bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Rectus abdominis muscle endometriotic mass in a woman affected by multiple sclerosis
Authors: Marci Roberto , Lo Monte Giuseppe , Soave Ilaria , Bianchi Albino , Patella Alfredo , Wenger Jean Marie
Published: July 2012

We report a case of a rectus abdominis muscle endometriotic mass in a woman affected by multiple sclerosis. The pathogenesis of endometriosis is poorly understood but an immune system alteration could play a role in its onset and development. To date few studies have investigated the connection between autoimmune diseases and endometriosis. Multiple sclerosis is an inflammatory, autoimmune, demyelinating disease of the central nervous system. An autoimmune background might contribute both in the establishment of extrapelvic endometriotic lesions and in the possible increased risk of women with endometriosis to develop autoimmune diseases.
Autopsy case of sudden maternal death from thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura
Authors: Yamamoto Takuma , Fujimura Yoshihiro , Emoto Yuko , Kuriu Yukiko , Iino Morio , Matoba Ryoji
Published: July 2012

A 31‐year‐old pregnant woman was transferred to the emergency room at 27 weeks of gestation. She had one‐day history of fever and upper abdominal pain. Soon after admission, she underwent cardiopulmonary arrest. Autopsy was performed and multiple microthrombi were seen within the small‐caliber vessels of many organs, but not in the lungs. Immunohistochemical staining revealed that the thrombi were rich in von Willebrand factor. We also obtained results which showed severely deficient plasma a disintegrin‐like and metalloprotease with thrombospondin motifs (ADAMTS) 13 activity and positive ADAMTS13 inhibitor, confirming a diagnosis of thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura. As far as we know, in Japan, this is the first autopsy report of sudden maternal death from thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura. We expect that the routine laboratory application of ADAMTS13 assays for unknown thrombocytopenic patients during pregnancy may help in differential diagnosis at an earlier stage of the disease and facilitate tailor‐made therapeutic intervention.
Maternal carbon dioxide level during labor and its possible effect on fetal cerebral oxygenation: Mini review
Authors: Tomimatsu Takuji , Kakigano Aiko , Mimura Kazuya , Kanayama Tomoko , Koyama Shinsuke , Fujita Satoko , Taniguchi Yukiko , Kanagawa Takeshi , Kimura Tadashi
Published: July 2012

During pregnancy, and especially during labor, the maternal carbon dioxide level declines considerably. Maternal carbon dioxide levels show a close relation with fetal carbon dioxide levels. The latter affects fetal cerebral oxygenation by regulating cerebral blood flow and shifting the oxyhemoglobin dissociation curve. In addition, maternal hypocapnia appears to impair placental oxygen transfer. Thus, maternal hyperventilation may interfere with optimal fetal cerebral oxygenation. Here, we provide a brief overview of the literature relevant to this issue.
Gut microbiota instead of host genotype drive the specificity in the interaction of a natural host‐parasite system
Authors: Koch Hauke , Schmid‐Hempel Paul
Published: July 2012

Specific interactions between parasite genotypes and host genotypes (Gp × Gh) are commonly found in invertebrate systems, but are largely lacking a mechanistic explanation. The genotype of invertebrate hosts can be complemented by the genomes of microorganisms living on or within the host (‘microbiota’). We investigated whether the bacterial gut microbiota of bumble bees (Bombus terrestris) can account for the specificity of interactions between individuals from different colonies (previously taken as host genotype proxy) and genotypes of the parasite Crithidia bombi. For this, we transplanted the microbiota between individuals of six colonies. Both the general infection load and the specific success of different C. bombi genotypes were mostly driven by the microbiota, rather than by worker genotype. Variation in gut microbiota can therefore be responsible for specific immune phenotypes and the evolution of gut parasites may be driven by interactions with ‘microbiota types’ as well as with host genotypes.
Two Sinorhizobium meliloti glutaredoxins regulate iron metabolism and symbiotic bacteroid differentiation
Authors: Benyamina Sofiane M. , Baldacci‐Cresp Fabien , Couturier Jérémy , Chibani Kamel , Hopkins Julie , Bekki Abdelkader , de Lajudie Philippe , Rouhier Nicolas , Jacquot Jean‐Pierre , Alloing Geneviève , Puppo Alain , Frendo Pierre
Published: July 2012

