bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Conservation in a Wicked Complex World; Challenges and Solutions
Authors: Game Edward T. , Meijaard Erik , Sheil Douglas , McDonald‐Madden Eve
Published: July 2013

Most conservation challenges are complex and possess all the characteristics of so called “wicked” problems. Despite widespread recognition of this complexity conservationists possess a legacy of institutional structures, tools and practices better suited to simpler systems. We highlight two specific challenges posed by this mismatch: the difficulty of adaptive management where success is ambiguous and the tension between “best practice” and creativity. Drawing on research in other disciplines (including psychology, information systems, business management, and military strategy) we suggest practices that conservation could consider to better respond to complexity. These practices include, defining clear objectives, the use of scenarios, emphasis on pattern analysis, and ensuring greater scope for creative and decentralized decision making. To help illustrate these challenges and solutions, we point to parallels between conservation and military operations.
Surgical treatment of late‐diagnosed bronchial foreign body aspiration: a report of 23 cases
Authors: Duan Liang , Chen Xiaofeng , Wang Hao , Hu Xuefei , Jiang Gening
Published: July 2013

Background and Aims

Late‐diagnosed bronchial foreign bodies can lead to irreversible changes in the bronchi and the lungs. To date, few reports are available concerning surgical treatment for this condition. The present report summarizes clinicopathological features and surgical treatment options for late‐diagnosed bronchial foreign body aspiration.

Methods

Clinical data of 23 patients who underwent surgical treatment for late‐diagnosed bronchial foreign body aspiration in our hospital from 1980 to 2010 were reviewed.

Results

The patients included 17 male and six female patients, aged 6 to 66 years. To remove the foreign body, bronchotomy was performed in six patients and pulmonary resection in 17 patients. Foreign bodies were located on the right side in 17 cases and on the left side in six cases. The majority of the foreign bodies were of food origin. Postoperative bronchopleural fistula occurred in two patients. One patient died of renal failure subsequent to lung infections.

Conclusions

Detailed history, awareness of potential foreign body aspiration and thorough bronchoscopic examination are helpful to avoid pulmonary resection. However, the latter is necessary in patients with the associated substantial lung lesions to prevent these from progressing into serious lung infections such as pulmonary suppuration or empyema.
Museums and Technology: Being Inclusive Helps Accessibility for All
Authors: Lisney Eleanor , Bowen Jonathan P. , Hearn Kirsten , Zedda Maria
Published: July 2013

This paper explores accessibility issues for museums in the context of growing dependence on technology. The background of these issues is described, along with the evolution from physical access to digital access—for example, via the Web—and, increasingly, mobile technology. The authors are people with different disabilities and they describe personal experiences, giving a sense of the various barriers and benefits that are involved. The aim of this paper is to provide museums with a disabled person's point of view, which could help in inspiring improvements for the future. Often the task is one of understanding as much as financial constraints, since many solutions can be implemented at little additional cost.
Compromised approximate number system acuity in school‐aged children born extremely preterm
Authors: Ricci Daniela , Tinelli Francesca
Published: July 2013

This commentary is on the original article by Hellgren et al. on pages 1109–1114 of this issue.
Dynamics of Myzus persicae arrestment by volatiles from Potato leafroll virus‐infected potato plants during disease progression
Authors: Rajabaskar Dheivasigamani , Wu Ying , Bosque‐Pérez Nilsa A. , Eigenbrode Sanford D.
Published: July 2013

Green peach aphid, Myzus persicae (Sulzer) (Hemiptera: Aphididae), an important pest of potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) (Solanaceae), preferentially settles on Potato leafroll virus (PLRV)‐infected potato plants as compared with non‐infected ones, primarily in response to volatile organic compounds (VOCs) released by the plants. In this study, we examined the dynamics of these effects, measuring arrestment of apterous M. persicae in response to VOC from upper, middle, and lower leaflets of PLRV‐infected potato plants at the same stage in disease progression (4 weeks after inoculation), but inoculated at 1, 3, or 5 weeks after transplanting (WAT). Sham‐inoculated plants were used as controls and VOC were collected and quantified. Aphid arrestment was greater on PLRV‐infected plants inoculated at 1 and 3 WAT as compared with sham‐inoculated plants, but this preference was reversed in plants inoculated at 5 WAT. Relative arrestment of M. persicae by infected plants and VOC release was greater for lower and middle leaflets than for upper leaflets at 1 and 3 WAT compared to sham‐inoculated plants. The reverse was observed in plants inoculated at 5 WAT. Findings indicate that aphid preference is influenced by VOC release from PLRV‐ or sham‐inoculated potato plants and that VOC emissions and aphid preference depend upon the age at inoculation and leaf position within the potato plants. The implications of these dynamics in vector behavior for spread of PLRV in the field in natural and managed systems are discussed.
Characterization ofCorynelia uberataFr., a putative fungal pathogen ofPodocarpus falcatusinEthiopian forests
Authors: Assefa A. , Abate D. , Stenlid J.
Published: July 2013

