bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Dietary betaine and ractopamine combine to increase lean tissue deposition in finisher pigs, particularly gilts
Authors: Dunshea F. R. , Cadogan D. J. , Partridge G. G.
Published: January 2009

Dietary ractopamine increases lean tissue deposition, with the responses most evident at ad libitum feed intakes whereas dietary betaine can improve growth by reducing maintenance requirements, with the greatest responses occurring when energy is limiting. This study was conducted to investigate the interactions between dietary ractopamine and betaine on growth and carcass characteristics in restrictively fed [31.0 MJ digestible energy (DE)/day for 14 days followed by 36.8 MJ DE/day for 21 days] boars and gilts. Forty individually penned pigs (58.4 kg) were allocated to a 2 × 2 × 2 factorial arrangement of treatments, with the respective factors being sex (gilt or boar), dietary betaine (0 and 1.5 g/kg betaine) and dietary ractopamine (0 and 10 ppm ractopamine) for 35 days. Over the first 14 days of the study when the restriction was greatest, daily gain was greater in pigs fed betaine (+8%, P = 0.04) and in boars (+12%, P = 0.005) but was not affected by ractopamine (P = 0.18). Lean deposition was greater in pigs fed betaine (+5%, P = 0.08) and in boars (+6%, P = 0.006) but was not affected by ractopamine (P = 0.57). However, there was an interaction (P = 0.03) between ractopamine and sex such that ractopamine increased lean deposition in gilts but not boars. Thus, betaine and ractopamine had additive effects on lean mass in gilts (+5.1 kg) but not boars. Fat deposition was less in pigs fed ractopamine (–8%, P = 0.05) and in boars (–17%, P < 0.001) but was not affected by betaine (P = 0.81). However, there was an interaction (P = 0.04) between dietary ractopamine and sex such that ractopamine decreased fat deposition in gilts (–14%) but not boars. In conclusion, dietary betaine and ractopamine may have additive effects on lean deposition and improve body composition in gilts but responses in boars are more equivocal.
Phenotypic and genotypic analysis of a barebreech trait in Merino sheep as a potential replacement for surgical mulesing
Authors: Edwards N. M. , Hebart M. , Hynd P. I.
Published: January 2009

The potential for adopting a genetic solution to protect sheep from blowfly strike on the breech was investigated in a flock of sheep that contained several animals expressing a trait characterised by low wool coverage over the breech and through a wide channel from the anus to the udder or scrotum. A scoring system (1, bare to 5, woolly) was developed and used to determine the heritability of the trait and its phenotypic and genetic correlations with other traits of importance in a sheep enterprise. In comparison to animals with woolly breeches, the skin in the breech of animals with a low bareness score was characterised by a low density of follicles producing short, medullated fibres, with histological evidence of immune rejection and follicular atrophy. The bareness score of progeny was influenced by the score of their respective sires suggesting a strong genetic component. The heritability of bareness score was moderate to high (h2 = 0.45 ± 0.02, 0.53 ± 0.01 and 0.38 ± 0.02 at lamb, hogget and adult ages, respectively). The lactation status and age of ewes influenced their bareness score, resulting in a low repeatability (0.42) of the trait between ages in females. Genetic correlations between bareness score and most other economically important traits were low. The weight of belly wool and the weight of skirtings was genetically related to bareness score (rg = +0.52 and +0.48 respectively), indicating that animals with barer breeches tend genetically towards lighter belly wool weights and lower weight of skirtings at wool classing. Selection and breeding for bareness score should achieve relatively rapid progress towards fixing the trait in a flock and without adverse effects on other important traits. Caution should be exercised in extrapolating these results to other bloodlines and environments where genetic mechanisms or environmental influences may be different.
Japanese Quail: An Efficient Animal Model for the Production of Transgenic Avians
Authors: Poynter Greg , Huss David , Lansford Rusty
Published: January 2009

INTRODUCTION

The ability to generate transgenic mice has been a powerful tool in studying functional genomics, and much of our knowledge about developmental biology has come from the study of chicken embryology. Unfortunately, the availability of molecular genetic techniques, such as transgenics and knockouts, has been limited for developmental biologists using avian animal models. Efforts to develop a system for the rapid production of transgenic chickens have met with many obstacles, including high animal husbandry costs and long generational times. Recently, the Japanese quail has proven to be an excellent model organism for the production of transgenic avians using lentiviral vectors. The relatively small size of the adults, short time to sexual maturity, and prodigious egg production of the Japanese quail make development of transgenic lines less labor- and space-intensive compared to chickens. The high degree of homology between chicken and quail genomes allows researchers to design highly specific DNA constructs for the production of transgenic birds. In addition, transgenic quail offer all of the advantages of the classic avian developmental model system, such as the ability to readily produce quail:chick transplant chimeras. Finally, Japanese quail are ideal for in ovo imaging of embryos expressing fluorescent reporters introduced from a transgene and/or electroporation. Here, we provide detailed methods for generating transgenic quail using high-titer lentivirus.
The Crustacean Parhyale hawaiensis: A New Model for Arthropod Development
Authors: Rehm E. Jay , Hannibal Roberta L. , Chaw R. Crystal , Vargas-Vila Mario A. , Patel Nipam H.
Published: January 2009