Legumes interact symbiotically with bacteria of the Rhizobiaceae to form nitrogen‐fixing root nodules. We investigated the contribution of the three glutaredoxin (Grx)‐encoding genes present in the Sinorhizobium meliloti genome to this symbiosis. SmGRX1 (CGYC active site) and SmGRX3 (CPYG) recombinant proteins displayed deglutathionylation activity in the 2‐hydroethyldisulfide assay, whereas SmGRX2 (CGFS) did not. Mutation of SmGRX3 did not affect S. meliloti growth or symbiotic capacities. In contrast, SmGRX1 and SmGRX2 mutations decreased the growth of free‐living bacteria and the nitrogen fixation capacity of bacteroids. Mutation of SmGRX1 led to nodule abortion and an absence of bacteroid differentiation, whereas SmGRX2 mutation decreased nodule development without modifying bacteroid development. The higher sensitivity of the Smgrx1 mutant strain as compared with wild‐type strain to oxidative stress was associated with larger amounts of glutathionylated proteins. The Smgrx2 mutant strain displayed significantly lower levels of activity than the wild type for two iron‐sulfur‐containing enzymes, aconitase and succinate dehydrogenase. This lower level of activity could be associated with deregulation of the transcriptional activity of the RirA iron regulator and higher intracellular iron content. Thus, two S. meliloti Grx proteins are essential for symbiotic nitrogen fixation, playing independent roles in bacterial differentiation and the regulation of iron metabolism.
Investigation of intracellular signalling cascades mediating stimulatory effect of a Gymnema sylvestre extract on insulin secretion from isolated mouse and human islets of Langerhans
Authors: Al‐Romaiyan A. , Liu B. , Docherty R. , Huang G.‐C. , Amiel S. , Persaud S. J. , Jones P. M.
Published: July 2012

Aim

Traditional plant‐based remedies such as Gymnema sylvestre (GS) extracts have been used to treat diabetes mellitus for many centuries. We have shown previously that a novel GS extract, OSA®, has a direct effect on insulin secretion but its mode of action has not been studied in detail Thus this study investigated the possible underlying mechanism(s) by which OSA® exerts its action.

Methods

The effects of OSA® on [Ca2+]i and K+ conductances were assessed by Ca2+ microfluorimetry and electrophysiology in dispersed mouse islets and MIN6 β‐cells, respectively. Isolated mouse (from 20 to 25 mice) and human (from 3 donors) islets, and MIN6 β‐cells, were used to investigate whether the stimulatory effect of OSA® on insulin secretion was dependent on the presence of extracellular calcium and protein kinase activation.

Results

OSA
®‐induced insulin secretion from mouse islets and MIN6 β‐cells was inhibited by nifedipine, a voltage‐gated Ca2+ channel blocker, and by the removal of extracellular Ca2+, respectively. OSA® did not affect the activities of KATP channels or voltage‐dependent K+ channels in MIN6 β‐cells but it caused an increase in intracellular Ca2+ ([Ca2+]i) concentrations in Fura‐2‐loaded mouse islet cells. The insulin secretagogue effect of OSA® was dependent, in part, on protein kinase activation since incubating mouse or human islets with staurosporine, a general protein kinase inhibitor, resulted in partial inhibition of OSA®‐induced insulin secretion. Experiments using permeabilized, Ca2+‐clamped MIN6 β‐cells revealed a Ca2+‐independent component action of OSA® at a late stage in the stimulus–response coupling pathway. OSA®‐induced insulin secretion was unexpectedly associated with a decrease in intracellular cAMP levels.

Conclusions

These data indicate that the GS isolate OSA® stimulates insulin secretion from mouse and human islets in vitro, at least in part as a consequence of Ca2+ influx and protein kinase activation.
Effects of once‐daily teneligliptin on 24‐h blood glucose control and safety in Japanese patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus: a 4‐week, randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled trial
Authors: Eto T. , Inoue S. , Kadowaki T.
Published: July 2012

Aim

To assess blood glucose control over 24 h and the safety of teneligliptin 10 and 20 mg, a novel dipeptidyl peptidase‐4 inhibitor, in Japanese patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus inadequately controlled with diet and exercise.

Methods

Ninety‐nine patients were administered teneligliptin 10 or 20 mg or placebo before breakfast for 4 weeks in a randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled, parallel‐group study.

Results

Both teneligliptin‐treated groups showed significantly smaller 2‐h postprandial glucose (2‐h PPG), 24‐h mean glucose and fasting plasma glucose values than the placebo group. The differences between the teneligliptin 10 mg and placebo groups in changes in 2‐h PPG after each meal were −50.7 ± 7.8, −34.8 ± 9.2 and −37.5 ± 7.5 mg/dl at breakfast, lunch and dinner, respectively [least‐squares (LS) means ± standard error (s.e.), all, p < 0.001]. The corresponding LS means ± s.e. for teneligliptin 20 mg versus placebo were −38.1 ± 7.8, −28.6 ± 9.2 and −36.1 ± 7.5 mg/dl, respectively (p < 0.001, p < 0.01, p < 0.001, respectively). Both doses of teneligliptin increased postprandial plasma active glucagon‐like peptide‐1 concentrations compared with placebo. The incidence of adverse events and drug‐related adverse events was similar among groups. There were no hypoglycaemic symptoms or serious adverse events.

