation of resources in such economy. Simulation results show that demand, output and employment are sensitive to the preferences of consumers, confidence of producers and sector specific production technologies. Monetary policy is super‐neutral under flexible price regime but can complement fiscal policy well when aggregate prices are made sticky. Combination of monetary and fiscal policies in this manner can have extensive impacts in efficiency and redistribution. Higher taxes distort incentives to work and investment from richer households slowing down the economy. This reduces the welfare level of both rich and poor. Flexibility in prices enhances the market mechanism and makes the fiscal policy more effective and efficient.
Sharing the Cost of Global Warming*
Authors: de Villemeur Etienne Billette , Leroux Justin
Published: October 2011

For meteorological reasons, the distribution of climate‐change damage bears no relationship to the distribution of emissions across the globe. We argue in favor of offsetting this discrepancy. We propose a global insurance scheme of sorts, to be financed according to countries’ responsibilities in the matter. We analyze this horizontal equity problem using a responsibility/compensation framework, which we have adapted to a context of externalities. We characterize new versions of two well‐known cost‐sharing schemes.
The Flexible Fourier Form and Local Generalised Least Squares De‐trended Unit Root Tests*
Authors: Rodrigues Paulo M. M. , Robert Taylor A. M.
Published: October 2011

In two recent papers Enders and Lee (2009) and Becker, Enders and Lee (2006) provide Lagrange multiplier and ordinary least squares de‐trended unit root tests, and stationarity tests, respectively, which incorporate a Fourier approximation element in the deterministic component. Such an approach can prove useful in providing robustness against a variety of breaks in the deterministic trend function of unknown form and number. In this article, we generalize the unit root testing procedure based on local generalized least squares (GLS) de‐trending proposed by Elliott, Rothenberg and Stock (1996) to allow for a Fourier approximation to the unknown deterministic component in the same way. We show that the resulting unit root tests possess good finite sample size and power properties and the test statistics have stable non‐standard distributions, despite the curious result that their limiting null distributions exhibit asymptotic rank deficiency.
Automated Model Selection in Finance: General‐to‐Specific Modelling of the Mean and Volatility Specifications*
Authors: Sucarrat Genaro , Escribano Alvaro
Published: October 2011

General‐to‐Specific (GETS) modelling has witnessed major advances thanks to the automation of multi‐path GETS specification search. However, the estimation complexity associated with financial models constitutes an obstacle to automated multi‐path GETS modelling in finance. Making use of a recent result we provide and study simple but general and flexible methods that automate financial multi‐path GETS modelling. Starting from a general model where the mean specification can contain autoregressive terms and explanatory variables, and where the exponential volatility specification can include log‐ARCH terms, asymmetry terms, volatility proxies and other explanatory variables, the algorithm we propose returns parsimonious mean and volatility specifications.
Papulopustular rosacea, skin immunity and Demodex: pityriasis folliculorum as a missing link
Authors: Forton F.M.N.
Published: October 2011

Papulopustular rosacea (PPR) is a common facial skin disease, characterized by erythema, telangiectasia, papules and pustules. Its physiopathology is still being discussed, but recently several molecular features of its inflammatory process have been identified: an overproduction of Toll‐Like receptors 2, of a serine protease, and of abnormal forms of cathelicidin.

The two factors which stimulate the Toll‐like receptors to induce cathelicidin expression are skin infection and cutaneous barrier disruption: these two conditions are, at least theoretically, fulfilled by Demodex, which is present in high density in PPR and creates epithelial breaches by eating cells. So, the major pathogenic mechanisms of Demodex and its role in PPR are reviewed here in the context of these recent discoveries.

In this review, the inflammatory process of PPR appears to be a consequence of the proliferation of Demodex, and strongly supports the hypothesis that: (1) in the first stage a specific (innate or acquired) immune defect against Demodex allows the proliferation of the mite; (2) in the second stage, probably when some mites penetrate into the dermis, the immune system is suddenly stimulated and gives rise to an exaggerated immune response against the Demodex, resulting in the papules and the pustules of the rosacea.

In this context, it would be very interesting to study the immune molecular features of this first stage, named “pityriasis folliculorum”, where the Demodex proliferate profusely with no, or a low immune reaction from the host: this entity appears to be a missing link in the understanding of rosacea.
Images of Europe: How Commission Officials Conceive Their Institution's Role*
Authors: HOOGHE LIESBET
Published: October 2011

How do Commission officials conceive the Commission's role in the European Union? Should the Commission be the government of Europe or the servant of Member States? Is there a third possibility – that of institutional pragmatism, whereby Commission and Member States share authority? This article lays out jurisdictional options and role conceptions adopted by Commission officials, and estimates their relative incidence using a 2008 large‐scale survey among Commission officials (N = 1,901). There is a plurality of views, though within relatively narrow parameters. In explaining variation, national background shapes views more than professional background.
A new system for fast and quantitative analysis of heterologous gene expression in plants
Authors: Thévenin J. , Dubos C. , Xu W. , Le Gourrierec J. , Kelemen Z. , Charlot F. , Nogué F. , Lepiniec L. , Dubreucq B.
Published: October 2011

Large‐scale analysis of transcription factor–cis‐acting element interactions in plants, or the dissection of complex transcriptional regulatory mechanisms, requires rapid, robust and reliable systems for the quantification of gene expression.

Here, we describe a new system for transient expression analysis of transcription factors, which takes advantage of the fast and easy production and transfection of Physcomitrella patens protoplasts, coupled to flow cytometry quantification of a fluorescent protein (green fluorescent protein). Two small‐sized and high‐copy Gateway® vectors were specifically designed, although standard binary vectors can also be employed.

As a proof of concept, the regulation of BANYULS (BAN), a key structural gene involved in proanthocyanidin biosynthesis in Arabidopsis thaliana seeds, was used. In P. patens, BAN expression is activated by a complex composed of three proteins (TT2/AtMYB123, TT8/bHLH042 and TTG1), and is inhibited by MYBL2, a transcriptional repressor, as in Arabidopsis. Using this approach, two new regulatory sequences that are necessary and sufficient for specific BAN expression in proanthocyanidin‐accumulating cells were identified.

This one hybrid‐like plant system was successfully employed to quantitatively assess the transcriptional activity of four regulatory proteins, and to identify their target recognition sites on the BAN promoter.
Bioactive peptides in dairy products
Authors: CHOI JONGWOO , SABIKHI LATHA , HASSAN ASHRAF , ANAND SANJEEV
Published: October 2011

Bioactive peptides are hydrolysates with specific amino acid sequences that exert a positive physiological influence on the body. They are inert within the native protein, but once cleaved from the native protein by microbial or added enzymes and/or gastrointestinal enzymes during the digestive process, they apply their beneficial traits. Dairy products, particularly fermented products, are potential sources of bioactive peptides: several of them possess extra‐nutritional physiological functions that qualify them to be classified under the ‘Functional Foods’ label. Biological peptides in milk, the methods of their generation and their prevalence in dairy products are reviewed along with the reported health benefits and safety aspects.
Homogenization of freshwater fish faunas after the elimination of a natural barrier by a dam in Neotropics
Authors: Vitule Jean Ricardo Simões , Skóra Felipe , Abilhoa Vinícius
Published: October 2011

Aim  We quantify biotic homogenization of fish fauna caused by the elimination of a natural barrier between two freshwater ecoregions. We also evaluated fish introductions by different mechanisms such as aquaculture, angling and the aquarium trade in the homogenization of fish assemblages. The relative importance of native extinctions in the homogenization process was assessed by simulating the exclusion of threatened species in the data set.

Location  Paraná River, south‐eastern South America.

Methods  A fish species list of the Parana River Basin was organized in a subset of species distributions, according to pre‐ and post‐introductions caused by the elimination of the natural barrier and by other mechanisms. Biotic homogenization was verified by the use of Jaccard’s and Bray–Curtis’s coefficients, Whittaker’s beta diversity index, non‐metric multidimensional scaling analysis (NMDS) and nonparametric tests.

Results  For all subsets of species distributions, we observed an increase in the number of non‐native species in common related to the introductions. Between 40 and 52% of the species currently present in the Upper Paraná Basin dispersed upstream from the Lower Paraná after the construction of Itaipu Dam, including at least 1 class, 2 orders, 4 families and 16 genera of fish. Jaccard’s coefficient between the Upper and Lower Parana River increased by 6–7.5% only considering the Itaipu Dam influence and 10.5% considering all mechanisms of fish introductions. More than 50% of the increase in similarity was caused by the elimination of the barrier. Our results indicated functional homogenization related to large‐bodied Siluriformes (catfish).

Main conclusions  Itaipu Lake flooded a natural barrier and allowed hydrologic connectivity between the Upper and Lower Paraná River, and many fishes of the lower part of the river were able to colonize the upper stretches. The homogenization of the two assemblages between these adjacent aquatic regions was an unpredicted result of hydropower implementation. Introductions by dam can also shift longitudinal and latitudinal body size patterns (i.e. Bergmann's rule).