INTRODUCTION

The great diversity of arthropod body plans, together with our detailed understanding of fruit fly development, makes arthropods a premier taxon for examining the evolutionary diversification of developmental patterns and hence the diversity of extant life. Crustaceans, in particular, show a remarkable range of morphologies and provide a useful outgroup to the insects. The amphipod crustacean Parhyale hawaiensis is becoming established as a model organism for developmental studies within the arthropods. In addition to its phylogenetically strategic position, P. hawaiensis has proven to be highly amenable to experimental manipulation, is straightforward to rear in the laboratory, and has large numbers of embryos that are available year-round. A detailed staging system has been developed to characterize P. hawaiensis embryogenesis. Robust protocols exist for the collection and fixation of all embryonic stages, in situ hybridization to study mRNA localization, and immunohistochemistry to study protein localization. Microinjection of blastomeres enables detailed cell-lineage analyses, transient and transgenic introduction of recombinant genetic material, and targeted knockdowns of gene function using either RNA interference (RNAi) or morpholino methods. Directed genome sequencing will generate important data for comparative studies aimed at understanding cis-regulatory evolution. Bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC) clones containing genes of interest to the developmental and evolutionary biology communities are being targeted for sequencing. An expressed sequence tag (EST) database will facilitate discovery of additional developmental genes and should broaden our understanding of the genetic controls of body patterning. A reference genome from the related amphipod crustacean Jassa slatteryi will shortly be available.
Microinjection of RNA and Morpholino Oligos into Lamprey Embryos: Figure 1.
Authors: Nikitina Natalya , Bronner-Fraser Marianne , Sauka-Spengler Tatjana
Published: January 2009

INTRODUCTION

Lampreys are one of the most basal animals in which many of the true vertebrate characteristics (e.g., neural crest, placodes, segmented brain, skull, paired sensory organs, pharyngeal skeleton) are present. Studying the molecular and developmental mechanisms responsible for the formation of these structures in lamprey and higher vertebrates can provide insight into how these vertebrate characteristics evolved. The relative ease of obtaining mature adults and embryos makes this animal an ideal model for investigations into early vertebrate evolution. In addition, studies of features that are unique to lampreys can provide insights into mechanisms of parallel evolution. Lamprey embryos are particularly amenable to injection techniques. Like zebrafish and Xenopus embryos, they have double chorions and are resistant to surface-tension-induced rupture when removed from liquid. They can therefore be injected in a dry dish; this eliminates the need to support the embryo while performing injections and makes the procedure very rapid. Also, a single ovulating female can contain up to 100,000 eggs, so the number of injectable embryos per fertilization is not a limiting factor. Finally, the second division lasts for several hours, providing a very large injection window. This protocol describes how to microinject RNA and morpholinos into lamprey embryos for genetic modification studies.
DiI Cell Labeling in Lamprey Embryos
Authors: Nikitina Natalya , Bronner-Fraser Marianne , Sauka-Spengler Tatjana
Published: January 2009

INTRODUCTION

Lampreys are one of the most basal animals in which many of the true vertebrate characteristics (e.g., neural crest, placodes, segmented brain, skull, paired sensory organs, pharyngeal skeleton) are present. Studying the molecular and developmental mechanisms responsible for the formation of these structures in lamprey and higher vertebrates can provide insight into how these vertebrate characteristics evolved. The relative ease of obtaining mature adults and embryos makes this animal an ideal model for investigations into early vertebrate evolution. In addition, studies of features that are unique to lampreys can provide insights into mechanisms of parallel evolution. Lamprey embryos are particularly amenable to injection techniques. Like zebrafish and Xenopus embryos, they have double chorions and are resistant to surface-tension-induced rupture when removed from liquid. They can therefore be injected in a dry dish; this eliminates the need to support the embryo while performing injections and makes the procedure very rapid. Also, a single ovulating female can contain up to 100,000 eggs, so the number of injectable embryos per fertilization is not a limiting factor. This protocol describes how to label lamprey embryo cells by microinjecting the fluorescent dye DiI (1,1′-dioctadecyl-3,3,3′,3′-tetramethylindocarbocyanine perchlorate) to study cell fate during development.
Antibody Staining of Parhyale hawaiensis Embryos
Authors: Rehm E. Jay , Hannibal Roberta L. , Chaw R. Crystal , Vargas-Vila Mario A. , Patel Nipam H.
Published: January 2009

INTRODUCTION

The great diversity of arthropod body plans, together with our detailed understanding of fruit fly development, makes arthropods a premier taxon for examining the evolutionary diversification of developmental patterns and hence the diversity of extant life. Crustaceans, in particular, show a remarkable range of morphologies and provide a useful outgroup to the insects. The amphipod crustacean Parhyale hawaiensis is becoming established as a model organism for developmental studies within the arthropods. This protocol provides a simplified protocol for antibody staining of P. hawaiensis embryos. The method also works well for other arthropods and phyla. Fixed embryos are rehydrated, washed, blocked with normal goat serum, and incubated overnight with primary antibody. Embryos are then washed and incubated with a peroxidase-conjugated secondary antibody that binds to the primary antibody. A subsequent histochemical reaction produces a black stain in those cells where antibodies have localized.
In Situ Hybridization of Labeled RNA Probes to Fixed Parhyale hawaiensis Embryos
Authors: Rehm E. Jay , Hannibal Roberta L. , Chaw R. Crystal , Vargas-Vila Mario A. , Patel Nipam H.
Published: January 2009

