bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Path Dependency and the Neighbourhood Effect: Urban Poverty in Impoverished Neighbourhoods in Chinese Cities
Authors: Wu Fulong , He Shenjing , Webster Chris
Published: January 2010

In this paper we examine poverty concentration in Chinese impoverished neighbourhoods and estimate the effects of household characteristics and neighbourhood types on social deprivation. We find that unemployed households in old neighbourhoods are among the most deprived. The Chinese case suggests that urban poverty is concentrated by particular social groups living in specific neighbourhoods. We find a small but not insignificant neighbourhood effect on poverty generation in China. Living in impoverished neighbourhoods increases the probability of becoming poor by a steady percentage. For every 1% increase in poverty rate, the chance is raised by 4.4%. Living in old neighbourhoods and being unemployed raises the chance by 4.7 times with demographic and socioeconomic attributes controlled for. The neighbourhood effect in the Chinese case is linked to path dependency of institutionally derived inequalities.
Frequent Flyer Programmes and the Reproduction of Aeromobility
Authors: Gössling Stefan , Nilsson Jan Henrik
Published: January 2010

It is now increasingly recognized that aviation is an important driver of individual and global mobility. Growth in mobility is not evenly distributed, however: recent studies indicate that a relatively small, highly mobile part of society may account for a large share of the total distances travelled. In reviewing one of the processes that may lead to growth in individual aeromobility, the paper focuses on frequent flyer programmes (FFPs) as an institutionalized framework for high mobility, detailing how these programmes reward and thus increase interest in aeromobility. Results are linked to a number of observations regarding the interrelationship of high mobility and social status, and substantiated by a survey of FFP members and their perspectives on benefits provided by such programmes. It is argued that FFPs reward high mobility and discursively interlink frequent flying with social status, which is an important element in the development of mobility patterns which shape and create the social structures that ‘necessitate’ air travel.
Prototypicity and Textual Analysis
Authors: Pinto Rosalice
Published: January 2010

Abstract: This paper, based on the Socio-Discursive Interactionism theoretical epistemological framework, aims at showing the importance of the notion of prototypicity to analyse texts that circulate in society. Regarding theoretical concepts, we consider, firstly, that texts are global communicative units that always interact with the social practice where they are integrated; consequently their textual linguistic materialisation depends on the language activity in which they are situated. Secondly, texts are obviously linked to a textual genre which has unique and generic aspects constantly interacting with each other. By considering these aspects, we can see how the notion of family resemblance or family airs related to that of prototypicity can give us leads to define a textual analysis methodology that takes into account the complexity of the text as our object of analysis. In order to prove the importance of the prototypicity to analyse texts we have chosen two representative texts of two textual persuasive genres: one editorial and one political poster that were circulated in Portugal in March 2002, at the time of the elections for the Portuguese Prime Minister. Our study provides evidence that a text has singular characteristics, but it also has generic ones related to genre aspects.
Sur les expressions de sentiment en grec ancien
Authors: Tronci Liana
Published: January 2010

This paper deals with psychological predicates in Ancient Greek. The corpus is composed of sentences found in a representative collection of Ancient Greek texts, in which nouns designating psychological states show predicative function. Some lexical-syntactic properties here accounted for concern specifically psychological constructions; others more generically refer to the Ancient Greek morphosyntax: in particular the domain of nominal sentences and that of lexical-syntactic expression of the opposition middle vs. non-middle. Differences and similarities with other Indo-European languages, such as Sanskrit and Italian, are also mentioned.
L’intensification dans les expressions figées françaises à coordination interne
Authors: Camugli Gallardo Catherine
Published: January 2010

An analysis of all the French expressions presenting a coordination reveals the conditions necessary to convey intensification values. The connector et (and) needs to have an additive value (or the connected value of precision or overbid) to trigger off intensification. This happens when it is combined with coordinated elements that have certain semantic connections with either addition or duplication : synonymy, total or partial referential convergence. Two degrees of intensification can be found : a relative degree (really, vraiment) when re-definition is at stake, and a high degree in the two other cases.
Appraisal of Opinion Expressions in Discourse
Authors: Asher Nicholas , Benamara Farah , Mathieu Yvette Yannick
Published: January 2010

We present an analysis of opinion in texts based on a detailed semantic analysis of a wide class of expressions. We propose a new annotation schema for a deep contextual opinion analysis using discourse relations. We analyze the distribution of our categories in three different types of online corpora, movie reviews, Letters to the Editor and news reports, in English and French.
Extension et couplage de ressources syntaxiques et sémantiques sur les adverbes du français
Authors: Sagot Benoît , Fort Karën , Venant Fabienne
Published: January 2010

This paper presents a work on extending the adverbial entries of the WOLF, a semantic lexical resource for French, and connecting them with those of the syntactic lexicon Lefff, which were mostly extracted from the lexicon-grammar tables from (Molinier & Levrier, 2000). This work relies on the exploitation of the derivation and the synonyms relations ; the latter are extracted from the DicoSyn synonyms database. The resulting semantic resource, which is freely available, is manually evaluated and validated in an exhaustive manner.
A tale of two narratives
Authors: Harling Stalker L. Lynda
Published: January 2010