Conclusions

Once‐daily teneligliptin improved blood glucose levels over 24 h without hypoglycaemia.
Microvascular anatomy of the esophagus in larval and adult Xenopus laevis Daudin: a scanning electron microscope study of microvascular corrosion casts and correlative light microscopy
Authors: Lametschwandtner Alois , Bartel Heidi , Minnich Bernd
Published: July 2012

Larval to adult microvascular anatomy of the esophagus was studied in the South African Clawed Toad, Xenopus laevis (Daudin) by scanning electron microscopy of vascular corrosion casts and correlative light microscopy of paraplast embedded stained tissue sections. Analyses of vascular corrosion casts of tadpole esophaguses at premetamorphosis revealed a wide‐meshed, but mature looking capillary bed which during following prometamorphosis increased in density and gained the adult‐like pattern during late metamorphic climax by sprouting and nonsprouting angiogenesis. In adult Xenopus, the esophageal mucosa possessed a dense subepithelial capillary bed fed by one or two esophageal arteries that originated from right and/or left thoracic aorta just distal to the origin of the subclavian arteries. In the adult undistended esophagus, esophageal arteries revealed an undulating course, a pattern that guarantees a continuous blood supply when the esophagus is extremely wide expanded as it is the case when adult Xenopus swallows large prey.
Multimodal assessment of and for learning: A theory‐driven design rubric
Authors: Hung Hsiu‐Ting , Chiu Yi‐Ching Jean , Yeh Hui‐Chin
Published: July 2012

Given the changing nature of literacy, there is an urgent need to develop alternative ways of assessment in support of students' new literacy practices in the digital age. While emergent models of multimodal assessment are being developed in theoretical contexts, the study reported in this paper illustrates how multimodal theories can be realized in classroom practice. Seeking to address the needs of both literacy instruction and assessment, this study proposed a design rubric from the multiliteracies perspective to assess students' design of multimodal texts as a means to support assessable new literacy practices. Specifically, this research aimed to investigate how the design rubric as a formative assessment tool affects English learners' multimodal text production (in this case, presentation slides). The empirical results of this study reveal that the theory‐driven design rubric was useful for enhancing the students' understanding and awareness of the multimodal nature of presentation slides and led to improvement in their multimodal text production. The findings have important implications for scaffolding students' multimodal literacy by using formative assessment as one of the instructional approaches in multiliteracies pedagogy.

Practitioner Notes

What is already known about this topic

The advent of digital technology brings about a re‐conceptualization of literacy.

Today's students must be literate in both traditional printed texts and multimodal texts that are commonly associated with digital technology and multimedia.

New literacy practices require teachers to develop new assessment practices.

What this paper adds

This paper offers valuable insights into literacy instruction and assessment.

This paper presents a course design using action research that responds to the urgent need to develop alternative ways of assessment in support of students' new literacy practices in the digital age.

This paper proposes a theory‐driven design rubric from the multiliteracies perspective to assess learners' multimodal text production.

Implications for practice and/or policy

Multimodal assessment allows teachers to help students build a metalanguage for understanding and describing multimodal texts.

Literacy and language educators may consider adapting the proposed design rubric as a formative assessment tool to provide students with constructive feedback pertaining to the multimodality of texts.

The proposed design rubric can also be used for peer review and self‐assessment.
Look Who's Talking: Compositional Effects of Gender and Status on Verbal Contributions at Sociology Conferences
Authors: Kriwy Peter , Gross Christiane , Gottburgsen Anja
Published: July 2012

Making a verbal contribution is an efficient means to increase one's visibility in the academic job market. Therefore, we examine the duration and word density of spoken contributions made in debates at sociology conferences held in Germany, thus enriching the discussion on the gender gap in scientific careers. We differentiate between the contributors' age and gender, and the social context of the conferences. Hidden observation of 392 verbal contributions on 64 topics at five different conferences using hierarchical linear models shows that with increasing age, women speak more slowly and for longer, while the duration of verbal contributions of men rises up to the age of 53 and then decreases again. Contrary to our hypothesis, the duration of spoken contributions of men is not longer than that of women; in fact if there is a majority of female associate or full professors in the audience, contributions by women become significantly longer. This finding underlines the importance of social context for gender‐related features of communication. In addition, we find that word density depends on the age and gender of the speaker.
Extent and fragmentation of suitable leopard habitat in South Africa
Authors: Swanepoel L. H. , Lindsey P. , Somers M. J. , van Hoven W. , Dalerum F.
Published: July 2012

Large mammalian carnivores are threatened by anthropogenic environmental impacts, particularly through habitat loss which often cause population declines. Understanding the extent of suitable habitat is therefore of great importance for carnivore conservation. The leopard (Panthera pardus) is a widespread and relatively common large carnivore, but the species is declining in large parts of its range. Using maximum entropy‐based habitat models, we estimated the extent of suitable leopard habitat in South Africa, what variables that are associated with suitable leopard habitats, the extent of habitat that has been negatively impacted by human activity and the effectiveness of protected areas to capture suitable habitat. Suitable leopard habitat was highly fragmented. Although vegetation and physical variables were the most influential variables for habitat suitability, livestock farming primarily seem to underlie fragmentation. We suggest that the sustainability of the South African leopard population depends on maintaining dispersal routes between areas with suitable habitat. This will require mitigation of human–carnivore conflict in habitat corridors, particularly mitigation strategies targeting conflict between carnivores and livestock farmers. Because most suitable habitat occurred outside of protected areas, we also recommend that leopard conservation efforts should focus on areas that are not legally protected.
Neurotoxin‐induced selective ubiquitination and regulation of MEF2A isoform in neuronal stress response
Authors: She Hua , Yang Qian , Mao Zixu
Published: July 2012

