bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Interaction of cellular and network mechanisms for efficient pheromone coding in moths
Authors: Belmabrouk Hana , Nowotny Thomas , Rospars Jean-Pierre , Martinez Dominique
Published: November 2011

Sensory systems, both in the living and in machines, have to be optimized with respect to their environmental conditions. The pheromone subsystem of the olfactory system of moths is a particularly well-defined example in which rapid variations of odor content in turbulent plumes require fast, concentration-invariant neural representations. It is not clear how cellular and network mechanisms in the moth antennal lobe contribute to coding efficiency. Using computational modeling, we show that intrinsic potassium currents (I
A
and I
SK
) in projection neurons may combine with extrinsic inhibition from local interneurons to implement a dual latency code for both pheromone identity and intensity. The mean latency reflects stimulus intensity, whereas latency differences carry concentration-invariant information about stimulus identity. In accordance with physiological results, the projection neurons exhibit a multiphasic response of inhibition–excitation–inhibition. Together with synaptic inhibition, intrinsic currents I
A
and I
SK
account for the first and second inhibitory phases and contribute to a rapid encoding of pheromone information. The first inhibition plays the role of a reset to limit variability in the time to first spike. The second inhibition prevents responses of excessive duration to allow tracking of intermittent stimuli.
High-resolution human cytomegalovirus transcriptome
Authors: Gatherer Derek , Seirafian Sepehr , Cunningham Charles , Holton Mary , Dargan Derrick J. , Baluchova Katarina , Hector Ralph D. , Galbraith Julie , Herzyk Pawel , Wilkinson Gavin W. G. , Davison Andrew J.
Published: November 2011

Deep sequencing was used to bring high resolution to the human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) transcriptome at the stage when infectious virion production is under way, and major findings were confirmed by extensive experimentation using conventional techniques. The majority (65.1%) of polyadenylated viral RNA transcription is committed to producing four noncoding transcripts (RNA2.7, RNA1.2, RNA4.9, and RNA5.0) that do not substantially overlap designated protein-coding regions. Additional noncoding RNAs that are transcribed antisense to protein-coding regions map throughout the genome and account for 8.7% of transcription from these regions. RNA splicing is more common than recognized previously, which was evidenced by the identification of 229 potential donor and 132 acceptor sites, and it affects 58 protein-coding genes. The great majority (94) of 96 splice junctions most abundantly represented in the deep-sequencing data was confirmed by RT-PCR or RACE or supported by involvement in alternative splicing. Alternative splicing is frequent and particularly evident in four genes (
RL8A
,
UL74A
,
UL124
, and
UL150A
) that are transcribed by splicing from any one of many upstream exons. The analysis also resulted in the annotation of four previously unrecognized protein-coding regions (
RL8A
,
RL9A
,
UL150A
, and
US33A
), and expression of the
UL150A
protein was shown in the context of HCMV infection. The overall conclusion, that HCMV transcription is complex and multifaceted, has implications for the potential sophistication of virus functionality during infection. The study also illustrates the key contribution that deep sequencing can make to the genomics of nuclear DNA viruses.
A thermodynamic framework for understanding temperature sensing by transient receptor potential (TRP) channels
Authors: Clapham David E. , Miller Christopher
Published: November 2011

The exceptionally high temperature sensitivity of certain transient receptor potential (TRP) family ion channels is the molecular basis of hot and cold sensation in sensory neurons. The laws of thermodynamics dictate that opening of these specialized TRP channels must involve an unusually large conformational standard-state enthalpy, ΔH
o
: positive ΔH
o
for heat-activated and negative ΔH
o
for cold-activated TRPs. However, the molecular source of such high-enthalpy changes has eluded neurobiologists and biophysicists. Here we offer a general, unifying mechanism for both hot and cold activation that recalls long-appreciated principles of protein folding. We suggest that TRP channel gating is accompanied by large changes in molar heat capacity, ΔC
P
. This postulate, along with the laws of thermodynamics and independent of mechanistic detail, leads to the conclusion that hot- and cold-sensing TRPs operate by identical conformational changes.
Oligopsony Fed Cattle Pricing: Did Mandatory Price Reporting Increase Meatpacker Market Power?
Authors: Cai Xiaowei , Stiegert Kyle W. , Koontz Stephen R.
Published: November 2011