INTRODUCTION

The great diversity of arthropod body plans, together with our detailed understanding of fruit fly development, makes arthropods a premier taxon for examining the evolutionary diversification of developmental patterns and hence the diversity of extant life. Crustaceans, in particular, show a remarkable range of morphologies and provide a useful outgroup to the insects. The amphipod crustacean Parhyale hawaiensis is becoming established as a model organism for developmental studies within the arthropods. This protocol describes in situ hybridization of fluorescein- or digoxigenin (DIG)-labeled RNA probes to fixed P. hawaiensis embryos. Standard techniques of molecular biology should be used to produce an appropriate template for generation of antisense RNA probes. RNA-labeling mixes designed to produce fluorescein- or DIG-labeled RNA probes using T3, T7, or SP6 RNA polymerases are commercially available. Probes should be purified using QIAGEN RNeasy columns or similar means. Considerations for double-labeling experiments using both fluorescein- and DIG-labeled RNA probes are included.
Tricks with tetramers: how to get the most from multimeric peptide–MHC
Authors: Wooldridge Linda , Lissina Anna , Cole David K. , Van Den Berg Hugo A. , Price David A. , Sewell Andrew K.
Published: January 2009

The development of fluorochrome‐conjugated peptide–major histocompatibility complex (pMHC) multimers in conjunction with continuing advances in flow cytometry has transformed the study of antigen‐specific T cells by enabling their visualization, enumeration, phenotypic characterization and isolation from ex vivo samples. Here, we bring together and discuss some of the ‘tricks’ that can be used to get the most out of pMHC multimers. These include: (1) simple procedures that can substantially enhance the staining intensity of cognate T cells with pMHC multimers; (2) the use of pMHC multimers to stain T cells with very‐low‐affinity T‐cell receptor (TCR)/pMHC interactions, such as those that typically predominate in tumour‐specific responses; and (3) the physical grading and clonotypic dissection of antigen‐specific T cells based on the affinity of their cognate TCR using mutant pMHC multimers in conjunction with new approaches to the molecular analysis of TCR gene expression. We also examine how soluble pMHC can be used to examine T‐cell activation, manipulate T‐cell responses and study allogeneic and superantigen interactions with TCRs. Finally, we discuss the problems that arise with pMHC class II (pMHCII) multimers because of the low affinity of TCR/pMHCII interactions and lack of ‘coreceptor help’.
Immunomagnetic separation of normal rat testicular cells from Roser’s T‐cell leukaemia cells is ineffective
Authors: Hou Mi , Andersson Margareta , Zheng Chengyun , Sundblad Anne , Söder Olle , Jahnukainen Kirsi
Published: January 2009

Elimination of contaminating malignant cells is crucial to avoiding cancer relapse in association with transplantation of autologous spermatogonial stem cells. In the clinical setting, there is presently no effective procedure for separating testicular cells from cancer cells. Here, CD4, a selective surface marker for Roser’s rat leukaemic T‐cells, was utilized to eliminate cancer cells from testicular cell samples from leukaemic piebald variegated (PVG) rats by magnetic‐activated cell sorting (MACS). All animals receiving MACS‐selected testicular cells died within 14–15 days. Only one‐third of the contaminating leukaemic cells could be removed from testicular samples. An increase in antibody concentration enhanced the proportion of leukaemic cells removed from 27 to 49%. Variations in the cell size and expression of surface antigens on testicular leukaemic cells were the major obstacles to purification based on this marker. It is concluded that MACS does not prevent transmission of leukaemia to syngenic PVG rats when cells from leukaemic testes are used for testicular cell transplantation.
Anatomy of a subaqueous ice‐contact fan and delta complex, Middle Pleistocene, North‐west Germany
Authors: WINSEMANN JUTTA , HORNUNG JAHN J. , MEINSEN JANINE , ASPRION ULRICH , POLOM ULRICH , BRANDES CHRISTIAN , BUßMANN MICHAEL , WEBER CHRISTIAN
Published: January 2009