In this article it is argued that two forms of narratives need to be incorporated into narrative research. The first is ontological narratives, which are akin to life histories. The second is epistemological narratives. These latter ones are the stories the researcher is conveying to the reader about a particular social world. When used together, the reader is presented with a rich and compelling telling of a particular place and time. To illustrate this, this article draws on the narrative of Alf, a self-employed craftworker, and the epistemological narrative written by the author.
Narratives in interview — The case of accounts
Authors: De Fina Anna
Published: January 2010

Narratives told in interview have become a central tool of data collection and analysis in a variety of disciplines within the social sciences. However, many researchers, particularly those who embrace a conversational analytic or ethnomethodological approach (see among others Schegloff, 1997; Goodwin, 1997), regard them as artificial and oppose them to naturally occurring stories, which they see as much richer and interesting sources of data and analysis. In this paper, I argue that the criticism against interview narratives has been justified by the lack of attention that many narrative analysts have shown towards the interview as a truly interactional context. However, I also point to some shortcomings that derive from this opposition between naturally occurring and interview narratives and to an alternative framework in which the stress is not on the kind of narrative data used for the analysis, but rather on the kind of narrative analysis that should be adopted. I argue that our methodologies of analysis cannot fail to take into account the way narratives shape and are shaped by the different contexts in which they are embedded and propose the study of narrative genres as a way of looking at the reciprocal influence of narratives and story-telling contexts. I illustrate this point looking at accounts as a genre.
Examining the role of face work in a workplace complaint narrative
Authors: Vasquez Camilla
Published: January 2010

In recent years, interest in examining the diverse functions and features of oral narratives told in workplace contexts has grown alongside the body of research investigating the role of language in enacting politeness in the workplace. Yet, to date, there has been little integration of these two strands of inquiry. This paper forges a link between linguistic politeness and some social functions of institutional narratives. Specifically, the micro-analysis of one narrative taken from a corpus of teacher/supervisor feedback sessions demonstrates how the narrator, a novice teacher, negotiates the telling of a complaint narrative to her supervisor along with the politeness demands embedded in the local context of telling. I argue that the speaker’s contradictory evaluation of her situation interacts with linguistic politeness (i.e., the need to mitigate a “face-threatening act”) in the situated telling of this narrative. Finally, in the spirit of recent work on narrative, which calls for increased attention to context in narrative activities, this paper highlights the importance of considering the interrelationships among factors such as face work, recipient design, production circumstances, and institutional roles and relationships among speakers, in the analysis of institutional narratives.
Decision making
Authors: Beach Lee Roy
Published: January 2010

Narrative-Based Decision Theory (NBDT) describes how narrative thinking leads to concrete action. The first premise is that narratives enable the narrator to make sense of the past and present and allow him or her to make plausible forecasts about the future. The second premise is that the narrator can evaluate the desirability of the forecasted future in light of his or her values and preferences. The third premise is that when the forecasted future is undesirable the narrator can create and implement plans of action aimed at ensuring that the future, when it arrives, is more desirable than what was forecasted. Two kinds of decisions bind these three premises into a unified theory: decisions about the desirability of the forecasted future and decisions about a plan’s potential for remedying things when it is decided that the forecasted future is undesirable — in effect, the plan’s desirability. Both kinds of decisions are made using a single mechanism, the discrepancy test. The NBDT viewpoints on the properties of narratives, on the properties of decisions, and on the properties of the decision mechanism are discussed.
Is Basque morphologically ergative?
Authors: Aldai Gontzal
Published: January 2010

Although Basque’s case-marking pattern has conventionally been regarded as ergative, I argue in this article that it is not straightforward to determine whether this pattern is actually ergative or rather semantically-based. Several factors make this one a complex issue. Perhaps the most important factor among these, and one which has gone largely unnoticed in the literature, is the fact that there are clear dialectal differences regarding the behavior of lexically-simple unergative verbs. Another complication comes from establishing the specific contrast underlying the putative semantic split among Basque intransitives. With these questions in mind, I propose that the case-marking system of Western Basque should be considered semantically aligned instead of ergative. This system is based on a contrast patientive / non-patientive. Conversely, Eastern and Central Basque may be considered to have an ergative case-marking system, but one which differs in some respects from that of the most typical ergative languages and which is not too different from a semantic system.
Bistable FeCoMoB microwires with nanocrystalline microstructure and increased Curie temperature
Authors: Klein P , Varga R , Vojtanik P , Kovac J , Ziman J , Badini-Confalonieri G A , Vazquez M
Published: January 2010

Novel nanocrystalline glass-coated Fe40Co38Mo4B18 microwires are introduced. They combine the advantages of nanocrystalline alloys exhibiting simultaneously increased Curie temperature and magnetic bistability, which is required for modern sensoric and spintronic devices. Positive magnetostriction of the crystalline FeCo grains results in a magnetic bistability, whereas good soft magnetic properties remain stabilized. As a result of the mechanical stress induced by the glass coating, the optimum temperature range for thermal treatment is enhanced up to 600 °C.
Conductivity engineering of graphene by defect formation
Authors: Jafri S H M , Carva K , Widenkvist E , Blom T , Sanyal B , Fransson J , Eriksson O , Jansson U , Grennberg H , Karis O , Quinlan R A , Holloway B C , Leifer K
Published: January 2010

