bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Improving seclusion practice: implications of a review of staff and patient views
Authors: VAN DER MERWE M. , MUIR‐COCHRANE E. , JONES J. , TZIGGILI M. , BOWERS L.
Published: July 2012

Accessible summary

• An extensive review of empirical literature (n = 39) on patient and staff perceptions of seclusion in psychiatric inpatient settings was undertaken.

• Patients perceived seclusion negatively while staff perceived it to be therapeutic and vital for the running of inpatient units.

• Better communication, more contact with patients and staff engaging with patients before during and after a seclusion episode were suggestions for improvements to care processes.

This review explores patient and staff perceptions and improvement suggestions regarding seclusion in psychiatric inpatient settings. After an extensive literature search, 39 empirical papers were included in the review. According to the literature, patients perceived seclusion to be a distinct negative incident. Staff thought seclusion had a therapeutic effect and believed that units could not operate effectively without seclusion, but regretted that the situation was not resolved differently. Staff and patients had suggestions to improve the seclusion experience. Common themes in relation to the implications for practice are the need for better communication and more contact between patients and staff before, during and after the seclusion event.
RNA aptamer‐mediated interference of HCV replication by targeting the CRE‐5BSL3.2 domain
Authors: Marton S. , Romero‐López C. , Berzal‐Herranz A.
Published: July 2012

Summary.  The RNA genome of hepatitis C virus (HCV) contains multiple conserved structural RNA domains that play key roles in essential viral processes. A conserved structural component within the 3′ end of the region coding for viral RNA‐dependent RNA polymerase (NS5B) has been characterized as a functional cis‐acting replication element (CRE). This study reports the ability of two RNA aptamers, P‐58 and P‐78, to interfere with HCV replication by targeting the essential 5BSL3.2 domain within this CRE. Structure‐probing assays showed the binding of the aptamers to the CRE results in a structural reorganization of the apical portion of the 5BSL3.2 stem‐loop domain. This interfered with the binding of the NS5B protein to the CRE and induced a significant reduction in HCV replication (≈50%) in an autonomous subgenomic HCV replication system. These results highlight the potential of this CRE as a target for the development of anti‐HCV therapies and underscore the potential of antiviral agents based on RNA aptamer molecules.
Short and informative DNA products to indirectly measure vascular plant biodiversity
Authors: CHARITON ANTHONY
Published: July 2012

Anthropogenic activities are having a deleterious effect on biodiversity. To understand the magnitude of this issue, and ultimately temper its pace, requires reproducible biodiversity measurements at suitable spatio‐temporal scales. Procuring such data solely by existing approaches is unachievable because of the costs, time and the taxonomic expertise required. High‐throughput molecular biodiversity analysis shows great promise, increasing the breadth of biota sampled and accelerating the rate of data collection. In this issue of Molecular Ecology, Yoccoz et al. (2012) use short informative DNA product ‘meta‐barcodes’ to provide an insight into above‐ground vascular plant diversity from boreal, temperate and tropical environments. Interestingly, their molecular analysis was derived from the soils and not the plants themselves, with the molecular signatures of the soils not only strongly reflecting current diversity, but also traces of crops not sown for up to one hundred years. Importantly, the research examines the complexities associated with deriving biomass estimates from molecular data and the need to consider biomass turnover. The use of soil‐derived meta‐barcodes extends beyond estimating vascular plant diversity, with the approach being suited to the range of ecological applications, especially scenarios where DNA may be degraded.
HMGB1 Promotes the Differentiation of Th17 via Up‐Regulating TLR2 and IL‐23 of CD14+ Monocytes from Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis
Authors: He Z. , Shotorbani S. S. , Jiao Z. , Su Z. , Tong J. , Liu Y. , Shen P. , Ma J. , Gao J. , Wang T. , Xia S. , Shao Q. , Wang S. , Xu H.
Published: July 2012

High‐mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) is a non‐histone nuclear protein that is released extracellulary and has been implicated in autoimmune disease. Toll‐like receptor 2 (TLR2) signalling is thought to be essential for the inflammatory response and for immune disorders. In recent studies, enhanced HMGB1 and TLR2 expressions have been found in rheumatoid arthritis (RA), respectively. The aim of this study is to explore whether HMGB1 stimulation can up‐regulate the expression of TLR2 on CD14+ monocytes from patients with RA and to clarify the subsequent events involving Th17 cells and Th17 cell‐associated cytokine changes. Our results showed that the frequency of CD14+ cells in peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) was obviously increased, and enhanced expression of TLR2 on CD14+ monocytes was also found in patients with RA, compared with healthy controls with statistical significance (P < 0.001). In addition, the levels of IL‐17, IL‐23 and IL‐6 in supernatants from cultured monocytes from patients and in patient’s plasma were increased, and NF‐κB, the downstream target of TLR2, also showed a marked elevation after monocytes were stimulated by HMGB1. This implies that the enhanced TLR2 pathway and Th17 cell polarization may be due to HMGB1 stimulation in rheumatoid arthritis.
Characterization of temperature‐sensitive mutants reveals a role for receptor‐like kinase SCRAMBLED/STRUBBELIG in coordinating cell proliferation and differentiation during Arabidopsis leaf development
Authors: Lin Lin , Zhong Si‐Hui , Cui Xiao‐Feng , Li Jianming , He Zu‐Hua
Published: July 2012