Coryneliaspp. are ascomycetes belonging to the orderCoryneliales and are thought to be obligate parasites of trees in thePodocarpaceae. The aims of this study were to determine the disease intensity ofCoryneliainfection onPodocarpus falcatusinEthiopian forests and verify the identity ofCoryneliaspp. fromEthiopia and other countries using morphological and molecular methods. Disease surveys were conducted inP. falcatusforest areas atAdaba‐Dodola,Bushoftu,Menagesha,Shashamane andWondoGenet inEthiopia between 2009 and 2011, and samples were collected for morphological and molecular studies. Additional dried specimens morphologically collected asC. uberata,C. portoricensisandC. tropicafromPodocarpusspecies inKenya,SouthAfrica,PuertoRico andNewZealand were also characterized. Morphologically, theSouthAfrican specimen (F‐006479) ofC. uberatahad significantly larger ascospores when compared with the other specimens. There was a high sequence similarity (99–100%) in the internal transcribed spacer and 5.8S (ITS‐5.8S) region among the studiedC. uberatasequences. Cloning and amplification of the insert spanning partial small ribosomal unit (SSU) andITS‐5.8S regions of ribosomalDNAvalidated the unidentifiedITS‐5.8S region as the sequence ofC. uberataby inferring the reference sequence ofSSU rDNAofC. uberatainGenBank. Both neighbour‐joining and/or maximum parsimony methods placedITS‐5.8S andSSU rDNAsequences ofCoryneliaspp. at the basal position of the cladeEurotiomycetidae.C. uberatawas found to be a potential pathogen on leaves, fruits and young stems ofP. falcatusinEthiopia.
Age, but not Sex or Genetic Relatedness, Shapes Raccoon Dominance Patterns
Authors: Hauver Stephanie , Hirsch Ben T. , Prange Suzanne , Dubach Jean , Gehrt Stanley D.
Published: July 2013

Raccoons are generally regarded as solitary, yet several studies have found that raccoons frequently form social affiliations. One benefit to sociality in many mammal species is that relatives and close associates can form coalitions against third parties during agonistic encounters. We tested whether raccoon dominance patterns were influenced by age, sex, genetic relatedness, and association patterns at two anthropogenic feeding stations in an urban forest. We found that genetic relatedness had no significant effect on patterns of agonism at one of the feeding stations. At the second feeding station, raccoons were more likely to act aggressively toward close relatives, which is opposite of the predicted pattern. However, when we controlled for the number of times raccoons arrived at feeding stations in close proximity, the effect of relatedness on dominance patterns was not significant at either feeding station. These results suggest that relatedness plays little or no role in shaping dominance patterns of raccoons. Older raccoons were ranked significantly higher in the dominance hierarchies regardless of sex. This pattern leads us to conclude that age is the primary factor driving the outcome of aggressive interactions in raccoons at our study site. Despite frequent social interactions at the study site, the patterns of raccoon dominance more closely resemble patterns found in solitary animals. To confirm the generality of these results and to better understand the evolution of raccoon social behavior, similar studies need to be undertaken in other raccoon populations.
Assessment of the interaction between two collinear cracks in plates of arbitrary thickness using a plasticity‐induced crack closure model
Authors: Chang D.
Published: July 2013

Fracture and fatigue assessment of structures weakened by multiple site damage, such as two or more interacting cracks, is currently a very challenging problem. The main objective of this paper is to develop a mathematical model and an approach to investigate fatigue crack closure behaviour of two through‐the‐thickness collinear cracks of equal length in a plate of arbitrary thickness under remote tensile cyclic loading. The developed mathematical model of the problem under consideration is based on the Dugdale strip yield model and plasticity‐induced crack closure concept. The approach utilises the fundamental solution for an edge dislocation in a plate of finite thickness and the distributed dislocation technique to obtain an effective and accurate solution to the system of governing equations. The obtained results show a very good agreement with the previously published analytical solutions for limiting cases. In particular, the new results confirm that the crack closure behaviour and the opening stress variation in the case of two collinear cracks are significantly dependent on the separation gap between two cracks as well as the plate thickness.
Nitrogen‐cycling bacteria and archaea in the carbonate sediment of a coral reef
Authors: Rusch A. , Gaidos E.
Published: July 2013

In the coarse‐grained carbonate sediments of coral reefs, advective porewater flow and the respiration of organic matter establish redox zones that are the scene of microbially mediated transformations of N compounds. To investigate the geobiology of N cycling in reef sediments, the benthic microbiota of Checker Reef in Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii, were surveyed for candidate nitrate reducers, ammonifying nitrite reducers, aerobic and anaerobic ammonia oxidizers (anammox) by identifying phylotypes of their key metabolic genes (napA, narG, nrfA, amoA) and ribotypes (unique RNA sequences) of anammox‐like 16S rRNA. Putative proteobacteria with the catalytic potential for nitrate reduction were identified in oxic, interfacial and anoxic habitats. The estimated richness of napA (≥202 in anoxic sediment) and narG (≥373 and ≥441 in oxic and interfacial sediment, respectively) indicates a diverse guild of nitrate reducers. The guild of nrfA hosts in interfacial reef sediment was dominated by Vibrio species. The identified members of the aerobic ammonium oxidizing guild (amoA hosts) were Crenarchaeota or close relatives of Nitrosomonadales. Putative anammox bacteria were detected in the RNA pool of Checker Reef sediment. More than half of these ribotypes show ≥90% identity with homologous sequences of Scalindua spp., while no evidence was found for members of the genera Brocadia or Kuenenia. In addition to exploring the diversity of these four nitrogen‐cycling microbial guilds in coral reef sediments, the abundances of aerobic ammonium oxidizers (amoA), nitrite oxidizers (nxrAB), ammonifying nitrite reducers (nrfA) and denitrifiers (nosZ) were estimated using real‐time PCR. Representatives of all targeted guilds were detected, suggesting that most processes of the biogeochemical N cycle can be catalyzed by the benthic microbiota of tropical coral reefs.
Remote Sensing Proxies for Deforestation and Soil Degradation in Landslide Mapping: A Review
Authors: Miller Andrew Joseph
Published: July 2013