Transport measurements have revealed several exotic electronic properties of graphene. The possibility to influence the electronic structure and hence control the conductivity by adsorption or doping with adatoms is crucial in view of electronics applications. Here, we show that in contrast to expectation, the conductivity of graphene increases with increasing concentration of vacancy defects, by more than one order of magnitude. We obtain a pronounced enhancement of the conductivity after insertion of defects by both quantum mechanical transport calculations as well as experimental studies of carbon nano-sheets. Our finding is attributed to the defect induced mid-gap states, which create a region exhibiting metallic behaviour around the vacancy defects. The modification of the conductivity of graphene by the implementation of stable defects is crucial for the creation of electronic junctions in graphene-based electronics devices.
Evolutionary Gain of Function for the ER Membrane Protein Sec62 from Yeast to Humans
Authors: Müller Linda , de Escauriaza Maria Diaz , Lajoie Patrick , Theis Melanie , Jung Martin , Müller Anika , Burgard Carsten , Greiner Markus , Snapp Erik L. , Dudek Johanna , Zimmermann Richard
Published: January 2010

Because of similarity to their yeast orthologues, the two membrane proteins of the human endoplasmic reticulum (ER) Sec62 and Sec63 are expected to play a role in protein biogenesis in the ER. We characterized interactions between these two proteins as well as the putative interaction of Sec62 with ribosomes. These data provide further evidence for evolutionary conservation of Sec62/Sec63 interaction. In addition, they indicate that in the course of evolution Sec62 of vertebrates has gained an additional function, the ability to interact with the ribosomal tunnel exit and, therefore, to support cotranslational mechanisms such as protein transport into the ER. This view is supported by the observation that Sec62 is associated with ribosomes in human cells. Thus, the human Sec62/Sec63 complex and the human ER membrane protein ERj1 are similar in providing binding sites for BiP in the ER-lumen and binding sites for ribosomes in the cytosol. We propose that these two systems provide similar chaperone functions with respect to different precursor proteins.
Approaches for Modification of Starch Composition in Durum Wheat
Authors: Lafiandra Domenico , Sestili Francesco , D'Ovidio Renato , Janni Michela , Botticella Ermelinda , Ferrazzano Gianluca , Silvestri Marco , Ranieri Roberto , DeAmbrogio Enzo
Published: January 2010

Manipulation of starch composition in cereals and particularly in wheat is receiving increasing attention due to recognition of its important role in food and nonfood applications. The amylose/ amylopectin ratio influences the physicochemical properties of starches and nutritional value of derived end products. Identification of the key enzymes involved in the starch biosynthetic pathway has opened new avenues for altering the amylose and amylopectin content in durum and bread wheat. The granule bound starch synthases (GBSSI), or waxy proteins, are the enzymes responsible for amylose synthesis in storage tissues; amylopectin is produced by the concerted action of different enzymes, including starch synthases (SS), branching (SBE), and debranching enzymes (DBE). By altering the level of key enzymes involved in the regulation of starch synthesis, it is possible to generate novel starches with unique functional properties. In this respect, both low and high amylose starches are particularly interesting because they are associated with industrial and processing properties as well as with human health and nutrition. So far, major attention has addressed the manipulation of starch composition in bread wheat, whereas durum wheat has been investigated to a much lesser extent. Approaches currently available to alter amylose/amylopectin ratio and tailor starch composition in durum wheat are presented.
Population genetic inference from genomic sequence variation
Authors: Pool John E. , Hellmann Ines , Jensen Jeffrey D. , Nielsen Rasmus
Published: January 2010

Population genetics has evolved from a theory-driven field with little empirical data into a data-driven discipline in which genome-scale data sets test the limits of available models and computational analysis methods. In humans and a few model organisms, analyses of whole-genome sequence polymorphism data are currently under way. And in light of the falling costs of next-generation sequencing technologies, such studies will soon become common in many other organisms as well. Here, we assess the challenges to analyzing whole-genome sequence polymorphism data, and we discuss the potential of these data to yield new insights concerning population history and the genomic prevalence of natural selection.
Individual myeloma‐specific T‐cell clones eliminate tumour cells and correlate with clinical outcomes in patients with multiple myeloma
Authors: Michalek Jaroslav , Ocadlikova Darina , Matejkova Eva , Foltankova Veronika , Dudová Silvie , Slaby Ondrej , Horvath Radek , Pour Ludek , Hajek Roman
Published: January 2010