We study beef packing margins before and after mandatory price reporting (MPR) was implemented in 2001 using a model that identifies and tests for switching between cooperative and non‐cooperative regime pricing. Our results show that after MPR took effect, the duration of non‐cooperative regimes was considerably shorter, while cooperative regimes were longer. Oligopsonistic rent, as measured by average economic profit, rose from $0.88/head in the 1990s to $2.59/head after 2001. While MPR is not likely the sole cause for such an increase, there was clearly more market power being exercised in fed cattle markets in the years after the program was implemented than before.
Systematic conservation planning in the eastern English Channel: comparing the Marxan and Zonation decision-support tools
Authors: Delavenne Juliette , Metcalfe Kristian , Smith Robert J. , Vaz Sandrine , Martin Corinne S. , Dupuis Ludovic , Coppin Franck , Carpentier Andre
Published: November 2011

Delavenne, J., Metcalfe, K., Smith, R. J., Vaz, S., Martin, C. S., Dupuis, L., Coppin, F., and Carpentier, A. 2012. Systematic conservation planning in the eastern English Channel: comparing the Marxan and Zonation decision-support tools. – ICES Journal of Marine Science, 69: 75–83. The systematic conservation approach is now commonly used for the design of efficient marine protected area (MPA) networks, and identifying these priority areas often involves using specific conservation-planning software. Several such software programmes have been developed in recent years, each differing in the underlying algorithms used. Here, an investigation is made into whether the choice of software influences the location of priority areas by comparing outputs from Marxan and Zonation, two widely used conservation-planning, decision-support tools. Using biological and socio-economic data from the eastern English Channel, outputs are compared and it is shown that the two software packages identified similar sets of priority areas, although the relatively wide distribution of habitat types and species considered offered much flexibility. Moreover, the similarity increased with increasing spatial constraint, especially when using real-world cost data, suggesting that the choice of cost metric has a greater influence on conservation-planning analyses than the choice of software. However, Marxan generally produced more efficient results and Zonation produced results with greater connectivity, so the most appropriate software package will depend on the overall goals of the MPA planning process.
Black Scab of Jojoba (Simmondsia chinensis) in Australia Caused by a Putative New Pathotype of Elsinoë australis
Authors: Ash G. J. , Stodart B. , Hyun J.-W.
Published: November 2011

A new disease of jojoba in Australia is described. We have demonstrated that this disease is caused by Elsinoë australis, a pathogen which is normally associated with citrus. This pathogen has not been found previously in Australia on citrus or any other crop. The fungus causes a scab on leaves and stems of jojoba and is widely distributed in eastern Australia. Although molecular analysis of the pathogen indicates that it is closely related to the natsudaidai and the sweet orange pathotypes of E. australis, glasshouse and laboratory experiments demonstrate that it is not pathogenic to a range of citrus cultivars grown in Australia. The data indicate that the isolates from jojoba represent a new pathotype of E. australis.
First Report of Rhizoctonia solani AG2-2IIIB Infecting Potato Stems and Stolons in the United States
Authors: Woodhall J. W. , Belcher A. R. , Peters J. C. , Kirk W. W. , Wharton P. S.
Published: November 2011