Landslide studies are now heavily reliant upon geotechnical tools to detect and map, develop hazard zonation, monitor, and predict landslides. The use of remote sensing tools makes up a considerable portion of the inputs of these studies and often requires the selection of proper proxies to represent static variables in landslide dynamics. This article surveys a sampling of landslide studies to determine common practices in representing and measuring two static variables — soil properties and vegetative cover — in determining slope stability. It was determined that there exists a lack of remotely sensed datasets used to measure various soil properties in landslide studies. Findings also indicate that remotely sensed inputs measuring vegetative cover, which contributes to slope stability, are focused on the normalized difference vegetation index and/or land‐use/land‐cover classifications. Other, perhaps better‐suited, options do exist to apply remote sensing techniques to represent and measure the influence of soil properties and vegetative cover upon slope stability. New tools are needed in applying remote sensing techniques for the measurement of soil degradation in landslide‐prone areas, and modifications to existing vegetation‐mapping methods must be made to improve the quality of landslide studies going forward.
Hungry Cities: A Critical Review of Urban Food Security Research in Sub‐Saharan African Cities
Authors: Battersby Jane
Published: July 2013

There has been renewed interest in the issue of food in cities in sub‐Saharan Africa. A similar renewal has been noted in the North American and European contexts. However, the political, practical, and ideological starting points of these research endeavors are quite different. This paper presents a historical and political lens through which the trajectories of urban food research in sub‐Saharan African can be understood. It begins with a historical analysis of the field and uses this to explain why urban food security has been neglected or narrowly engaged as a problem with a developmental rather than political focus. Through this analysis, the paper connects the emergence of urban agriculture to the experience of structural adjustment and discusses why urban agriculture has become the primary focus of academic and policy work on food in cities in the region. Following this, emerging repoliticized research trajectories are discussed. The paper concludes by suggesting that these emerging research themes provide a means for synergies between urban food work in the global North and South to be developed.
The Migration–Development Nexus: Current Challenges and Future Research Agenda
Authors: Bastia Tanja
Published: July 2013

Over the last ten years, migration has emerged as an important topic in development circles. Migration has generated considerable interest among development policy‐makers and academia, giving rise to what is now known as the migration–development nexus. However, most of these debates have been underpinned by an understanding of development as purposive intervention and privileging economic aspects of development. Moreover, limited attention has been paid to women as migrants or to gender as a constituting factor in migration. When women have been taken into account, they have been portrayed as the ‘ultimate remitters’, replicating efficiency arguments prevalent in gender and development approaches during the 1980s. The aim of this paper is to bring the gender and migration literature to bear on migration–development nexus debates. The review identifies three main problems with the literature on migration and development: (i) the type of development that underpins these discussions, (ii) the omission of social development, and (iii) the lack of attention to migrant women and gender as a constituting factor of migration. The final part identifies key challenges for future research in this area.
A new apparatus for measuring elastic wave velocity and electrical conductivity of fluid‐saturated rocks at various confining and pore‐fluid pressures
Authors: Watanabe T. , Higuchi A.
Published: July 2013

Pore‐fluid pressure is a critical parameter that governs geodynamic processes including seismic activities. Its evaluation through geophysical observations provides us insights into these processes. The quantitative evaluation requires a thorough understanding of the influence of pore‐fluid pressure on geophysical parameters, such as seismic velocity and electrical conductivity. To study the influence of pore‐fluid pressure on these parameters, we have built a new apparatus with a pore‐fluid pressure control system, which is capable of simultaneously measuring elastic wave velocity and electrical conductivity. Our new apparatus employs two sets of plastic piston–cylinders for the electrical insulation and pore‐fluid pressure transmission. The pore fluid is electrically isolated from the metal work, and its pressure can be precisely controlled without significant contribution of the friction between the piston and cylinder. Our new apparatus was used for a simultaneous measurement of velocity and conductivity in a brine‐saturated Berea sandstone. Elastic wave velocity and electrical conductivity changed in response to the change in confining and pore‐fluid pressures, showing the usefulness of the new apparatus.
Inactivation of mitogen‐activated protein kinase is neither necessary nor sufficient for the onset of pronuclear formation in mouse oocytes
Authors: Soeda Shou , Yamada Kaori , Ohsugi Miho
Published: July 2013