The balance between cell proliferation and cell differentiation is essential for leaf patterning. However, identification of the factors coordinating leaf patterning and cell growth behavior is challenging. Here, we characterized a temperature‐sensitive Arabidopsis mutant with leaf blade and venation defects. We mapped the mutation to the sub‐2 allele of the SCRAMBLED/STRUBBELIG (SCM/SUB) receptor‐like kinase gene whose functions in leaf development have not been demonstrated. The sub‐2 mutant displayed impaired blade development, asymmetric leaf shape and altered venation patterning under high ambient temperature (30°C), but these defects were less pronounced at normal growth temperature (22°C). Loss of SCM/SUB function results in reduced cell proliferation and abnormal cell expansion, as well as altered auxin patterning. SCM/SUB is initially expressed throughout leaf primordia and becomes restricted to the vascular cells, coinciding with its roles in early leaf patterning and venation formation. Furthermore, constitutive expression of the SCM/SUB gene also restricts organ growth by inhibiting the transition from cell proliferation to expansion. We propose the existence of a SCM/SUB‐mediated developmental stage‐specific signal for leaf patterning, and highlight the importance of the balance between cell proliferation and differentiation for leaf morphogenesis.
Space‐time analysis of hospitalised dengue patients in rural Thailand reveals important temporal intervals in the pattern of dengue virus transmission
Authors: Aldstadt Jared , Yoon In‐Kyu , Tannitisupawong Darunee , Jarman Richard G. , Thomas Stephen J. , Gibbons Robert V. , Uppapong Angkana , Iamsirithaworn Sopon , Rothman Alan L. , Scott Thomas W. , Endy Timothy
Published: July 2012

Objective  To determine the temporal intervals at which spatial clustering of dengue hospitalisations occurs.

Methods  Space‐time analysis of 262 people hospitalised and serologically confirmed with dengue virus infections in Kamphaeng Phet, Thailand was performed. The cases were observed between 1 January 2009 and 6 May 2011. Spatial coordinates of each patient’s home were captured using the Global Positioning System. A novel method based on the Knox test was used to determine the temporal intervals between cases at which spatial clustering occurred. These intervals are indicative of the length of time between successive illnesses in the chain of dengue virus transmission.

Results  The strongest spatial clustering occurred at the 15–17‐day interval. There was also significant spatial clustering over short intervals (2–5 days). The highest excess risk was observed within 200 m of a previous hospitalised case and significantly elevated risk persisted within this distance for 32–34 days.

Conclusions  Fifteen to seventeen days are the most likely serial interval between successive dengue illnesses. This novel method relies only on passively detected, hospitalised case data with household locations and provides a useful tool for understanding region‐specific and outbreak‐specific dengue virus transmission dynamics.
Expression of fibroblast growth factor 21 in the liver of dairy cows in the transition period and during lactation
Authors: Schlegel G. , Ringseis R. , Keller J. , Schwarz F. J. , Windisch W. , Eder K.
Published: July 2012

Fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21) has been identified as a novel hormonal factor involved in the regulation of metabolic adaptations during energy deprivation. The present study aimed to investigate the expression of the FGF21 gene in the liver of dairy cows during the transition from pregnancy to lactation. Therefore, the relative mRNA abundance of FGF21 in liver biopsy samples of 20 dairy cows in late pregnancy (3 weeks pre‐partum) and early lactation (1, 5, 14 weeks post‐partum) was determined. It was observed that hepatic mRNA abundance of FGF21 at 1 week post‐partum was dramatically increased (110‐fold) compared to 3 weeks pre‐partum (p < 0.001). With progress of lactation, mRNA concentration of FGF21 was declining; nevertheless, mRNA abundance at 5 and 14 weeks post‐partum remained 25‐ and 10‐fold increased compared to 3 weeks pre‐partum (p < 0.001). Using a gene array technique, it was found that many genes involved in fatty acid oxidation, gluconeogenesis and ketogenesis were up‐regulated during early lactation compared to late pregnancy. Moreover, there were positive linear correlations between hepatic mRNA concentration of FGF21 and mRNA concentrations of genes involved in ketogenesis as well as carnitine synthesis and carnitine uptake at various time‐points during lactation, indicating that FGF21 could play a role in ketogenesis and carnitine metabolism in the liver of dairy cows (p < 0.05). In overall, the present study shows that expression of the FGF21 gene is strongly up‐regulated during the transition period. It is assumed that the up‐regulation of FGF21 might play an important role in the adaptation of liver metabolism during early lactation in dairy cows such as in other species.
Common peroneal neuropathy and cancer
Authors: Simon N. G. , Kiernan M. C.
Published: July 2012

Common peroneal neuropathy (CPN) may develop unexpectedly in patients with underlying cancer. To clarify the underlying pathophysiology, clinical and neurophysiological data were prospectively collected from 10 oncology clinic patients referred for neurological assessment after the onset of foot weakness. In all patients, the CPN occurred in the setting of advanced systemic malignancy frequently associated with marked weight loss at the time of foot weakness. Neurophysiological studies localised the CPN to the fibular head in 80% of cases. Findings from this study, combined with recent experimental evidence, support the hypothesis that clinically evident CPN develops after rapid weight loss, perhaps reflecting a relative metabolic deficiency within the nerve, which exposes anatomical susceptibility and possible subclinical pre‐existing nerve injury.
Too little, too late: Mental health nursing education in Western Australia, 1958–1994
Authors: Henderson Anthony R. , Martyr Philippa
Published: July 2012