Rhizoctonia solani is an important pathogen of potato (Solanum tuberosum) causing qualitative and quantitative losses. It has been associated with black scurf and stem canker. Isolates of the fungus are assigned to one of 13 known anastomosis groups (AGs), of which AG3 is most commonly associated with potato disease (2,4). In August 2011, diseased potato plants originating from Rupert, ID (cv. Western Russet) and Three Rivers, MI (cv. Russet Norkotah) were received for diagnosis. Both samples displayed stem and stolon lesions typically associated with Rhizoctonia stem canker. The presence of R. solani was confirmed through isolation as previously described (4) and the Idaho and Michigan isolates were designated J11 and J8, respectively. AG was determined by sequencing the rDNA internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region using primers ITS5 and ITS4 (3). The resulting sequences of the rDNA ITS region of isolates J8 and J11 (GenBank Accession Nos. HE608839 and HE608840, respectively) were between 97 and 100% identical to that of other AG2-2IIIB isolates present in sequence databases (GenBank Accession Nos. FJ492075 and FJ492170, respectively). Koch's postulates were confirmed for each isolate by carrying out the following protocol. Each isolate was cultured on potato dextrose agar for 14 days. Five 10-mm agar plugs were then placed on top of seed tubers (cv. Maris Piper) in 1-liter pots containing John Innes Number 3 compost (John Innes Manufacturers Association, Reading, UK). Pots were held in a controlled environment room at 18°C with 50% relative humidity and watered as required. After 21 days, plants were removed and assessed for disease. Typical Rhizoctonia stem lesions were observed and R. solani was successfully reisolated from symptomatic material. To our knowledge, this is the first report of AG2-2IIIB causing disease on potatoes in the United States. In the United States, AGs 2-1, 3, 4, 5, and 9 have all been previously implicated in Rhizoctonia potato disease (2). AG2-2IIIB should now also be considered a potato pathogen in the United States. Knowledge of which AG is present is invaluable when considering a disease management strategy. AG2-2IIIB is a causal agent of sugar beet (Beta vulgaris) root rot in Idaho (1). Sugar beet is commonly grown in crop rotation with potato and such a rotation could increase the risk of soilborne infection to either crop by AG2-2IIIB.

References: (1) C. A. Strausbaugh et al. Can. J. Plant Pathol. 33:210, 2011. (2) L. Tsror. J. Phytopatol. 158:649, 2010. (3) T. J. White et al. Page 315 in: PCR Protocols: A Guide to Methods and Applications. M. A. Innis et al., eds. Academic Press, Inc., New York, 1990. (4) J. W.Woodhall et al. Plant Pathol. 56:286, 2007.
Influence on disease spread dynamics of herd characteristics in a structured livestock industry
Authors: Lindström Tom , Lewerin Susanna Sternberg , Wennergren Uno
Published: November 2011

Studies of between-herd contacts may provide important insight to disease transmission dynamics. By comparing the result from models with different levels of detail in the description of animal movement, we studied how factors influence the final epidemic size as well as the dynamic behaviour of an outbreak. We investigated the effect of contact heterogeneity of pig herds in Sweden due to herd size, between-herd distance and production type. Our comparative study suggests that the production-type structure is the most influential factor. Hence, our results imply that production type is the most important factor to obtain valid data for and include when modelling and analysing this system. The study also revealed that all included factors reduce the final epidemic size and also have yet more diverse effects on initial rate of disease spread. This implies that a large set of factors ought to be included to assess relevant predictions when modelling disease spread between herds. Furthermore, our results show that a more detailed model changes predictions regarding the variability in the outbreak dynamics and conclude that this is an important factor to consider in risk assessment.
Bioinspired bubble design for particle generation
Authors: Gunduz Oguzhan , Ahmad Zeeshan , Stride Eleanor , Tamerler Candan , Edirisinghe Mohan
Published: November 2011

In this study, we devise a method to generate homogeneous particles from a bubble suspension, with the capability to control loading and the structure of bubbles. Ideally, a process such as this would occur at the interface between daughter bubble formation (instant) and gaseous diffusion (gradual). Interestingly, the budding mechanism in micro-organisms is one that demonstrates features of the desired phenomena (although at a much slower rate), as viruses can eject and evolve structures from their membranes. With these natural concepts, a bubble's surface can also be made to serve as a platform for particle generation, which transfers significant elements from the initial bubble coating to the newly generated structures. Here, we illustrate this by preparing coated bubbles (approx. 150 µm in diameter) using a hydrophobic polymer, which may be comparable to naturally occurring bubble coatings (e.g. organic matter forming part of bubble coatings in the sea), and dye (which can demonstrate entrapment of smaller quantities of a desired moiety) and then observe particle generation (approx. 500 nm). The process, which may be driven by a polymerosome-forming mechanism, also illustrates how additional uniform sub-micrometre-scale structures may form from a bubble's surface, which may have also previously been attributed to gas diffusion. In addition, such methods of particle formation from a bubble structure, the incorporation of chemical or biological media via an
in situ
process and subsequent release technologies have several areas of interest across the broad scientific community.
A family of mixed double-Goldberg 6
R
linkages
Authors: Song C. Y. , Chen Y.
Published: November 2011