Mammalian oocytes are arrested at metaphase II due to high MAP kinase activity. After fertilization, oocytes resume meiosis, leading to female chromosome segregation, polar body emission and pronuclear (PN) formation. Previous biochemical studies showed that MAP kinase activity remained high for several hours after fertilization and began to decrease in parallel with PN formation. It has been thought that MAP kinase activity is incompatible with PN formation, and its inactivation is required for the initiation of PN formation in mammalian oocytes. In this study, we revisited this hypothesis by examining MAP kinase activity and PN formation in individual mouse oocytes using cytological analysis. We showed that MAP kinase activity in oocytes could be evaluated using phospho‐ERK1/2 immunofluorescent staining. Co‐immunofluorescent staining of phospho‐ERK1/2 and nuclear pore components showed that PN formation preceded MAP kinase inactivation and could be initiated while MAP kinase activity was still high. Moreover, artificial inactivation of MAP kinase or its downstream target, ribosomal S6 kinase, accelerated but did not rapidly induce PN formation. Our results show that although the MAP kinase pathway negatively regulates PN formation, its inactivation is neither necessary nor sufficient for PN formation. These results suggest the involvement of other essential factor(s) in this process.
Optical and Microwave Dielectric Properties of Zn‐Doped MgAl2O4 Transparent Ceramics Fabricated by Spark Plasma Sintering
Authors: Fu Ping , Xu Yong , Lu Wenzhong , Lei Wen , Wang Xuehua , Ruan Xuefeng
Published: July 2013

(Mg1−xZnx)Al2O4 transparent ceramics were fabricated by spark plasma sintering technique at 1325°C for 10 min. A small mount of Zn2+ addition to MgAl2O4 ceramics was very effective to the performance improvement, while further increase in Zn‐doped content would give rise to the optical transmittance deterioration. The optical and microwave dielectric properties of MgAl2O4 transparent ceramics were improved by Zn substitution for Mg. The in‐line transmittance of the (Mg1−xZnx)Al2O4 (x = 0.02) ceramics can be as high as 70% at λ = 550 nm and 86.5% at λ = 2000 nm, respectively. The dielectric constant εr of (Mg1−xZnx)Al2O4 just varied from 8.32 to 8.54, however, the Q × f value increased significantly up to a maximal value of 66,000 GHz at x = 0.02. Moreover, the τf of (Mg1−xZnx)Al2O4 transparent ceramics changed from −74 to −65.5 ppm/°C. With the increasing of Zn‐doped content, the average grain size and the porosity increased, which was the primary reason for the change in optical and microwave dielectric properties.
Effect of Temperature on Structural and Optical Properties of Boehmite Nanostructure
Authors: Rani Geeta , Sahare Purushottam Dinanath
Published: July 2013

The nanocrystalline boehmite, γ‐AlOOH, was synthesized by the hydrothermal method using AlCl3·6H2O and urea as precursors, and the effect of different annealing temperatures resulting in different phases of alumina (Al2O3) was obtained. The effects of different temperature on the phase and micrographs of the prepared γ‐AlOOH nanostructures were investigated. The obtained products were characterized by X‐ray powder diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and Raman spectroscopy techniques. The XRD results show that with the increasing temperature, the transformation of boehmite into well‐crystallized α‐Al2O3 and the morphology from nanoplatelets with spindle‐like edges to vermicular structure take place. The crystallite size and lattice parameters were calculated by Rietveld refinement. The convincing evidence for the crystal phase of the as‐prepared and annealed samples was provided by FTIR spectra. The Raman spectra unveil the change in vibrational modes of the phase transition alumina.
Novel Utilization of Fly Ash for High‐Temperature Mortars: Phase Composition, Microstructure and Performances Correlation
Authors: Terzić Anja , Pavlović Ljubica , Radojević Zagorka , Pavlović Vladimir , Mitić Vojislav
Published: July 2013

In this study, the feasibility of using fly ash to manufacture high‐temperature mortars was investigated. The investigation was set to define preliminary characteristics of new types of mortars based on ordinary and/or refractory cement with fly ash addition, and to establish mutual correlation between thermally induced changes of mineral phases, microstructure, and final performances of the mortars. New mortars, made up of 21% cement (PC‐CEM I 42.5R/HAC‐Secar 70/71), 70% river sand, and 9% fly ash, were chemically, physically, and mechanically characterized to determine possibilities of fly ash re‐utilization for high‐temperature purposes. The fly ash samples, which originated from four different power plants, were mechanically activated. Mortars were heat‐treated up to 1300°C in a laboratory tunnel furnace with retention time 2 h. Thermal stability of crystalline phases were studied by differential thermal analysis (DTA); thermally induced changes in mineral phase composition were analyzed by XRD; and microstructure were investigated by scanning electron microscopy. Correlated results of DTA, XRD, and SEM analyses indicated initiation of sintering processes at approximately 1300°C and formation of thermally stable minerals (rankinite, gehlenite, anorthite, cristobalite). The investigation highlights a sustainable approach of using fly ash in developing ecofriendly mortars for high‐temperature application.
From Permanent Settlement to Transnationalism – Contemporary Population Movement between Italy and Australia: Trends and Implications
Authors: Hugo Graeme
Published: July 2013