This paper presents a detailed analysis of the high‐resolution facies architecture of the Middle Pleistocene Porta subaqueous ice‐contact fan and delta complex, deposited on the northern margin of glacial Lake Weser (North‐west Germany). A total of 10 sand and gravel pits and more than 100 wells were examined to document the complex facies architecture. The field study was supplemented with a ground‐penetrating radar survey and a shear‐wave seismic survey. All collected sedimentological and geophysical data were integrated into a high‐resolution three‐dimensional geological model for reconstructing the spatial distribution of facies associations. The Porta subaqueous fan and delta complex consist of three fan bodies deposited on a flat lake‐bottom surface at the margin of a retreating ice lobe. The northernmost fan complex is up to 55 m thick, 6·2 km wide and 6·5 km long. The incipient fan deposition is characterized by high‐energy flows of a plane‐wall jet. Very coarse‐grained, highly scoured jet‐efflux deposits with an elongate plan shape indicate a high Froude number, probably >5. These jet‐efflux sediments are deposited in front of a large ∼3·2 km long, up to 1·2 km wide, and up to 25 m deep flute‐like scour, indicating the most proximal erosion and bypass area of the jet that widens and deepens with distance downstream to the region of maximum turbulence (approximately five times the conduit diameter). Evidence for subsequent flow splitting is given by the presence of two marginal gravel fan lobes, deposited in front of 1·3 to 2·5 km long flute‐like scours, that are 0·8 to 1 km wide and 7 to 20 m deep. In response to continued aggradation, small jets developed at the periphery of these bar‐like deposits and filled in the low areas adjacent to the original superelevated regions, locally raising the depositional surface and characterized by large‐scale trough cross‐stratified sand and pebbly sand. The incision of an up to 1·2 km wide and up to 35 m deep channel into the evolving fan is attributed to a catastrophic drainage event, probably related to a lake outburst and lake‐level fall in the range of 40 to 60 m. At the mouth of this channel, highly scoured jet‐efflux deposits formed under hydraulic‐jump conditions during flow expansion. Subsequently, Gilbert‐type deltas formed on the truncated fan margin, recording a second lake‐level drop in the range of 30 to 40 m. These catastrophic lake‐level falls were probably caused by rapid ice‐lobe retreat controlled by the convex‐up bottom topography of the ice valley.
Prevalence and predictors of osteopenia and osteoporosis in adults with Type 1 diabetes
Authors: Hamilton E. J. , Rakic V. , Davis W. A. , Chubb S. A. P. , Kamber N. , Prince R. L. , Davis T. M. E.
Published: January 2009

Aims  To determine the prevalence and biochemical/hormonal determinants of osteopenia and osteoporosis in adults with Type 1 diabetes.

Methods  One hundred and two patients (52 female, 50 male) with Type 1 diabetes aged 20–71 years underwent cross‐sectional assessment of biochemical/hormonal markers of bone metabolism, and bone mineral density (BMD) measurement at forearm, hip and spine using dual energy x‐ray absorptiometry. BMD data were available for 102 age‐ and gender‐matched population‐based control subjects.

Results  After adjusting for age and body mass index (BMI), osteopenia and osteoporosis were more common at the spine in males with Type 1 diabetes than in control subjects (P = 0.030). In Type 1 males, after adjustment for age and BMI, BMD, T‐ and Z‐scores at the hip, femoral neck and spine were lower compared with age‐matched control subjects (P ≤ 0.048). Female Type 1 patients and control subjects had similar BMDs and T‐ and Z‐scores at all sites. On multiple linear regression analysis, which adjusted for the natural logarithm of the sex hormone binding globulin concentration, smoking status and alcohol consumption, and (for women) menopausal status, each of BMI, serum ionized calcium and serum alkaline phosphatase (negatively) were independently associated with BMD at the hip and femoral neck in Type 1 diabetic subjects.

Conclusions  Adult males with Type 1 diabetes have reduced bone density at the hip, femoral neck and spine when compared with age‐matched control subjects. Impaired bone formation may occur in Type 1 diabetes.
An assessment of the accuracy and usability of a novel optical wound measurement system
Authors: Bowling F. L. , King L. , Fadavi H. , Paterson J. A. , Preece K. , Daniel R. W. , Matthews D. J. , Boulton A. J. M.
Published: January 2009

Aims  Measurement of wound size can predict healing and provide information to guide treatment. This study assesses a novel optical wound imaging system that creates a three‐dimensional image of the ulcer.

Methods  Using a new camera‐based digital system and traditional elliptical wound measurements, 36 foot ulcers from 31 patients (aged 44–94 years, median 70 years) were examined during a 12‐week period at two centres. Median diabetes duration was 18 years (range 6–56 years). Seventeen percent had Type 1 diabetes, 93% had peripheral neuropathy and 57% had peripheral artery disease. Twenty‐five were reviewed consecutively, resulting in 76 ulcer examinations. Median ulcer size was 94 mm2, with size ranging from 3.1 to 2195 mm2.

Results  Pearson, Spearman and Kendall rank coefficients showed a strong correlation (in all cases P < 0.001) between digital measurements of wounds against traditional hand‐measured estimates. Intra‐observer variation of wound length using digital elliptical measurement (DEM) gave a coefficient of variation of < 3.0%. Interobserver variation of wound length using DEM was < 6.5%. Variation from a standard known‐size wound area was < 8.0% across 30 trials.