Despite novel treatment strategies, multiple myeloma (MM) remains an incurable disease with low immunogenicity and multiple immune defects. We developed an ex vivo strategy for inducing myeloma‐specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) and demonstrate the possibility of identification and long‐term in vivo monitoring of individual myeloma‐specific T‐cell clones using the most sensitive clonotypic assay that is able to detect low frequencies of T‐cell clones (1 clonotypic cell in 106 cells). Ten patients with MM were examined for the presence of tumour‐reactive T cells using dendritic cells loaded with autologous tumour cells. All patients had detectable myeloma‐reactive T cells in vitro. Expanded myeloma‐reactive T cells demonstrated specific cytotoxic effects against autologous tumour cells in vitro (median 39·6% at an effector:target ratio of 40:1). The clonality of myeloma‐specific T cells was studied with a clonotypic assay, which demonstrated both oligoclonal and monoclonal populations of myeloma‐specific T cells. CD8+ CTLs were the most immunodominant myeloma‐specific T‐cell clones and clinical responses were closely associated with the in vivo expansion and long‐term persistence of individual CD8+ T‐cell clones, usually at very low frequencies (10−3–10−6). We conclude that the clonotypic assay is the most sensitive tool for immunomonitoring of low‐frequency T cells.
A modelling approach to evaluate potential management actions designed to increase growth of white perch in a high‐density population
Authors: CHIZINSKI C. J. , POPE K. L. , WILDE G. R.
Published: January 2010

Abstract  A deterministic, age‐structured population model was developed to simulate potential management scenarios designed to increase growth of individuals (quantified by maximum length) in a hypothetical population of white perch, Morone americana (Gmelin). Four scenarios were developed that included non‐selective mortality of adult white perch, increased mortality of age groups most influential on population growth, increased age‐0 mortality and inhibiting recruitment after spawning. The greatest increase in maximum length occurred with non‐selective adult mortality when population biomass was reduced by 97%; lesser increases in maximum length were achieved with the other management scenarios. Populations returned to their original state after control efforts ceased for each scenario.
Transcriptional repressor TIEG1 regulates Bmal1 gene through GC box and controls circadian clockwork
Authors: Hirota Tsuyoshi , Kon Naohiro , Itagaki Takashi , Hoshina Naosuke , Okano Toshiyuki , Fukada Yoshitaka
Published: January 2010

The circadian clock controls daily rhythms in many physiologic processes, and the clock oscillation is regulated by external time cues such as light, temperature, and feeding. In mammals, the transcriptional regulation of clock genes underlies the clock oscillatory mechanism, which is operative even in cultured fibroblasts. We previously demonstrated that glucose treatment of rat‐1 fibroblasts evokes circadian expression of clock genes with a rapid induction of Tieg1 transcript encoding a transcriptional repressor. Here, we found diurnal variation of both Tieg1 mRNA and nuclear TIEG1 protein levels in the mouse liver with their peaks at day/night transition and midnight, respectively. In vitro experiments showed that TIEG1 bound to Bmal1 gene promoter and repressed its transcriptional activity through two juxtaposed GC boxes near the transcription initiation site. The GC box/TIEG1‐mediated repression of Bmal1 promoter was additive to RORE‐dependent repression by REV‐ERBα, a well‐known repressor of Bmal1 gene. In cell‐based real‐time assay, siRNA‐mediated knock‐down of TIEG1 caused period shortening of cellular bioluminescence rhythms driven by Bmal1‐luciferase and Per2‐luciferase reporters. These findings highlight an active role of TIEG1 in the normal clock oscillation and GC box‐mediated regulation of Bmal1 transcription.
Phosphorylation of serine‐10 of histone H3 shields modified lysine‐9 selectively during mitosis
Authors: Jeong Young Sun , Cho Sunwha , Park Jung Sun , Ko Yong , Kang Yong‐Kook
Published: January 2010

Post‐translational modifications of histones play important roles in regulating chromatin dynamics and epigenetic inheritance during mitosis. The epigenetic significance and stability of histone H3‐lysine 9 (H3K9) modifications have been well studied in interphase cells, whereas not as much in mitotic cells. Here, we inspected mitosis‐coupled alterations in the global modifications of H3K9. Signals for H3K9 mono‐, di‐methylation and acetylation became invisible as cells entered mitosis in contrast to the pattern observed for H3‐serine 10 phosphorylation (H3S10ph). Treatment with the aurora‐B inhibitor ZM447439 or expression of the dominant negative mutant Aur‐BK106R resulted in prometaphase chromosomes that lacked signals for H3S10ph but were positive for H3K9 modifications. Trimethylation was the sole K9 modification that remained consistently detectable throughout the cell cycle. This phenomenon was specific for H3K9‐S10, as this pattern was not observed at H3K27‐S28. Methylated H3K27 remained detectable throughout the cell cycle, despite phosphorylation of the adjacent H3S28. Contrastingly, our dot‐blot experiment using synthetic peptides showed that phosphorylation of serine residue basically kept adjacent lysine from antibody access. Together, these results suggest that phosphorylation of serine residue occurs in a selective manner, being influenced by the types of modifications and the nature of neighboring lysine residues.
Decreased precipitation exacerbates the effects of sea level on coastal dune ecosystems in open ocean islands
Authors: GREAVER TARA L. , STERNBERG LEONEL S. L.
Published: January 2010