Australia has one of the largest communities of overseas Italians which has evolved from a number of waves of migration. The contemporary migration relationship between the two countries is complex involving movement in both directions, much of it temporary. This article demonstrates that although there has been little permanent migration from Italy to Australia for several decades there has been a substantial increase in non‐permanent movements in both directions. The article examines the characteristics of different types of movers and then addresses the implications of the mobility.
Albumin administration prevents the onset of pressure ulcers in intensive care unit patients
Authors: Serra Raffaele , Grande Raffaele , Buffone Gianluca , Gallelli Luca , Caroleo Santo , Tropea Francesco , Amantea Bruno , de Franciscis Stefano
Published: July 2013

Pressure ulcers (PUs) are a common problem in critically ill patients admitted to the intensive care units (ICUs) and they account for more than 70% of patients with low serum albumin at admission. The aim of this study was to test the efficacy of intravenous administration of albumin in patients with low serum albumin < 3·3 g/dl. In a 1‐year period, a total of 73 patients were admitted to the ICU (males 45, 61·64% and females 28, 38·36%); of these, 21 patients were admitted with hypoalbuminaemia (serum albumin < 3·3 g/dl) and randomised into two groups: 11 patients were treated with 25 g intravenous albumin for the first 3 days within the first week of ICU stay (group A) and 10 patients did not receive albumin (group B). Three patients (27·27%) showed the onset of PUs in group A, whereas seven patients (70%) showed the onset of PUs within the first 7 days of stay in group B. Moreover, ulcers of group B were more severe than those of group A. This study shows that intravenous administration of albumin reduces the onset of PUs in patients admitted to the ICU and in some cases it also reduces the risk of progression to advanced stages of PUs.
Prevalence of temporomandibular dysfunction in Turkish children with mixed and permanent dentition
Authors: SÖNMEZ H. , SARI S. , ORAY G. OKSAK , ÇAMDEVIREN H.
Published: July 2013

SUMMARY This study was carried out to determine the prevalence of temporomandibular joint (TMJ) dysfunction in mixed and permanent dentition and to evaluate the sex distribution in Turkish children. One hundred and eighty‐two children with mixed dentition and 212 with permanent dentition were selected for the study, which used a questionnaire and clinical examination. Children with one or more signs (TMJ sounds, TMJ tenderness, muscle tenderness, restricted mouth opening) and/or symptoms (TMJ pain during mastication and mouth opening, restriction of the jaw opening and TMJ sounds) met the criterion of TMJ dysfunction. The total prevalence of signs and symptoms of TMJ dysfunction in the studied population was 68% (68% in girls and 68% in boys) in mixed dentition and 58% (61% in girls and 56% in boys) in permanent dentition. The Z‐test and analysis of variance (ANOVA) were used for statistical analysis of the difference between the results. The total prevalence of signs and symptoms of TMJ dysfunction in mixed dentition was found to be higher than in permanent dentition (P < 0·05). No statistically significant difference was found in the total prevalence of TMJ dysfunction between girls and boys.
Productivité, désyndicalisation et échanges: effets sur les salaires et la part du travail dans le revenu
Authors: JUDZIK Dario , SALA Hector
Published: July 2013

Postulant une relation unitaire entre salaires et productivité, les travaux empiriques se sont consacrés à l'influence sur les salaires et l'emploi d'institutions du marché du travail «néfastes«. Ici, les auteurs s'intéressent plutôt aux effets à long terme sur les salaires des gains de productivité, de la désyndicalisation et du commerce international, entre 1980 et 2010. Après avoir contrôlé les effets de la productivité, ils observent une tendance à la baisse des salaires associée au déclin du taux de syndicalisation et à l'ouverture au commerce international. Leur analyse instruit sur l'érosion de la part du travail dans le revenu.
Métarégulation des relations professionnelles en Europe: mutations de pouvoirs, dynamique institutionnelle et émergence d'une concurrence entre les réglementations des Etats membres de l'UE
Authors: PAPADOPOULOS Theodoros , ROUMPAKIS Antonios
Published: July 2013

L'expression «métarégulation« décrit un mode de gouvernance transnationale des relations professionnelles, qui est le produit des efforts faits pour résoudre les contradictions entre les conventions collectives nationales et la liberté des Etats membres de l'UE de fournir des services et de détacher des travailleurs à l'étranger. La norme qui sous‐tend cette métarégulation est la concurrence non seulement entre les travailleurs des Etats membres de l'UE, mais aussi entre les réglementations du travail de ces derniers. Après avoir défini les concepts de «pouvoir structurel« et d' «espace social«, les auteurs commentent des cas empiriques illustrant la métarégulation progressive des relations professionnelles dans l'UE, et démontrent comment le rapport de forces asymétrique entre les travailleurs et le capital se creuse en faveur de ce dernier.
Emploi et salaires en Allemagne depuis la déréglementation du travail temporaire de 2004
Authors: GARZ Marcel
Published: July 2013

Depuis la déréglementation de 2004, on observe une explosion du travail temporaire en Allemagne. L'auteur procède à un examen empirique de la façon dont cette réforme a affecté l'emploi et les salaires. Après avoir contrôlé les effets de structure et d'ordre macroéconomique, il observe qu'il n'y a pas eu de changement du niveau général de l'emploi, le travail temporaire ayant remplacé des emplois réguliers. L'écart salarial entre travailleurs réguliers et travailleurs temporaires s'est creusé après la réforme, ce qui montre que les entreprises recourent au travail temporaire pour réduire le coût de la main‐d'œuvre. Toutefois, la principale raison de cet écart salarial est la plus forte fréquence des déterminants des faibles revenus chez les travailleurs temporaires.
Evaluation macroéconomique des politiques actives du marché du travail en Espagne
Authors: ARRANZ José María , GARCÍA SERRANO Carlos , HERNANZ Virginia
Published: July 2013

