bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Mentawai’s endemic, relictual fauna: is it evidence for Pleistocene extinctions on Sumatra?
Authors: Wilting Andreas , Sollmann Rahel , Meijaard Erik , Helgen Kristofer M. , Fickel Jörns
Published: June 2012

Aim  The four Mentawai islands, south‐west of Sumatra, have long been isolated from the remainder of Sundaland, resulting in a high level of endemism. We examined the distribution of 151 species of the Mentawai Islands in Sundaland and assessed various processes that may have resulted in the various biogeographical patterns.

Location  Southeast Asia, particularly the Mentawai Islands and nearby large landmasses (Sumatra, Java, Borneo and Peninsular Malaysia).

Methods  We compared the faunal composition of the Mentawai Islands for selected taxa (43 mammals, 92 reptiles and 16 amphibians) with that of the four nearby large landmasses of Sundaland using morphological comparisons and the most recent molecular phylogenetic analyses available in the literature. These comparisons yielded sister taxa, which were used to simulate species absence data for the four Sundaland landmasses under several scenarios to investigate how patterns of species absence could have arisen.

Results  In contrast to our expectations, several Mentawai species did not have their closest relatives on neighbouring Sumatra, but rather on the more distant Borneo, Java or Peninsular Malaysia. For mammals, the similarity between species from Mentawai and Borneo was greater than that observed between species from Mentawai and Sumatra. We conclude that the relationships represent traces of species historically distributed throughout Sundaland that became extinct in Sumatra during the Pleistocene. For reptiles and amphibians the observed pattern of species absences generally resembled the simulated pattern expected under the scenario of absence rates increasing with landmass isolation, whereas for mammals we observed more species than expected missing from Java and Sumatra, and fewer than expected from Borneo.

Main conclusions  The potential extinctions on Sumatra probably had two causes: changes of climate and vegetation during the Pleistocene and environmental impacts from the Toba supervolcanic eruption.
Patterns of population differentiation in annual killifishes from the Paraná–Uruguay–La Plata Basin: the role of vicariance and dispersal
Authors: García Graciela , Gutiérrez Verónica , Vergara Julia , Calviño Pablo , Duarte Alejandro , Loureiro Marcelo
Published: June 2012

Aim  To elucidate the role of vicariance versus dispersal at the microevolutionary scale in annual killifish populations belonging to the Austrolebias bellottii species complex (Rivulidae). Within this complex, A. bellottii and A. apaii have low vagility and occur widely within the study area, making them excellent models for testing biogeographic hypotheses of differentiation.

Location  South America, in the Paraná–Uruguay–La Plata river basin.

Methods  Molecular data and morphometric analyses were used to reconstruct the phylogeographic history and morphological variation of 24 populations of two taxa of the A. bellottii species complex. Phylogenetic analyses using maximum likelihood (ML) and Bayesian inference (BI) model‐based methods, estimates of clade divergence times implemented in beast, non‐metric multidimensional scaling, analysis of molecular variance results, and morphological analyses elucidated the role of vicariance versus dispersal hypotheses in population differentiation in the aforementioned river basin.

Results  In the A. bellottii species complex from the Paraná–Uruguay–La Plata river basin, past allopatric fragmentation from vicariance events seems to be the most plausible scenario for diversification since the Late Miocene and more recently since the Plio‐Pleistocene. The Plio‐Pleistocene vicariance produced the differentiation of three major clades in A. bellottii populations. One clade from the eastern Uruguay River drainage was separated from another in western Uruguay and the Paraná–La Plata River drainages. A later vicariance event split populations to the south (lower Paraná–La Plata Basin) and north (middle Paraná) of the western Paraná River drainage. However, our results do not exclude the possibility of dispersal events among A. bellottii populations from both the Uruguay and Paraná river drainages, which could occur in these river basins during hypothesized connectivity cycles of the Late Pliocene and Pleistocene.

Main conclusions  Past allopatric fragmentation caused by different vicariance events seems to be the main driver of diversification in the A. bellottii species complex since the Plio‐Pleistocene. However, the current molecular data suggest that populations from both drainages of the Paraná–Uruguay rivers may have experienced cycles of connectivity during the Pleistocene, perhaps including multiple vicariance or dispersal events from populations located in the western lower Uruguay River drainage, which encompassed climatic and geological changes in the Paraná–Uruguay–La Plata Basin.
Phylogenetic and ecological structure of Mediterranean caddisfly communities at various spatio‐temporal scales
Authors: Múrria Cesc , Bonada Núria , Arnedo Miquel A. , Zamora‐Muñoz Carmen , Prat Narcís , Vogler Alfried P.
Published: June 2012

Aim The evolutionary processes structuring the composition of communities remain unclear due to the complexity of factors active at various spatial and temporal scales. Here, we conducted ecological and evolutionary analyses of communities of caddisflies in the genusHydropsyche(Insecta: Trichoptera) composed of ecomorphologically differentiated species.

Location River ecosystems in the Iberian Peninsula and northern Morocco.