Mental health nursing education in Australia has undergone a significant transition in the last 50 years, influenced by national inquiries, national decisions, and international trends in nursing education. But mental health nursing education had also accumulated decades of history in each state, including sometimes unequal relations with general nursing. Complex inter‐ and intra‐professional relationships at state level influenced this educational transition in each state, and Western Australia provides an example of this influence. Using a range of published and unpublished sources, including oral histories, this paper describes the revision of the mental health nursing curriculum in Western Australia from 1958, responses to the call for transition to the tertiary sector between 1976 and 1984, and the final transition of mental health nursing education to university level in Western Australia in 1994. Mental health nursing's educational standards improved only gradually in Western Australia from 1958 onwards, compared with professional advances in general nursing in the same period. Factors which may have held back these improvements include mental health nursing's professional conservatism, which was outpaced by general nursing's growing radicalization at the national level. A lack of professional confidence and cohesion left mental health nursing unable to respond effectively to rapid external changes in the 1960s and 1970s, and vulnerable to absorption and dominance by general nursing education programs.
Narrative abilities, memory and attention in children with a specific language impairment
Authors: Duinmeijer Iris , de Jong Jan , Scheper Annette
Published: July 2012

Background: While narrative tasks have proven to be valid measures for detecting language disorders, measuring communicative skills and predicting future academic performance, research into the comparability of different narrative tasks has shown that outcomes are dependent on the type of task used. Although many of the studies detecting task differences touch upon the fact that tasks place differential demands on cognitive abilities like auditory attention and memory, few studies have related specific narrative tasks to these cognitive abilities. Examining this relation is especially warranted for children with specific language impairment (SLI), who are characterized by language problems, but often have problems in other cognitive domains as well.

Methods & Procedures: In the current research, a comparison was made between a story retelling task (The Bus Story) and a story generation task (The Frog Story) in a group of children with SLI (n= 34) and a typically developing group (n= 38) from the same age range. In addition to the two narrative tasks, sustained auditory attention (TEA‐Ch) and verbal working memory (WISC digit span and the Dutch version of the CVLT‐C word list recall) were measured. Correlations were computed between the narrative, the memory and the attention scores.

Outcomes & Results: A group comparison showed that the children with SLI scored significantly worse than the typically developing children on several narrative measures as well as on sustained auditory attention and verbal working memory. A within‐subjects comparison of the scores on the two narrative tasks showed a contrast between the tasks on several narrative measures. Furthermore, correlational analyses showed that, on the level of plot structure, the story generation task correlated with sustained auditory attention, while the story retelling task correlated with word list recall. Mean length of utterance (MLU) on the other hand correlated with digit span but not with sustained auditory attention.

Conclusions: While children with SLI have problems with narratives in general, their performance is also dependent on the specific elicitation task used for research or diagnostics. Various narrative tasks generate different scores and are differentially correlated to cognitive skills like attention and memory, making the selection of a given task crucial in the clinical setting.
Treating verbs in aphasia: exploring the impact of therapy at the single word and sentence levels
Authors: Webster Janet , Whitworth Anne
Published: July 2012

Background: In recent years there has been significant interest in the differential processing of nouns and verbs in people with aphasia, but more limited consideration about whether the differences have implications for therapy. It remains unclear whether verbs can be treated in a similar way to nouns or should be treated using approaches that recognize the relationship between verb retrieval and sentence production.

Aims: This paper reviews studies focusing on therapy for spoken verb retrieval, considering the impact of therapy on treated and untreated verbs, sentence production and connected speech. It explores whether there are differential gains across therapy paradigms and whether verbs respond to therapy in the same way as nouns.

Method & Procedures: Studies were identified using a systematic search. A total of 26 studies were reviewed and classified under four headings: (1) studies that treated verbs in a single‐word context, (2) studies that compared treatment for nouns and verbs, (3) studies that treated verbs in a sentence context, and (4) studies that treated verb retrieval and argument structure.

Main Contribution: Findings from the review demonstrate that verb therapy, irrespective of whether verbs are treated within a single‐word or sentence context, is effective in improving the retrieval of treated verbs, but with limited generalization to untreated verbs. Verbs respond very similarly to nouns when treated using the same techniques, but improving verb retrieval may be harder to achieve than improving noun retrieval. The impact on sentence production is more varied. The gains in sentence production are discussed in relation to the different therapy types, the rationale for therapy and the presence of co‐occurring sentence difficulties.

Conclusions: The review highlights the need for more systematic evaluation of different types of verb therapy, measuring the impact of therapy on verb retrieval, sentence production and connected speech. Only through the judicious assessment and monitoring of change across different contexts will an understanding of how verbs respond to therapy be developed and what generalization patterns can be predicted. This will lead to increased confidence in the selection of therapy approaches for people with verb difficulties in aphasia.
Assessing the communication skills of carers working with multiple learning disabilities: a case study
Authors: Koski Katja , Launonen Kaisa
Published: July 2012

Background: Speech and language therapists (SLTs) working with adults who have multiple learning disabilities and complex communication needs often deliver their care via indirect therapy where SLTs train carers to communicate with their clients. Yet, very little is known about how SLTs assess the carers’ communication skills prior to the training even though the assessment should be the basis of this indirect therapy.

