bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Strengths and limitations of microarray-based phenotype prediction: lessons learned from the IMPROVER Diagnostic Signature Challenge
Authors: Tarca Adi L. , Lauria Mario , Unger Michael , Bilal Erhan , Boue Stephanie , Kumar Dey Kushal , Hoeng Julia , Koeppl Heinz , Martin Florian , Meyer Pablo , Nandy Preetam , Norel Raquel , Peitsch Manuel , Rice Jeremy J. , Romero Roberto , Stolovitzky Gustavo , Talikka Marja , Xiang Yang , Zechner Christoph ,   IMPROVER DSC Collaborators
Published: August 2013

Motivation: After more than a decade since microarrays were used to predict phenotype of biological samples, real-life applications for disease screening and identification of patients who would best benefit from treatment are still emerging. The interest of the scientific community in identifying best approaches to develop such prediction models was reaffirmed in a competition style international collaboration called IMPROVER Diagnostic Signature Challenge whose results we describe herein.

Results: Fifty-four teams used public data to develop prediction models in four disease areas including multiple sclerosis, lung cancer, psoriasis and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and made predictions on blinded new data that we generated. Teams were scored using three metrics that captured various aspects of the quality of predictions, and best performers were awarded. This article presents the challenge results and introduces to the community the approaches of the best overall three performers, as well as an R package that implements the approach of the best overall team.

The analyses of model performance data submitted in the challenge as well as additional simulations that we have performed revealed that (i) the quality of predictions depends more on the disease endpoint than on the particular approaches used in the challenge; (ii) the most important modeling factor (e.g. data preprocessing, feature selection and classifier type) is problem dependent; and (iii) for optimal results datasets and methods have to be carefully matched. Biomedical factors such as the disease severity and confidence in diagnostic were found to be associated with the misclassification rates across the different teams.

Availability: The lung cancer dataset is available from Gene Expression Omnibus (accession, GSE43580). The maPredictDSC R package implementing the approach of the best overall team is available at www.bioconductor.org or http://bioinformaticsprb.med.wayne.edu/.

Contact:  gustavo@us.ibm.com

Supplementary information:  Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Inequality, the Urban-Rural Gap, and Migration*
Authors: Young Alwyn
Published: August 2013

Using population and product consumption data from the Demographic and Health Surveys, I construct comparable measures of inequality and migration for 65 countries, including some of the poorest countries in the world. I find that the urban-rural gap accounts for 40% of mean country inequality and much of its cross-country variation. One out of every four or five individuals raised in rural areas moves to urban areas as a young adult, where they earn much higher incomes than nonmigrant rural permanent residents. Equally, one out of every four or five individuals raised in urban areas moves to rural areas as a young adult, where they earn much lower incomes than their nonmigrant urban cousins. These flows and relative incomes are suggestive of a world where the population sorts itself geographically on the basis of its human capital and skill. I show that a simple model of this sort explains the urban-rural gap in living standards.
Red Crown Rot of Hop in Oregon Caused by Phomopsis tuberivora
Authors: Gent David H. , Mueller-Warrant George , Woods Joanna L. , Putnam Melodie L. , Twomey Megan C.
Published: August 2013

During July 2007, symptoms including weak growth and death of plants of cultivar Fuggle were reported by a hop grower in Marion Co., OR. Phomopsis tuberivora H.T. Güssow & W.R. Foster 1932 was consistently recovered from affected plants. Koch's postulates were fulfilled with three isolates of the fungus, establishing the pathogen and the disease red crown rot as the cause of the damage. This is the first report of red crown rot on hop in Oregon, which may have important management implications for affected hop yards and farms.

Accepted for publication 19 March 2013. Published 24 June 2013.
Assessment and Management of Nutrition and Growth in Rett Syndrome
Authors: Leonard Helen , Ravikumara Madhur , Baikie Gordon , Naseem Nusrat , Ellaway Carolyn , Percy Alan , Abraham Suzanne , Geerts Suzanne , Lane Jane , Jones Mary , Bathgate Katherine , Downs Jenny
Published: August 2013

Objectives:

We developed recommendations for the clinical management of poor growth and weight gain in Rett syndrome through evidence review and the consensus of an expert panel of clinicians.

Methods:

Initial draft recommendations were created based upon literature review and 34 open‐ended questions in which the literature was lacking. Statements and questions were made available to an international, multidisciplinary panel of clinicians in an online format and a Microsoft Word–formatted version of the draft via e‐mail. Input was sought using a 2‐stage modified Delphi process to reach consensus. Items included clinical assessment of growth, anthropometry, feeding difficulties and management to increase energy intake, decrease feeding difficulties, and consideration of gastrostomy.

Results:

Agreement was achieved on 101 of 112 statements. A comprehensive approach to the management of poor growth in Rett syndrome is recommended that takes into account factors such as feeding difficulties and nutritional needs. A body mass index of approximately the 25th centile can be considered as a reasonable target in clinical practice. Gastrostomy is indicated for extremely poor growth, if there is risk of aspiration and if feeding times are prolonged.