J. Neurochem. (2012) 122, 1203–1210.

The myocyte enhancer factor 2A–D (MEF2) proteins are members of the MCM1‐agamous‐deficiens‐serum response factor family of transcription factors. Various MEF2 isoform proteins are enriched in neurons and exhibit distinct patterns of expression in different regions of the brain. In neurons, MEF2 functions as a converging factor to regulate many neuronal functions including survival. MEF2 activities are tightly controlled in neurons in response to stress. Whether stress signal may differentially regulate MEF2s remains largely unknown. In this work, we showed that MEF2A, but not MEF2C or MEF2D, was modified by ubiquitination in dopaminergic neuronal cell line SN4741 cells. MEF2A was ubiquitinated at its N’‐terminus, and the ubiquitination of MEF2A was first detectable in the nuclear compartment and later in the cytoplasm. Ubiquitination of MEF2A correlated with reduced DNA‐binding activity and transcriptional activity. More importantly, disturbing the degradation of ubiquitinated MEF2A through proteasome pathway by neurotoxins known to induce Parkinson’s disease features in model animals caused accumulation of ubiquitinated MEF2A, reduced MEF2 activity, and impaired cellular viability. Our work thus provides the first evidence to demonstrate an isoforms‐specific regulation of MEF2s by ubiquitination‐proteasome pathway in dopaminergic neuronal cell by neurotoxins, suggesting that stress signal and cellular context‐dependent dysregulation of MEF2s may underlie the loss of neuronal viability.
My funny valentine: How humor styles affect romantic interest
Authors: DiDonato Theresa E. , Bedminster Mellisha C. , Machel Joanna J.
Published: July 2012

Humor tends to predict romantic attraction, but does the style in which it is communicated matter? This study uses experimental methods to test the effects of positive and negative humor styles on short‐term and long‐term romantic interest. The authors randomly assigned 251 participants to read 1 of 4 relationship initiation vignettes depicting either an affiliative or aggressive humor style. Participants reported their short‐term and long‐term interest and made judgments of the relationship initiator's competence and warmth. Results support a fitness indicator model of humor style's role in relationship initiation; positive styles were preferred for long‐term relationships while competence and warmth inferences predicted long‐term attraction. The findings are discussed within the broader context of mate selection goals and challenges.
Deformation of amphibolites via dissolution–precipitation creep in the middle and lower crust
Authors: STOKES M. R. , WINTSCH R. P. , SOUTHWORTH C. S.
Published: July 2012

Continuous compositional zoning in amphibole grains in strongly deformed and lineated amphibolites from the Eastern Blue Ridge, North Carolina indicates that most of the deformation was accommodated by dissolution–precipitation creep. Amphibole in most samples shows moderate prograde and/or retrograde zoning parallel to the long‐axis with compositions ranging between magnesiohornblende and tschermakite. In one sample, grains are zoned from actinolitic (Si = 7.9 p.f.u.) cores to tschermakitic (Si = 6.2 p.f.u) rims. Amphibole‐plagioclase thermometry suggests prograde growth temperatures as low as 400 °C, but typically range from 650 to 730 °C and retrograde growth temperatures <700 °C. These estimates are corroborated quantitatively with amphibole‐garnet‐plagioclase thermobarometry and qualitatively with a positive correlation between TiO2 concentration in amphibole and calculated temperature. This growth zoning provides persuasive evidence that amphibole precipitation produced the fabric, but evidence for dissolution is less common. It is present, however in the form of truncations of complicated zoning patterns produced by healed fractures and overgrowths in low‐temperature cores by high‐temperature tschermakitic grains lacking similar internal structures. The preservation of this network of straight cracks filled with optically continuous amphibole also provides evidence against the operation of dislocation creep even to temperatures >700 °C because dislocation‐creep would have deformed the fracture network. Thus, these amphibolites deformed by dissolution–precipitation creep that produced a strong linear fabric under upper amphibolite facies, middle‐to‐lower crustal conditions. The significance of this discovery is that dissolution–precipitation creep is activated at lower stresses than dislocation creep and that the strength of the lower crust, where amphibole is the dominant mineral is probably lower than that derived from experimental studies.
FIA trends along the Precambrian Rocky Mountains: a new approach to timing continental docking
Authors: CAO H. , FLETCHER C.
Published: July 2012