Les auteurs proposent une évaluation macroéconomique de certaines politiques actives du marché du travail en Espagne (notamment les aides aux contrats de durée indéterminée) à partir de données de panel sur les communautés autonomes (régions) pour la période 1987–2010. Les résultats indiquent que le subventionnement des contrats de durée indéterminée n'ont eu d'effet notable ni sur le niveau global de l'emploi ni sur celui du travail temporaire. Toutefois, on observe un faible effet positif sur les transitions du chômage au travail et du travail temporaire à l'emploi de durée indéterminée, cet effet étant supérieur après la réforme de 1997.
Adults and 5‐year‐old children draw rectangles and triangles around a prototype but not in the golden ratio
Authors: Kalénine Solène , Cheam Caroline , Izard Véronique , Gentaz Edouard
Published: July 2013

This study uses a production task to probe the representations of two geometrical shape categories (rectangles and triangles) in adults and children before the onset of geometry instruction. We specifically assessed whether drawings of these shapes would average around a prototype and whether the prototypical side‐length ratio of the shapes would be situated in the range of the ‘golden ratio’, as it has been reported in the perception domain. We asked 78 adults and 68 five‐year‐old children to draw one rectangle and one triangle. In both populations, the prototypical rectangle was horizontally oriented with a ratio between sides superior to the ‘golden’ value of 1.62. For the triangle, both children and adults tended to produce horizontal acute isosceles triangles with a ratio inferior to the golden value. These findings suggest that adults’ and children's shape categories of triangles and rectangles are organized around a prototypical shape, but the characteristics of this prototype may differ to a certain extent with the ones observed in previous perceptual tasks. Implications of this perception/production dissociation for length concept development, as well as the potential origins of these prototypes are discussed.
Is dairy consumption associated with low cardiovascular disease risk in European adolescents? Results from the HELENA Study
Authors: Bel‐Serrat S. , Mouratidou T. , Jiménez‐Pavón D. , Huybrechts I. , Cuenca‐García M. , Mistura L. , Gottrand F. , González‐Gross M. , Dallongeville J , Kafatos A. , Manios Y. , Stehle P. , Kersting M. , De Henauw S. , Castillo MJ. , Hallstrom L. , Molnár D. , Widhalm K. , Marcos A. , Moreno LA. ,   HELENA study group
Published: July 2013

What is already known about this subject

Although there is no clear evidence of the role of dairy consumption on cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk development in adults, several studies have suggested dairy consumption to have a protective effect.

Limited evidence on the relationship between milk and dairy products consumption and CVD risk factors among adolescents.

What this study adds

Dairy consumption was inversely associated with CVD risk in European adolescent girls.

Higher dairy consumption was associated with lower adiposity and higher cardiorespiratory fitness in both genders.

Objective

To identify those food groups best discriminating individuals at high/low cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk and to investigate the relationship between dairy consumption and CVD risk factors (individual and scores) in adolescents (12.5–17.5 years) from eight European cities participating in the cross‐sectional (2006–2007) HELENA (Healthy Lifestyle in Europe by Nutrition in Adolescence) project.

Methods

Diet, waist circumference, skin‐folds thickness, systolic blood pressure, insulin resistance, triglycerides, total cholesterol/high‐density lipoprotein ratio and cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) were assessed in 511 (49.9% boys) adolescents. Individual z‐scores of CVD risk factors were summed to compute sex‐specific clustered CVD risk scores.

Results

Dairy emerged as the food group best discriminating adolescents at low/high CVD risk. In both genders, waist circumference and sum of skin‐folds were inversely associated with consumption of milk and yogurt, and milk‐ and yogurt‐based beverages, whereas a positive association was observed with CRF. Moreover, CVD risk score (β = −0.230, P = 0.001) was also inversely associated with overall dairy consumption only in girls.

Discussion

Dairy consumption is associated with lower adiposity and higher CRF in these adolescents. An inverse association between CVD risk score and dairy consumption is also depicted in girls. The study adds further evidence to the scarce literature on the influence of milk and dairy products on adolescents' cardiovascular health.
Writing About Stress: The Impact of a Stress‐Management Programme on Staff Accounts of Dealing with Stress
Authors: van Oorsouw Wietske M. W. J. , Embregts Petri J. C. M. , Bosman Anna M. T. , Jahoda Andrew
Published: July 2013

Background

Helping staff serving clients with intellectual disability and challenging behaviour to cope with stress has implications for their own well‐being and for the lives of those they support.

Method

This study examined staff members' views of stress and the effectiveness of a stress‐management intervention. Effectiveness was assessed using written assignments regarding stress management, and changes in views presented were tested in a pre‐ and post‐test control group design.

Results

In the first phase, a content analysis was conducted across groups, which revealed that participants expressed a broad variety of views about stress and coping mechanisms, with considerable individual differences. In the second phase, a more fine‐grained quantitative analysis was conducted to assess training effectiveness. Results showed an increase in the proportion of coping strategies referred to by the experimental group post‐training. This positive change remained at follow‐up.