Conclusions:

These evidence‐ and consensus‐based recommendations have the potential to improve care of nutrition and growth in a rare condition and stimulate research to improve the present limited evidence base.
Calretinin, β‐Tubulin Immunohistochemistry, and Submucosal Nerve Trunks Morphology in Hirschsprung Disease
Authors: Volpe Andrea , Alaggio Rita , Midrio Paola , Iaria Loredana , Gamba Piergiorgio
Published: August 2013

Objectives:

The aim of this study was to investigate calretinin and β‐tubulin immunohistochemical expression together with submucosal nerve trunks morphology in differently innervated segments of Hirschsprung disease (HD) and total colonic aganglionosis (TCA).

Methods:

A total of 25 cases (22 HD, 3 TCA) and 18 controls were processed for calretinin and β‐tubulin immunohistochemistry. Sections representative of distal aganglionic, transition, and proximal ganglionic segments were evaluated by a visual grading score; β‐tubulin was evaluated also by image analysis. Submucosal nerve trunks hypertrophy and hyperplasia were measured by citomorphology. The length of proximal segment was correlated to postoperative bowel function.

Results:

Controls showed intense calretinin and β‐tubulin staining. In HD and TCA, calretinin staining was related to the presence of ganglion cells: negative in distal, faint in transition, intense in proximal segment. β‐Tubulin staining was weak in all of the segments of HD and negative in TCA. Hypertrophic and hyperplastic nerve trunks characterized aganglionic segment, and progressively decreasing nerve size was observed in transition and ganglionic segments. Transient postoperative constipation, soiling, or enterocolitis was present in 59% of patients with HD without clear relation to proximal segment length or presence of hypertrophic nerve trunks.

Conclusions:

Calretinin is a reliable marker of the presence of ganglion cells, and, together with nerve hypertrophy, it helps to identify the transition zone. Length and nerve size of proximal segment in resected specimen did not affect the postsurgical intestinal function. Reduced β‐tubulin expression along the entire colonic tract, included proximal ganglionic segments, may represent a potential impairing factor for the enteric neural transmission.
Stochastic environmental fluctuations drive epidemiology in experimental host–parasite metapopulations
Authors: Duncan Alison B. , Gonzalez Andrew , Kaltz Oliver
Published: August 2013

Environmental fluctuations are important for parasite spread and persistence. However, the effects of the spatial and temporal structure of environmental fluctuations on host–parasite dynamics are not well understood. Temporal fluctuations can be random but positively autocorrelated, such that the environment is similar to the recent past (red noise), or random and uncorrelated with the past (white noise). We imposed red or white temporal temperature fluctuations on experimental metapopulations of
Paramecium caudatum
, experiencing an epidemic of the bacterial parasite
Holospora undulata
. Metapopulations (two subpopulations linked by migration) experienced fluctuations between stressful (5°C) and permissive (23°C) conditions following red or white temporal sequences. Spatial variation in temperature fluctuations was implemented by exposing subpopulations to the same (synchronous temperatures) or different (asynchronous temperatures) temporal sequences. Red noise, compared with white noise, enhanced parasite persistence. Despite this, red noise coupled with asynchronous temperatures allowed infected host populations to maintain sizes equivalent to uninfected populations. It is likely that this occurs because subpopulations in permissive conditions rescue declining subpopulations in stressful conditions. We show how patterns of temporal and spatial environmental fluctuations can impact parasite spread and host population abundance. We conclude that accurate prediction of parasite epidemics may require realistic models of environmental noise.
Changing economic conditions for libraries
Authors: Mapulanga Patrick
Published: August 2013

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to look at the impact of the Government subvention to the University of Malawi (UNIMA) from 2004 to 2009 financial years on its libraries and assess levels of fund raising initiatives in the libraries.

Design/methodology/approach

The study adopted a case study approach. Interviews were conducted with five college librarians in the University of Malawi libraries. University budget estimates from 2004/2005 to 2009/2010 financial years were used to assess the amount of income generated by the libraries. Data are presented in the form of tables and analysed by calculating percentage increases and decreases.

Findings

UNIMA as a whole has done extremely well in generating income equivalent to subvention. On the other hand, UNIMA libraries are on the receiving end. From 2004/2005 to 2007/2008 financial years, no income was captured in the university budgets from the libraries. In the 2008/2009 and 2009/2010 financial years, UNIMA libraries realised 7.2 per cent and 5.4 per cent of the income. This means UNIMA libraries were heavily dependent on government subvention for their operations. Fundraising is not emphasised despite being an appropriate and alternative source of funding.

Practical implications

The study recommends that college librarians should consider diversifying income‐generating activities and consider fund raising activities as well. Heavy reliance on government subvention is not sustainable. Libraries should seriously consider fundraising.

Originality/value

There is an information gap on fund raising activities in UNIMA libraries. This information bridges the gap on sources of income for UNIMA libraries and provides an assessment of fund raising initiatives taken by UNIMA libraries.
Death by a thousand cuts
Authors: Abeles Tom P.
Published: August 2013

Purpose

The purpose of this foresight editorial is to explore the changing nature of the traditional post‐secondary institution under increased pressure at the intersection of expanding demand for access and the maturation of the internet to allow international delivery to meet this demand.