A similar succession of Foliation Inflection/Intersection Axis (FIAs) trends preserved within porphyroblasts is present in two areas separated by 200 km along the Rocky Mountains. The Precambrian rocks in Central Colorado and Northern New Mexico were affected by deformation and metamorphism from ∼1506 to 1366 Ma. A succession of five FIAs trending W–E, SSW–NNE, NNW–SSE, NW–SE and WSW–ENE is distinguished in Central Colorado and dated at 1506 ± 15 Ma, 1467 ± 23 Ma, 1425 ± 18 Ma, not dated and 1366 ± 20 Ma respectively. To the south in Northern New Mexico, a succession of five FIAs trending SSW–NNE, WNW–ESE, NNW–SSE, NW–SE and WSW–ENE is distinguished and dated at 1482 ± 48 Ma, 1448 ± 12 Ma, 1422 ± 35 Ma, not dated and 1394 ± 22 Ma. The excellent correlation of the sequence of FIA trends and their ages between regions reveals a sixfold‐FIA succession across the region with the first developed FIA set in Central Colorado not present in Northern New Mexico and the third FIA set in the region not present in Central Colorado. Preferential partitioning of W–E trending deformation into the Central Colorado region ∼1506 ± 15 Ma was followed by SSW–NNE trending deformation that affected both regions at 1470 ± 20 Ma. However, preferential partitioning of WNW–ESE trending deformation into Northern New Mexico at 1448 ± 12 Ma left Central Colorado unaffected. Both regions were then affected by the three remaining periods of orogenesis, the first trending NNW–SSE at 1424 ± 15 Ma followed by one trending NW–SE that has not yet been dated, and then one trending WSW–ENE at 1390 ± 19 Ma. This suggests that the Yavapai terrane was tectonized at ∼1506 Ma, prior to amalgamation with the Mazatzal terrane ∼1470 Ma. Subsequent orogenesis was initially partitioned preferentially into the Mazatzal terrane, but the following three periods of tectonism affected both terranes in a similar manner.
The ontogeny of color: developmental origins of divergent pigmentation in Drosophila americana and D. novamexicana
Authors: Cooley Arielle M. , Shefner Laura , McLaughlin Wesley N. , Stewart Emma E. , Wittkopp Patricia J.
Published: July 2012

Pigmentation is a model trait for evolutionary and developmental analysis that is particularly amenable to molecular investigation in the genus Drosophila. To better understand how this phenotype evolves, we examined divergent pigmentation and gene expression over developmental time in the dark‐bodied D. americana and its light‐bodied sister species D. novamexicana. Prior genetic analysis implicated two enzyme‐encoding genes, tan and ebony, in pigmentation divergence between these species, but questions remain about the underlying molecular mechanisms. Here, we describe stages of pupal development in both species and use this staging to determine when pigmentation develops and diverges between D. americana and D. novamexicana. For the developmental stages encompassing pigment divergence, we compare mRNA expression of tan and ebony over time and between species. Finally, we use allele‐specific expression assays to determine whether interspecific differences in mRNA abundance have a cis‐regulatory basis and find evidence of cis‐regulatory divergence for both tan and ebony. cis‐regulatory divergence affecting tan had a small effect on mRNA abundance and was limited to a few developmental stages, yet previous data suggests that this divergence is likely to be biologically meaningful. Our study suggests that small and developmentally transient expression changes may contribute to phenotypic diversification more often than commonly appreciated. Recognizing the potential phenotypic impact of such changes is important for a scientific community increasingly focused on dissecting quantitative variation, but detecting these types of changes will be a major challenge to elucidating the molecular basis of complex traits.
Molecular and developmental contributions to divergent pigment patterns in marine and freshwater sticklebacks
Authors: Greenwood Anna K. , Cech Jennifer N. , Peichel Catherine L.
Published: July 2012

Pigment pattern variation across species or populations offers a tractable framework in which to investigate the evolution of development. Juvenile threespine sticklebacks (Gasterosteus aculeatus) from marine and freshwater environments exhibit divergent pigment patterns that are associated with ecological differences. Juvenile marine sticklebacks have a silvery appearance, whereas sticklebacks from freshwater environments exhibit a pattern of vertical bars. We investigated both the developmental and molecular basis of this population‐level variation in pigment pattern. Time course imaging during the transition from larval to juvenile stages revealed differences between marine and freshwater fish in spatial patterns of chromatophore differentiation as well as in pigment amount and dispersal. In freshwater fish, melanophores appear primarily within dark bars whereas iridophores appear within light bars. By contrast, in marine fish, these chromatophores are interspersed across the flank. In addition to spatially segregated chromatophore differentiation, pigment amount and dispersal within melanophores varies spatially across the flank of freshwater, but not marine fish. To gain insight into the molecular pathways that underlie the differences in pigment pattern development, we evaluated differential gene expression in the flanks of developing fish using high‐throughput cDNA sequencing (RNA‐seq) and quantitative PCR. We identified several genes that were differentially expressed across dark and light bars of freshwater fish, and between freshwater and marine fish. Together, these experiments begin to shed light on the process of pigment pattern evolution in sticklebacks.
The End of an Era
Authors: Ramsay Alma Gaines
Published: July 2012

This historical reprint from Public Health Nursing (Ramsay, ) summarizes the history of public health nursing services rendered by the Red Cross from its creation in 1912 until their termination in June 1951. The author was a public relations writer for the Red Cross. The paper is historically important for it provides chronology and perspective on the role of the Red Cross institutionalizing public health nursing and home nursing care in the United States during the first half of the 20th century. Of note are the three nursing services through which the Red Cross operated, each denoting a particular time and focus. Although Jane A. Delano is credited with the creation of the Red Cross nursing service, the initial organization was called Rural Nursing Service and was led by Fannie Clement. Within a short time, however, the Town and Country Nursing Service was created in recognition that not all of the public health nursing provided by the Red Cross was rendered in rural settings. The final transformation came when the service was again renamed, this time to highlight its more fundamental mission, as the Red Cross Public Health Nursing Service. The article is reprinted in its entirety.
Species Recruitment following Flooding, Sediment Deposition and Seed Addition in Restored Riparian Areas
Authors: Baattrup‐Pedersen Annette , Dalkvist Didde , Dybkjær John B. , Riis Tenna , Larsen Søren E. , Kronvang Brian
Published: July 2012