The alteration of fresh and marine water cycling is likely to occur in coastal ecosystems as climate change causes the global redistribution of precipitation while simultaneously driving sea‐level rise at a rate of 2–3 mm yr−1. Here, we examined how precipitation alters the ecological effects of ocean water intrusion to coastal dunes on two oceanic carbonate islands in the Bahamas. The approach was to compare sites that receive high and low annual rainfall and are also characterized by seasonal distribution (wet and dry season) of precipitation. The spatial and temporal variations in precipitation serve as a proxy for conditions of altered precipitation which may occur via climate change. We used the natural abundances of stable isotopes to identify water sources (e.g., precipitation, groundwater and ocean water) in the soil–plant continuum and modeled the depth of plant water uptake. Results indicated that decreased rainfall caused the shallow freshwater table on the dune ecosystem to sink and contract towards the inland, the lower freshwater head allowed ocean water to penetrate into the deeper soils, while shallow soils became exceedingly dry. Plants at the drier site that lived nearest to the ocean responded by taking up water from the deeper and consistently moist soil layers where ocean water intruded. Towards the inland, decreased rainfall caused the water table to sink to a depth that precluded both recharge to the upper soil layers and access by plants. Consequently, plants captured water in more shallow soils recharged by infrequent rainfall events. The results demonstrate dune ecosystems on oceanic islands are more susceptible to ocean water intrusion when annual precipitation decreases. Periods of diminished precipitation caused drought conditions, increased exposure to saline marine water and altered water‐harvesting strategies. Quantifying species tolerances to ocean water intrusion and drought are necessary to determine a threshold of community sustainability.
Interdecadal changes in at‐sea distribution and abundance of subantarctic seabirds along a latitudinal gradient in the Southern Indian Ocean
Authors: PÉRON CLARA , AUTHIER MATTHIEU , BARBRAUD CHRISTOPHE , DELORD KARINE , BESSON DOMINIQUE , WEIMERSKIRCH HENRI
Published: January 2010

Long‐term demographic studies have recently shown that global climate change together with increasing direct impacts of human activities, such as fisheries, are affecting the population dynamics of marine top predators. However, the effects of these factors on species distribution and abundance at sea are still poorly understood, particularly in marine ecosystems of the southern hemisphere. Using a unique long‐term data set of at‐sea observations, we tested for interdecadal (1980s vs. 2000s) changes in summer abundance and distribution of 12 species of Albatrosses and Petrels along a 30° latitudinal gradient between tropical and Antarctic waters of the southern Indian Ocean. There were contrasting effects of climate change on subantarctic seabird distribution and abundance at sea. While subtropical waters showed the highest rate of warming, the species that visited this water mass showed the greatest changes in distribution and abundance. The abundance of Wandering Albatrosses (Diomedea exulans), White‐chinned Petrels (Procellaria aequinoctialis) and Giant Petrels (Macronectes sp.) declined markedly, whereas the other species showed contrasting trends or did not change. With the exception of the White‐chinned Petrel, these decreases were at least partly related to regional increase in sea surface temperature. The southward shift of Wandering Albatross and Prions (Pachyptila spp.) distributions could be ascribed to species redistribution or decrease in abundance due to warming of the subtropical waters. Surprisingly, White‐chinned Petrel distribution shifted northward, suggesting more complex mechanisms. This study is the first to document a shift in species range in the Southern Ocean related to climate change and contrasting abundance changes. It suggests that some species might experience more severe impacts from climate change depending on the water masses they visit. As climate changes are predicted to continue in the next decades, understanding species responses to climate change is crucial for conservation management, especially when their conservation status is critical or unknown.
The melanocortin receptor agonist NDP‐MSH impairs the allostimulatory function of dendritic cells
Authors: Rennalls La’Verne P. , Seidl Thomas , Larkin James M. G. , Wellbrock Claudia , Gore Martin E. , Eisen Tim , Bruno Ludovica
Published: January 2010

As α‐melanocyte‐stimulating hormone (α‐MSH) is released by immunocompetent cells and has potent immunosuppressive properties, it was determined whether human dendritic cells (DCs) express the receptor for this hormone. Reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction detected messenger RNA specific for all of the known melanocortin receptors in DCs. Mixed lymphocyte reactions also revealed that treatment with [Nle4, DPhe7]‐α‐MSH (NDP‐MSH), a potent α‐MSH analogue, significantly reduced the ability of DCs to stimulate allogeneic T cells. The expression of various cell surface adhesion, maturation and costimulatory molecules on DCs was also investigated. Although treatment with NDP‐MSH did not alter the expression of CD83 and major histocompatibility complex class Ι and ΙΙ, the surface expression of CD86 (B7.2), intercellular adhesion molecule (ICAM‐1/CD54) and CD1a was reduced. In summary, our data indicate that NDP‐MSH inhibits the functional activity of DCs, possibly by down‐regulating antigen‐presenting and adhesion molecules and that these events may be mediated via the extracellular signal‐regulated kinase 1 and 2 pathway.
Net carbon transfer between Pseudotsuga menziesii var. glauca seedlings in the field is influenced by soil disturbance
Authors: Teste François P. , Simard Suzanne W. , Durall Daniel M. , Guy Robert D. , Berch Shannon M.
Published: January 2010

1. Mycorrhizal pathways are comprised of fungal hyphae that facilitate carbon transfer between plants. We determined whether net carbon transfer occurred between conspecific conifer seedlings in the field, and whether soil disturbance or access to mycorrhizal pathways affected transfer.