Conclusions  This study shows a strong correlation between digital and traditional measurement techniques. The system can be easily deployed in routine clinical practice, providing an objective visual record, allowing remote in‐depth analysis.
Helpful Only in the Abstract?
Authors: Vorauer Jacquie D. , Sasaki Stacey J.
Published: January 2009

This study tested the hypothesis that empathizing with out-group members is beneficial outside of, but not within, intergroup-contact situations. We predicted that in the context of intergroup interaction, the potential for evaluation would lead individuals' perspective-taking efforts to take on an egocentric and counterproductive flavor. As predicted, when empathy was instantiated during an intergroup exchange, it failed to exert its usual positive effect on intergroup attitudes and led higher-prejudice individuals to derogate an out-group member who was an interaction partner; empathy also blocked the prejudice-reducing influence of intergroup contact. Mediation analyses indicated that activation of negative metastereotypes regarding the out-group's view of the in-group accounted for these effects. The findings, which demonstrate ironic effects of empathy in intergroup interaction, indicate that interventions based on studies of individuals' reactions to out-group members in the abstract might have dramatically different consequences when put into practice in real exchanges between members of different groups.
Males' Greater Tolerance of Same-Sex Peers
Authors: Benenson Joyce F. , Markovits Henry , Fitzgerald Caitlin , Geoffroy Diana , Flemming Julianne , Kahlenberg Sonya M. , Wrangham Richard W.
Published: January 2009

Three studies were conducted to examine the often-cited conclusion that human females are more sociable than males. Using perceptions of roommates, roommate changes at three collegiate institutions, and an experimental manipulation of friendship beliefs, the studies demonstrated unequivocally that males exhibit a higher threshold of tolerance for genetically unrelated same-sex individuals than females do. Tolerance was defined as acceptance of the stresses and strains within relationships. Results are discussed in terms of potential underlying mechanisms and ultimate explanations.
Deficits, Soft Budget Constraints and Bailouts: Budgeting after the Norwegian Hospital Reform
Authors: Tjerbo Trond , Hagen Terje P.
Published: January 2009

In the 1990s, the Norwegian hospital sector was characterized by soft budgetary constraints and increasing budget deficits. This was one of the main antecedents of the 2002 hospital reform, where the central state took over ownership of the hospitals from the counties. Arguably, the centralization of ownership, financing and production would harden the budget constraints and increase the budgetary discipline. This analysis shows that this has not been accomplished. Instead, the production has been far above what was planned, and the deficits higher than ever. Two stages of the post‐reform budget processes are analyzed: first, the stage where the central state set the budgets and sends signals of budgetary rules (whether the state sends signals of soft or hard budget constraints), and second, how the central state handled deficits in the hospital sector as they emerged (whether the hospitals was bailed out or not). The conclusion is that the central state neither set a hard budget constraint nor managed to stay firm as deficits turned up. It is argued that three mechanisms explain the prevailing problems of managing the hospital sector: uncertainty of the hospitals’ financial situation during the transition phase; minority governments; and specific features related to the organization of the budgetary process in parliament.
Preschoolers' Emotion Regulation Strategy Understanding: Relations with Emotion Socialization and Child Self‐regulation
Authors: Cole Pamela M. , Dennis Tracy A. , Smith‐Simon Kristen E. , Cohen Laura H.
Published: January 2009

Preschool‐age children's ability to verbally generate strategies for regulating anger and sadness, and to recognize purported effective strategies for these emotions, were examined in relation to child factors (child age, temperament, and language ability) and maternal emotion socialization (supportiveness and structuring in response to child distress). The relation between strategy understanding and actual self‐regulation was also examined. In a sample of 116 boys and girls, 4‐year‐olds recognized and generated strategies for anger more than 3‐year‐olds but 3‐ and 4‐year‐olds recognized and generated strategies similarly for sadness. Age effects for strategy generation were explained by expressive language skill. Maternal support in response to child distress was related to strategy recognition and generation but in different ways. Maternal structuring was related only to strategy generation for anger. Child strategy understanding of anger and sadness predicted different child behaviors when children had to deal with frustration alone. The findings suggest that emotion regulation strategy understanding can be assessed in young children and that such understanding has implications for self‐regulatory behavior.
Social Networks Derived from Affiliations and Friendships, Multi‐informant and Self‐reports: Stability, Concordance, Placement of Aggressive and Unpopular Children, and Centrality
Authors: Rodkin Philip C. , Ahn Hai‐Jeong
Published: January 2009

This study compares three variations in how researchers construct middle childhood social networks: (1) with friendships or affiliations as a relational tie; (2) with children providing self reports of relationships, or in addition, multi‐informant reports of relationships in which they are not involved; and (3) whether network computation is correlational or distance‐based. The sample was 357 fourth‐ and fifth‐grade students in 17 classrooms. The strongest differences were between self‐reported friendship and affiliative networks. Results showed that compared with affiliations, friendship networks had smaller groups, more isolates, and lower fall‐to‐spring stability. Agreement in social placement between friendship and affiliative networks was generally average, but poor for unpopular and aggressive children. Multi‐informant affiliative networks were most robust in their positioning of aggressive children. Multi‐informant centrality was uniquely uncorrelated with aggression. Network computation differences were not substantial. Discussion focuses on recommendations for research and the educational promise of network technology.
Future Directions in Youth Involvement Research
Authors: Rose‐Krasnor Linda
Published: January 2009