Conclusions

The results of the content analysis and the outcome data have implications for staff training.
Using Paleo Reconstructions to Improve Streamflow Forecast Lead Time in the Western United States
Authors: Carrier Christopher , Kalra Ajay , Ahmad Sajjad
Published: July 2013

In water stressed regions, water managers are exploring new horizons that would help in long‐range streamflow forecasts. Oceanic‐atmospheric oscillations have been shown to influence streamflow variability. In this study, long‐lead time streamflow forecasts are made using a multiclass kernel‐based data‐driven support vector machine (SVM) model. The extended streamflow records based on tree ring reconstructions were used to provide a longer time series data. Reconstructed data were used from 1658 to 1952 and the instrumental record was used from 1953 to 2007. Reconstructions for oceanic‐atmospheric oscillations included the El Niño‐Southern Oscillation, Pacific Decadal Oscillation, Atlantic Multidecadal Oscillation, and North Atlantic Oscillation. Streamflow forecasts using all four oscillations were made with one‐year to five‐year lead times for 21 gages in the western United States. This is the first study that uses both instrumental and reconstructed data of oscillations in SVM model to improve streamflow forecast lead time. SVM model was able to provide “satisfactory” to “very good” forecasts with one‐ to five‐year lead time for the selected gages. The use of all the oscillation indices helped in achieving better predictability compared to using individual oscillations. The SVM modeling results are better when compared with multiple linear regression model forecasts. The findings are statistical in nature and are expected to be useful for long‐term water resources planning and management.
Do Polynomials Adequately Describe the Hypsometry of Monadnock Phase Watersheds?
Authors: Vanderwaal James A. , Ssegane Herbert
Published: July 2013

Hypsometry has been shown to be a useful tool in geomorphic analysis of watersheds with the use of third‐degree polynomial equations to express the hypsometric curve. Despite its usefulness with watersheds in the equilibrium stage, the third‐degree polynomial has been found to be inadequate to describe the hypsometry of Monadnock phase watersheds. Three other equations — a modified third‐degree polynomial with a rational term, a sigmoidal model, and a double exponential — were used to determine hypsometric attributes of 32 Monadnock phase watersheds and compared to the third‐degree polynomial form. The three other equations were found to be better fits for Monadnock phase watersheds than the third‐degree polynomial equation, regardless of which ratio — area or elevation — was plotted as the independent variable. Due to the occasional failure of each functional form to give logical values for hypsometric attributes, the importance of using more than one form equation is discussed. After determining the best‐fit equation for each watershed, the usefulness of hypsometric attributes is discussed in relation to erosion processes within Monadnock phase watersheds.
A biogeographical regionalization of Australian Acacia species
Authors: González‐Orozco Carlos E. , Laffan Shawn W. , Knerr Nunzio , Miller Joseph T.
Published: July 2013

Aim

To develop a biogeographical regionalization of Australian Acacia species and to investigate their environmental correlates.

Location

Australia.

Methods

We used a previously published framework for delineating biogeographical regions. We calculated species turnover patterns of 1020 Australian Acacia species with distributions estimated from 171,758 georeferenced herbarium records aggregated to 100 km × 100 km cells (868 across Australia). An agglomerative cluster analysis using a matrix of pairwise Simpson's beta (βsim) dissimilarity values was applied. Eleven environmental variables at the same resolution as the aggregated herbarium records were used to explore the correlates of the βsim patterns using a non‐metric multidimensional scaling (NMDS) analysis. We also used an ANOVA to test the significance of the environmental changes between each pair of biogeographical regions.

Results

Five major Acacia biogeographical regions were proposed. These bioregions were broadly similar to the biomes of Australia. A new subdivision of the Eremaean biome was proposed for Acacia. The most influential environmental variables for the individual bioregions were: (1) temperature seasonality and topographic flatness for the south‐western temperate bioregion; (2) precipitation during the coldest quarter of the year for the south‐eastern temperate bioregion; (3) annual precipitation, annual mean temperature and precipitation seasonality for the monsoonal bioregion; and (4) percentage of sand in the top 30 cm of the soil, rock grain size, annual mean radiation and annual mean temperature for the Eremaean south and north regions. The NMDS analysis provided support for the observed biogeographical patterns. The statistical test showed a highly significant difference between the environments of the proposed bioregions. Climatic variables were consistent predictors across regions, whereas the influence of soils and topographic features varied among bioregions.

Main conclusions

The major Acacia biogeographical regions correspond well to historical bioregionalizations, suggesting that the environmental drivers of diversification in Acacia are broadly similar to those that act on the flora as a whole. Climate seasonality combined with annual values and non‐climatic factors provide support for the proposed biogeographical regionalization for Acacia.
The anthropogenic influence on wildfire regimes: charcoal records from the Holocene and Last Interglacial at Ioannina, Greece
Authors: Lawson I. T. , Tzedakis P. C. , Roucoux K. H. , Galanidou N.
Published: July 2013

Aim

To characterize the changing fire regime of aMediterranean landscape during theHolocene and theLastInterglacial and, by comparing the two periods, to improve our understanding of the extent and timing of human alteration of natural fire regimes.

Location

Lake Ioannina, north‐westernGreece (39°45′ N, 20°51′ E).

Methods

Using a long sequence of lake sediments, we measured the charcoal content of the sediment over the course of theHolocene and theLastInterglacial. We compared the charcoal data with pollen data for the same periods.

Results

Charcoal was present in all samples analysed. Charcoal influx was greater during interglacials, which atIoannina were forested, than during glacials, when tree populations were small. Charcoal influx was greater and more variable during theHolocene than during theLastInterglacial.

Main conclusions

Fire was a persistent feature throughout the periods studied, under both glacial and interglacial conditions. Overall, more biomass was burned during interglacials than during glacials, and peak burning occurred at intermediate values of moisture availability. There is little evidence that the composition of forests significantly affected burning regimes. Enhanced burning during the Holocene relative to the Last Interglacial may reflect human impact, as well as climatic or vegetational differences between the two periods.
Variable Procedural Strategies Adapted to Anatomical Characteristics in Catheter Ablation of the Cavotricuspid Isthmus Using a Preoperative Multidetector Computed Tomography Analysis
Authors: KAJIHARA KENTA , NAKANO YUKIKO , HIRAI YUKOH , OGI HIROSHI , ODA NOBORU , SUENARI KAZUYOSHI , MAKITA YUKO , SAIRAKU AKINORI , TOKUYAMA TAKEHITO , MOTODA CHIKAAKI , FUJIWARA MAI , WATANABE YOSHIKAZU , KIGUCHI MASAO , KIHARA YASUKI
Published: July 2013

Variable Strategies for CTI Ablation

 Objectives

This study aimed to investigate the anatomical characteristics complicating cavotricuspid isthmus (CTI) ablation and the effectiveness of various procedural strategies.

Methods and Results

This study included 446 consecutive patients (362 males; mean age 60.5 ± 10.4 years) in whom CTI ablation was performed. A total of 80 consecutive patients were evaluated in a preliminary study. The anatomy of the CTI was evaluated by multidetector row‐computed tomography (MDCT) prior to the procedure. A multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that the angle and mean wall thickness of the CTI, a concave CTI morphology, and a prominent Eustachian ridge, were associated with a difficult CTI ablation (P < 0.01). In the main study, 366 consecutive patients were divided into 2 groups: a modulation group (catheter inversion technique for a concave aspect, prominent Eustachian ridge, and steep angle of the CTI or increased output for a thicker CTI) and nonmodulation group (conventional strategy). The duration and total amount of radiofrequency energy delivered were significantly shorter and smaller in the modulation group than those in the nonmodulation group (162.2 ± 153.5 vs 222.7 ± 191.9 seconds, P < 0.01, and 16,962.4 ± 11,545.6 vs 24,908.5 ± 22,804.2 J, P < 0.01, respectively). The recurrence rate of type 1 atrial flutter after the CTI ablation in the nonmodulation group was significantly higher than that in the modulation group (6.3 vs 1.7%, P = 0.02).

Conclusion

Changing the procedural strategies by adaptating them to the anatomical characteristics improved the outcomes of the CTI ablation.
Improvement in aspects of sleep with etanercept and optional adjunctive topical therapy in patients with moderate‐to‐severe psoriasis: results from the PRISTINE trial
Authors: Thaçi D. , Galimberti R. , Amaya‐Guerra M. , Rosenbach T. , Robertson D. , Pedersen R. , Yang S. , Kuligowski M. , Boggs R.
Published: July 2013

Background

Impaired sleep in patients with moderate‐to‐severe psoriasis and improvement on therapy has not been widely studied.

Objective

Quantify baseline aspects of sleep and improvement in patients with psoriasis receiving etanercept (ETN) when allowed concomitant topical medications (PRISTINE study).

Methods

Patients with moderate‐to‐severe psoriasis were randomized to 50 mg ETN once weekly (QW/QW) or 50 mg ETN twice weekly (BIW/QW) for weeks 1–12, followed by 50 mg QW for weeks 13–24; a broad range of topical therapies were permitted during weeks 13–24. Sleep impairment was measured by the Medical Outcomes Study (MOS) sleep questionnaire Index II (population norm = 25.8; minimum clinically important difference = 5.1); quality of life (QoL) measures included Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI), EuroQoL 5 Dimension (EQ‐5D) Utility Index and Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) and Functional Activity in Chronic Therapy‐Fatigue (FACIT‐Fatigue). ancova and Fisher's exact test or chi‐squared tests were used for between‐group testing.

Results

Mean baseline MOS‐Sleep scores were 34.0 for both groups indicating impairment (N = 270; QW/QW n = 137; BIW/QW n = 133, approximately 64% had impaired sleep). At week 12 of treatment, MOS‐Sleep scores improved to 30.8 and 30.1, and at week 24, to 28.4 and 28.2 respectively. Poor sleep was significantly associated with clinically important problems in EQ‐5D utility, VAS and FACIT‐Fatigue; sleep improvement was associated with improved EQ‐5D utility and FACIT‐Fatigue (P < 0.001).

Conclusion

This study confirms that most patients with moderate‐to‐severe psoriasis have impaired sleep which is associated with impaired QoL. Treatment with etanercept significantly improved sleep, with most improvement occurring before a broad range of topicals were allowed. Sleep improvement was associated with improved QoL.