Aims: To explore the level of agreement between Finnish SLTs’ assessments of carers as skilful communication partners for adults who have multiple learning disabilities and complex communication needs. To investigate which interaction strategies affect the SLTs’ assessments.

Methods & Procedures: Six SLTs with more than 15 years of experience in working with individuals with complex communication needs saw together ten video clips of interaction situations between a carer and an adult who had multiple learning disabilities (aged 17–50 years). The SLTs assessed the carers on a scale from one to ten. The SLTs discussed their selections before giving their final ratings. The data were analysed both quantitatively and qualitatively. The unanimity of SLTs’ assessment was analysed with a test of Kendall's W. Furthermore, the frequencies of the carers’ different communication acts were counted and these counts were compared with the mean of the carers’ assessments. These results were further explored with the SLTs’ justifications about their assessments.

Outcomes & Results: SLTs did not fully agree on which of the carers were the most skilful interaction partners. Furthermore, the six SLTs were not unanimous about which carers’ interaction strategies resulted in skilful communication. However, SLTs assessed those carers higher who used facilitative verbal acts. The carers used these verbal acts to involve themselves in the interests of the client.

Conclusions & Implications: This case study showed that Finnish SLTs seem to have different criteria about what is considered skilful communication between carers and clients who have multiple learning disabilities. Even though there might not be a single way of being a skilful interaction partner, this variable can be confusing to carers if they work with several SLTs and each of them offers different professional advice. Therefore, the results suggest a need for an assessment tool for evaluating the carers’ interaction skills. In addition to this tool, it appears that SLTs also need further training to be able to perform this multifaceted task.
Interictal spikes, fast ripples and seizures in partial epilepsies – combining multi‐level computational models with experimental data
Authors: Wendling Fabrice , Bartolomei Fabrice , Mina Faten , Huneau Clémént , Benquet Pascal
Published: July 2012

Epileptic seizures, epileptic spikes and high‐frequency oscillations (HFOs) are recognized as three electrophysiological markers of epileptogenic neuronal systems. It can be reasonably hypothesized that distinct (hyper)excitability mechanisms underlie these electrophysiological signatures. The question is ‘What are these mechanisms?’. Solving this difficult question would considerably help our understanding of epileptogenic processes and would also advance our interpretation of electrophysiological signals. In this paper, we show how computational models of brain epileptic activity can be used to address this issue. With a special emphasis on the hippocampal activity recorded in various experimental models (in vivo and in vitro) as well as in epileptic patients, we confront results and insights we can get from computational models lying at two different levels of description, namely macroscopic (neural mass) and microscopic (detailed network of neurons). At each level, we show how spikes, seizures and HFOs can (or cannot) be generated depending on the model features. The replication of observed signals, the prediction of possible mechanisms as well as their experimental validation are described and discussed; as are the advantages and limitations of the two modelling approaches.
The role of voltage dependence of the NMDA receptor in cellular and network oscillation
Authors: Martell Amber L. , Ramirez Jan‐Marino , Lasky Robert E. , Dwyer Jennifer E. , Kohrman Michael , van Drongelen Wim
Published: July 2012

Unraveling the mechanisms underlying oscillatory behavior is critical for understanding normal and pathological brain processes. Here we used electrophysiology in mouse neocortical slices and principles of nonlinear dynamics to demonstrate how an increase in the N‐methyl‐d‐aspartic acid receptor (NMDAR) conductance can create a nonlinear whole‐cell current–voltage (I–V) relationship which leads to changes in cellular stability. We discovered two behaviorally and morphologically distinct pyramidal cell populations. Under control conditions, both cell types responded to depolarizing current injection with regular spiking patterns. However, upon NMDAR activation, an intrinsic oscillatory (IO) cell type (n = 44) showed a nonlinear whole‐cell I–V relationship, intrinsic voltage‐dependent oscillations plus amplification of alternating input current, and these properties persisted after disabling action potential generation with tetrodotoxin (TTX). The other non‐oscillatory (NO) neuronal population (n = 24) demonstrated none of these behaviors. Simultaneous intra‐ and extracellular recordings demonstrated the NMDAR’s capacity to promote low‐frequency seizure‐like network oscillations via its effects on intrinsic neuronal properties. The two pyramidal cell types demonstrated different relationships with network oscillation – the IO cells were leaders that were activated early in the population activity cycle while the activation of the NO cell type was distributed across network bursts. The properties of IO neurons disappeared in a low‐magnesium environment where the voltage dependence of the receptor is abolished; concurrently, the cellular contribution to network oscillation switched to synchronous firing. Thus, depending upon the efficacy of NMDAR in altering the linearity of the whole‐cell I–V relationship, the two cell populations played different roles in sustaining network oscillation.
Modelling the role of tissue heterogeneity in epileptic rhythms
Authors: Goodfellow Marc , Taylor Peter Neal , Wang Yujiang , Garry Daniel James , Baier Gerold
Published: July 2012