In recent years an increasing number of streams have been restored to improve conditions for natural fen and meadow vegetation to develop in the associated riparian areas, but with modest success. Here we apply a controlled and replicated approach to investigate the role of flooding, sediment deposition, and seed addition for species recruitment in riparian areas with different types of standing vegetation. We expect that species recruitment is restricted in areas where the vegetation is dominated by fast‐growing productive species because competition for light will make the establishment of new species difficult, especially for low‐productive target species. We found that the naturally recruited species were few, mostly common, and widely distributed species. A majority of the recruited species, including target species added as seeds into the sediments, emerged in all areas independent of the characteristics of the standing vegetation. We observed significant temporal changes in compositional patterns throughout the experimental period (May to October). These changes were especially pronounced in areas with fen/fen‐meadow vegetation and were closely associated with the emergence and growth of species originating from the deposited sediments (e.g. Equisetum pratense, Poa trivialis, Urtica dioica), including the seeded target species (Lychnis flos‐cuculi and Lotus pedunculatus) and with a decline in fen‐associated mosses and small sedges. Compositional changes were also associated with shifts toward more productive species in areas previously dominated by low and intermediately productive species. We infer that flooding and sediment deposition play a limited role for recruitment of target species in riparian areas and that sediment deposition may entail a risk of losing diversity in riparian areas.
Ecosystem Services from Keystone Species: Diversionary Seeding and Seed‐Caching Desert Rodents Can Enhance Indian Ricegrass Seedling Establishment
Authors: Longland William S. , Ostoja Steven M.
Published: July 2012

Seeds of Indian ricegrass (Achnatherum hymenoides), a native bunchgrass common to sandy soils on arid western rangelands, are naturally dispersed by seed‐caching rodent species, particularlyDipodomysspp. (kangaroo rats). These animals cache large quantities of seeds when mature seeds are available on or beneath plants and recover most of their caches for consumption during the remainder of the year. Unrecovered seeds in caches account for the vast majority of Indian ricegrass seedling recruitment. We applied three different densities of white millet (Panicum miliaceum) seeds as “diversionary foods” to plots at three Great Basin study sites in an attempt to reduce rodents' over‐winter cache recovery so that more Indian ricegrass seeds would remain in soil seedbanks and potentially establish new seedlings. One year after diversionary seed application, a moderate level of Indian ricegrass seedling recruitment occurred at two of our study sites in western Nevada, although there was no recruitment at the third site in eastern California. At both Nevada sites, the number of Indian ricegrass seedlings sampled along transects was significantly greater on all plots treated with diversionary seeds than on non‐seeded control plots. However, the density of diversionary seeds applied to plots had a marginally non‐significant effect on seedling recruitment, and it was not correlated with recruitment patterns among plots. Results suggest that application of a diversionary seed type that is preferred by seed‐caching rodents provides a promising passive restoration strategy for target plant species that are dispersed by these rodents.
Strengthening Invasion Filters to Reassemble Native Plant Communities: Soil Resources and Phenological Overlap
Authors: Cleland Elsa E. , Larios Loralee , Suding Katharine N.
Published: July 2012

Preventing invasion by exotic species is one of the key goals of restoration, and community assembly theory provides testable predictions about native community attributes that will best resist invasion. For instance, resource availability and biotic interactions may represent “filters” that limit the success of potential invaders. Communities are predicted to resist invasion when they contain native species that are functionally similar to potential invaders; where phenology may be a key functional trait. Nutrient reduction is another common strategy for reducing invasion following native species restoration, because soil nitrogen (N) enrichment often facilitates invasion. Here, we focus on restoring the herbaceous community associated with coastal sage scrub vegetation in Southern California; these communities are often highly invaded, especially by exotic annual grasses that are notoriously challenging for restoration. We created experimental plant communities composed of the same 20 native species, but manipulated functional group abundance (according to growth form, phenology, and N‐fixation capacity) and soil N availability. We fertilized to increase N, and added carbon to reduce N via microbial N immobilization. We found that N reduction decreased exotic cover, and the most successful seed mix for reducing exotic abundance varied depending on the invader functional type. For instance, exotic annual grasses were least abundant when the native community was dominated by early active forbs, which matched the phenology of the exotic annual grasses. Our findings show that nutrient availability and the timing of biotic interactions are key filters that can be manipulated in restoration to prevent invasion and maximize native species recovery.
Predicted Effect of Landscape Position on Wildlife Habitat Value of Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program Wetlands in a Tile‐drained Agricultural Region
Authors: Otis David L. , Crumpton William R. , Green David , Loan‐Wilsey Anna , Cooper Tom , Johnson Rex R.
Published: July 2012