Youth activity involvement has received increasing research and theoretical attention and should be of particular interest to social development investigators. Involvement has been correlated with a wide range of positive developmental indices, although not for all activities nor for all children. However, our ability to interpret such findings has been restricted by measurement and design limitations. Greater attention needs to be given to assessment issues and to determining the unique effects of psychological vs. behavioral engagement, as well as to capturing the dynamic nature of engagement and the moderating role of individual differences. ‘Big picture’ models of the entire engagement process (such as the one presented here) will help identify gaps in our research knowledge and will integrate existing evidence and theory.
Painlevé IV Asymptotics for Orthogonal Polynomials with Respect to a Modified Laguerre Weight
Authors: Dai D. , Kuijlaars A. B. J.
Published: January 2009

We study polynomials that are orthogonal with respect to the modified Laguerre weight z−n+νe−Nz(z− 1)2b, in the limit where n, N→∞ with N/n→ 1 and ν is a fixed number in . With the effect of the factor (z− 1)2b, the local parametrix near the critical point z= 1 can be constructed in terms of Ψ functions associated with the Painlevé IV equation. We show that the asymptotics of the recurrence coefficients of orthogonal polynomials can be described in terms of specified solution of the Painlevé IV equation in the double scaling limit. Our method is based on the Deift/Zhou steepest decent analysis of the Riemann–Hilbert problem associated with orthogonal polynomials.
Vibration Analysis for Detecting Internal Corrosion
Authors: Ammari Habib , Kang Hyeonbae , Kim Eunjoo , Lee Hyundae , Louati Kaouthar
Published: January 2009

The vibration behavior of structures can be characterized in terms of resonance frequencies and mode shapes, which describe properties of the tested object in a global way but do not, in general, provide information about structural details. Following an asymptotic formalism, in much the same spirit as the work in [3] and recent text [1], we develop an efficient method to address the inverse problem of identifying an internal corrosive part of small Hausdorff measure in a two‐dimensional structure by vibration analysis. The viability of our reconstruction method is documented by a variety of numerical results from synthetic, noiseless and noisy data.
Indeterminacy, A Priority, and Analyticity in the Quinean Critique
Authors: Rattan Gurpreet
Published: January 2009

Abstract: Significant issues remain for understanding and evaluating the Quinean critique of the analytic/synthetic distinction. These issues are highlighted in a puzzling mismatch between the common philosophical attitude toward the critique and its broader intellectual legacy. A discussion of this mismatch sets the larger context for criticism of a recent tradition of interpretation of the critique. I argue that this tradition confuses the roles and relative importance of indeterminacy, a priority, and analyticity in the Quinean critique.
THE COMBINED EFFECT OF DONATION PRICE AND ADMINISTRATIVE INEFFICIENCY ON DONATIONS TO US NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS
Authors: Jacobs Fred A. , Marudas Nicholas P.
Published: January 2009

We examine the effects that two accounting measures of nonprofit organization (NPO) inefficiency, administrative inefficiency and donation price, have on donations to US NPOs using a better‐specified model and industry‐specific samples. Although numerous studies examine the effect that donation price has on donations (e.g., Marudas and Jacobs, 2006; Marudas, 2004; Khanna and Sandler, 2000; and Tinkelman, 1999), only three studies examine the effect of administrative inefficiency on donations (Tinkelman and Mankaney, 2007; Frumkin and Kim, 2001; and Greenlee and Brown, 1999). However, none of these studies tests donation price and administrative inefficiency in one model and only two test industry‐specific samples of NPOs. We find that misspecifying the model by including only one of these two inefficiency measures creates substantial bias and the effect of administrative inefficiency on donations varies substantially across industries. Administrative inefficiency has a significantly negative effect on donations to NPOs in the full sample and the philanthropy sample, but no significant effect on donations to NPOs in the arts, education, health, or human services samples. Furthermore, donation price has a significantly negative effect on donations to NPOs in the full sample and the education, health and human services samples, but not in the arts or philanthropy samples. Results are also reported for the other variables in the model – government support, program service revenue, fundraising and organizational age, wealth and size.
BALANCING ACTS: NPO‐LEADERSHIP AND VOLUNTEERING
Authors: Jäger Urs , Kreutzer Karin , Beyes Timon
Published: January 2009

Volunteering is regarded as an increasingly important phenomenon and the ‘employment’ of volunteers as one of the typical traits of nonprofit organizations. However, the consequences of volunteering for everyday practices of NPO‐leadership, i.e. the question of how non‐paid employees are treated in settings where formal power is lacking, have so far not received the attention they deserve. Our paper discusses practices for leading without formal power by presenting findings from an empirical research project. Using a Grounded Theory approach, we identify five interrelated practices that question conventional notions of transformative or charismatic leadership.
REGULATING CHARITABLE SOLICITATION PRACTICES – THE SEARCH FOR A HYBRID SOLUTION
Authors: Breen Oonagh B.
Published: January 2009

A review of four fundraising regulatory models currently in existence in common law jurisdictions reveals a mismatch between the stated policy goals that these models set out to achieve and the practical, albeit unintended, consequences that flow from the implementation of these models. The paper highlights some of these policy/implementation discords. It proposes a hybrid model, which is designed to resolve some of these inconsistencies, and considers the potential for the model's practical application in one of the jurisdictions surveyed, Ireland.
Effective Practice in Mental Health Diversion and Liaison
Authors: PAKES FRANCIS , WINSTONE JANE
Published: January 2009