Epileptic seizure activity manifests as complex spatio‐temporal dynamics on the clinically relevant macroscopic scale. These dynamics are known to arise from spatially heterogeneous tissue, but the relationship between specific spatial abnormalities and epileptic rhythm generation is not well understood. We formulate a simplified macroscopic modelling framework with which to study the role of spatial heterogeneity in the generation of epileptiform spatio‐temporal rhythms. We characterize the overall model dynamics in terms of spontaneous activity and excitability and demonstrate normal and abnormal spreading of activity. We introduce a means to systematically investigate the topology of abnormal sub‐networks and explore its impact on spontaneous and stimulus‐evoked rhythmic dynamics. This computationally efficient framework complements results from detailed biophysical models, and allows the testing of specific hypotheses about epileptic dynamics on the macroscopic scale.
Monotherapy with the once‐weekly GLP‐1 analogue dulaglutide for 12 weeks in patients with Type 2 diabetes: dose‐dependent effects on glycaemic control in a randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled study
Authors: Grunberger G. , Chang A. , Garcia Soria G. , Botros F. T. , Bsharat R. , Milicevic Z.
Published: July 2012

Diabet. Med. 29, 1260–1267 (2012)

Aims  Evaluate dose‐dependent effects of once‐weekly dulaglutide, a glucagon‐like peptide‐1 analogue, on glycaemic control in patients with Type 2 diabetes treated with lifestyle measures with or without previous metformin.

Methods  This 12‐week, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled, dose–response trial randomized 167 patients who were anti‐hyperglycaemic medication‐naïve or had discontinued metformin monotherapy [mean baseline HbA1c 59 ± 8 to 61 ± 8 mmol/mol (7.6 ± 0.7 to 7.8 ± 0.8%)] to once‐weekly injections of placebo or dulaglutide (0.1, 0.5, 1.0 or 1.5 mg).

Results  A significant dose‐dependent reduction in HbA1c (least squares mean ± se) was observed across doses (P < 0.001). HbA1c reductions in the 0.5, 1.0 and 1.5 mg dulaglutide groups were greater than in the placebo group [−10 ± 1, −11 ± 1 and −11 ± 1 vs. 0 ± 1 mmol/mol (−0.9 ± 0.1, −1.0 ± 0.1 and −1.0 ± 0.1 vs. 0.0 ± 0.1%), respectively, all P < 0.001]. Dose‐dependent reductions in fasting plasma glucose were also observed [least squares mean difference (95% CI) ranging from −0.43 (−1.06 to 0.19) mmol/l for dulaglutide 0.1 mg to −1.87 (−2.56 to −1.19) mmol/l for dulaglutide 1.5 mg, P < 0.001]. Dose‐dependent weight loss was demonstrated across doses (P = 0.009), but none of the groups were different from placebo. The most common adverse events were nausea and diarrhoea.

Conclusions  The observed dulaglutide dose‐dependent reduction in HbA1c and its acceptable safety profile support further clinical development for treatment of Type 2 diabetes.
Virus‐induced gene silencing for Asteraceae—a reverse genetics approach for functional genomics inGerbera hybrida
Authors: Deng Xianbao , Elomaa Paula , Nguyen Cuong X. , Hytönen Timo , Valkonen Jari P. T. , Teeri Teemu H.
Published: July 2012

Virus‐induced gene silencing (VIGS) is a natural defence mechanism in plants which leads to sequence‐specific degradation of viral RNA. For identifying gene functions,Tobacco rattle virus(TRV)‐based VIGS has been applied for silencing of endogenous genes in many plant species.Gerbera hybrida(Asteraceae) has emerged as a novel model for studies in flower development and secondary metabolism. For this highly heterozygous species, functional studies have been conducted through reverse genetic methods by producing stable transgenic lines, which, however, is labour‐intensive and time‐consuming. For the development of TRV‐based VIGS system for gerbera, and for the first time for an Asteraceaeous species, we screened several gerbera cultivars and optimized the agroinfiltration methods for efficient silencing. Gene fragments for gerbera phytoene desaturase (GPDS) and Mg‐chelatase subunits (GChl‐H and GChl‐I), expressed from a TRV vector, induced silencing phenotypes in leaves, scapes, and involucral bracts indicating their feasibility as markers for green tissues. In addition, robust silencing symptoms were achieved in gerbera floral tissues by silencing the anthocyanin pathway gene for chalcone synthase (GCHS1) and a gerbera B‐type MADS‐box geneglobosa(GGLO1), confirming the phenotypes previously observed in stable transgenic lines. Unexpectedly, photobleaching induced byGPDSandGChl‐HorGChl‐Isilencing, or by the herbicide norflurazon, resulted in silencing of the polyketide synthase geneG2PS1, which has no apparent connections to carotenoid or chlorophyll biosynthesis. We have shown feasibility of VIGS for functional studies in gerbera, but our results also show that selection of the marker gene for silencing must be critically evaluated.
The Impact of Unilateral Climate Policy with Endogenous Plant Location and Market Size Asymmetry
Authors: Sanna‐Randaccio Francesca , Sestini Roberta
Published: July 2012