Design/methodology/approach

This is an opinion piece.

Findings

The cost of basic knowledge assets, with the rise of “big data” and the internet, are asymptotically approaching zero, questioning why the increasing demand for access cannot be met at lower cost at the gates of the “Ivory Tower”. This is and will continue to have increased impact on how basic baccalaureate knowledge is delivered and certified

Social implications

The “bar” for job entrance has been raised beyond the secondary school diploma. At the same time, the removal of bottlenecks for post‐secondary certification, internationally, will change the nature of employment of graduates and also the entire infrastructure of the bachelor‐level institutional programs.

Originality/value

This is a contrarian foresight essay designed to provoke discussion at the systems level of education in general and post‐secondary programs in particular.
Defending the future: introductory overview of a special issue of On the Horizon on responses to The Biggest Wake‐up Call in History
Authors: Slaughter Richard A.
Published: August 2013

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to give an introductory overview of the special issue of On the Horizon (OTH) on responses to the author's book, The Biggest Wake‐up Call in History (BWCH).

Design/methodology/approach

The author does not comment on all the contributions to this special issue, but summarises his view of some of the most valuable suggestions for further work that have been put forward.

Findings

The author's view is that, overall, these contributions to the special issue of OTH more than fulfil the goal of commenting on and, in some cases, extending the core concerns of BWCH.

Originality/value

If the BWCH and the papers presented in this special issue can play even a small part in the process of waking up and taking responsibility then people can all breathe a little easier. People can look their kids in the eye and know that they know the present generation did what was required as well as it could.
Supply chain management research impact: an evidence‐based perspective
Authors: Harland Christine M.
Published: August 2013

Purpose

The purpose of this paper, using an evidence‐based management theoretical lens, is to examine research impact to provide guidance to supply chain management academics in evidencing and exploiting the outputs, outcomes and impact of their research.

Design/methodology/approach

Evidence‐based management theory is examined and applied to types of academic research impact. The distinction between academic and non‐academic impact is developed into a supply chain framework of research outputs, transfer, outcomes, impact and national/international benefits. Impact of supply chain management research is explored through a case study in the English National Health Service. Future opportunities and challenges for supply chain management researchers arising from increasing demand for and supply of evidence are discussed.

Findings

Author academic impact and citations are found to be increasingly important building blocks of evidence‐based evaluations of individual academics, journals, research quality assessments of groups and universities, and global rankings of universities. Supply chain management researchers can compare their impact with other areas of academia. Non‐academic impact of research has been assessed by funders of research projects and has spread to research quality assessments of universities.

Social implications

Bibliometrics provide evidence of author and journal impact that can be used in human resource decisions, research quality assessments and global rankings of universities; this availability enables a debate on appropriate use of academic impact evidence. Supply chain management academics evidencing non‐academic research impact on business, society and economy will enable governments and funders of research to evaluate value for money return on their investment.

Originality/ value

This perspective of evidence‐based evaluation of research impact and its implications might encourage debate on academic and non‐academic impact and encourage supply chain researchers to consider evidencing impact in their research design and methodology.
Placing Racial Stereotypes in Context: Social Desirability and the Politics of Racial Hostility
Authors: Weber Christopher R. , Lavine Howard , Huddy Leonie , Federico Christopher M.
Published: August 2013

Past research indicates that diversity at the level of larger geographic units (e.g., counties) is linked to white racial hostility. However, research has not addressed whether diverse local contexts may strengthen or weaken the relationship between racial stereotypes and policy attitudes. In a statewide opinion survey, we find that black‐white racial diversity at the zip‐code level strengthens the connection between racial stereotypes and race‐related policy attitudes among whites. Moreover, this effect is most pronounced among low self‐monitors, individuals who are relatively immune to the effects of egalitarian social norms likely to develop within a racially diverse local area. We find that this racializing effect is most evident for stereotypes (e.g., African Americans are “violent”) that are “relevant” to a given policy (e.g., capital punishment). Our findings lend nuance to research on the political effects of racial attitudes and confirm the racializing political effects of diverse residential settings on white Americans.
HE4 and CA125 levels in the preoperative assessment of endometrial cancer patients: a prospective multicenter study (ENDOMET)
Authors: Antonsen Sofie L. , Høgdall Estrid , Christensen Ib J. , Lydolph Magnus , Tabor Ann , Loft Jakobsen Annika , Fagö‐Olsen Carsten L. , Andersen Erik S. , Jochumsen Kirsten , Høgdall Claus
Published: August 2013

Objective

To evaluate whether human epididymis protein 4 (HE4) and CA125 correlate with known high‐risk prognostic factors for endometrial cancer.

Design

Prospective multicenter study.

Setting

Three Danish tertiary gynecological oncology centers.

Population

A total of 352 patients with endometrial cancer and atypical endometrial hyperplasia consecutively referred between 1 September 2009 and 1 January 2012.

Methods

Preoperative blood samples were obtained from all patients. Biomarker levels were correlated with pathological characteristics of hysterectomy specimens.