Abstract: Many criminal justice mental health diversion and liaison teams are under threat of extinction. Nacro (2005) notes a steady decline in their number, despite the fact that these schemes in principle provide a valuable service and can fit any social inclusion or crime preventative agenda. In order for such teams and schemes to thrive they need to be strengthened urgently, a point concurred with by Jack Straw when he asked Lord Bradley to undertake a review into mental health diversion as a means of reducing the prison population. But before these schemes can thrive they must survive. We, therefore, argue that research into their sustainability is required and here we introduce a tool we developed (MHEP‐AC) that is now in use for that purpose.
Strategy‐as‐practice: A review and future directions for the field
Authors: Jarzabkowski Paula , Paul Spee Andreas
Published: January 2009

This review maps and critically evaluates the rapidly growing body of research in the strategy‐as‐practice field. Following an introduction on the emergence and foundations of strategy‐as‐practice, the review is structured in three main parts, based on the terminology, issues and research agendas outlined in the field. First, the paper examines the concepts of practitioners and praxis. A typology of nine possible domains for strategy‐as‐practice research is developed, based on the way that different studies conceptualize the strategy practitioner and the level of strategy praxis that they aim to explain. Second, the paper reviews the concept of practices, which has been adopted widely but inconsistently within the strategy‐as‐practice literature. While there is no dominant view on practices, the review maps the various concepts of practices that inform the strategy‐as‐practice field and outlines avenues for future research. The final section attends to the call for strategy‐as‐practice research to develop and substantiate outcomes that may better explain or inform strategy praxis. Five categories of outcomes are found within existing empirical studies, and an agenda for building upon this evidence is advanced. The paper concludes with a summation of the current state of the field and some recommendations on how to take strategy‐as‐practice research forward.
Process research in strategy formation: Theory, methodology and relevance
Authors: Sminia Harry
Published: January 2009

This paper develops a view of the strategy formation process, drawing on a review of contributions that are based on a process approach, and more specifically the work of Henry Mintzberg, Andrew Pettigrew and Andrew Van de Ven. This view is meant to provide a way to bridge the content–process gap in strategic management by addressing the aspects of process theory and process methodology. Structuration is found to provide a useful theoretical basis for strategy formation research. Process methodology is found to be about discovering valid generative mechanisms that explain regular patterns in event sequences. Strategy formation research can then be made relevant for management practice by providing insight with regard to generative mechanisms and associated process trajectories of continuity and change, to allow for judgements on the favourability of the course of the process as well as the necessity to intervene or to let the process run its course.
Supporting HIV/AIDS affected families and children: the case of four Chinese counties
Authors: Shang Xiaoyuan
Published: January 2009

This article focuses on the impact that HIV/AIDS has on children in China and the social support provided to these children. The research finds that the consequences of HIV/AIDS are serious: the entire environment in which children develop is adversely affected by the disease. These negative socio‐economic effects are due not only to HIV/AIDS, but also to the social discrimination and exclusion experienced by affected communities and families. Local governments and societies have started to provide support to HIV/AIDS‐affected children and work to reduce the social exclusion they suffer. However, many challenges and problems still lie ahead.
Another dimension of welfare reform: the implementation of the Employment Insurance Programme in Korea
Authors: Lee Jooha
Published: January 2009

A shift in policy goals at the central decision‐making level does not always produce the expected degree of change in policy implementation. This article investigates what actually happens at the local level in respect of the implementation of the reformed Employment Insurance Programme of Korea through case studies covering three district governments. Given the sources of difficulty in implementation, local case studies show that the change that welfare reform sought has not fully materialised in reform implementation. Therefore, successfully pursuing welfare reform must involve the necessary change in the implementation process that follows reform decision‐making.
Tipping points: what participants found valuable in labour market training programmes for vulnerable groups
Authors: Graham John R. , Jones Marion E. , Shier Micheal
Published: January 2009

Graham JR, Jones ME, Shier M. Tipping points: what participants found valuable in labour market training programmes for vulnerable groups Int J Soc Welfare 2010: 19: 63–72 © 2009 The Author(s), Journal compilation © 2009 Blackwell Publishing Ltd and the International Journal of Social Welfare.

This article is based on face‐to‐face and focus group interviews with 72 people who have experienced ongoing difficulties integrating into Canadian labour markets, and who had completed a labour market training programme. Participants were representative of at least one (and often several) categories that inhibited labour market integration: low socio‐economic status, Aboriginal status, single parenthood, criminal justice history and being disabled. The major finding: respondents associated life skills rather than labour‐market skills with success in overcoming personal barriers to securing and maintaining employment. Life skills involved developing life meaning and interpersonal skills related to personal cognition and behaviours. Valued cognitions identified by participants were gaining a new perspective on life and realising that the past impacts the present. Valued behaviours identified by participants included actions associated with understanding personal characteristics and motivations, and building positive social support and social capital. These insights provide theoretically rich considerations for labour market training programmes and could considerably influence labour market policies and practices, particularly since most training programmes and policies are geared toward human capital (i.e. labour‐market skills) accumulation.
Motives, experiences and strategies of next of kin helping older relatives in the Swedish welfare context: a qualitative study
Authors: Dunér Anna
Published: January 2009

Dunér A. Motives, experiences and strategies of next of kin helping older relatives in the Swedish welfare context: a qualitative study

Int J Soc Welfare 2010: 19: 54–62 © 2008 The Author(s), Journal compilation © 2009 Blackwell Publishing Ltd and the International Journal of Social Welfare.