This paper analyses the impact of unilateral climate policy on firms' international location strategies in emission‐intensive sectors, when countries differ in terms of market size. The cases of both partial and total relocation via foreign direct investment are separately considered. A simple international duopoly model highlights the differences between short‐term and long‐term effects. In the short‐term no change in location is a likely outcome in very capital‐intensive sectors and, when there is a strategy shift, this takes the form of partial rather than total relocation. In the long‐run total relocation becomes a feasible outcome. However, when tighter mitigation measures are introduced by the larger country and unit transport cost is high, with a pronounced market asymmetry, the probability of firms not relocating abroad is high even in the long‐term. The welfare implications of unilateral environmental measures are assessed considering global industrial pollution and accounting for shifts in location strategy.
Environmental Regulation and Revealed Comparative Advantages in Europe: Is China a Pollution Haven?
Authors: Marconi Daniela
Published: July 2012

The relocation of more polluting industries in poorer countries owing to gaps in environmental standards is known as the pollution haven effect, whereby the scale and the composition of output change across countries. Changes in the composition of the output mix might translate into changes of comparative advantages across countries, as revealed by trade flows. This paper focuses on this issue, looking at the changes in the structure of bilateral trade over the period 1996–2006 between China and 14 EU countries (EU14) as a measure of revealed comparative advantage (RCA). Using industry‐level data on bilateral trade, air‐ and water‐pollution intensity, and several measures of environmental stringency, we find that, after controlling for other factors (such as labor costs) on average our EU14 countries have kept or improved their RCA with respect to China in both water‐polluting industries (such as paper and agro‐based) and air‐polluting industries (such as basic metals and chemicals), while they have lost competitiveness in the more clean industries (such as machinery and fabricated metals). Thus, we find no evidence of a pollution haven effect on the bilateral trade pattern between Europe and China.
Regimes of spatial ordering in Brazil: Neoliberalism, leftist populism and modernist aesthetics in slum upgrading in Recife
Authors: Nuijten Monique , Koster Martijn , de Vries Pieter
Published: July 2012

This paper shows how regimes of spatial ordering in Brazil are produced by the entangling of neoliberalism, leftist populism and modernist visions. The paper focuses on Prometrópole, a slum upgrading project in Recife funded by the World Bank, which commenced in 2007. In this project, the neoliberal dimension manifests in the idea that the state, private companies and citizens together are responsible for (re)constructing urban space, and further, that beneficiaries should behave as autonomous citizens, taking responsibility for their new living environment. The leftist political dimension is seen in participatory procedures to involve the target population from project design through to implementation, in expectation of their cooperation with the government. The modernist aesthetics – of straight lines, open spaces and visible order – informs the project design with the requirement to use the new houses and public spaces according to the standards of ‘modern civilization’. As our research shows, such a regime of spatial ordering clashes with the livelihoods of the urban poor, whose quality of life might even deteriorate as a result of the intervention. Furthermore, so‐called participatory procedures fail to grant the target population any real influence in creating their environment. Consequently, these residents of the new housing estate drastically reconstruct their private and public areas, reappropriating the urban space and contesting the regime of spatial ordering imposed upon them.
Re‐examining green revolution diffusion and factor/input markets in Bangladesh after market liberalization
Authors: Rahman Sanzidur , Begum Ismat Ara , Alam Mohammad Jahangir
Published: July 2012

This paper re‐examines the effect of green revolution (GR) diffusion on factor/inputs demand in Bangladesh using an empirical model that allows for simultaneous determination of factors influencing adoption of GR technology at the current mature stage, as well as access to irrigation. Results reveal some alignments with conventional wisdom as well as few surprises. For example, while an increased demand for major inputs is expected, an increased demand for organic manure is an unexpected positive outcome. The GR adoption rate is significantly higher in villages with access to irrigation and fertile soils and, surprisingly, in infrastructurally underdeveloped villages. Together with other expected findings of GR technology uptake with higher cereal prices and irrigation use encouraged by access to credit, tenurial status and fertile soils, our findings suggest that investment in irrigation and soil conservation, as well as implementing measures to improve cereal prices and provide agricultural credit, could boost GR technology adoption.
After the 1997 financial crisis in Bangkok: The behaviour and implications of a new cohort of street vendors
Authors: Walsh John , Maneepong Chuthatip
Published: July 2012

After the 1997 financial crisis, many retrenched workers preferred not to return to provincial homes but remained in Bangkok to establish informal retail businesses in branded and other consumer products. In contrast to traditional street vendors, who specialized in food items primarily catering for low‐income customers, and focused on high volume, these ‘new generation’ street vendors also adopted more formal business practices. Given their greater sophistication and better education, we hypothesized that they would be more organized advocates of vendors' rights and thus more prone to conflicts with municipal authorities. Based on interviews, however, we found that new generation vendors are adaptive to location and business strategy, and prefer a low profile in dealing with officialdom. By contrast, traditional vendors remained more tied to particular spaces, are more likely to stand up for their rights to use public space and, because they expect more from government, are more prone to conflicts with municipal authorities. Our findings relate to ongoing discussion on the rights and needs of street vendors to access urban public space and the responsibilities of authorities to meet and provide for these informal sector livelihoods that make up a significant share of the national economy in Thailand, as elsewhere in the global South.
Horizontal and Vertical Intra‐industry Trade: An Empirical Test of the ‘Homogeneity Hypothesis’
Authors: Pittiglio Rosanna
Published: July 2012