Main outcome measures

FIGO stage, depth of myometrial invasion, cervical involvement, lymph node metastases, and histological type and grade of tumor.

Results

We found that both HE4 and CA125 were significantly positively correlated with histological grade (HE4: p = 0.002 and CA125: p = 0.027), lymph node metastases (HE4: p = 0.013 and CA125: p < 0.0001), myometrial invasion (p < 0.0001) and cervical involvement (p < 0.0001). Furthermore, a significant increase was found with increasing FIGO stage for both markers (p < 0.0001). In a combined index including age, the diagnostic value increases. Area under the receiver operating characteristics curves were higher for the index compared with the markers individually for all our endpoints. The calculated plots for the combined index may assist gynecologists in predicting the risk of deep myometrial invasion, cervical involvement and lymph node metastases. The analyses emphasize that the combined markers should be used in the prediction of prognostic factors.

Conclusion

This study confirmed that the markers are significantly elevated in patients with prognostic high‐risk factors and may, therefore, be used as an additional tool in combination with imaging and clinical information when planning the treatment of endometrial cancer patients.
Nuclear Factor‐kappaB‐Mediated Endothelin Receptor Up‐Regulation Increases Renal Artery Contractility in Rats
Authors: Xie Yan‐Hua , Wang Si‐Wang , Zhang Yaping , Edvinsson Lars , Xu Cang‐Bao
Published: August 2013

Increased renal artery contractility leads to renal vasospasm and ischaemia as well as kidney damage. This study was designed to examine the hypothesis that organ culture of renal arteries induces transcriptional up‐regulation of endothelin typeA(ETA) and typeB2 (ETB2) receptors in the smooth muscle cells via activation of nuclear factor‐kappaB(NF‐κB) and subsequently increases renal artery contractility. Rat renal artery segments were organ‐cultured for 6 or 24 hr to increase endothelin receptor‐mediated contraction. To dissect molecular mechanisms involved in this process, inhibitors forNF‐κBsignalling pathway (MG‐132 andBMS345541), transcription (actinomycinD) and translation (cycloheximide) were used during organ culture. Endothelin receptors were studied using a sensitive myograph (functional contractility), real‐timePCR(mRNAanalysis) and immunohistochemistry (protein localization). Compared with fresh segments, contractile responses to endothelin‐1 (non‐selective endothelin receptor agonist) and sarafotoxin 6c (selectiveETBreceptor agonist) were significantly increased in the segments after 24 hr of organ culture;ETB2receptor‐mediated maximal contraction increased from 2.7 ± 0.5 to 135.3 ± 5.1 (p < 0.001), and potency (pEC50) ofETAreceptor agonist increased from 8.20 ± 0.04 to 8.72 ± 0.07 (p < 0.001). This was in parallel with increased correspondingmRNAand protein expression forETAandETB2receptors.BMS345541,MG‐132, actinomycinDor cyclohexamide, respectively, suppressed the up‐regulation ofETAandETB2receptors. Immunostaining performed with specific antibody showed thatIκBwas phosphorylated during organ culture. In conclusion, activation ofNF‐κBmediates up‐regulation ofETAandETB2receptors and subsequently increases renal artery contractility, which may contribute to renal vasospasm and ischaemia as well as kidney damage.
A Hierarchical Model for Probabilistic Independent Component Analysis of Multi-Subject fMRI Studies
Authors: Guo Ying , Tang Li
Published: August 2013

An important goal in fMRI studies is to decompose the observed series of brain images to identify and characterize underlying brain functional networks. Independent component analysis (ICA) has been shown to be a powerful computational tool for this purpose. Classic ICA has been successfully applied to single-subject fMRI data. The extension of ICA to group inferences in neuroimaging studies, however, is challenging due to the unavailability of a pre-specified group design matrix. Existing group ICA methods generally concatenate observed fMRI data across subjects on the temporal domain and then decompose multi-subject data in a similar manner to single-subject ICA. The major limitation of existing methods is that they ignore between-subject variability in spatial distributions of brain functional networks in group ICA. In this article, we propose a new hierarchical probabilistic group ICA method to formally model subject-specific effects in both temporal and spatial domains when decomposing multi-subject fMRI data. The proposed method provides model-based estimation of brain functional networks at both the population and subject level. An important advantage of the hierarchical model is that it provides a formal statistical framework to investigate similarities and differences in brain functional networks across subjects, for example, subjects with mental disorders or neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson's as compared to normal subjects. We develop an EM algorithm for model estimation where both the E-step and M-step have explicit forms. We compare the performance of the proposed hierarchical model with that of two popular group ICA methods via simulation studies. We illustrate our method with application to an fMRI study of Zen meditation.
Visuospatial working memory for locations, colours, and binding in typically developing children and in children with dyslexia and non‐verbal learning disability
Authors: Garcia Ricardo Basso , Mammarella Irene C. , Tripodi Doriana , Cornoldi Cesare
Published: August 2013