Justification for investment in restored or constructed wetland projects are often based on presumed net increases in ecosystem services. However, quantitative assessment of performance metrics is often difficult and restricted to a single objective. More comprehensive performance assessments could help inform decision‐makers about trade‐offs in services provided by alternative restoration program design attributes. The primary goal of the Iowa Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program is to establish wetlands that efficiently remove nitrates from tile‐drained agricultural landscapes. A secondary objective is provision of wildlife habitat. We used existing wildlife habitat models to compare relative net change in potential wildlife habitat value for four alternative landscape positions of wetlands within the watershed. Predicted species richness and habitat value for birds, mammals, amphibians, and reptiles generally increased as the wetland position moved lower in the watershed. However, predicted average net increase between pre‐ and post‐project value was dependent on taxonomic group. The increased average wetland area and changes in surrounding upland habitat composition among landscape positions were responsible for these differences. Net change in predicted densities of several grassland bird species at the four landscape positions was variable and species‐dependent. Predicted waterfowl breeding activity was greater for lower drainage position wetlands. Although our models are simplistic and provide only a predictive index of potential habitat value, we believe such assessment exercises can provide a tool for coarse‐level comparisons of alternative proposed project attributes and a basis for constructing informed hypotheses in auxiliary empirical field studies.
Introduction: Changing terms and concepts for epilepsy
Authors: Berg Anne T.
Published: July 2012

The Epidemiology Special Interest Group held at the 2012 American Epilepsy Society meeting was dedicated to a discussion of the concepts and terminology needed for effective communication about the causes of epilepsy. Diverse perspectives were represented ranging from needs in a developing country to those in a tertiary surgical center. The solutions to these different needs often seem in conflict with each other. Informatics is introduced as a discipline that may provide the necessary tools to construct an internally consistent conceptual and terminological system responsive to these many different settings and purposes and able to accommodate changes over time.
Epilepsy: A classification for all seasons?
Authors: Scheffer Ingrid E.
Published: July 2012

Epilepsy classification is close to the heart of every clinician because it affects every consultation. Acceptance of change to fundamental concepts is difficult and implementation of new ideas requires considerable effort. It is therefore not surprising that the 2010 Organization of the epilepsies has evoked much passion and its fair share of criticism and controversy. Debate has been positive and has already led to modifications and gradual acceptance of the new framework. Although classification will never be perfect and continues to evolve with increasing knowledge, the time for updating our thinking to reflect current concepts and scientific understanding is well and truly here. Ongoing discussion will help to further mature the new organization.
Epidemiology of epilepsy in adults: Implementing the ILAE classification and terminology into population‐based epidemiologic studies
Authors: Christensen Jakob , Sidenius Per
Published: July 2012

The new proposal for Revised Terminology for Organization of Seizures and Epilepsies published in 2010 poses challenges to all fields of epilepsy including epidemiology. We describe efforts to incorporate the new terminology and classification into population‐based health registers in Denmark in order to provide the background for assessment of the quality of epilepsy care, epidemiologic studies of epilepsy, and clinical trials in adults.
Revising and refining the epilepsy classification system: Priorities from a developing world perspective
Authors: Birbeck Gretchen L.
Published: July 2012

Although the technical and human resources for epilepsy care and classification are located largely in high income countries, most people with epilepsy reside in developing regions of the world. Advances over the past two decades in the clinical and basic neurosciences have transformed epilepsy care and largely drive the present need for a revised epilepsy classification. These advances have been mirrored by new knowledge about epilepsy in tropical, resource limited settings. A nonhierarchical, multidimensional approach to classification that includes dimensions that can be ascertained in, and are relevant to, resource‐limited settings is needed. Such a classification system could be designed for relevance at tertiary care settings in developed regions as well as primary health care settings in developing regions. Insights from the global use of such a classification approach would also offer opportunities to gain complementary information regarding epilepsy across a broad range of settings and could provide new insights into epilepsy and epileptogenesis. Failure to develop a classification inclusive of the developing world would exclude 80% of the epilepsies globally.
Screening for depression in epilepsy clinics. A comparison of conventional and visual‐analog methods
Authors: Rampling Jeremy , Mitchell Alex J. , Von Oertzen Tim , Docker James , Jackson Jemima , Cock Hannah , Agrawal Niruj
Published: July 2012

Purpose:  Depression is an important but underdiagnosed complication of epilepsy. This study compares potentially suitable screening tools head‐to‐head.

Methods:  We enrolled 266 attendees with a confirmed diagnosis of epilepsy at a specialized neurologic epilepsy service in London and compared verbal self‐report and visual analog (VAS) screening methods for depression. These included two generic depression scales (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale [HADS], Beck Depression Inventory II [BDI‐II]), one epilepsy specific scale (Neurological Disorders Depression Inventory for Epilepsy [NDDI‐E]) and one new visual‐analog scale (Emotional Thermometers [ET]). We used Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition (DSM‐IV) criteria for major depression and International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision (ICD‐10) criteria for depressive episode as the reference standard.