In this paper, we study if and how country‐specific factors affect intra‐industry trade (IIT) when heterogeneity among sectors is allowed for. The paper is novel in that it is the first that addresses an issue raised by Greenaway et al. (Oxford Bulletin of Economics and Statistics, 1999, 61, 365). Specifically, employing data on a sample of OECD countries over a 10‐year period (1997–1998), we build on and take forward a methodology pioneered by Balassa and Bauwens (Economic Journal, 1987, 97, 923) to study the determinants of horizontal and vertical IIT using a multi‐industry approach. In doing this, we seek to avoid the more extreme measurement problems by allowing for heterogeneity among sectors when country‐specific factors are analysed and among countries when industry‐specific factors are considered. The results are compared to those obtained using the traditional method that does not consider intersectoral heterogeneity. We find that the two models yield statistically different results. Moreover, the tests regarding the choice of model – that is, econometric tests designed to compare one model with another when different sets of explanatory variables are used – confirm the relevance of intersectoral heterogeneity in affecting IIT. To the best of our knowledge, a similar analysis has not yet appeared in the empirical literature on IIT.
The Etiology of Individual Differences in Second Language Acquisition in Australian School Students: A Behavior‐Genetic Study
Authors: Coventry William , Antón‐Méndez Inés , Ellis Elizabeth M. , Levisen Christina , Byrne Brian , van Daal Victor H. P. , Ellis Nick C.
Published: July 2012

We present one of the first behavior‐genetic studies of individual differences in school students’ levels of achievement in instructed second language acquisition (ISLA). We assessed these language abilities in Australian twin pairs (maximum N pairs = 251) by means of teacher ratings, class rankings, and self‐ratings of proficiency, and used the classic twin design to estimate the relative influences of genes, shared (family/school) environment, and unique environment. Achievement in ISLA was more influenced by additive genetic effects (72%, 68%, and 38% for teacher ratings, class rankings, and twin self‐ratings, respectively) than by shared environment effects, which were generally not substantial (20%, 07%, and 13%). Genetic effects distinct to speaking and listening, on the one hand, and reading and writing, on the other, were evident for the twin self‐ratings. We discuss the limitations and implications of these findings and point to research questions that could profitably be addressed in future studies.
Guidelines for treatment of atopic eczema (atopic dermatitis) Part I
Authors: Ring J. , Alomar A. , Bieber T. , Deleuran M. , Fink‐Wagner A. , Gelmetti C. , Gieler U. , Lipozencic J. , Luger T. , Oranje A.P. , Schäfer T. , Schwennesen T. , Seidenari S. , Simon D. , Ständer S. , Stingl G. , Szalai S. , Szepietowski J.C. , Taïeb A. , Werfel T. , Wollenberg A. , Darsow U.
Published: July 2012

The existing evidence for treatment of atopic eczema (atopic dermatitis, AE) is evaluated using the national standard Appraisal of Guidelines Research and Evaluation. The consensus process consisted of a nominal group process and a DELPHI procedure. Management of AE must consider the individual symptomatic variability of the disease. Basic therapy is focused on hydrating topical treatment, and avoidance of specific and unspecific provocation factors. Anti‐inflammatory treatment based on topical glucocorticosteroids and topical calcineurin inhibitors (TCI) is used for exacerbation management and more recently for proactive therapy in selected cases. Topical corticosteroids remain the mainstay of therapy, but the TCI tacrolimus and pimecrolimus are preferred in certain locations. Systemic immune‐suppressive treatment is an option for severe refractory cases. Microbial colonization and superinfection may induce disease exacerbation and can justify additional antimicrobial treatment. Adjuvant therapy includes UV irradiation preferably with UVA1 wavelength or UVB 311 nm. Dietary recommendations should be specific and given only in diagnosed individual food allergy. Allergen‐specific immunotherapy to aeroallergens may be useful in selected cases. Stress‐induced exacerbations may make psychosomatic counselling recommendable. ‘Eczema school’ educational programs have been proven to be helpful. Pruritus is targeted with the majority of the recommended therapies, but some patients need additional antipruritic therapies.
Elastic fiber‐mediated enthesis in the human middle ear
Authors: Kawase Tetsuaki , Shibata Shunichi , Katori Yukio , Ohtsuka Aiji , Murakami Gen , Fujimiya Mineko
Published: July 2012