This study examined forward and backward recall of locations and colours and the binding of locations and colours, comparing typically developing children – aged between 8 and 10 years – with two different groups of children of the same age with learning disabilities (dyslexia in one group, non‐verbal learning disability [NLD] in the other). Results showed that groups with learning disabilities had different visuospatial working memory problems and that children with NLD had particular difficulties in the backward recall of locations. The differences between the groups disappeared, however, when locations and colours were bound together. It was concluded that specific processes may be involved in children in the binding and backward recall of different types of information, as they are not simply the resultant of combining the single processes needed to recall single features.
Cultural Entrepreneurship: The Impact of Social Networking on Success
Authors: Konrad Elmar D.
Published: August 2013

Because of the complex structures characteristic of the arts sector and creative industries, it is often thought that external network ties of leading managers are critical to the success of their cultural enterprises. Based on research into entrepreneurship and promoters' activity, this study examines the influence of social network relationships on the success of cultural establishments in Germany. The regression analysis of data from 121 private arts and culture ventures presented here clearly shows that founders as well as managers can overcome numerous barriers through their engagement and activity in social networks, and thereby exercise to a significant degree a positive influence on establishing their enterprise. As expected, this effect is even stronger in cases of low sponsorship of cultural activities on the part of cities and communities. Contrary to expectations, the positive effect of intensive networking activities is not increased by a high intensity of competition; it is worth noting that the effect is strongest in situations of low competitive pressure. The results of this study demonstrate that successful networking expertise, as postulated by research into promoters' activity, is of great importance for overcoming significant barriers in the cultural sector, but that its effectiveness also has limits.
Child and adolescent mental health in schools
Authors: Weare Katherine
Published: August 2013

It is a pleasure to write the editorial for this issue of the journal, which also highlights the publication of a Virtual Issue (VI)1 which brings together some of the most influential articles published on child and adolescent mental health in schools over the last 10 years. The retrospective by David Galloway, written 2001, is an interesting starting point for commentary, looking back over what is now 30 years. Its themes about UK educational policies and their impacts resonate through the articles collected here from across the world and are in most cases are as relevant today as ever (Galloway, 2001*)2.
How and Why Does the 5‐HTTLPR Gene Moderate Associations Between Maternal Unresponsiveness and Children's Disruptive Problems?
Authors: Davies Patrick T. , Cicchetti Dante
Published: August 2013

This study tested the 5‐HTTLPR gene as a moderator in the relation between maternal unresponsiveness and child externalizing symptoms in a disadvantaged, predominantly Black sample of two hundred and one 2‐year‐old children and their mothers. Using a multimethod, prospective design, structural equation model analyses indicated that maternal unresponsiveness significantly predicted increases in externalizing symptoms 2 years later only for children possessing the LL genotype. Moderation was expressed in a “for better” or “for worse” form hypothesized in differential susceptibility theory. In examining why the risk posed by maternal unresponsiveness differed across the 5‐HTTLPR polymorphism, mediated moderation analyses showed that children's angry reactivity to maternal negativity partly accounted for the greater susceptibility of homozygous L carriers to variations in maternal unresponsiveness.
Beliefs About Thought Probability: Evidence for Persistent Errors in Mindreading and Links to Executive Control
Authors: Hansen Lagattuta Kristin , Sayfan Liat , Harvey Christina
Published: August 2013

Four‐ to 10‐year‐olds' and adults' (N = 263) ability to inhibit privileged knowledge and simulate a naïve perspective were examined. Participants viewed pictures that were then occluded aside from a small ambiguous part. They offered suggestions for how a naïve person might interpret the hidden pictures, as well as rated the probability that a naïve person would think of several different pictures (with one picture being the actual item). Results indicated a significant increase between ages 4 and 7 years in attributing novel interpretations; however, all age groups overestimated the probability that a naïve person could guess the actual pictures. Individual differences in working memory and inhibitory control predicted participants' thought suggestions as well as aspects of their probability judgments.
RhoA–Rho kinase and platelet‐activating factor stimulation of ovine foetal pulmonary vascular smooth muscle cell proliferation
Authors: Renteria L. S. , Austin M. , Lazaro M. , Andrews M. A. , Lustina J. , Raj J. U. , Ibe B. O.
Published: August 2013

Objectives

Platelet‐activating factor (PAF) is produced by pulmonary vascular smooth muscle cells (PVSMC). We studied effects of Rho kinase on PAF stimulation of PVSMC proliferation in an attempt to understand the role of RhoA/Rho kinase on PAF‐induced ovine foetal pulmonary vascular remodelling. Our hypothesis is that PAF acts through Rho kinase, as one of its downstream signals, to induce arterial (SMC‐PA) and venous (SMC‐PV) cell proliferation in the hypoxic lung environment of the foetus, in utero.

Materials and methods

Rho kinase and MAPK effects on PAF receptor (PAFR)‐mediated cell population expansion, and PAFR expression, were studied by DNA synthesis, western blot analysis and immunocytochemistry. Effects of constructs T19N and G14V on PAF‐induced cell proliferation were also investigated.