Methods Nineteen environmental variables were assessed at 180 local study sites and species presence/absence at these sites was used to determine their ecological niche. The evolutionary framework for all 19 species ofHydropsycheencountered was generated by phylogenetic analysis of the mitochondrial cytochromecoxidase subunit I gene and three nuclear genes: wingless, elongation factor 1‐alpha and 28S RNA. The phylogenetic tree was used: (1) to assess evolutionary niche conservatism by ecological trait correlation with the tree; and (2) to analyse the phylogenetic relatedness of community member species, at three spatial scales (local stream reaches, drainage basins, biogeographical regions).

Results Ecological measurements grouped most species into either headwater, mid‐stream or lowland specialists, and traits presumably relevant to river zonation were found to be phylogenetically conservative. Species assemblages at local stream reaches were mostly mono‐ or dispecific. Species diversity increased at larger spatial scales, by adding species with non‐overlapping ecological niches at the level of river basins and by turnover of anciently differentiated lineages at the level of biogeographical regions. This indicates the effects of competition and niche filtering on community structure locally, and ancient ecological diversification and allopatric speciation, respectively, in building up the species pool at basin and biogeographical scales.

Main conclusions The study demonstrates the importance of scale (grain size) in studying what determines community composition. Current ecological factors (i.e. competitive exclusion) inHydropsychewere evident only when studying narrow local sites, while studies of assemblages at larger spatial scales instead demonstrated the roles of ecological niche differentiation, phylogenetic history of trait diversification and allopatric speciation. Increasing the grain size of investigation reveals different portions of correlated spatial and evolutionary processes.
A thematic review of scientific and family interests in Canavan Disease: where are the developmentalists?
Authors: Glicksman S. , Borgen C. , Blackstein M. , Gordon A. , Hanon I. , Kusin D. , Leibowitz B. , Halle J.
Published: June 2012

Background  Canavan Disease is a degenerative neurological condition resulting in a spongy deterioration of the brain. Much research has been conducted by the medical community regarding this condition, but little research can be found in the psychological literature.

Method  A review of the scientific literature related to Canavan Disease using the Psychinfo and PubMed databases was conducted covering a 5‐year span from 2006 through 2011. Concurrently, a review of parent initiated topics found on the most popular Canavan Disease Internet discussion board was conducted for comparison purposes.

Results  When comparing the topics discussed and information sought among parents with the themes noted in the extant scientific literature, researchers found an exceedingly small overlap between the two communities of interest. In the scientific literature, published research on Canavan Disease focused on three areas: the biochemistry of Canavan Disease, diagnosis and genetic counselling, and clinical therapeutic approaches in Canavan Disease. Of the 42 unique topics raised on a popular Internet discussion board, however, only three (7%) fell into the category of diagnosis and genetic counselling, none (0%) fell into the category of the biochemistry of Canavan Disease, and four fell into the category of clinical therapeutic approaches in Canavan Disease (10%). Of the four posts addressing clinical therapeutic approaches to Canavan Disease, only one post truly overlapped with the topics addressed by the scientific community. Worded differently, while these three categories comprise 100% of the extant scientific literature regarding Canavan Disease, they comprise only 17% of the parent‐raised topics. The remaining 83% of parent‐raised topics addressed concerns not currently being focusing upon by the scientific community, namely, non‐medical practical issues, information regarding specific characteristics of Canavan Disease, non‐medical developmental and quality of life issues, and day‐to‐day developmental and medical concerns.

Conclusion  By comparing the extant literature on Canavan Disease with the topics of interest raised by parents and caregivers, it seems clear that there is a significant ‘underlap’ of topics raised by these two communities of interest, one that may reflect a lack of sensitivity on the part of the scientific community to meet the needs of this population of knowledge seekers. It is the suggestion of these authors that developmental psychology may be the appropriate scientific field within which to address this need and fill this gap in the current literature.
Commentary: childhood exposure to environmental adversity and the well‐being of people with intellectual disabilities
Authors: Emerson E.
Published: June 2012

People with intellectual disabilities have poorer health than their non‐disabled peers. They are also more likely to be exposed to a wide range of environmental adversities in childhood. Research undertaken in the general population has demonstrated that exposure to environmental adversity in childhood can have an adverse impact on health and well‐being across the life course. Recently, research in this area has added new breadth and depth to our understanding of: (1) the extent to which cumulative exposure to environmental adversities across the life course, but especially in early childhood, can reduce health and well‐being; (2) the social, psychological and biological mediating pathways through which environmental adversities may impair health; (3) the processes associated with resilience and vulnerability in the face of exposure to adversity; and (4) the social significance of these effects in accounting for the magnitude of the inequalities in health that are apparent both between and within populations. This new knowledge is making a significant contribution to the development of social policies that seek to combine health gain with the reduction in health inequalities. This paper attempts to apply this knowledge to research aimed at understanding and improving the health and well‐being of people with intellectual disabilities.
On the differential nature of induced and incidental echolalia in autism
Authors: Grossi D. , Marcone R. , Cinquegrana T. , Gallucci M.
Published: June 2012

Background  Echolalia is a verbal disorder, defined as ‘a meaningless repetition of the words of others’. It is pathological, automatic and non‐intentional behaviour, often observed in a variety of neurological and psychiatric disorders and above all in autism. We assume that echolalia is an imitative behaviour that is due to difficulties in inhibiting automatic repetition as seen in patients with frontal lobe damage. Our aim is to study the occurrence of echolalia under experimental conditions to investigate the nature of the phenomenon and its relationship with the severity of autism.