Key Findings:  Against ICD‐10–defined depression the most accurate scales by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve area were HADS Total (HADS‐T, 0.924), BDI‐II (0.898) and NDDI‐E (0.897). New visual‐analog methods had similar accuracy measured either in combination or individually. Although no test performed well in a case‐finding role, several performed well as a rule‐out initial step, owing to high negative predictive value and specificity. In this role, the optimal performing conventional tools were the HADS depression subsscale (HADS‐D) and the NDDI‐E and the optimal single VAS were the depression thermometer (DepT) and the distress thermometer (DT). Against DSM‐IV– defined major depression, results were similar with optimal performance by the HADS‐T, BDI‐II, and NDDI‐E, but here the anxiety thermometer (AnxT) as well as DepT and DT also offered good performance. Given that no test performed well in a case‐finding role, we suggest that these tests are used as an initial first step to rule out patients who are unlikely to have depression.

Significance:  We suggest that the six‐item NDDI‐E or seven‐item HADS‐D should be considered if a conventional scale is preferred and that the revised ET4 be considered if a visual‐analog method is required. Follow‐up examination and intervention, where indicated, are necessary in all those who screen positive on any measure as these are not intended as diagnostic tools.
Race, Self‐Employment, and Labor Absorption
Authors: BOYD ROBERT L.
Published: July 2012

Abstract

Past studies have argued that in the large cities of developing societies, unemployment is often alleviated when displaced workers are absorbed into the small‐scale entrepreneurial activities of the informal economy. The present study applies this argument to an analysis of women's self‐employment in the U.S. South during the Great Depression. Census data show that in large southern cities in 1940, the unemployment of black women was meaningfully reduced by the self‐employment of these women in domestic service. These data further suggest that dynamics of race, unemployment, and the self‐employment of women in domestic service can be represented by an inverted‐U‐shaped labor absorption curve. These results make several contributions to research on race, labor‐market disadvantage, and self‐employment in the informal sector.
Monetary Tightening and the Dynamics of US Race and Gender Stratification
Authors: SEGUINO STEPHANIE , HEINTZ JAMES
Published: July 2012

Abstract

This article explores the race and gender effects of monetary tightening in the US from 1979–2008 using state‐level panel data. Results indicate the costs of fighting inflation are unevenly distributed amongst workers, weighing more heavily on black females and black males, followed by white females, and lastly white males. We also find evidence that the relative unemployment costs of monetary tightening for subordinate groups vary with the black share of the population.
Individuals and Their Local Utility Stocks: Preference for the Familiar
Authors: Nofsinger John R. , Varma Abhishek
Published: July 2012

We find individuals are four times more likely to purchase stocks of their local direct utility company as opposed to utility companies operating outside their state of residence. Our tests reveal that individuals do not possess superior or private information about their local utilities. Indeed, individual preference for their local utility stocks seems to be driven by preference for familiar assets, even in the presence of a desire for high dividend yields. In addition, affluence and sophistication do not reduce local bias.
Emerging from Bankruptcy with When‐Issued Trading
Authors: Brooks Raymond M. , Yang J. Jimmy
Published: July 2012

We examine the set of firms that emerged from Chapter 11 bankruptcy and traded on a when‐issued basis before their official return to the regular way in NASDAQ, Amex, or NYSE. We find that this when‐issued market is liquid and price efficient. The when‐issued closing price is a good indicator of the first closing price in the regular way market. Emerging firms that have when‐issued trading experience lower regular way volatility and smaller relative spreads than those without when‐issued trading. Our probit regressions show that firm size is an important determinant of the adoption of when‐issued trading.
Growth Strategies and Value Creation: What Works Best for Stock Exchanges?
Authors: Hasan Iftekhar , Schmiedel Heiko , Song Liang
Published: July 2012

In recent years, demutualized stock exchanges increasingly have been engaging in mergers and acquisition (M&A) and alliance activities. To examine the effect of these growth strategies on exchange shareholders’ value creation, we focus on 15 public stock exchanges and investigate their short‐run share price responses to the formation of 111 M&As and alliances around the world spanning the period 2000–2008. Our findings show that the average stock price responses for M&As and alliances are positive. M&As create more value than alliances. For alliances, joint ventures generate more value than nonequity alliances. More value accrues when the integration is horizontal than when it is vertical. Cross‐border integration creates more value than domestic integration. In addition, there is evidence of learning‐by‐doing effects in stock exchange integration activities. Finally, we find that when the partnering exchange is located in a country with better shareholder protection, accounting standards, and capital market development, more shareholder value accrues to our sample exchange. These patterns are consistent when we examine the exchanges’ long‐run performance.
Do Decomposed Financial Ratios Predict Stock Returns and Fundamentals Better?
Authors: Jiang Xiaoquan , Lee Bong Soo
Published: July 2012

We investigate the prediction of excess returns and fundamentals by financial ratios, which include dividend‐price ratios, earnings‐price ratios, and book‐to‐market ratios, by decomposing financial ratios into a cyclical component and a stochastic trend component. We find both components predict excess returns and fundamentals. Cyclical components predict increases in future stock returns, while stochastic trend components predict declines in future stock returns in long horizons. This helps explain previous findings that financial ratios in the absence of decomposition find weak predictive power in short horizons and some predictive power in long horizons. We also find both components predict fundamentals.