Results

Hypoxia increased PVSMC proliferation and Rho kinase inhibitors, Y‐27632 and Fasudil (HA‐1077) as well as MAPK inhibitors PD 98059 and SB 203580 attenuated PAF stimulation of cell proliferation. RhoA T19N and G14V stimulated cell proliferation, but co‐incubation with PAF did not affect proliferative effects of the constructs. PAFR protein expression was significantly downregulated in both cell types by both Y‐27632 and HA‐1077, with comparable profiles. Also, cells treated with Y‐27632 had less PAF receptor fluorescence with significant disruption of cell morphology.

Conclusions

Our results show that Rho kinase non‐specifically modulated PAFR‐mediated responses by a translational modification of PAFR protein, and suggest that, in vivo, activation of Rho kinase by PAF may be a further pathway to sustain PAFR‐mediated PVSMC proliferation.
Wildlife Management in Tanzania: State Control, Rent Seeking and Community Resistance
Authors: Benjaminsen Tor A. , Goldman Mara J. , Minwary Maya Y. , Maganga Faustin P.
Published: August 2013

Despite a decade of rhetoric on community conservation, current trends in Tanzania reflect a disturbing process of reconsolidation of state control over wildlife resources and increased rent‐seeking behaviour, combined with dispossession of communities. Whereas the 1998 Wildlife Policy promoted community participation and local benefits, the subsequent policy of 2007 and the Wildlife Conservation Act of 2009 returned control over wildlife and over income from sport hunting and safari tourism to central government. These trends, which sometimes include the use of state violence and often take place in the name of ‘community‐based’ conservation, are not, however, occurring without resistance from communities. This article draws on in‐depth studies of wildlife management practices at three locations in northern Tanzania to illustrate these trends. The authors argue that this outcome is more than just the result of the neoliberalization of conservation. It reflects old patterns of state patrimony and rent seeking, combined with colonial narratives of conservation, all enhanced through neoliberal reforms of the past two decades. At the same time, much of the rhetoric of neoliberal reforms is being pushed back by the state in order to capture rent and interact with villagers in new and oppressive ways.
The 2‐oxoglutarate supply exerts significant control on the lysine synthesis flux in Saccharomyces cerevisiae
Authors: Quezada Héctor , Marín‐Hernández Alvaro , Arreguín‐Espinosa Roberto , Rumjanek Franklin D. , Moreno‐Sánchez Rafael , Saavedra Emma
Published: August 2013

To determine the extent to which the supply of the precursor 2‐oxoglutarate (2‐OG) controls the synthesis of lysine in Saccharomyces cerevisiae growing exponentially in high glucose, top‐down elasticity analysis was used. Three groups of reactions linked by 2‐OG were defined. The 2‐OG supply group comprised all metabolic steps leading to its formation, and the two 2‐OG consumer groups comprised the enzymes and transporters involved in 2‐OG transformation into lysine and glutamate and their further utilization for protein synthesis and storage. Various 2‐OG steady‐state concentrations that produced different fluxes to lysine and glutamate were attained using yeast mutants with increasing activities of Krebs cycle enzymes and decreased activities of Lys synthesis enzymes. The elasticity coefficients of the three enzyme groups were determined from the dependence of the amino acid fluxes on the 2‐OG concentration. The respective degrees of control on the flux towards lysine (flux control coefficients) were determined from their elasticities, and were 1.1, 0.41 and −0.52 for the 2‐OG producer group and the Lys and Glu branches, respectively. Thus, the predominant control exerted by the 2‐OG supply on the rate of lysine synthesis suggests that over‐expression of 2‐OG producer enzymes may be a highly effective strategy to enhance Lys production.
Basin‐scale phenology and effects of climate variability on global timing of initial seaward migration of Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar)
Authors: Otero Jaime , L'Abée‐Lund Jan Henning , Castro‐Santos Ted , Leonardsson Kjell , Storvik Geir O. , Jonsson Bror , Dempson Brian , Russell Ian C. , Jensen Arne J. , Baglinière Jean‐Luc , Dionne Mélanie , Armstrong John D. , Romakkaniemi Atso , Letcher Benjamin H. , Kocik John F. , Erkinaro Jaakko , Poole Russell , Rogan Ger , Lundqvist Hans , MacLean Julian C. , Jokikokko Erkki , Arnekleiv Jo Vegar , Kennedy Richard J. , Niemelä Eero , Caballero Pablo , Music Paul A. , Antonsson Thorolfur , Gudjonsson Sigurdur , Veselov Alexey E. , Lamberg Anders , Groom Steve , Taylor Benjamin H. , Taberner Malcolm , Dillane Mary , Arnason Fridthjofur , Horton Gregg , Hvidsten Nils A. , Jonsson Ingi R. , Jonsson Nina , McKelvey Simon , Næsje Tor F. , Skaala Øystein , Smith Gordon W. , Sægrov Harald , Stenseth Nils C. , Vøllestad Leif Asbjørn
Published: August 2013