Methods  Eighteen participants with autism from 17 to 36 years old were recruited; they were administrated the Vineland scale, the Observational Rating Scale of Basic Functions and the Echolalia Questionnaire. In the Echolalia Questionnaire, questions were directly addressed to the autistic subject (induced procedure) or to the subject's caregiver while the subject was free to do what he wanted (incidental procedure). The data were analysed by multivariate regressions and Pearson's correlations.

Results  The results showed that echolalia occurred in both experimental situations; the mean value was significantly higher in the induced procedure, but results did not support the correlation with Vineland's score in the incidental procedure. It is likely that the two situations activated different processes. In particular, echolalia was statistically higher in the induced procedure as compared with the incidental one only for subjects with low score on Vineland, but in the incidental procedure, the presence of echolalia appeared to be uninfluenced by the functional capacity of subjects.

Conclusions  The two experimental conditions require different monitoring systems to control this verbal behaviour. The echolalic phenomenon is an expression of dependence on the environment and may occur in a situation in which the autistic person is participating in a communicative act and, lacking inhibitory control, repeats the other's communication rather than selecting an answer. The deficit in inhibitory control in this situation does not seem to be present in subjects with higher efficiency. Incidental echolalia reflects the inability of the subject to filter out background environmental noise, which occasionally results in environmental dependency.
Behaviour problems, maternal internalising symptoms and family relations in families of adolescents and adults with fragile X syndrome
Authors: Baker J. K. , Seltzer M. M. , Greenberg J. S.
Published: June 2012

Background  Studies have linked the behaviour problems of children with fragile X syndrome (FXS) to maternal well‐being, but less is known about how behaviour problems relate to important family factors such as marital satisfaction and family cohesion.

Methods  Married mothers of 115 adolescents and adults with FXS completed questionnaires and interviews, and maternal CGG repeat length was obtained by medical/laboratory records or by blood analysis.

Results  Indirect effects were present between behaviour problems and family variables in that behaviour problems were positively related to maternal internalising symptoms which were, in turn, negatively associated with both family cohesion and marital satisfaction. Direct associations between behaviour problems and family relationship variables were not significant.

Conclusions  Findings suggest the importance of intervening with behaviour problems in individuals with FXS and identify maternal mental health as a potentially powerful conduit for the effects of child behaviour on relationships within these families. Implications for targeted interventions are discussed.
Influence of colour on acquisition and generalisation of graphic symbols
Authors: Hetzroni O. E. , Ne'eman A.
Published: June 2012

Background  Children with autism may benefit from using graphic symbols for their communication, language and literacy development. The purpose of this study was to investigate the influence of colour versus grey‐scale displays on the identification of graphic symbols using a computer‐based intervention.

Method  An alternating treatment design was employed to examine the learning and generalisation of 58 colour and grey‐scale symbols by four preschool children with autism. The graphic symbols were taught via a meaning‐based intervention using stories and educational games.

Results and conclusions  Results demonstrate that all of the children were able to learn and maintain symbol identification over time for both symbol displays with no apparent differences. Differences were apparent for two of the children who exhibited better generalisation when learning grey‐scale symbols first. The other two showed no noticeable difference, between displays when generalising from one display to the other. Implications and further research are discussed.
Skilled interaction among professional carers in special accommodations for adult people with learning disabilities
Authors: ANTONSSON H. , ÅSTRÖM S. , LUNDSTRÖM M. , GRANEHEIM U. H.
Published: June 2012

Accessible summary

Communicative difficulties affect interactions between people with learning disabilities and their carers.

Interactions between carers and residents in special accommodations for people with learning disabilities were recorded on video and skilled interactions were illuminated.

Results of the study show that skilled interaction between the carers and the people with learning disabilities is based upon being confirming, sharing daily life experience, giving time and space, and using congruent and distinct language.