2. We established two soil disturbances and planted pairs of different sized Pseudotsuga menziesii var. glauca seedlings (naturally regenerated or planted) into one of four mesh treatments (0.5, 35, 250 μm or directly into soil) restricting mycorrhizal pathways. We pulse‐labelled both seedlings, one with 13CO2 and the other with 14CO2, to quantify net carbon transfer. Ectomycorrhizas were identified using morphological and molecular techniques.

3. Net carbon transfers were detected and were not due to re‐fixation of respired carbon. More transferred carbon accumulated in shoots than roots. In disturbed soil, there was greater net carbon transfer to natural seedlings than planted seedlings; the reverse pattern was observed in undisturbed soil. For planted seedlings only, the magnitude of net carbon gain was positively related to seedling size and height growth rate. Greater net accumulation of carbon occurred in Rhizopogon vinicolor, a long‐distance ectomycorrhizal fungi exploration type (morphological character), than the two other most abundant ectomycorrhizal fungi with contact‐ and short‐distance exploration types. Long‐distance exploration types have the potential to form long‐distance hyphal connections between plant roots, whereas contact‐ and short‐distance are restricted to short‐distance (c. 0–0.25 μm) connections.

4. Synthesis. These results confirm that net carbon transfer occurs through mycorrhizal pathways; however, the amount transferred was very small. Mycorrhizal pathways were facilitating net transfer of carbon to large, vigorous natural seedlings in disturbed soils, whereas smaller planted seedlings received more net carbon gain in undisturbed soils. The size variation within these planted seedlings was great enough to elicit a positive relationship between net carbon gain and seedling size and growth rate. These findings are relevant to regeneration of forests characterized by mixed severity disturbance regimes, which leave a suite of environmental conditions that may result in a greater magnitude of transfer.
Combined effects of Impatiens glandulifera invasion and landscape structure on native plant pollination
Authors: Bartomeus Ignasi , Vilà Montserrat , Steffan‐Dewenter Ingolf
Published: January 2010

1. Habitat loss, land use intensification and biological invasions are all threatening pollinator communities, but the combined effects of these factors on pollinator diversity and pollination services have not been studied yet.

2. Here, we tested the hypotheses that (i) the invasive plant Impatiens glandulifera outcompetes native plant communities for pollinators, and (ii) pollinator abundances depend on landscape structure, but are modulated by this mass‐flowering invader.

3. We selected 14 study sites in riparian habitats along a landscape gradient with decreasing proportion of natural land cover. Within each site paired invaded or non‐invaded plots were studied. We performed standardized surveys of pollinators and established experimental plots by adding the native plant Raphanus sativus to assess the impact of I. glandulifera on visitation rates and seed set.

4. Impatiens glandulifera was well integrated in the plant–pollinator network, being visited by several native pollinators, mainly bumblebees. The invader received higher visitation rates than simultaneously flowering native riparian plants and the experimentally added native R. sativus. However, visitation rates to the native plant community showed no significant differences between invaded and non‐invaded plots, with the exception of honeybees, which slightly increased their visits in invaded plots. With regard to the experimental setting, the presence of I. glandulifera reduced bumblebee visitation to R. sativus pots, but had no significant effects on seed set.

5. We found enhanced visitation rates of bumblebees in intensively used agricultural landscapes. However, in the presence of I. glandulifera this landscape effect was masked by bumblebees being highly attracted to I. glandulifera stands independent of the structure of the surrounding landscape. Surprisingly, wild bees and hoverflies were not affected by landscape structure, but, as also the case with bumblebees, they were principally affected by the immediate community flower abundance.

6. Synthesis. Our data provide no evidence that I. glandulifera outcompetes native plants for pollinators. However, social bees were very attracted to this late‐seasonal floral resource. We conclude that both, plant invasions and landscape structure have important effects on the plant–pollinator community studied, but that they operate at different stages of the flowering season.
A re‐evaluation of the role of killer whales Orcinus orca in a population decline of sea otters Enhydra lutris in the Aleutian Islands and a review of alternative hypotheses
Authors: KUKER Katie , BARRETT‐LENNARD Lance
Published: January 2010

During the past 15–20 years, sea otters Enhydra lutris in the Aleutian Islands, Alaska, USA, experienced a drastic decrease in population size. It has been hypothesized that an increase in killer whale Orcinus orca predation was the primary cause of this decline.

Causation of the decline by increased killer whale predation is now considered a textbook case of top‐down predator control. The purpose of this review is to re‐evaluate the evidence for killer whale predation and to review evidence for alternative causes.