Migrations between different habitats are key events in the lives of many organisms. Such movements involve annually recurring travel over long distances usually triggered by seasonal changes in the environment. Often, the migration is associated with travel to or from reproduction areas to regions of growth. Young anadromous Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) emigrate from freshwater nursery areas during spring and early summer to feed and grow in the North Atlantic Ocean. The transition from the freshwater (‘parr’) stage to the migratory stage where they descend streams and enter salt water (‘smolt’) is characterized by morphological, physiological and behavioural changes where the timing of this parr‐smolt transition is cued by photoperiod and water temperature. Environmental conditions in the freshwater habitat control the downstream migration and contribute to within‐ and among‐river variation in migratory timing. Moreover, the timing of the freshwater emigration has likely evolved to meet environmental conditions in the ocean as these affect growth and survival of the post‐smolts. Using generalized additive mixed‐effects modelling, we analysed spatio‐temporal variations in the dates of downstream smolt migration in 67 rivers throughout the North Atlantic during the last five decades and found that migrations were earlier in populations in the east than the west. After accounting for this spatial effect, the initiation of the downstream migration among rivers was positively associated with freshwater temperatures, up to about 10 °C and levelling off at higher values, and with sea‐surface temperatures. Earlier migration occurred when river discharge levels were low but increasing. On average, the initiation of the smolt seaward migration has occurred 2.5 days earlier per decade throughout the basin of the North Atlantic. This shift in phenology matches changes in air, river, and ocean temperatures, suggesting that Atlantic salmon emigration is responding to the current global climate changes.
Carbon dioxide controlled earthquake distribution pattern in the NW Bohemian swarm earthquake region, western Eger Rift, Czech Republic – gas migration in the crystalline basement
Authors: Weinlich F. H.
Published: August 2013

The ascent of magmatic carbon dioxide in the western Eger (Ohře) Rift is interlinked with the fault systems of the Variscian basement. In the Cheb Basin, the minimum CO2 flux is about 160 m3 h−1, with a diminishing trend towards the north and ceasing in the main epicentral area of the Northwest Bohemian swarm earthquakes. The ascending CO2 forms Ca‐Mg‐HCO3 type waters by leaching of cations from the fault planes and creates clay minerals, such as kaolinite, as alteration products on affected fault planes. These mineral reactions result in fault weakness and in hydraulically interconnected fault network. This leads to a decrease in the friction coefficient of the Coulomb failure stress (CFS) and to fault creep as stress build‐up cannot occur in the weak segments. At the transition zone in the north of the Cheb Basin, between areas of weak, fluid conductive faults and areas of locked faults with frictional strength, fluid pressure can increase resulting in stress build‐up. This can trigger strike‐slip swarm earthquakes. Fault creep or movements in weak segments may support a stress build‐up in the transition area by transmitting fluid pressure pulses. Additionally to fluid‐driven triggering models, it is important to consider that fluids ascending along faults are CO2‐supersaturated thus intensifying the effect of fluid flow. The enforced flow of CO2‐supersaturated fluids in the transitional zone from high to low permeability segments through narrowings triggers gas exsolution and may generate pressure fluctuations. Phase separation starts according to the phase behaviour of CO2‐H2O systems in the seismically active depths of NW Bohemia and may explain the vertical distribution of the seismicity. Changes in the size of the fluid transport channels in the fault systems caused, or superimposed, by fault movements, can produce fluid pressure increases or pulses, which are the precondition for triggering fluid‐induced swarm earthquakes.
Immigration and Chinese food preferences in the Greater Toronto Area
Authors: Adekunle Bamidele , Filson Glen , Sethuratnam Sridharan
Published: August 2013

This paper presents important socio‐economic characteristics of Chinese Canadians in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) and the impact of these characteristics and acculturation on their expenditure on and consumption of ethnic vegetables. These consumers purchase ethnic vegetables based on attributes such as quality, traceable production, versatility and language. The factors that predict expenditure on ethnic vegetables among Chinese Canadians are as follows: the percentage spent on food out of total monthly income, years spent in Canada and acculturation. The estimated demand per month for Chinese ethnic vegetables in the GTA is $CAD21 million. Meeting this demand with ever more locally produced vegetables will reduce ‘food miles’, enhance niche market production and facilitate greater agricultural sustainability in Ontario.
Consumers' knowledge of textile label information: an exploratory investigation
Authors: van der Merwe Daleen , Bosman Magdalena , Ellis Susanna , van der Colff Nadia , Warnock Mary
Published: August 2013

Textile label information facilitates consumers' pre‐ and post‐purchase decisions. Because consumers' knowledge regarding this information is relatively unexplored in a South African context, it was the focus of this exploratory descriptive study. A face‐to‐face survey was employed among respondents (n = 120) recruited at selected public locations in Potchefstroom, North‐West Province, South Africa, according to predetermined inclusion criteria. The majority of respondents were able to correctly locate specific information (such as country of origin, size and fibre content; 75%) and identify textile and care symbols (78%) on the label, but were less knowledgeable about synthetic fibres (41%) and certain care symbols (53–58%). More educated, younger respondents speaking Eurocentric languages (Afrikaans and English) appeared to be more knowledgeable about textile label information than respondents speaking an African language. Even though respondents had excellent label knowledge in most instances, a lack of practical application of this knowledge was evident in their reading of care labels pre‐ and post‐purchase, as well as in their use of textile labels to make purchasing decisions. Educational programmes regarding textile labels should thus emphasize the skills that are necessary to optimally utilize labels.
Does isotretinoin therapy of acne cure or cause depression?
Authors: Borovaya Alena , Olisova Olga , Ruzicka Thomas , Sárdy Miklós
Published: August 2013

Cosmetic defects in acne may provoke a wide range of mental disorders (depressive, social‐phobic, etc.). Isotretinoin is a very effective acne treatment; hence, it usually resolves the associated mental disorders. However, more available data show the possible association of taking isotretinoin and the onset of a depressive syndrome that includes frank depression and even suicidal ideation. The frequency of depressive disorders during isotretinoin treatment varies from 1% to 11% in different studies, and it is unclear whether this is a consequence of isotretinoin therapy. Since it crosses the blood‐brain barrier, isotretinoin affects the expression of a broad spectrum of genes in the limbic structures, thus affecting the function of the dopaminergic, serotonergic, and noradrenergic neurons involved in the regulation of mood and emotion. It was suggested that isotretinoin in high concentrations inhibits hippocampal neurogenesis and induces apoptosis of hippocampal cells. However, some studies do not confirm this pathogenic role, and isotretinoin was even reported to have a therapeutic effect in acne‐associated depression. In this review, we highlight epidemiological data, the underlying molecular pathogenesis, and the aspects of prevention concerning retinoid‐induced depression in acne from the practical point of view of a dermatologist.
‘Zip your lips’ or ‘Keep quiet’: Main teachers' and language assistants' classroom discourse in CLIL settings
Authors: Dafouz Emma , Hibler Abbie
Published: August 2013

Each year more than 800 native English‐speaking language assistants are brought into Madrid's bilingual/Content and Language Integrated Learning (CLIL) primary schools to assist local teachers and promote students' foreign language and intercultural competence. In spite of these high numbers and the cost to the bilingual programme, no specific guidelines are provided by the bilingual programme administrators regarding how the assistants should collaborate with the local teachers in the classroom. This article sets out to describe how these two different groups of educators interact in the classroom, how they distribute their corresponding teaching roles, and how these roles are articulated linguistically. Drawing on three broad strands of literature, namely (a) Systemic Functional Linguistics and the distinction between instructional and regulative classroom registers, (b) Discourse Analysis and classroom discourse functions, and (c) Second Language Acquisition and interactional strategies, this study analyses team teaching situations and provides a description of the discursive practices enacted. The data suggest qualitative differences in the type of discourse produced by both sets of participants while interpretations are offered in the light of native and nonnative speaker status, novice and expert teacher profiles, and possible intercultural differences. In closing we briefly discuss some of the implications for team teaching practice in bilingual/CLIL programmes across contexts.
Language and literacy development in a Canadian native community: Halq'eméylem revitalization in a Stó:lō head start program in British Columbia
Authors: Moore Danièle , Macdonald Margaret
Published: August 2013

The following study is part of a larger community‐based project that began in 2007 to document Halq'eméylem language and cultural transmission among Elders, family members, and teachers in the Stó:lō First Nation located in Chilliwack, British Columbia, Canada (MacDonald et al., 2010; MacDonald et al., 2011). Within the larger project, this article focuses on Halq'eméylem language and literacy transmission and the ways that literacy practices, including the creation of a Halq'eméylem orthography, and theories of school‐based second language acquisition have influenced language revitalization within a British Columbia Aboriginal Head Start program. Using ethnographic methods and grounded theory, findings illustrate how a lack of teacher fluency has influenced the transmission of Halq'eméylem by creating the need to rely on a unique bi‐/multiliteracy base where environmental print, translated names, translated songs, and interactive text‐based computer games are used to support Halq'eméylem language development among parents and teachers who are jointly and concurrently learning and teaching their ancestral language. The study is anchored in a critical perspective on multilingualism (Creese & Blackledge, 2010) that moves away from ideologized beliefs that linguistic systems should be strictly separated, including within second language classrooms (Cummins, 2008; Lüdi, 2003; Lüdi & Py, 2009; Moore & Gajo, 2009; Swain & Lapkin, 2005).
Teaching pronunciation: Is explicit phonetics instruction beneficial for FL learners?
Authors: Kissling Elizabeth M.
Published: August 2013

Pronunciation instruction has been shown to improve learners' L2 accent in some, though certainly not all, cases. A core component of traditional pronunciation instruction is explicit lessons in L2 phonetics. Studies suggest that Spanish FL learners improve their pronunciation after receiving instruction, but the effect of phonetics instruction has not been directly compared with other pedagogical alternatives. This study reports on the pronunciation gains that first, second, and third year learners (n = 95) made after receiving either explicit instruction in Spanish phonetics or a more implicit treatment with similar input, practice, and feedback. The target phones included a variety of consonants that are problematic for English speakers learning Spanish: stop consonants (/p, t, k/), approximants ([]), and rhotics (/, r/). Learners' production of the target phones was measured in a pretest, posttest, delayed posttest design using a word list reading task. Learners in both groups improved their pronunciation equally, suggesting that it might be the input, practice, and/or feedback included in pronunciation instruction, rather than the explicit phonetics lessons, that are most facilitative of improvement in pronunciation.