Next of kin provide the major part of the help given to older people in Sweden, a country where the official goals of formal eldercare are universality and extensive coverage. This qualitative interview study investigates the thoughts and actions of next of kin who provide informal help to older relatives who also receive formal help from the municipal eldercare. Informal help‐giving, in the context of Swedish social policy, was connected with a multiplicity of motives, experiences and strategies. The motives for help‐giving were moral considerations, emotional attachment and ‘out of necessity’. The experiences of next of kin support the idea of ambivalence as a significant feature of informal help‐giving. Different strategies were employed, both active and passive in nature, to manage their situation. The study points out the importance of outlining working forms and methods of collaboration for older persons and their informal and formal networks to lessen the ambivalence experienced by help‐giving next of kin.
A review of generalization methods used in empirical social work literature
Authors: Lalayants Marina , Tripodi Tony
Published: January 2009

This article reviews methods currently used for generalization of findings, based on a review of a representative sample of empirical research studies drawn from three major social work research journals: Social Work Research, Journal of Social Service Research, and Research on Social Work Practice, over a 10‐year period (1996–2005). Findings revealed a greater discussion of generalizability limitations in comparison with the past, and other types of generalization methods such as conceptual generalizations and qualitative comparisons of study results with those of other studies. Relatively low usage of quantitative comparisons of sample to population and replication procedures was detected. Implications of these trends are discussed and approaches for improvements are explored.
Screening for psychosocial distress amongst war‐affected children: cross‐cultural construct validity of the CPDS
Authors: Jordans M. J. D. , Komproe I. H. , Tol W A. , De Jong J. T. V. M.
Published: January 2009

Background:  Large‐scale psychosocial interventions in complex emergencies call for a screening procedure to identify individuals at risk. To date there are no screening instruments that are developed within low‐ and middle‐income countries and validated for that purpose. The present study assesses the cross‐cultural validity of the brief, multi‐informant and multi‐indicator Child Psychosocial Distress Screener (CPDS).

Methods:  The CPDS data of total samples in targeted catchment areas of a psychosocial care program in four conflict‐affected countries (Burundi n = 4193; Sri Lanka n = 2573; Indonesia n = 1624; Sudan n = 1629) were studied to examine the cross‐cultural construct validity of the CPDS across settings. First, confirmatory factor analyses were done to determine the likelihood of pre‐determined theory‐based factor structures in each country sample. Second, multi‐sample confirmatory factor analyses were done within each country sample to test measurement equivalence of the factor structure as a measure of construct validity.

Results:  A 3‐factor structure reflecting the theoretical premises of the instrument (e.g., child distress, child resilience and contextual factors) was found in the samples from Burundi, Sri Lanka and Indonesia, albeit with context specific deviations. The robustness of the 3‐factor structure as an indicator of construct validity was confirmed within these three samples by means of multi‐sample confirmatory factor‐analyses. A 3‐factor structure was not found in the Sudan sample.

Conclusions:  This study demonstrates the comparability of the assessment by the CPDS of the construct ‘non‐specific psychosocial distress’ across three out of four countries. Robustness of the factor structure of the CPDS within different samples refers to the construct validity of the instrument. However, owing to context‐specific deviations of inter‐item relationships, the CPDS scores cannot be compared cross‐culturally, a finding that confirms the need for attention to contextual factors when screening for non‐specific psychosocial distress.
Market Integration of Fish in Europe
Authors: Nielsen Max , Smit Jos , Guillen Jordi
Published: January 2009

This paper examines market integration between fish species in Europe, taking international market integration into account. Based onJuselius (2006), market integration is found both on the fresh and frozen markets. The Law of One Price is in force on the fresh market within the segments of flatfish and pelagic fish. Assuming transitivity, a loose form of market integration is identified between 13 fresh and seven frozen fish species, and the relative prices are found fairly stable. The policy implication is that catch limitation measures implemented through the Common Fisheries Policy have limited and conditional effects on prices, because of the large size of the market and varying market integration. Therefore, many fishermen are not ‘compensated’ by price increases as a result of catch limitation measures.
Cluster Headache During Pregnancy: Case Report and Literature Review
Authors: Giraud Pierric , Chauvet Sylvie
Published: January 2009

A 32‐year‐old pregnant woman presented with cluster headache (CH) during the third trimester of a normal pregnancy. Pure oxygen mask inhalation was ineffective, and intranasal lidocaine applications were realized associated with oral methylprednisolone, given at 1 mg per kg once daily. These treatments rendered the pain tolerable and the pregnancy went to its term with no consequence on the baby. This case of CH attack during pregnancy raises the issues of the influence of sexual hormonal changes in women with CH and the way to treat this disease in such circumstance. To date, there are no therapeutic guidelines available; this case suggests some possibilities.