The killer whale predation hypothesis is based on three lines of evidence: (i) there was an increase in the number of observed killer whale attacks on sea otters during the 1990s, coincident with a decline in sea otters, (ii) sea otter populations did not decline in areas considered inaccessible to killer whales, while they declined in adjacent areas considered accessible to killer whales, and (iii) the estimated number of attacks necessary to account for the rate of decline is similar to the observed number of attacks. Our re‐evaluation indicates that although the killer whale hypothesis is by no means disproved, the supporting data are limited and inconclusive.

Increases in shark populations in the Aleutian Islands concurrent with the sea otter population declines indicate the need for further research into the role of alternative marine predators in the population decline.

High contaminant levels observed in sea otters in the Aleutian Islands warrant further investigation into the impact of these toxins on sea otter health and vital rates, and their possible role on the population decline.

Disease has not been ruled out as a significant contributor to the population decline, particularly in the early stages of the decline.
Breteau Index threshold levels indicating risk for dengue transmission in areas with low Aedes infestation
Authors: Sanchez L. , Cortinas J. , Pelaez O. , Gutierrez H. , Concepción D. , Van der Stuyft P.
Published: January 2010

We used Breteau Indices to – retrospectively – predict dengue transmission. The presence of one house block (on average about 50 houses) with a Breteau Index ≥4 in a neighbourhood (a block plus the surrounding blocks in a radius of 100 m) predicted transmission at the latter level with 81.8% sensitivity and 73.3% specificity during the first month of the Havana 2001 dengue outbreak. This result corroborates the external validity of this threshold, at least in situations with low infestations levels.
Research needs for an improved primary care response to chronic non‐communicable diseases in Africa
Authors: Maher D. , Sekajugo J. , Harries A. D. , Grosskurth H.
Published: January 2010

With non‐communicable diseases (NCDs) projected to become leading causes of morbidity and mortality in developing countries, research is needed to improve the primary care response, especially in sub‐Saharan Africa. This region has a particularly high double burden of communicable diseases and NCDs and the least resources for an effective response. There is a lack of good quality epidemiological data from diverse settings on chronic NCD burden in sub‐Saharan Africa, and the approach to primary care of people with chronic NCDs is currently often unstructured. The main primary care research needs are therefore firstly, epidemiological research to document the burden of chronic NCDs, and secondly, health system research to deliver the structured, programmatic, public health approach that has been proposed for the primary care of people with chronic NCDs. Documentation of the burden and trends of chronic NCDs and associated risk factors in different settings and different population groups is needed to enable health system planning for an improved primary care response. Key research issues in implementing the programmatic framework for an improved primary care response are how to (i) integrate screening and prevention within health delivery; (ii) validate the use of standard diagnostic protocols for NCD case‐finding among patients presenting to the local health facilities; (iii) improve the procurement and provision of standardised treatment and (iv) develop and implement a data collection system for standardised monitoring and evaluation of patient outcomes. Important research considerations include the following: selection of research sites and the particular NCDs targeted; research methodology; local research capacity; research collaborations; ethical issues; translating research findings into policy and practice and funding. Meeting the research needs for an improved health system response is crucial to deliver effective, affordable and equitable care for the millions of people with chronic NCDs in developing countries in Africa.
Antituberculosis drug‐induced hepatotoxicity is uncommon in Tanzanian hospitalized pulmonary TB patients
Authors: Tostmann Alma , Van Den Boogaard Jossy , Semvua Hadija , Kisonga Riziki , Kibiki Gibson S. , Aarnoutse Rob E. , Boeree Martin J.
Published: January 2010

Data on antituberculosis drug‐induced hepatotoxicity in sub Saharan Africa are limited, probably because liver function tests are not carried out routinely during tuberculosis treatment in most African countries. We monitored the liver function of 112 Tanzanian hospitalized pulmonary tuberculosis patients during the first 2 months (i.e. the intensive phase) of tuberculosis treatment. The rate of hepatotoxicity in our study was 0.9% (95% CI 0.04–4.3%). It is encouraging to find a lower rate of antituberculosis drug‐induced hepatotoxicity than one would expect based on the high prevalence of risk factors such as HIV and hepatitis B.
Associations between physiological traits for drought tolerance and aflatoxin contamination in peanut genotypes under terminal drought
Authors: Girdthai T. , Jogloy S. , Vorasoot N. , Akkasaeng C. , Wongkaew S. , Holbrook C. C. , Patanothai A.
Published: January 2010

With 1 figure and 4 tables

Terminal drought induces preharvest aflatoxin contamination (PAC) in peanut. Drought resistance traits are promising as indirect selection tools for improving resistance to PAC. The objectives of this study were to determine the effects of terminal drought on PAC and to investigate the associations between surrogate traits for drought tolerance and PAC. Field tests under rainout shelters were conducted in the dry seasons 2004/2005 and 2005/2006. Eleven peanut genotypes were evaluated under irrigated and terminal drought conditions. Data were recorded for physiological traits, total biomass, pod yield, Aspergillus flavus colonization and PAC. ICGV 98305, ICGV 98330, ICGV 98348, ICGV 98353 and Tifton‐8 had low aflatoxin contamination in both years. Traits related to drought resistance were associated well with those related to PAC under drought conditions. Specific leaf area, relative water content, chlorophyll density and drought stress ratings are the best traits for use as indirect selection tools for lower PAC. Breeding for drought tolerance using these traits as selection criteria may help to accelerate progress in developing resistance to PAC.
Neural cell adhesion molecule is required for stability of reinnervated neuromuscular junctions
Authors: Chipman Peter H. , Franz Colin K. , Nelson Alexandra , Schachner Melitta , Rafuse Victor F.
Published: January 2010