A complete family of double-Goldberg 6
R
linkages is reported in this article by combining a subtractive Goldberg 5
R
linkage and a Goldberg 5
R
linkage through the common link-pair or common Bennett-linkage method. A number of distinct types of overconstrained linkages are built, namely the mixed double-Goldberg 6
R
linkages. They all have one degree of freedom and their closure equations are derived in detail. One of them degenerates into a Goldberg 5
R
linkage. From the construction process and geometry conditions, the corresponding relationship between the newly found 6
R
linkages and the double-Goldberg 6
R
linkages, constructed from two Goldberg 5
R
linkages or two subtractive Goldberg 5
R
linkages, has been established.
Lagrangian models of reactive transport in heterogeneous porous media with uncertain properties
Authors: Severino G. , Tartakovsky D. M. , Srinivasan G. , Viswanathan H.
Published: November 2011

We consider multi-component reactive transport in heterogeneous porous media with uncertain hydraulic and chemical properties. This parametric uncertainty is quantified by treating relevant flow and transport parameters as random fields, which renders the governing equations stochastic. We adopt a stochastic Lagrangian framework to replace a three-dimensional advection–reaction transport equation with a one-dimensional equation for solute travel times. We derive approximate expressions for breakthrough curves and their temporal moments. To illustrate our general theory, we consider advective transport of dissolved species undergoing an irreversible bimolecular reaction.
Folding wrinkles of a thin stiff layer on a soft substrate
Authors: Sun Jeong-Yun , Xia Shuman , Moon Myoung-Woon , Oh Kyu Hwan , Kim Kyung-Suk
Published: November 2011

We present the mechanics of folding surface-layer wrinkles on a soft substrate, i.e. inter-touching of neighbouring wrinkle surfaces without forming a cusp. Upon laterally compressing a stiff layer attached on a finite-elastic substrate, certain material nonlinearities trigger a number of bifurcation processes to form multi-mode wrinkle clusters. Some of these clusters eventually develop into folded wrinkles. The first bifurcation of the multi-mode wrinkles is investigated by a perturbation analysis of the surface-layer buckling on a pre-stretched neo-Hookean substrate. The post-buckling equilibrium configurations of the wrinkles are then trailed experimentally and computationally until the wrinkles are folded. The folding process is observed at various stages of wrinkling, by sectioning 20–80 nm thick gold films deposited on a polydimethylsiloxane substrate at a stretch ratio of 2.1. Comparison between the experimental observation and the finite-element analysis shows that the Ogden model deformation of the substrate coupled with asymmetric bending of the film predicts the folding process closely. In contrast, if the bending stiffness of the film is symmetric or the substrate follows the neo-Hookean behaviour, then the wrinkles are hardly folded. The wrinkle folding is applicable to construction of long parallel nano/micro-channels and control of exposing functional surface areas.
Divergent selection and heterogeneous migration rates across the range of Sitka spruce (Picea sitchensis)
Authors: Holliday Jason A. , Suren Haktan , Aitken Sally N.
Published: November 2011