Communicative difficulties affect interactions between people with learning disabilities and their carers. Despite such difficulties, however, some carers seem to interact successfully with people who have limited ability to communicate verbally and exhibit challenging behaviour. This study aims to illuminate skilled interaction among carers working in special accommodations for people with learning disabilities. Interactions between 16 caregivers and 11 residents with learning disabilities were recorded on video. Verbal and non‐verbal interaction skills among the carers were identified. Four caring situations with people with learning disabilities were chosen to illuminate skilled interaction. The transcribed text was subjected to qualitative content analysis and core stories were created. The results show that skilled interaction between the carers and the people with learning disabilities is based upon being confirming, sharing daily life experience, giving time and space, and using congruent and distinct language. In this paper we present examples that offer concrete suggestions of how to promote successful interaction and create meaning in the shared day‐to‐day life in special accommodations for people with learning disabilities.
Insect photoperiodism: seeing the light
Authors: SAUNDERS DAVID S.
Published: June 2012

This review examines the spectral sensitivities of photoperiodic responses in insects and mites in relation to circadian‐based models for the photoperiodic clock. It concludes that there are probably a number of different photoreceptors at both the organ and molecular levels. These latter probably fall into two classes: (i) a blue‐light sensitive photoreceptor and (ii) a range of opsins (i.e. opsin proteins conjugated with a vitamin A based pigment) absorbing light at a range of wavelengths. In flesh flies (Sarcophaga spp. and possibly other higher Diptera), which are considered to exemplify the ‘external coincidence’ model, entrainment of the photoperiodic oscillator probably involves a blue‐light photoreceptor of Drosophila‐type CRYPTOCHROME (CRY1) absorbing maximally at approximately 470 nm, whereas opsins absorbing at longer wavelengths may be involved in the photo‐inductive process (diapause/nondiapause regulation) that occurs when dawn light coincides with the photo‐inducible phase. In the parasitic wasp Nasonia vitripennis, on the other hand, a species that lacks CRY1 but expresses the nonphotosensitive ‘mammalian‐type’ CRY2, and is considered to exemplify ‘internal coincidence’, entrainment of the dawn and dusk oscillators may involve opsin‐based photoreceptors absorbing light at longer wavelengths as far as the red end of the spectrum. In the Lepidoptera, which express both CRY1 and CRY2, properties of both external and internal coincidence may be evident. The presence or absence of cry1 in the genome may thus emerge as a key to the photoperiodic mechanism on its light input pathway.
Physiological significance of the plant circadian clock in natural field conditions
Authors: IZAWA TAKESHI
Published: June 2012

For many decades, researchers have focused on the self‐sustainable oscillations of plant circadian clocks, which can only be observed under artificial constant environmental conditions. However, plants have evolved under natural diurnal conditions where several major environmental cues such as light, temperature and humidity are dramatically changing and interacting with each other. Therefore, little is known about the roles of the plant circadian clock in natural field conditions. Molecular genetic analyses in Arabidopsis thaliana have revealed that some core circadian clock genes are required for the establishment of robust circadian rhythms under artificial diurnal conditions, and that others function only as self‐oscillators. However, it is largely unknown yet how those robust rhythms can be obtained under natural diurnal conditions. Recently, an extensive time‐course transcriptome analysis of rice (Oryza sativa) leaves in natural field conditions revealed that OsGIGANTEA, the sole rice ortholog of the Arabidopsis GIGANTEA gene, governs the robust diurnal rhythm of rice leaf transcriptomes even under natural diurnal conditions; rice Osgi mutants exhibited severely defective transcriptome rhythms under strong diurnal changes in environmental cues. This review focuses on the physiological significance of the plant circadian clock in natural field conditions.
Temporal variation in fault friction and its effects on the slip evolution of a thrust fault over several earthquake cycles
Authors: Hampel Andrea , Hetzel Ralf
Published: June 2012

Terra Nova, 24, 357–362, 2012

The friction coefficient is a key parameter for the slip evolution of faults, but how temporal changes in friction affect fault slip is still poorly known. By using three‐dimensional numerical models with a thrust fault that is alternately locked and released, we show that variations in the friction coefficient affect both coseismic and long‐term fault slip. Decreasing the friction coefficient by 5% while keeping the duration of the interseismic phase constant leads to a four‐fold increase in coseismic slip, whereas a 5% increase nearly suppresses slip. A gradual decrease or increase of friction over several earthquake cycles (1–5% per earthquake) considerably alters the cumulative fault slip. In nature, the slip deficit (surplus) resulting from variations in the friction coefficient would presumably be compensated by a longer (shorter) interseismic phase, but the magnitude of the changes required for compensation render variations of the friction coefficient of >5% unlikely.
IgE to recombinant allergens Api m 1, Ves v 1, and Ves v 5 distinguish double sensitization from crossreaction in venom allergy
Authors: Müller U. , Schmid‐Grendelmeier P. , Hausmann O. , Helbling A.
Published: June 2012

Background

Diagnostic tests in patients with Hymenoptera venom allergy are frequently positive to venoms of both honey bee and wasp (Vespula). Component‐resolved analysis with recombinant species‐specific major allergens (rSSMA) may help to distinguish true double sensitization from crossreactivity.

Methods

Included were 121 patients with systemic allergic reactions to Hymenoptera stings, 76 with double positivity of serum‐specific IgE (sIgE) to both venoms, 45 with single positivity to bee or wasp venom, and 32 controls without history of systemic reactions to Hymenoptera stings and no sIgE to whole venoms. In venom‐allergic patients and controls, sIgE to rSSMA Api m 1 of bee venom and to Ves v 1 and Ves v 5 of wasp venom were tested by ImmunoCAP.