Studies examining the etiology of motoneuron diseases usually focus on motoneuron death as the defining pathophysiology of the disease. However, impaired neuromuscular transmission and synapse withdrawal often precede cell death, raising the possibility that abnormalities in synaptic function contribute to disease onset. Although little is known about the mechanisms maintaining the synaptic integrity of neuromuscular junctions (NMJs), Drosophila studies suggest that Fasciclin II plays an important role. Inspired by these studies we used a reinnervation model of synaptogenesis to analyze neuromuscular function in mice lacking neural cell adhesion molecule (NCAM), the Fasciclin II vertebrate homolog. Our results showed that the recovery of contractile force was the same in wild‐type and NCAM−/− mice at 1 month after nerve injury, indicating that endplates were appropriately reformed. This normality was only transient because the contractile force and myofiber number decreased at 3 months after injury in NCAM−/− mice. Both declined further 3 months later. Myofibers degenerated, not because motoneurons died but because synapses were withdrawn. Although neurotransmission was initially normal at reinnervated NCAM−/− NMJs, it was significantly compromised 3 months later. Interestingly, the selective ablation of NCAM from motoneurons, or muscle fibers, did not mimic the deficits observed in reinnervated NCAM−/− mice. Taken together, these results indicate that NCAM is required to maintain normal synaptic function at reinnervated NMJs, although its loss pre‐synaptically or post‐synaptically is not sufficient to induce synaptic destabilization. Consideration is given to the role of NCAM in terminal Schwann cells for maintaining synaptic integrity and how NCAM dysfunction may contribute to motoneuron disorders.
Quantitative analysis of postnatal neurogenesis and neuron number in the macaque monkey dentate gyrus
Authors: Jabès Adeline , Lavenex Pamela Banta , Amaral David G. , Lavenex Pierre
Published: January 2010

The dentate gyrus is one of only two regions of the mammalian brain where substantial neurogenesis occurs postnatally. However, detailed quantitative information about the postnatal structural maturation of the primate dentate gyrus is meager. We performed design‐based, stereological studies of neuron number and size, and volume of the dentate gyrus layers in rhesus macaque monkeys (Macaca mulatta) of different postnatal ages. We found that about 40% of the total number of granule cells observed in mature 5–10‐year‐old macaque monkeys are added to the granule cell layer postnatally; 25% of these neurons are added within the first three postnatal months. Accordingly, cell proliferation and neurogenesis within the dentate gyrus peak within the first 3 months after birth and remain at an intermediate level between 3 months and at least 1 year of age. Although granule cell bodies undergo their largest increase in size during the first year of life, cell size and the volume of the three layers of the dentate gyrus (i.e. the molecular, granule cell and polymorphic layers) continue to increase beyond 1 year of age. Moreover, the different layers of the dentate gyrus exhibit distinct volumetric changes during postnatal development. Finally, we observe significant levels of cell proliferation, neurogenesis and cell death in the context of an overall stable number of granule cells in mature 5–10‐year‐old monkeys. These data identify an extended developmental period during which neurogenesis might be modulated to significantly impact the structure and function of the dentate gyrus in adulthood.
CAPITAL GAINS TAXATION, GROWTH, AND FAIRNESS
Authors: MINARIK JOSEPH J.
Published: January 2010

The question at the heart of the capital gains tax debate is whether taxing some people at a different rate than others having the same income is appropriate. Those who justify such a preference base their arguments on the concepts of economic efficiency and fairness. However, recent experience with capital gains tax decreases and increases strongly suggests that a change in the current law would yield little or no benefit. The burden of proof should rest on those who would violate the basic principle of equal tax rates on incomes from whatever source.
SAVING BEHAVIOR AND SOVIET REFORM
Authors: ALEXEEV MICHAEL
Published: January 2010

This paper argues against using the forced savings concept to explain saving behavior of Soviet consumers. It discusses reasons for consumers in a traditional Soviet economy to save less than their counterparts in market economies at similar economic development stages. These reasons include low variability of life cycle income, large state subsidies to major consumption items, ability of retirees to compensate for low money income by acquiring goods at state‐controlled prices through standing in queues, and limited choice of financial instruments. When transition to a market economy occurs or is expected to occur, consumers tend to increase their savings. The way to deal with the Soviet system's inefficiencies is to liberalize currently controlled prices and to implement other market reforms, which would result in lifting official restrictions on already existing market forces. Market reforms, in turn, will help achieve financial stability. The Soviet economy's problem is not excessive saving but rather the excessive role of the state.