Adaptation to constant vibration (acoustic oscillation) is likely to confer a specific morphology at the bone–tendon and bone–ligament interfaces at the ear ossicles, which therefore represent an exciting target of enthesis research. We histologically examined (i) the bone attachments of the tensor tympani and stapedius muscles and (ii) the annular ligament of the incudostapedial joint obtained from seven elderly donated cadavers. Notably, both aldehyde‐fuchsin and elastic‐Masson staining demonstrated that the major fibrous component of the entheses was not collagen fibers but mature elastic fibers. The positive controls for elastic fiber staining were the arterial wall elastic laminae included in the temporal bone materials. The elastic fibers were inserted deeply into the type II collagen‐poor fibrocartilage covering the ear ossicles. The muscle tendons were composed of an outer thin layer of collagen fibers and an inner thick core of elastic fibers near the malleus or stapes. In the unique elastic fiber‐mediated entheses, hyaluronan, versican and fibronectin were expressed strongly along the elastic fibers. The hyaluronan seemed to act as a friction‐reducing lubricant for the elastic fibers. Aggrecan was labeled strongly in a disk‐ or plica‐like fibrous mass on the inner side of the elastic fiber‐rich ligament, possibly due to compression stress from the ligament. Tenascin‐c was not evident in the entheses. The elastic fiber‐mediated entheses appeared resistant to tissue destruction in an environment exposed to constant vibration. The morphology was unlikely to be the result of age‐related degeneration.
Interrater reliability study of cerebral palsy diagnosis, neurological subtype, and gross motor function
Authors: SELLIER ELODIE , HORBER VERONKA , KRÄGELOH‐MANN INGEBORG , DE LA CRUZ JAVIER , CANS CHRISTINE ,   On behalf of the SCPE COLLABORATION
Published: July 2012

Aim  To evaluate the interrater reliability of the inclusion in registries and classification of children with cerebral palsy (CP).

Method  Two studies were conducted. In study 1, 12 paediatricians from 11 countries viewed video sequences of 12 children with or without CP (nine males, three females; median age 6y; range 2–16). In study 2, 19 professionals from eight countries participated in an online exercise. They had to classify the same children but based on written vignettes. All participants had to evaluate whether the child had CP, the neurological subtype (Surveillance of Cerebral Palsy in Europe classification system), and gross motor function level (Gross Motor Function Classification System [GMFCS]). Kappa (κ) coefficients were calculated for categorical variables and intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) for ordinal data.

Results  Reliability was excellent in assessing whether or not a child had CP in study 1 (κ=1.00) and substantial in study 2 (κ=0.73); 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.58–0.87). For the neurological subtype, overall κ between paediatricians was 0.85 (95% CI 0.68–0.98), with full agreement observed for eight children. In study 2, overall κ was 0.78 (95% CI 0.61–0.91) with full agreement seen for five children. For the GMFCS, the ICC was 0.88 (95% CI 0.78–0.95) in study 1 and 0.80 (95% CI 0.64–0.91) in study 2.

Interpretation  Reliability was excellent for all characteristics classified by paediatricians viewing the videos and substantial for professionals reading vignettes.
Effects of Mentha longifolia L. essential oil and Lactobacillus casei on the organoleptic properties and on the growth of Staphylococcus aureus and Listeria monocytogenes during manufacturing, ripening and storage of Iranian white‐brined cheese
Authors: EHSANI ALI , MAHMOUDI RAZZAQH
Published: July 2012

This research evaluated the effects of Mentha longifolia L. essential oil (EO) in concentrations 0, 50, 150 and 300 ppm and Lactobacillus casei (108–109 CFU/mL) on the growth of Staphylococcus aureus and Listeria monocytogenes during the manufacturing, ripening and storage of Iranian white‐brined cheese. The growth of the two pathogens was significantly reduced (P < 0.01) by both EO concentrations ≥50 ppm and probiotic and their combination in the standard manufacturing and storage process conditions of the cheese. Furthermore, the treatment containing 150 ppm of this EO combined with probiotic had a favourable inhibitory effect on the growth of two pathogenic micro‐organisms and also was the most appropriate treatment in sensory assessment. The synergistic effects of the above‐mentioned concentration level between the essential oil and probiotic were significant compared to other treatments, including essential oil and probiotic only. Thus, a lower concentration of this EO can be used when it is combined with this probiotic.
Determination of strong ion gap in healthy dogs
Authors: Fettig Pamela K. , Bailey Dennis B. , Gannon Kristi M.
Published: July 2012

Objective

To determine and compare reference intervals of the strong ion gap (SIG) in a group of healthy dogs determined with 2 different equations.

Design

Prospective observational study.

Setting

Tertiary referral and teaching hospital.

Animals

Fifty‐four healthy dogs.

Interventions

None.

Measurements

Serum biochemistry and blood gas analyses were performed for each dog. From these values, SIG was calculated using 2 different equations: SIG1 = SIDa{[Na +] + [K+] ‐ [Cl−]+ [2 × Ca2+] + [2 × Mg2+] ‐ [l‐lactate]}‐ SIDe {TCO2 + A−} and SIG2 = [albumin] × 4.9–anion gap. Reference intervals were established for each SIG equation using the mean ± 1.96 × standard deviation (SD).

Results

For SIG1, the median was 7.13 mEq/L (range, 1.05–11.30 mEq/L) and the derived reference interval was 1.85–10.61 mEq/L. Median SIG2 was −0.22 mEq/L (range, −5.34–6.61 mEq/L) and the mean SIG2 was −0.09 mEq/L (95% confidence interval for the mean, −0.82–0.65 mEq/L). The derived reference interval was −5.36–5.18 mEq/L. The results of the SIG calculations were significantly different (P < 0.0001) between the 2 equations used.

Conclusion

The 2 equations used to calculate SIG yielded significantly different results and cannot be used interchangeably. The authors believe SIG2 to be a more accurate reflection of acid‐base status in healthy dogs, and recommend that this calculation be used for future studies.