Results

Only 47% of 76 patients with double positivity to whole venoms reacted also to rSSMA of both species. Specificity of sIgE to the 3 rSSMA was very high, with no sIgE to rSSMA of the other species in single‐positive venom‐allergic patients and only one control with low sIgE to Ves v 1. All wasp‐allergic single‐positive patients had sIgE to Ves v 5 and/or Ves v 1, and 78.3% of single‐positive bee venom–allergic patients had sIgE to Api m 1.

Conclusion

Specificity of sIgE to rSSMA of both species is excellent. Sensitivity of sIgE to rSSMA was optimal for wasp venom. Sensitivity of bee venom Api m 1 could be increased by adding rSSMA of other important bee venom allergens.
The role of basophil activation test in special populations with mastocytosis and reactions to hymenoptera sting
Authors: Bonadonna P. , Zanotti R. , Melioli G. , Antonini F. , Romano I. , Lenzi L. , Caruso B. , Passalacqua G.
Published: June 2012

Background

Systemic mastocytosis (SM) may be associated with hymenoptera allergy. In such cases, immunotherapy is a life‐saving treatment, but a circumstantiated diagnosis is needed for its prescription. Patients with SM and previous reactions to stings, but with negative tests represent a diagnostic dilemma. The basophil activation test (BAT) may be helpful in refining the diagnosis.

Objective

We assessed the usefulness of BAT in subpopulations of mastocytosis patients, including those with negative tests for insect allergy.

Methods

Within a population of patients with mastocytosis and previous stings, we studied by BAT and augmented intradermal test (IDT) (10 µg/ml) two groups: (1) with reactions to stings and negative tests; (2) without reactions and negative tests. Basophil activation test was performed with different venoms, assessing at flow cytometry basophils’ activation.

Results

Sixty‐three patients had mastocytosis and 52 had reactions to previous hymenoptera stings. Of them, seven proved negative to diagnostic tests. In six of seven of those patients, BAT was negative with all venoms, and in one, basophils resulted activated also with the negative control. In six patients without previous reactions and negative tests, BAT was totally negative in five of six patients and weakly positive to Hornet in one. Finally, the IDT at 10 µg/ml venom produced nonspecific positive results in most cases.

Conclusion

In patients with mastocytosis, the negative results of standard tests are reliable, because BAT and IDT at higher concentration do not add useful information.
Obstructive uropathy is associated with polyomavirus viremia in pediatric kidney transplantation
Authors: Matossian Debora , Langman Craig B. , Cohn Richard A. , Ali Farah N.
Published: June 2012

Matossian D, Langman CB, Cohn RA, Ali FN. Obstructive uropathy is associated with polyomavirus viremia in pediatric kidney transplantation.

Abstract:  BKVN leads to allograft dysfunction following kidney transplantation and is preceded by BK viremia. Studies in pediatric kidney transplant recipients reveal an incidence of viruria ranging from 18% to 33%, viremia 6–16%, and BKVN 2–8%. Specific risk factors have not been clearly elucidated. Retrospective chart review of pediatric kidney transplants performed from January 2005 through December 2009; to identify risk factors associated with BK viremia in pediatric kidney transplant recipients from a single center. Of the 93 patients who received kidney transplants in the study period, 22 (24%) developed BK viruria, including 12 (13%) who developed viremia. One patient with viremia (1.6%) had BKVN. Obstructive uropathy was identified as the cause of ESKD in 22 (24%) of all recipients. 27% (n = 6) of these 22 patients developed viremia, while only 8.5% (6/71) with ESKD from another cause had viremia (p = 0.001). No other examined variable differed between the two groups. Although the overall incidence was no higher than other reported series, we identified that BK disease was more frequent in children with OU. A higher index of suspicion for invasive BK disease is necessary in patients with OU who receive kidney allografts. Transplant protocols may need to consider underlying cause of ESKD when designing screening protocols for BK disease in children after kidney transplantation.
Acute norovirus‐induced agranulocytosis in a pediatric kidney transplant recipient
Authors: Chehade H. , Girardin E. , Delich V. , Pascual M.‐A. , Venetz J.‐P. , Cachat F.
Published: June 2012

Norovirus (NoV) infection is usually limited to the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. However, in immunocompromised patients, this infection might lead to severe life‐threatening complications. We herein describe a pediatric kidney transplant patient who presented with an acute NoV infection complicated by febrile agranulocytosis that resolved with improvement of her GI illness. This unusual presentation has not been described before, to our knowledge. The aim of this article is to highlight the sometimes dramatic clinical presentation of NoV infection in immunosuppressed patients, and the importance of including this infection in the differential diagnosis of neutropenia in that specific population.
Flow cytometric analysis of somaclonal variation in lineages of Hosta sports detects polyploidy and aneuploidy chimeras
Authors: Zonneveld B. J. M. , Pollock W. I.
Published: June 2012

Somaclonal variation of some 124 specially selected cultivars of Hosta Tratt. (Hostaceae) was investigated. Nuclear DNA contents (2C‐value) were measured by flow cytometry of leaves and roots of L1, L2 and L3 layers derived from apical meristems. These values were then converted to inferred ploidies by comparing the measured 2C‐values and ploidy with those of the parent plant. During tissue‐culture propagation, on occasion diploid (L1‐L2‐L3 = 2‐2‐2) hostas give rise to polyploids, such as fully tetraploids (4‐4‐4), and periclinal chimeras, such as partial tetraploids (4‐2‐2). Continual propagation can result in partial tetraploids becoming full tetraploids. Nuclear DNA of some diploids increased with incomplete chromosome sets resulting in fully aneuploids, such as hostas with a DNA ploidy of L1‐L2‐L3 = 2.5‐2.5‐2.5 and 3.7‐3.7‐3.7, and even in aneuploid periclinal chimeras, such as L1‐L2‐L3 = 2.5‐2‐2 and 3.8‐2‐2. The polyploidy of L1, irrespective of the ploidy of L2 and L3, is found to mainly determine the thickness of leaves. Also the higher the ploidy of L1, the wider and more intense in color is the leaf margin. The measurements of Hosta cultivars and their lineages of sports show that chromosome losses or gains are an important source of new cultivars. The complexity of chromosomal distribution in lineages of several Hosta cultivars is discussed.
Methylglyoxal inhibits seed germination and root elongation and up‐regulates transcription of stress‐responsive genes in ABA‐dependent pathway in Arabidopsis
Authors: Hoque T. S. , Uraji M. , Tuya A. , Nakamura Y. , Murata Y.
Published: June 2012

Methylglyoxal (MG) is a highly reactive metabolite derived from glycolysis. In this study, we examined the effect of MG on seed germination, root elongation, chlorosis and stress‐responsive gene expression in Arabidopsis using an abscisic acid (ABA)‐deficient mutant, aba2‐2. In the wild type, 0.1 mm MG did not affect germination but delayed root elongation, whereas 1.0 mm MG inhibited germination and root elongation and induced chlorosis. MG increased transcription levels of RD29B and RAB18 in a dose‐dependent manner but did not affect RD29A transcription level. In contrast, in the aba2‐2 mutant, MG inhibition of seed germination at 1.0 mm and 10.0 mm and a delay of root elongation at 0.1 mm MG were mitigated, although there was no significant difference in chlorosis between the wild type and mutant. Moreover, the aba2‐2 mutation impaired MG‐induced RD29B and RAB18 gene expression. These observations suggest that MG not only directly inhibits germination and root elongation but also indirectly modulates these processes via endogenous ABA in Arabidopsis.
Rapid identification of yeast by fluorescence in situ hybridisation from broth and blood cultures
Authors: Frickmann Hagen , Lakner Anna , Essig Andreas , Poppert Sven
Published: June 2012

Candida species including species other than Candida albicans are of importance as causative agents of sepsis in intensive‐care units, requiring prompt initiation of targeted therapy. While fluconazole is usually active against Candida albicans, non‐Candida albicans species often require more sophisticated approaches. A rapid species diagnosis is therefore desirable and can be provided by fluorescence in situ hybridisation (FISH). However, broad evaluation studies of described probes are largely lacking and the probe panel that has been described is incomplete. As an addition to previously described C. albicans FISH probes, we evaluated published DNA probes for C. glabrata and C. krusei, as well as newly designed DNA probes for C. krusei, C. lusitaniae, C. parapsilosis, C. tropicalis, Crypotococcus neoformans and a group of intrinsically fluconazole‐resistant Candida species for FISH with 22 reference strains, 23 well‐characterised laboratory control strains, 169 isolates from clinical samples and 48 blood cultures. Sensitivity and specificity of >99% were demonstrated for all evaluated species‐specific probes, whereas the probe that binds to a heterogeneous group of intrinsically fluconazole‐resistant Candida species correctly identified eight of nine fluconazole‐resistant clinical isolates. FISH yielded reliable results using the classical FISH procedure as well as a recently described slide chamber‐based method. Given this good sensitivity and specificity, FISH may be applied for rapid identification of yeast in screening analyses, thus giving the opportunity for more precise targeting of antimycotic therapy.
Effects of a regular walking exercise program on behavioral and biochemical aspects in elderly people with type II diabetes
Authors: Sung Kiwol , Bae Sangkeun
Published: June 2012

The present study examined the effects of a regular walking exercise program on behavioral (daily physical activity, physical strength, energy consumption) and biochemical (fasting blood glucose [FBG], glycated hemoglobin [HbA1c], total cholesterol, triglycerides [TG], low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol, and high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol) aspects of elderly people with type II diabetes. A randomized and stratified experimental design was used with experimental and control groups. The experimental group was subjected to a 6 month walking exercise program, involving walking exercise three times per week for 50 min, and a 4 week education program on diet control and the prevention of complications, once per week for 20 min. Post‐test was conducted after 3 and 6 months to examine short‐ and long‐term behavioral and biochemical effects. The regular walking exercise program effectively increased daily physical activity, physical strength, and energy consumption (behavioral aspects), and decreased FBG, HbA1c, and TG levels (biochemical aspects) in elderly people with type II diabetes. The incidence of type II diabetes complications might be reduced by implementing a regular walking exercise program.
Descriptive survey of Summer Genetics Institute nurse graduates in the USA
Authors: Hickey Kathleen T. , Sciacca Robert R. , McCarthy Mary S.
Published: June 2012

The purpose of this study was to describe the clinical, research, educational, and professional activities that nurses are engaged in following participation in a 2 month intramural genetics training program. An online survey was administered in 2010 to graduates of the program sponsored by the US National Institute of Nursing Research from 2000 to 2009, in Bethesda, Maryland, USA. The electronic, voluntary survey was sent to 189 graduates via email. The survey included demographic characteristics, educational preparation, professional roles and responsibilities, and attitudes about genetic testing and privacy issues. Of the 95 graduates responding to the survey, 74% had doctorates and 70% were advanced practice nurses. All respondents reported incorporating genetics knowledge into daily clinical, academic, or research practices since completing the program, with 72% reporting being involved in genetically‐focused research (52% with research funding), 32% incorporating genetics into patient care, and 79% providing genetics education. Respondents working in a hospital setting or academic institution were more likely to desire additional training in genetics. National Institute of Nursing Research graduates have successfully integrated genomics into a variety of nursing practices.
Work‐related empowerment of nurse managers: A systematic review
Authors: Trus Marija , Razbadauskas Arturas , Doran Diane , Suominen Tarja
Published: June 2012

The present study discusses how nurse managers' work‐related empowerment has been investigated, in order to determine the level and relationships of empowerment among them. A systematic review was carried out, and a literature search was conducted with certain electronic databases for the period 1990–2009, using the main key words in various combinations. Only nine empirical studies in English were selected for review, in accordance with the requirements for the methodological quality and inclusion criteria. The most common type of study design was a descriptive survey (n = 5), and included various questionnaires, scales, and interviews. Nurse managers' structural, psychological, and work empowerment was found to be high or moderately high. The empowerment of nurse managers correlated positively with job satisfaction, perceived organizational support, role satisfaction, and managerial self‐efficacy, and correlated negatively with emotional exhaustion and own health outcomes. Different theoretical approaches ensure a clear understanding of empowerment, but difficulties arise when the findings are synthesized across studies and settings because of the different theoretical frameworks used to conceptualize empowerment.
Game theory sheds new light on ecological responses to current climate change when phenology is historically mismatched
Authors: Johansson Jacob , Jonzén Niclas
Published: June 2012

Phenological changes are well documented biological effects of current climate change but their adaptive value and demographic consequences are poorly known. Game theoretical models have shown that deviating from the fitness‐maximising phenology can be evolutionary stable under frequency‐dependent selection. We study eco‐evolutionary responses to climate change when the historical phenology is mismatched in this way. For illustration we model adaptation of arrival dates in migratory birds that compete for territories at their breeding grounds. We simulate climate change by shifting the timing and the length of the favourable season for breeding. We show that initial trends in changes of population densities can be either reinforced or counteracted during the ensuing evolutionary adaptation. We find in total seven qualitatively different population trajectories during the transition to a new evolutionary equilibrium. This surprising diversity of eco‐evolutionary responses provides adaptive explanations to the observed variation in phenological responses to recent climate change.
Wealth, Rights, and Resilience: An Agenda for Governance Reform in Small‐scale Fisheries
Authors: Ratner Blake D. , Allison Edward H.
Published: June 2012

The diversity of social, ecological and economic characteristics of small‐scale fisheries in developing countries means that context‐specific assessments are required to understand and address shortcomings in their governance. This article contrasts three perspectives on governance reform focused alternately on wealth, rights and resilience, and argues that – far from being incompatible – these perspectives serve as useful counterweights to one another, and together can serve to guide policy responses. In order to better appreciate the diversity in governance contexts for small‐scale fisheries it puts forward a simple analytical framework focused on stakeholder representation, distribution of power, and accountability, and then outlines principles for identifying and deliberating reform options among local stakeholders.
Bilateral Donors' Efforts to Assess and Manage UN Agencies' Effectiveness: Seeking a Balance between Paris Principles and Domestic Accountability
Authors: De Koster Koen , Holvoet Nathalie
Published: June 2012

Since the turn of the century, results orientation and performance measurement have become buzzwords in development aid. Bilateral donors are increasingly concerned about the effectiveness of core‐funded UN specialised agencies, funds and programmes, through which they channel a substantial part of their funds. While the logic for increased monitoring is clear, it is less evident how to assess this information for purposes of accountability, performance‐based funding and governance. This article describes the general evolution in this area and discusses two major initiatives to harmonise and align bilateral assessments, using case‐study material from three bilateral donors (Belgium, the Netherlands and the UK) with clearly diverging performance‐management cultures, and exploring the extent to which they rely upon joint and aligned initiatives.
Modern Food Supply Chains and Development: Evidence from Horticulture Export Sectors in Sub‐Saharan Africa
Authors: Maertens Miet , Minten Bart , Swinnen Johan
Published: June 2012

The global food system is undergoing rapid processes of transformation and modernisation. This is causing important changes in developing‐country food supply chains, particularly in supermarket‐driven and high‐value export chains, but the welfare implications of these changes are poorly understood. This article analyses and compares the welfare effects in different horticulture export chains in sub‐Saharan Africa, disentangling different types of effects and the channels through which rural households are affected. Its main conclusion is that increased high‐value exports and the modernisation of export supply chains can bring about important positive welfare effects, which can occur in various ways through product‐ or labour‐market effects and through direct and indirect effects.
MARKUPS AND WELFARE COSTS OF BUSINESS CYCLES IN TURKEY
Authors: Yılmaz Ensar
Published: June 2012

The paper, using a simple theory‐based measure of the variations in aggregate economic efficiency in a New Keynessian structure, analyses the nature of the business fluctuations and estimates their welfare costs in Turkey during the period 1998–2009. The measure contains two components: a price markup and a wage markup. It seems that the latter mainly drives the fluctuations in Turkey. The paper also shows that inefficient fluctuations in the allocation of resources do generate moderate welfare costs on average. However, the aggregate efficiency costs increase much more during deep recessions.
Monitoring the Monitors: The Effect of Banking Industry Reform on Earnings Management Behavior in an Emerging Market
Authors: Hsieh Chia‐Chun , Wu Shing‐Jen
Published: June 2012

Manuscript Type

Empirical

Research Question/Issue

This paper studies whether enhanced regulatory supervision of the banking system strengthens the debt contracting mechanism between borrowers and lenders in emerging markets. Specifically, we investigate: 1) whether the borrowers’ accrual‐based earnings management behavior is more negatively associated with the magnitude of their bank loans after the government strengthens the monitoring on banks, and 2) whether the enhanced supervision is more effective for firms controlled by the state, the major economic player in most emerging markets.

Research Findings/Insights

Using China's 2003 banking reform as a natural experiment, we find that borrowers’ earnings management behavior becomes more negatively associated with loan size after the reform. The association is more significant for state‐owned borrowers and lenders, consistent with the prediction that although the state‐owned parties face lower barriers to collusion, the reform increases the costs of side‐contracting. Overall, the findings suggest that such reform is effective in enhancing banks’ role in corporate governance in a transition economy.

Theoretical/Academic Implications

To date, most corporate governance studies are based on the standard principal‐agent theory that analyzes contracting between only two parties. For this reason, the standard agency theory has had limited success in explaining economic developments in emerging markets, where the economy is characterized by high levels of government intervention (i.e., a third party), which creates the possibility of collusion. We study debt contracting in an emerging market by adopting the theory of collusion, an extension of the traditional principal‐agent theory to multi‐agent settings, such as one in which there are one principal and two agents, one of whom plays the role of supervisor. Our results show that, consistent with theoretical predictions, monitoring by the government (i.e., the principal) of banks (i.e., the supervisor) has an impact on the relationship between banks and borrowing firms (i.e., the agents).

Practitioner/Policy Implications

Previous research on corporate governance in emerging markets, which has focused on the disciplining role of the equity holders, has documented that corporate governance is rather weak. As private lending is the most widely used type of financing in emerging markets such as China, this paper takes a different view and shows that private lending has increased its influence on firms’ corporate governance since a banking reform. The results confirm that the debt contracting mechanism between companies and banks has developed since such a reform.
THE ORANGE BOOK, THE LIBERAL DEMOCRATS AND ECONOMIC FREEDOM
Authors: Papworth Thomas
Published: June 2012

Despite the Liberal Democrat's party heritage and despite the efforts of those who wroteThe Orange Book, the party still has difficulty embracing economic liberalism. The state is often seen as benign or even virtuous and there is huge caution when it comes to taxation, public service reform and deregulation which results from other priorities being put before economic growth. Indeed, even some ofThe Orange Bookauthors have produced mixed results when they have had opportunities in the coalition government.
THE ORANGE BOOK, EDUCATION AND SOCIAL MOBILITY
Authors: Marshall Paul
Published: June 2012

Education policy was a vital theme of The Orange Book, even though there was no dedicated chapter. The book's commitment to using economically liberal means to deliver social liberal ends was the basis for a substantial repositioning of Liberal Democrat education policy ahead of the General Election, paving the way for agreement with the Conservatives on radical reform of educational delivery. At the same time, the Liberal commitment to education as the key driver of social justice, based on arguments of positive freedom, underpinned the party's election commitment to increasing resources for the most disadvantaged pupils through the Pupil Premium. This Liberal commitment to positive freedom and education distinguishes it from the welfarist bias of Fabianism; it was a key divide in progressive tradition in the 19th century and the division has endured to this day, reflected in the contrast between the welfarism of Gordon Brown and the social mobility agenda of the coalition.