Gene flow and effective population size (Ne) should depend on a population's position within its range: those near the edges are expected to have smallerNeand lower relative emigration rates, whereas those nearer the centre should have largerNeand higher relative emigration rates. In species with continuous ranges, this phenomenon may limit the ability of peripheral populations to respond to divergent selection. Here, we employ Sitka spruce as a model to test these predictions. We previously genotyped 339 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in 410 individuals from 13 populations, and used these data to identify putative targets of divergent selection, as well as to explore the extent to which central–peripheral structure may impede adaptation. Fourteen SNPs had outlierFSTestimates suggestive of divergent selection, of which nine were previously associated with phenotypic variation in adaptive traits (timing of autumn budset and cold hardiness). Using coalescent simulations, we show that populations from near the centre of the range have higher effective populations sizes than those from the edges, and that central populations contribute more migrants to marginal populations than the reverse. Our results suggest that while divergent selection appears to have shaped allele frequencies among populations, asymmetrical movement of alleles from the centre to the edges of the species range may affect the adaptive capacity of peripheral populations. In southern peripheral populations, the movement of cold-adapted alleles from the north represents a significant impediment to adaptation under climate change, while in the north, movement of warm-adapted alleles from the south may enhance adaptation.
Parallel changes in mate-attracting calls and female preferences in autotriploid tree frogs
Authors: Tucker Mitch A. , Gerhardt H. C.
Published: November 2011

For polyploid species to persist, they must be reproductively isolated from their diploid parental species, which coexist at the same time and place at least initially. In a complex of biparentally reproducing tetraploid and diploid tree frogs in North America, selective phonotaxis—mediated by differences in the pulse-repetition (pulse rate) of their mate-attracting vocalizations—ensures assortative mating. We show that artificially produced autotriploid females of the diploid species (Hyla chrysoscelis) show a shift in pulse-rate preference in the direction of the pulse rate produced by males of the tetraploid species (Hyla versicolor). The estimated preference function is centred near the mean pulse rate of the calls of artificially produced male autotriploids. Such a parallel shift, which is caused by polyploidyper seand whose magnitude is expected to be greater in autotetraploids, may have facilitated sympatric speciation by promoting reproductive isolation of the initially formed polyploids from their diploid parental forms. This process also helps to explain why tetraploid lineages with different origins have similar advertisement calls and freely interbreed.
Indirect selection on female extra-pair reproduction? Comparing the additive genetic value of maternal half-sib extra-pair and within-pair offspring
Authors: Reid Jane M. , Sardell Rebecca J.
Published: November 2011

One specific hypothesis explaining the evolution of extra-pair reproduction (EPR) by socially monogamous females is that EPR is under indirect selection because extra-pair offspring (EPO) sired by extra-pair males have higher additive genetic value for fitness than the within-pair offspring (WPO) a female would have produced had she solely mated with her socially paired male. This hypothesis has not been explicitly tested by comparing additive genetic value between EPO and the WPO they replaced. We show that the difference in additive genetic breeding value (BV) between EPO and the WPO they replaced is proportional to the genetic covariance between offspring fitness and male net paternity gain through EPR, and estimate this covariance with respect to offspring recruitment in free-living song sparrows (Melospiza melodia). Recruitment and net paternity gain showed non-zero additive genetic variance and heritability, and negative genetic covariance. Opposite to prediction, EPO therefore had lower BV for recruitment than the WPO they replaced. We thereby demonstrate an explicit quantitative genetic approach to testing the hypothesis that EPR allows polyandrous females to increase offspring additive genetic value, and suggest that there may be weak indirect selection against female EPR through reduced additive genetic value for recruitment of EPO versus WPO in song sparrows.
Functional Profiling Identifies Genes Involved in Organ-Specific Branches of the PIF3 Regulatory Network in Arabidopsis
Authors: Sentandreu Maria , Martín Guiomar , González-Schain Nahuel , Leivar Pablo , Soy Judit , Tepperman James M. , Quail Peter H. , Monte Elena
Published: November 2011

The phytochrome (phy)-interacting basic helix-loop-helix transcription factors (PIFs) constitutively sustain the etiolated state of dark-germinated seedlings by actively repressing deetiolation in darkness. This action is rapidly reversed upon light exposure by phy-induced proteolytic degradation of the PIFs. Here, we combined a microarray-based approach with a functional profiling strategy and identified four PIF3-regulated genes misexpressed in the dark (MIDAs) that are novel regulators of seedling deetiolation. We provide evidence that each one of these four MIDA genes regulates a specific facet of etiolation (hook maintenance, cotyledon appression, or hypocotyl elongation), indicating that there is branching in the signaling that PIF3 relays. Furthermore, combining inferred MIDA gene function from mutant analyses with their expression profiles in response to light-induced degradation of PIF3 provides evidence consistent with a model where the action of the PIF3/MIDA regulatory network enables an initial fast response to the light and subsequently prevents an overresponse to the initial light trigger, thus optimizing the seedling deetiolation process. Collectively, the data suggest that at least part of the phy/PIF system acts through these four MIDAs to initiate and optimize seedling deetiolation, and that this mechanism might allow the implementation of spatial (i.e., organ-specific) and temporal responses during the photomorphogenic program.
A comparison of lenalidomide/dexamethasone versus cyclophosphamide/lenalidomide/dexamethasone versus cyclophosphamide/bortezomib/dexamethasone in newly diagnosed multiple myeloma
Authors: Khan Meaghan L. , Reeder Craig B. , Kumar Shaji K. , Lacy Marthy Q. , Reece Donna E. , Dispenzieri Angela , Gertz Morie A. , Greipp Phillip , Hayman Suzanne , Zeldenhurst Steven , Dingli David , Lust John , Russell Stephen , Laumann Kristina M. , Mikhael Joseph R. , Leif Bergsagel P. , Fonseca Rafael , Vincent Rajkumar S. , Keith Stewart A.
Published: November 2011

Novel agents are considered standard components of induction therapy for newly diagnosed patients with multiple myeloma. We retrospectively compared the results of three consecutive phase 2 clinical trials; RD (lenalidomide/dexamethasone, n = 34), CRD (cyclophosphamide/lenalidomide/dexamethasone, n = 53) and CyBorD (cyclophosphamide/bortezomib/dexamethasone, n = 63) (N = 150). Response rates after four cycles of treatment were: ≥near complete response (nCR), 12% vs. 2% vs. 41%, P < 0·0001 and very good partial response or better, 35% vs. 30% vs. 65%, P = 0·0003, respectively. With all cycles of therapy considered, ≥nCR was 35%, 15% and 41%, P = 0·006. However, there is no evidence that one regimen produced superior progression‐free survival (PFS) (median: 3·2 vs. 2·3 vs. 2·7 years, P = 0·11) or overall survival (3‐year: 88% vs. 79% vs. 88%, P = 0·23). Transplantation did not impact PFS (median: 2·7 vs. 2·3 years, P = 0·41) but was associated with improved OS (3‐year: 93% vs. 75%, P ≤ 0·001). High genetic risk patients (n = 40) had earlier relapse despite lenalidomide or bortezomib (median: 2·1 vs. 2·7 years, P = 0·45). Grade 3/4 toxicities were least with CyBorD while CRD had most toxicity. In conclusion, CyBorD demonstrated superior responses and less frequent serious toxicity but more neuropathy when compared to RD and CRD. Importantly, 80% of patients treated with modern therapeutic approaches are alive at 4 years.
Follow‐up of probiotic Lactobacillus GG effects on allergic sensitization and asthma in infants at risk
Authors: Rose M. A. , Schubert R. , Schulze J. , Zielen S.
Published: November 2011

Cite this as: M. A. Rose, R. Schubert, J. Schulze and S. Zielen, Clinical & Experimental Allergy, 2011 (41) 1819;–1821.
Laryngeal transplantation in minipigs: early immunological outcomes
Authors: Birchall M A , Ayling S M , Harley R , Murison P J , Burt R , Mitchard L , Jones A , Macchiarini P , Stokes C R , Bailey M
Published: November 2011

Despite recent tissue-engineering advances, there is no effective way of replacing all the functions of the larynx in those requiring laryngectomy. A recent clinical transplant was a success. Using quantitative immunofluorescence targeted at immunologically relevant molecules, we have studied the early (48 h and 1 week) immunological responses within larynxes transplantated between seven pairs of National Institutes of Health (NIH) minipigs fully homozygous at the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) locus. There were only small changes in expression of some molecules (relative to interindividual variation) and these were clearest in samples from the subglottic region, where the areas of co-expression of CD25+CD45RC-CD8- and of CD163+CD172+MHC-II- increased at 1 week after transplant. In one case, infiltration by recipient T cells was analysed by T cell receptor (TCR) Vβ spectratype analysis; this suggested that changes in the T cell repertoire occur in the donor subglottis mucosal tissues from day 0 to day 7, but that the donor and recipient mucosal Vβ repertoires remain distinct. The observed lack of strong immunological responses to the trauma of surgery and ischaemia provides encouraging evidence to support clinical trials of laryngeal transplantation, and a basis on which to interpret future studies involving mismatches.
New records for prehistoric introduction of Neotropical mammals to the West Indies: evidence from Carriacou, Lesser Antilles
Authors: Giovas Christina M. , LeFebvre Michelle J. , Fitzpatrick Scott M.
Published: November 2011

Aim This paper investigates the prehistoric introduction of five mammalian taxa to Carriacou (Lesser Antilles) and refines the known anthropogenic ranges for these fauna in the pre‐Columbian West Indies. The importance of such records for understanding the region’s historical biogeography and ecology is considered.

Location Carriacou Island, Grenada (12°28′ N, 61°26′ W).

Methods Zooarchaeological assemblages from Carriacou’s earliest documented prehistoric sites, Grand Bay and Sabazan, were analysed, and exotic taxa were identified and quantified. The timing of introductions was established based on multiple radiocarbon assays, including three new accelerator mass spectrometry (AMS) direct dates obtained on the bone of exotic taxa. Source species and location(s) are considered and compared with known prehistoric records for the Caribbean to synthesize anthropogenic distributions for the pre‐Columbian period. The contexts of the zooarchaeological remains are evaluated to better understand the nature and purpose of introductions.

Results Zooarchaeological investigation on Carriacou reveals the occurrence of multiple mammal introductions from South American betweenc. ad700 andad1400. This paper presents the first records for guinea pig (Caviasp.), armadillo (Dasypussp.), peccary (Tayassu/Pecarisp.), opossum (Didelphissp.) and agouti (Dasyproctasp.) from the island. Human‐mediated transport of these taxa is indicated by their absence from the record prior to human settlement of Carriacou. Several translocated species are either rare or entirely unknown for the region, and overall West Indian distributions are temporally and spatially discontinuous. Archaeological contexts indicate that mammalian introductions arose from human subsistence needs, but other social factors may have shaped the dispersal of these fauna.

Main conclusions The taxonomic combination and richness of Carriacou’s introduced fauna are unusual within the region. Importantly, the new records significantly improve the known pre‐Columbian geographic range for peccary, guinea pig and armadillo. Integrated with regional records, these data augment our understanding of the Caribbean’s historical biogeography, and have the potential to improve our understanding of human mobility and anthropogenic environmental impacts in the West Indies prior to the arrival of Europeans.
Evaluation of the Chief Nursing Officer's Review of mental health nursing in England: findings from case studies in mental health trusts
Authors: CALLAGHAN P. , REPPER J. , CLIFTON A. , STACEY G. , CARTER T.
Published: November 2011

Accessible summary

The Chief Nursing Officer's Review of mental health nursing was published in 2006. This paper reports an evaluation of the implementation of the Review in mental health trusts.

There was widespread acceptance of the Review, but actions to implement the Review varied.

The lack of an evidence‐based implementation plan and a lack of strategic nursing leadership in many mental health trusts hampered the implementation.

The Review recommendations may become widespread by a systematic policy implementation plan from the centre, supported by local leadership in practice.

This study is an evaluation of the implementation of the Chief Nursing Officer for England's Review of mental health nursing in mental health trusts (MHTs). The authors employed instrumental case studies in six MHTs. The results showed evidence of acceptance of the Review and some evidence of subsequent actions to implement the Review recommendations, but these were not widespread. A lack of an evidence‐based implementation plan hampered the implementation as did an apparent lack of strategic nursing leadership in many MHTs. In conclusion, the vision for mental health nursing reported in the Chief Nursing Officer Review prompted various changes, directly and indirectly, among mental health nurses and the development of areas of good practice in education, practice and leadership. The positive changes evident in some areas may become widespread by a systematic policy implementation plan from the centre, supported by local leadership in practice.
Nurses' attitudes towards breastfeeding among women with schizophrenia in southern Israel
Authors: ARTZI‐MEDVEDIK R. , CHERTOK I. R. A. , ROMEM Y.
Published: November 2011

Accessible summary

Mothers' milk is the best source of nutrition for infants. Infant benefits from receiving mother's milk include neurological and cognitive development, as well as physical, physiological, immunological and emotional development.

Although approximately half of the schizophrenic women become mothers today, the issue of breastfeeding in this population is often overlooked. To date, there are no studies about the health‐care staff approaches to this issue.

It has been shown that the attitudes of nurses play an important role in educating and counselling mothers, and is likely to have a significant influence on the their decision whether to breastfeed.

The aim of this study was to survey the attitudes of nurses in southern Israel about breastfeeding by schizophrenic women. The study found that 70% of nurses hold positive attitudes towards breastfeeding among women with schizophrenia, at least on the declarative level. The results of the survey indicate that nurses can support and guide the mother with schizophrenia and her infant, for whom it is safe and appropriate to breastfeed.

Breastfeeding is the best source of nutrition for infants. Approximately half of women with schizophrenia become mothers, yet the issue of breastfeeding is often overlooked by the health professional community. The aim of this study was to survey attitudes among registered nurses regarding breastfeeding by schizophrenic women. Cross‐sectional descriptive design was used involving a sample of nurses (40 midwives, 37 psychiatric and 33 postpartum) in two medical centres in southern Israel. The validated semistructured questionnaire included sociodemographic and professional questions, personal and professional breastfeeding experience, attitudes and knowledge concerning schizophrenia and attitudes towards breastfeeding by schizophrenic women. The study results indicate that 70% of the respondents held positive attitudes towards breastfeeding in women with schizophrenia, although no significant differences were found between the different types of nurses. Multivariate analysis reveals that academic education was the only variable associated with positive attitudes, while negative feelings towards women with schizophrenia, and extensive knowledge regarding schizophrenia were negatively associated. This study can serve as a foundation for future research to further examine nurses' role in providing postpartum education and care for women with schizophrenia.
A conceptual model for the origin of worker behaviour and adaptation of eusociality
Authors: HUNT J. H.
Published: November 2011

In a model based on the wasp family Vespidae, the origin of worker behaviour, which constitutes the eusociality threshold, is not based on relatedness, therefore the origin of eusociality does not depend on inclusive fitness, and workers at the eusociality threshold are not altruistic. Instead, incipient workers and queens behave selfishly and are subject to direct natural selection. Beyond the eusociality threshold, relatedness enables ‘soft inheritance’ as the framework for initial adaptations of eusociality. At the threshold of irreversibility, queen and worker castes become fixed in advanced eusociality. Transitions from solitary to facultative, facultative to primitive, and primitive to advanced eusociality occur via exaptation, phenotypic accommodation and genetic assimilation. Multilevel selection characterizes the solitary to highly eusocial transition, but components of multilevel selection vary across levels of eusociality. Roles of behavioural flexibility and developmental plasticity in the evolutionary process equal or exceed those of genotype.
Learning to Avoid Dangerous Habitat Types by Aquatic Salamanders,Eurycea tynerensis
Authors: Mathis Alicia , Unger Shem
Published: November 2011

There should be intense selection for predation avoidance mechanisms when prey live in close proximity to their predators. Prey individuals that can learn to associate habitat features with high levels of predation risk should experience increased survival if they subsequently avoid those habitats. We tested whether or not habitat learning occurred in a benthic stream community consisting of adult Oklahoma salamander (Eurycea tynerensis) prey and a syntopic predatory fish, the banded sculpin (Cottus carolinae). We exposed individual salamanders to chemical stimuli from sculpin, non‐predatory tadpoles, or a blank control in training tanks containing either rocks or grass. Two days later, the salamanders were tested in tanks that offered a choice of rocks or grass. Salamanders showed significant avoidance of the habitat where they had previously encountered chemical cues from sculpin in comparison to the non‐predatory controls. