bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Habitat, Fish Species, and Fish Assemblage Associations of the Topeka Shiner in West-Central Iowa
Authors: Bakevich Bryan D. , Pierce Clay L. , Quist Michael C.
Published: December 2013

Our goal was to identify habitat, fish species, and fish assemblages associated with the occurrence of Topeka Shiners Notropis topeka in stream and off-channel habitat (OCH) of west-central Iowa. Fish assemblages and habitat characteristics were estimated in 67 stream and 27 OCH sites during 2010–2011. Topeka Shiners were sampled in 52% of OCH sites, but in only 9% of stream sites, which supports the hypothesis that OCH is an important component of their life history. Fish assemblages containing Topeka Shiners were different from those that did not contain Topeka Shiners in OCH sites, but this was not evident in stream sites. Results from logistic regression models suggested that Topeka Shiner presence was associated with increased submerged vegetation and abundance of Fathead Minnow Pimephales promelas. Contrary to the findings of other studies, the abundance of large piscivorous fishes was not associated with the occurrence of Topeka Shiners. Our results provide new information about the biology and life history of the Topeka Shiner that will guide habitat restoration and other recovery efforts.

Received July 17, 2012; accepted August 20, 2013
Modeling Population Dynamics and Fish Consumption of a Managed Double-Crested Cormorant Colony in Minnesota
Authors: Schultz Douglas W. , Carlson Andrew J. , Mortensen Steve , Pereira Donald L.
Published: December 2013

The recovery of the double-crested cormorant Phalacrocorax auritus throughout North America has led to increased human–cormorant competition over fishery resources and has forced managers to evaluate cormorant effects and consider management alternatives at local and broader scales. We present a method for modeling local double-crested cormorant populations under varying levels of culling intensity based on a colony managed at Leech Lake, Minnesota, during 2005–2011. In this case study, the cormorant colony was evaluated under no, moderate, and intensive control rates and compared with the observed population response. Cormorant diets for fledged (adults and subadults) and nestling cormorants were described during 2004–2007 and 2010. Annual fish consumption and 95% confidence intervals were estimated from 1992 to 2011 using a bioenergetics model and Monte Carlo methods. Total feeding effort and fish consumption has been reduced by nearly 90% since cormorant control began in 2005 (consumption reduced from 20.01 kg/ha in 2004 to 1.98 kg/ha in 2011) and by 46–73% annually, depending on the number of birds arriving each spring and the applied culling intensity. Averaged across all years and periods, fledged cormorants consumed 0.75 kg·bird−1·d−1 and nestlings consumed 0.45 kg·bird−1·d−1. Respectively, average fledged and nestling diets were comprised of Yellow Perch Perca flavescens (61.0% and 77.4%), Coregonus spp. (12.3% and 9.4%), minnows Notropis spp. (9.9% and 2.2%), Trout-perch Percopsis omiscomaycus (4.1% and 0.4%), and Walleye Sander vitreus (4.6% and 3.6%), though considerable seasonal and temporal variability was observed. The bioenergetics model used to estimate total fish consumption was sensitive to this variability, which was strongly associated with the dynamics of the population of Cisco Coregonus artedi. Some fish population and fishery statistics were described by changes in cormorant predation pressure, but these relationships were compromised by other concurrent management activities.

Received April 1, 2013; accepted August 20, 2013
The effects of Zumba training on cardiovascular and neuromuscular function in female college students
Authors: Donath Lars , Roth Ralf , Hohn Yannick , Zahner Lukas , Faude Oliver
Published: December 2013

The present study examined the effects of Zumba training (group fitness based on salsa and aerobics) on endurance, trunk strength, balance, flexibility, jumping performance and quality of life (QoL) in female college students. Thirty female participants were randomly assigned (strata: age, BMI and physical activity) to an intervention (INT, n = 15: age: 21.0 ± 2.3 years; BMI: 21.8 ± 3.0 kg/m2; physical activity (PA): 7.6 ± 4.6 h/week) or control group (CON, n = 14: age: 21.0 ± 2.8 years; BMI: 21.0 ± 2.1 kg/m2; PA: 7.3 ± 3.6 h/week). Instructed Zumba training was provided twice a week for 8 weeks (training attendance: 100%). QoL was assessed using the WHO‐QoL‐BREF questionnaire. Endurance was measured with the 6‐min walking test (6MWT). Trunk flexibility was assessed with the stand‐and‐reach‐test and lower‐extremity strength with the jump‐and‐reach‐test. The star excursion balance test (SEBT) was employed to assess dynamic balance. Trunk strength endurance was examined using the Swiss global trunk strength test in prone and lateral (left, right) positions. All testings were performed before and after the training period. We observed large statistically significant between‐group effects of total QoL score (INT: +9.8%, CON: +0.4%, p < 0.001; partial eta squared ), 6MWT distance (INT: +21%, CON: −2%, p < 0.001, ), trunk strength endurance (prone, INT: +48%, CON: +11%, p = 0.04, ; lateral‐left, INT: +71%, CON: +11%, p = 0.01, , lateral‐right, INT: +54%, CON: +11%, p = 0.01, ) and dynamic balance (all eight reaching distances of the SEBT, INT: +11−26%, CON: +1.1−3.8%, 0.001 < p < 0.04, 0.14 < ) with significantly larger improvements for INT. Flexibility and jump performance were not relevantly affected (p > 0.05). Instructed Zumba training can be applied to improve well‐being, aerobic fitness and neuromuscular function in female college students.
Learning about the Internal Structure of Categories through Classification and Feature Inference
Authors: Jee Benjamin D. , Wiley Jennifer
Published: December 2013

Previous research on category learning has found that classification tasks produce representations that are skewed toward diagnostic feature dimensions, whereas feature inference tasks lead to richer representations of within-category structure. Yet, prior studies often measure category knowledge through tasks that involve identifying only the typical features of a category. This neglects an important aspect of a category's internal structure: how typical and atypical features are distributed within a category. The present experiments tested the hypothesis that inference learning results in richer knowledge of internal category structure than classification learning. We introduced several new measures to probe learners’ representations of within-category structure. Experiment 1 found that participants in the inference condition learned and used a wider range of feature dimensions than classification learners. Classification learners, however, were more sensitive to the presence of atypical features within categories. Experiment 2 provided converging evidence that classification learners were more likely to incorporate atypical features into their representations. Inference learners were less likely to encode atypical category features, even in a “partial inference” condition that focused learners’ attention on the feature dimensions relevant to classification. Overall, these results are contrary to the hypothesis that inference learning produces superior knowledge of within-category structure. Although inference learning promoted representations that included a broad range of category-typical features, classification learning promoted greater sensitivity to the distribution of typical and atypical features within categories.
Chemotherapy activates cancer-associated fibroblasts to maintain colorectal cancer-initiating cells by IL-17A
Authors: Lotti Fiorenza , Jarrar Awad M. , Pai Rish K. , Hitomi Masahiro , Lathia Justin , Mace Adam , Gantt Gerald A. , Sukhdeo Kumar , DeVecchio Jennifer , Vasanji Amit , Leahy Patrick , Hjelmeland Anita B. , Kalady Matthew F. , Rich Jeremy N.
Published: December 2013

Many solid cancers display cellular hierarchies with self-renewing, tumorigenic stemlike cells, or cancer-initiating cells (CICs) at the apex. Whereas CICs often exhibit relative resistance to conventional cancer therapies, they also receive critical maintenance cues from supportive stromal elements that also respond to cytotoxic therapies. To interrogate the interplay between chemotherapy and CICs, we investigated cellular heterogeneity in human colorectal cancers. Colorectal CICs were resistant to conventional chemotherapy in cell-autonomous assays, but CIC chemoresistance was also increased by cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs). Comparative analysis of matched colorectal cancer specimens from patients before and after cytotoxic treatment revealed a significant increase in CAFs. Chemotherapy-treated human CAFs promoted CIC self-renewal and in vivo tumor growth associated with increased secretion of specific cytokines and chemokines, including interleukin-17A (IL-17A). Exogenous IL-17A increased CIC self-renewal and invasion, and targeting IL-17A signaling impaired CIC growth. Notably, IL-17A was overexpressed by colorectal CAFs in response to chemotherapy with expression validated directly in patient-derived specimens without culture. These data suggest that chemotherapy induces remodeling of the tumor microenvironment to support the tumor cellular hierarchy through secreted factors. Incorporating simultaneous disruption of CIC mechanisms and interplay with the tumor microenvironment could optimize therapeutic targeting of cancer.
The Schröder-Bernstein property for 𝑎-saturated models
Authors: Goodrick John , Laskowski Michael
Published: December 2013

A first-order theoryTThas theSchröder-Bernstein (SB) propertyif any pair of elementarily bi-embeddable models are isomorphic. We prove thatTThas an expansion by constants with the SB property if and only ifTTis superstable and non-multidimensional. We also prove that among superstable theoriesTT, the class ofaa-saturated models ofTThas the SB property if and only ifTThas no nomadic types.
PGC7 suppresses TET3 for protecting DNA methylation
Authors: Bian Chunjing , Yu Xiaochun
Published: December 2013

Ten-eleven translocation (TET) family enzymes convert 5-methylcytosine to 5-hydroxylmethylcytosine. However, the molecular mechanism that regulates this biological process is not clear. Here, we show the evidence that PGC7 (also known as Dppa3 or Stella) interacts with TET2 and TET3 both in vitro and in vivo to suppress the enzymatic activity of TET2 and TET3. Moreover, lacking PGC7 induces the loss of DNA methylation at imprinting loci. Genome-wide analysis of PGC7 reveals a consensus DNA motif that is recognized by PGC7. The CpG islands surrounding the PGC7-binding motifs are hypermethylated. Taken together, our study demonstrates a molecular mechanism by which PGC7 protects DNA methylation from TET family enzyme-dependent oxidation.
Word production errors in children with developmental language impairments
Authors: Marshall Chloë R.
Published: December 2013

This review focuses on the errors that children with developmental language impairments make on three types of word production tasks: lexical retrieval, the elicitation of derivationally complex forms and the repetition of non-sense forms. The studies discussed in this review come principally from children with specific language impairment, and from children who are English-speakers or deaf users of British sign language. It is argued that models of word production need to be able to account for the data presented here, and need to have explanatory power across both modalities (i.e. speech and sign).
Theoretical analysis of word production deficits in adult aphasia
Authors: Schwartz Myrna F.
Published: December 2013

The cognitive analysis of adult language disorders continues to draw heavily on linguistic theory, but increasingly it reflects the influence of connectionist, spreading activation models of cognition. In the area of spoken word production, ‘localist’ connectionist models represent a natural evolution from the psycholingistic theories of earlier decades. By contrast, the parallel distributed processing framework forces more radical rethinking of aphasic impairments. This paper exemplifies these multiple influences in contemporary cognitive aphasiology. Topics include (i) what aphasia reveals about semantic-phonological interaction in lexical access; (ii) controversies surrounding the interpretation of semantic errors and (iii) a computational account of the relationship between naming and word repetition in aphasia. Several of these topics have been addressed using case series methods, including computational simulation of the individual, quantitative error patterns of diverse groups of patients and analysis of brain lesions that correlate with error rates and patterns. Efforts to map the lesion correlates of nonword errors in naming and repetition highlight the involvement of sensorimotor areas in the brain and suggest the need to better integrate models of word production with models of speech and action.
Sources of variation in developmental language disorders: evidence from eye-tracking studies of sentence production
Authors: Norbury Courtenay Frazier
Published: December 2013

Skilled sentence production involves distinct stages of message conceptualization (deciding what to talk about) and message formulation (deciding how to talk about it). Eye-movement paradigms provide a mechanism for observing how speakers accomplish these aspects of production in real time. These methods have recently been applied to children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and specific language impairment (LI) in an effort to reveal qualitative differences between groups in sentence production processes. Findings support a multiple-deficit account in which language production is influenced not only by lexical and syntactic constraints, but also by variation in attention control, inhibition and social competence. Thus, children with ASD are especially vulnerable to atypical patterns of visual inspection and verbal utterance. The potential to influence attentional focus and prime appropriate language structures are considered as a mechanism for facilitating language adaptation and learning.
Connectionist neuropsychology: uncovering ultimate causes of acquired dyslexia
Authors: Woollams Anna M.
Published: December 2013

Acquired dyslexia offers a unique window on to the nature of the cognitive and neural architecture supporting skilled reading. This paper provides an integrative overview of recent empirical and computational work on acquired dyslexia within the context of the primary systems framework as implemented in connectionist neuropsychological models. This view proposes that damage to general visual, phonological or semantic processing abilities are the root causes of different forms of acquired dyslexia. Recent case-series behavioural evidence concerning pure alexia, phonological dyslexia and surface dyslexia that supports this perspective is presented. Lesion simulations of these findings within connectionist models of reading demonstrate the viability of this approach. The commitment of such models to learnt representations allows them to capture key aspects of performance in each type of acquired dyslexia, particularly the associated non-reading deficits, the role of relearning and the influence of individual differences in the premorbid state of the reading system. Identification of these factors not only advances our understanding of acquired dyslexia and the mechanisms of normal reading but they are also relevant to the complex interactions underpinning developmental reading disorders.
When words fail us: insights into language processing from developmental and acquired disorders
Authors: Bishop Dorothy V. M. , Nation Kate , Patterson Karalyn
Published: December 2013

Acquired disorders of language represent loss of previously acquired skills, usually with relatively specific impairments. In children with developmental disorders of language, we may also see selective impairment in some skills; but in this case, the acquisition of language or literacy is affected from the outset. Because systems for processing spoken and written language change as they develop, we should beware of drawing too close a parallel between developmental and acquired disorders. Nevertheless, comparisons between the two may yield new insights. A key feature of connectionist models simulating acquired disorders is the interaction of components of language processing with each other and with other cognitive domains. This kind of model might help make sense of patterns of comorbidity in developmental disorders. Meanwhile, the study of developmental disorders emphasizes learning and change in underlying representations, allowing us to study how heterogeneity in cognitive profile may relate not just to neurobiology but also to experience. Children with persistent language difficulties pose challenges both to our efforts at intervention and to theories of learning of written and spoken language. Future attention to learning in individuals with developmental and acquired disorders could be of both theoretical and applied value.
Demonstration of marmosets (Callithrix jacchus) as a non-human primate model for secondary dengue virus infection: high levels of viraemia and serotype cross-reactive antibody responses consistent with secondary infection of humans
Authors: Moi Meng Ling , Takasaki Tomohiko , Omatsu Tsutomu , Nakamura Shinichiro , Katakai Yuko , Ami Yasushi , Suzaki Yuriko , Saijo Masayuki , Akari Hirofumi , Kurane Ichiro
Published: December 2013

There are four dengue virus (DENV) serotypes. Primary infection with one does not confer protective immunity against the others. We have reported previously that the marmoset (Callithrix jacchus) is a useful primary DENV infection model. It has been reported that secondary DENV infection with a heterotypic serotype induces viraemia kinetics and antibody responses that differ from those in primary infection. Thus, it is important to determine the utility of the marmoset as a model for secondary DENV infection. Marmosets were infected with heterologous DENV by secondary inoculation, and viraemia kinetics and antibody responses were analysed. The marmosets consistently developed high levels of viraemia after the secondary inoculation with heterologous DENV serotypes. IgM responses were lower compared with primary inoculation responses, whilst IgG responses were rapid and high. Neutralizing activities, which possessed serotype cross-reactive activities, were detected as early as 4 days after inoculation. In addition, infectious viraemia titres were higher when assayed with Fcγ receptor-expressing baby hamster kidney (BHK) cells than when assayed with conventional BHK cells, suggesting the presence of infectious virus–antibody immune complexes. After secondary infection with heterotypic DENV, the marmosets demonstrated viraemia kinetics, IgM and IgG responses, and high levels of serotype cross-reactive neutralizing antibody responses, all of which were consistent with secondary DENV infection in humans. The results indicate the marmoset as a useful animal for studying secondary, as well as primary, DENV infection.
Neutrophils are needed for an effective immune response against pulmonary rat coronavirus infection, but also contribute to pathology
Authors: Haick Anoria K. , Rzepka Joanna P. , Brandon Elizabeth , Balemba Onesmo B. , Miura Tanya A.
Published: December 2013

Polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMN) infiltrate the respiratory tract early after viral infection and can contribute to both host defence and pathology. Coronaviruses are important causes of respiratory tract infections, ranging from mild to severe depending on the viral strain. This study evaluated the role of PMN during a non-fatal pulmonary coronavirus infection in the natural host. Rat coronavirus (RCoV) causes respiratory disease in adult rats, characterized by an early PMN response, viral replication and inflammatory lesions in the lungs, mild weight loss and effective resolution of infection. To determine their role during RCoV infection, PMN were depleted and the effects on disease progression, viral replication, inflammatory response and lung pathology were analysed. Compared with RCoV infection in control animals, PMN-depleted rats had worsened disease with weight loss, clinical signs, mortality and prolonged pulmonary viral replication. PMN-depleted animals had fewer macrophages and lymphocytes in the respiratory tract, corresponding to lower chemokine levels. Combined within vitroexperiments showing that PMN express cytokines and chemokines in response to RCoV-infected alveolar epithelial cells, these findings support a role for PMN in eliciting an inflammatory response to RCoV infection. Despite their critical role in the protection from severe disease, the presence of PMN was correlated with haemorrhagic lesions, epithelial barrier permeability and cellular inflammation in the lungs. This study demonstrated that while PMN are required for an effective antiviral response, they also contribute to lung pathology during RCoV infection.
Long‐term effects of litter sex ratio on female reproduction in two iteroparous mammals
Authors: Monclús Raquel , von Holst Dietrich , Blumstein Daniel T. , Rödel Heiko G.
Published: December 2013

Female mammals that develop in male‐biased litters show signs of masculinization because they are exposed to the testosterone produced by their male siblings in utero. The early exposure to testosterone can affect female morphology, physiology, behaviour and life‐history traits.

Masculinization is commonly seen as the collateral effect of developing in a male‐biased litter. However, when resources are limiting, masculinization might be adaptive because androgenized females could monopolize resources.

We investigated whether females from male‐biased litters, and therefore likely to be masculinized, showed adaptive advantages under different competing scenarios. For that, we used data from two long‐term field projects studying yellow‐bellied marmots (Marmota flaviventris Audubon and Bachman, 1841) and European rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus Linnaeus, 1758). We explored whether litter sex composition affected fitness‐related reproductive traits: the onset of breeding, offspring production and the probability of reproduction in a given year.

Our study shows long‐term consequences of litter sex composition on reproduction in European rabbits and yellow‐bellied marmots. Females from male‐biased litters from both species delayed the onset of breeding, suggesting the maladaptive nature of masculinization. However, in European rabbits, this effect was density‐dependent. Under higher‐density conditions, female rabbits from male‐biased litters brought forward the onset of breeding, which might increase the probability of offspring overwinter survival and therefore their fitness. These females under limiting conditions might have a higher resource holding potential.

We conclude that prenatal maternal effects in natural populations should be taken into account when studying life‐history variation. Moreover, it is notable that small variations in naturally occurring prenatal exposure to androgens have profound impacts on individuals, social groups and the population structure.
Controls over the strength and timing of fire–grazer interactions in a semi‐arid rangeland
Authors: Augustine David J. , Derner Justin D.
Published: December 2013

The degree to which large herbivores select and forage within recently burned areas is a key driver of vegetation heterogeneity in rangeland ecosystems. However, few studies have quantified the strength and timing of herbivore selection for burned areas or examined how selection strength varies among ecosystems differing in precipitation and primary productivity.

We conducted a 4‐year patch‐burning experiment in semi‐arid rangeland of Colorado, USA, where 25% of the area available to cattle was burned each year and burned patches were shifted annually. We used GPS collars with activity sensors to quantify the distribution of free‐ranging cattle at a high temporal resolution (5‐min intervals) during the growing season each year. We used a classification tree model to discriminate between cattle grazing vs. non‐grazing locations, which significantly increased precision in quantifying burn selection strength. We fit generalized linear models predicting the frequency of cattle use of a given location within each study area and month, enabling comparisons between the relative influence of burns and topography on grazing distribution.

Across multiple growing seasons, cattle selectively spent 31% of grazing time on recently burnt areas, which comprised 25% of the landscape; this selection strength was half as strong as that documented in mesic rangeland.

At a monthly temporal scale, strong cattle selection for burned areas occurred during periods of rapid vegetation growth regardless of when during the growing season this greening occurred. Outside these intervals, burn selection strength was inconsistent and cattle grazing distribution was primarily influenced by topography. Thus, the relative importance of fire and topography in controlling grazer distribution was temporally contingent upon the timing and size of precipitation pulses.

Synthesis and applications. Spatiotemporal interactions between fire and herbivores are a consistent feature of both semi‐arid and mesic rangelands, with interaction strength varying across gradients of precipitation and primary productivity. Management of semi‐arid ecosystems to sustain ecological processes should include strategies that allow ungulate herbivores to shift their grazing distribution seasonally in response to fire, topoedaphic variation and precipitation patterns. Combined management of fire and grazing for conservation objectives can be consistent with, and even complementary to, livestock production goals.
Improving the surrogacy effectiveness of charismatic megafauna with well‐surveyed taxonomic groups and habitat types
Authors: Di Minin Enrico , Moilanen Atte
Published: December 2013

Conservation planning often relies on the use of surrogates for representing many aspects of biodiversity. Previous tests on the effectiveness of charismatic mammals as biodiversity surrogates have suffered from the lack of fine‐resolution data and produced varied and contrasting results.

In this study, we used unique high‐resolution data for more than 600 biodiversity features from the Maputaland–Pondoland–Albany global biodiversity hot spot to assess how the surrogacy effectiveness of the ‘Big Five’ charismatic mammal species could be improved.

We found that combining the ‘Big Five’ charismatic mammal species with well‐known and surveyed taxonomic groups, such as birds, amphibians and reptiles, and habitat types, which can be mapped quickly and inexpensively, increases the representation of poorly surveyed taxonomic groups, such as endemic and threatened invertebrate and plant species, as well as other mammal species. In particular, habitat types were found to be an integral component of a successful surrogate strategy. Nevertheless, a broad cross‐taxon surrogate group composed of the ‘Big Five’, birds, amphibians and reptiles, was found to be a more effective surrogate than habitat types on their own. Meanwhile, other taxonomic groups and habitat types were not effective surrogates for the ‘Big Five’ charismatic species.

As charismatic mammals have an important marketing value, they can be promoted to generate funding, which can then facilitate the implementation of conservation action and cover management costs, thereby indirectly benefiting other threatened biodiversity.

Synthesis and applications. While some geographic areas and taxa have been extensively studied, detailed information about the distributions of species is missing for much of the world. This study provides important information that can have operational relevance to prioritize areas for conservation action in areas of the world with poor data on biodiversity. We found that other taxa are not good surrogates for charismatic mammal species. We also found that habitat types are a necessary component of surrogacy strategies that cover plants and insects. Overall, a combination of habitat types and charismatic mammals, complemented with other well‐known taxa (birds, amphibians and reptiles), provided the highest surrogacy effects.
Anthropology in the news? (Respond to this article at http://www.therai.org.uk/at/debate)
Authors: Gusterson Hugh
Published: December 2013

It is part of our informal culture of anthropology to complain about the way the media portray us, and yet there has been little systematic analysis of media representations of anthropology. I look at stories about anthropologists, stories that quote anthropologists and opinion pieces by anthropologists over a six‐month period in The New York Times. I conclude that biological anthropology and archaeology are over‐represented in these stories, and that the media portrays anthropologists primarily as authorities on exotic others abroad, or ritual behaviour at home. Anthropologists who write about neoliberalism and militarism have had difficulty getting into the high‐end mainstream media, where it is economists rather than anthropologists who are seen as experts on general human nature.
Valuing public and private urban tree canopy cover
Authors: Pandit Ram , Polyakov Maksym , Sadler Rohan
Published: December 2013

In this paper, we estimate the effect of tree canopy cover on sales price of urban residential properties inPerth,WesternAustralia. Using a data set of 5606 single family homes sold in 2009 and a spatial hedonic model with three spatial effects – spatial‐temporal lag on dependent variable, spatial error, and spatially lagged independent variables – we estimated the location‐specific effect of tree canopy cover. Tree canopy cover increases the property value when located on adjacent public space, but decreases the value when it is on own property and on the adjacent property within 20 m of property boundary. The results are suggestive that council urban tree planting programs provide significant private benefits to homeowners.
Hospital Board Oversight of Quality and Patient Safety: A Narrative Review and Synthesis of Recent Empirical Research
Authors: MILLAR ROSS , MANNION RUSSELL , FREEMAN TIM , DAVIES HUW T.O.
Published: December 2013

Context

Recurring problems with patient safety have led to a growing interest in helping hospitals’ governing bodies provide more effective oversight of the quality and safety of their services. National directives and initiatives emphasize the importance of action by boards, but the empirical basis for informing effective hospital board oversight has yet to receive full and careful review.

Methods

This article presents a narrative review of empirical research to inform the debate about hospital boards’ oversight of quality and patient safety. A systematic and comprehensive search identified 122 papers for detailed review. Much of the empirical work appeared in the last ten years, is from the United States, and employs cross‐sectional survey methods.

Findings

Recent empirical studies linking board composition and processes with patient outcomes have found clear differences between high‐ and low‐performing hospitals, highlighting the importance of strong and committed leadership that prioritizes quality and safety and sets clear and measurable goals for improvement. Effective oversight is also associated with well‐informed and skilled board members. External factors (such as regulatory regimes and the publication of performance data) might also have a role in influencing boards, but detailed empirical work on these is scant.

Conclusions

Health policy debates recognize the important role of hospital boards in overseeing patient quality and safety, and a growing body of empirical research has sought to elucidate that role. This review finds a number of areas of guidance that have some empirical support, but it also exposes the relatively inchoate nature of the field. Greater theoretical and methodological development is required if we are to secure more evidence‐informed governance systems and practices that can contribute to safer care.
Reifications of the intellectual: representations, organization and agency in revolutionary China
Authors: U Eddy
Published: December 2013

How did ‘intellectuals’ evolve from a class of subjects in Marxian thoughts to highly visible populations under communism? Such ‘reifications of the intellectual’ have deeply affected subjectivity, conflict and organization, but received little attention in the political sociology of communism. This essay draws on research on classifications and social boundaries to address the objective and subjective foundations of the reifications and their impact on communist rule. The intellectual is viewed as an identification formed and performed around multiple social axes (most notably family background, educational achievement, occupational history, institutional affiliation and revolutionary rank) that reflected broader patterns of communist political domination. I use the Chinese Communist movement to demonstrate that (1) interaction of political contests, ruling strategies and institutional developments turned a diversity of persons into ‘intellectuals’ who were allegedly imbued with reprehensible interests and habits linked to privileged economic classes; (2) constant competitions for power and organizational changes led to classificatory ambiguities and, in turn, allowed individuals some control over their identifications; and (3) the developments profoundly influenced identity, state and class formation. Focusing on the dynamics that produced a highly visible but fluid population of ‘intellectuals’ opens new pathways for comparative research on communism.
Reconceptualizing resistance: sociology and the affective dimension of resistance
Authors: Hynes Maria
Published: December 2013

This paper re‐examines the sociological study of resistance in light of growing interest in the concept of affect. Recent claims that we are witness to an ‘affective turn’ and calls for a ‘new sociological empiricism’ sensitive to affect indicate an emerging paradigm shift in sociology. Yet, mainstream sociological study of resistance tends to have been largely unaffected by this shift. To this end, this paper presents a case for the significance of affect as a lens by which to approach the study of resistance. My claim is not simply that the forms of actions we would normally recognize as resistance have an affective dimension. Rather, it is that the theory of affect broadens ‘resistance’ beyond the purview of the two dominant modes of analysis in sociology; namely, the study of macropolitical forms, on the one hand, and the micropolitics of everyday resistance on the other. This broadened perspective challenges the persistent assumption that ideological forms of power and resistance are the most pertinent to the contemporary world, suggesting that much power and resistance today is of a more affective nature. In making this argument, it is a Deleuzian reading of affect that is pursued, which opens up to a level of analysis beyond the common understanding of affect as emotion. I argue that an affective approach to resistance would pay attention to those barely perceptible transitions in power and mobilizations of bodily potential that operate below the conscious perceptions and subjective emotions of social actors. These affective transitions constitute a new site at which both power and resistance operate.
The class‐origin wage gap: heterogeneity in education and variations across market segments
Authors: Hällsten Martin
Published: December 2013

This paper uses unique population‐level matched employer–employee data on monthly wages to analyse class‐origin wage gaps in the Swedish labour market. Education is the primary mediator of class origin advantages in the labour market, but mobility research often only considers the vertical dimension of education. When one uses an unusually detailed measure of education in a horizontal dimension, the wage gap between individuals of advantaged and disadvantaged class origin is found to be substantial (4–5 per cent), yet considerably smaller than when measures are used which only control for level of education and field of study. This is also the case for models with class or occupation as outcome. The class‐origin wage gap varies considerably across labour market segments, such as those defined by educational levels, fields of education, industries and occupations in both seemingly unsystematic and conspicuous ways. The gap is small in the public sector, suggesting that bureaucracy may act as a leveller.
A Christian identity for the liberal state?
Authors: Joppke Christian
Published: December 2013

It seems to be impossible for the liberal state to embrace a Christian identity, because ‘liberalism’ is exactly a device for separating state and religion. Discussing the implications of a recent decision of the European Court of Human Rights, Lautsi v. Italy (2011), I argue that this is not necessarily so. If paired with a liberal commitment to pluralism, a Christian identity might even be more inclusive of minority religions than a narrowly ‘liberal’ state identity, which has been the dominant response in Western Europe to the challenge of immigrant diversity, especially that of Muslim origins.
The impact of target firm financial distress in Australian takeovers
Authors: Bugeja Martin
Published: December 2013

Of the motives that have been advanced to explain corporate acquisitions, the least explored is the acquisition of a target experiencing financial distress. This study addresses this void by examining whether target firm financial distress is related to takeover: attitude, premiums, payment method, competition and outcome. Despite inconsistent findings across our distress measures the tenor of the results suggest that distressed targets receive higher premiums and are less likely to be offered cash consideration. Additionally, takeover completion is lower and takeover competition higher for targets in financial distress. Financial distress does not influence whether a takeover is hostile or friendly.
Insect conservation in the southern temperate zones: an overview
Authors: New Tim R , Samways Michael J
Published: December 2013

Insect conservation in the southern hemisphere lags substantially behind developments in parts of Europe and North America, where the relatively small faunas are better documented, and where a historical culture of natural history has enabled conservation needs to be assessed and addressed by many sympathetic supporters. We contrast this scenario with the much more embryonic knowledge and capability available in Australia, southern Africa, southern South America and New Zealand, all regions with large and incompletely documented insect faunas, but an equivalent array of threats to their survival. While a few individual ‘flagship species’ (mainly within Lepidoptera, Orthoptera and Coleoptera) have been critical in promoting wider interests, in general insects do not signify highly on regional conservation agendas. We offer a perspective of the major needs to counter this.
A frameshift mutation in the melanophilin gene causes the dilute coat colour in rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) breeds
Authors: Fontanesi L. , Scotti E. , Allain D. , Dall'Olio S.
Published: December 2013

In rabbit, the dilute locus is determined by a recessive mutated allele (d) that causes the dilution of both eumelanic and pheomelanic pigmentations. In mice, similar phenotypes are determined by mutations in the myosin VA, Rab27a and melanophilin (MLPH) genes. In this study, we investigated the rabbit MLPH gene and showed that a mutation in this gene appears responsible for the dilute coat colour in this species. Checkered Giant F1 families segregating for black and grey (diluted or blue) coat colour were first genotyped for a complex indel in intron 1 of the MLPH gene that was completely associated with the coat colour phenotype (θ = 0.00; LOD = 4.82). Then, we sequenced 6357 bp of the MLPH gene in 18 rabbits of different coat colours, including blue animals. A total of 165 polymorphisms were identified: 137 were in non‐coding regions and 28 were in coding exons. One of them was a frameshift deletion in exon 5. Genotyping the half‐sib families confirmed the complete cosegregation of this mutation with the blue coat colour. The mutation was analysed in 198 rabbits of 23 breeds. All Blue Vienna and all other blue/grey/ash rabbits in other breeds (Californian, Castor Rex, Checkered Giant, English Spot, Fairy Marburg and Fairy Pearly) were homozygous for this deletion. The identification of MLPH as the responsible gene for the dilute locus in rabbit provides a natural animal model for human Griscelli syndrome type 3 and a new mutant to study the role of this gene on pigmentation.
The role of input vouchers in modernizing the fresh fruit and vegetable market in Turkey
Authors: Lemeilleur Sylvaine
Published: December 2013

Contractual arrangements between farmers and traders aiming at providing input/credit in return for output selling have been widely studied in the literature on agricultural economics. Nonetheless, there is one issue, which is barely mentioned in the literature: how to enforce the contract terms when traders offer credit in cash rather than input advances? This article aims to describe an innovation in farming contracts, used by fresh fruit and vegetable wholesalers in Turkey, which involves a kind of private voucher system. Drawing on original data collected from wholesalers—a segment in the supply chain hardly covered in the literature—we investigate the factors determining contract adoption using a two‐limit Tobit model. Our results suggest that this private voucher system contributes to supply chain coordination and facilitates smallholder farmer participation in export and supermarket channels, which are growing rapidly in this developing country.
Expression and prognostic significance of Oct4 and Nanog in neuroblastoma
Authors: Monajemzadeh Maryam , Soleimani Vahid , Vasei Mohammad , Koochakzadeh Leili , Karbakhsh Mojgan
Published: December 2013

Neuroblastoma is the most common extracranial solid tumor of children, accounting for an estimated 15% cancer‐related deaths in this period. It has been hypothesized that drug resistance of cancer stem cells may be responsible for chemotherapy failure, sustained tumor growth, and recurrence in many solid tumors. In this study, we investigated the expression of Octamer‐binding transcription factor 4 (Oct4) and Nanog, two stem cell markers, in 47 neuroblastic tumors by immunohistochemistry and correlated their expression by other prognostic factors especially with NMYC amplification using both fluorescent and chromogenic in situ hybridization methods. Twenty three cases (48.9%) showed Oct4 signals and eight cases (17%) showed Nanog expression. All Nanog positive tumors showed Oct4 expression. Seven cases (14.1%) had NMYC amplification. There was also no association between positive Oct4 and Nanog reactivity and tumor morphology, age, mitosis‐karyorrhexis index, NMYC amplification, favorable or unfavorable histology, and risk groups (p > 0.05). Cancer stem cells hypothesis is a challenging issue and controversies exist about their significance. Although our study did not show strong association between prognostic factors and expression of stem cell markers, performing of further large‐scale studies of various neuroblastic tumors with various stages is suggested.
Training in ethical judgment with a modified Potter Box
Authors: Watley Loy D.
Published: December 2013

After a brief review of the ethical judgment research, the Potter Box, a four‐step ethical judgment tool used primarily in media ethics, is introduced. The paper proposes that the Potter Box's usefulness for evaluating ethical dilemmas could be improved by re‐sequencing the steps, by incorporating philosophical intuitionism as a mechanism for structuring its inherent pluralism and by adding a post‐decision, pre‐action reflective step. The resulting modified Potter Box has five steps – analyze the situation, identify stakeholders, specify duties, weigh obligations and check for universalizability – and should provide a useful structure for analyzing difficult ethical dilemmas and for creating transparency in the judgment process that accommodates improved discussion.
Do independent directors protect shareholder value?
Authors: Giráldez Pilar , Hurtado José Manuel
Published: December 2013

The present global financial crisis has revived the notion that competitive markets may lead some directors and executives to behave in opportunistic ways considered unethical and even illegal, through the pursuit of self‐interest. This article proposes and tests an integrated model that offers new insights into the relationship between board structure, independence and firm value. By incorporating the proportion of independent directors on the board as a moderating factor in this relationship, this study contributes to a better understanding of the entrenchment and convergence‐of‐interests hypotheses. Using empirical data obtained from 114 Spanish listed companies in a context of economic crisis, from 2007 to 2010, we conclude that having a board with a greater proportion of independent directors reduces the negative association existing between firm value and a large board size and significant board share ownership.
Fully Bayesian inference under ignorable missingness in the presence of auxiliary covariates
Authors: Daniels M.J. , Wang C. , Marcus B.H.
Published: December 2013

In order to make a missing at random (MAR) or ignorability assumption realistic, auxiliary covariates are often required. However, the auxiliary covariates are not desired in the model for inference. Typical multiple imputation approaches do not assume that the imputation model marginalizes to the inference model. This has been termed “uncongenial” [Meng (1994, Statistical Science 9, 538–558)]. In order to make the two models congenial (or compatible), we would rather not assume a parametric model for the marginal distribution of the auxiliary covariates, but we typically do not have enough data to estimate the joint distribution well non‐parametrically. In addition, when the imputation model uses a non‐linear link function (e.g., the logistic link for a binary response), the marginalization over the auxiliary covariates to derive the inference model typically results in a difficult to interpret form for the effect of covariates. In this article, we propose a fully Bayesian approach to ensure that the models are compatible for incomplete longitudinal data by embedding an interpretable inference model within an imputation model and that also addresses the two complications described above. We evaluate the approach via simulations and implement it on a recent clinical trial.
Development of a computer‐based visualised quantitative learning system for playing violin vibrato
Authors: Ho Tracy Kwei‐Liang , Lin Huann‐shyang , Chen Ching‐Kong , Tsai Jih‐Long
Published: December 2013

Traditional methods of teaching music are largely subjective, with the lack of objectivity being particularly challenging for violin students learning vibrato because of the existence of conflicting theories. By using a computer‐based analysis method, this study found that maintaining temporal coincidence between the intensity peak and the target frequency is the crucial factor for achieving good intonation when performing vibrato. This finding prompted the development of a computer‐based visualised quantitative vibrato analysis system (VQVA‐Sys) that displays these two parameters in a user‐friendly manner for both musicians and scientists: (1) the type of frequency variation and (2) the corresponding frequencies with the highest intensities during all of the cycles constituting a vibrato note. A follow‐up preliminary experimental investigation compared a moderately expressive vibrato note played by eight experts and eight students, and demonstrated the feasibility and potential usefulness of the VQVA‐Sys as a learning tool.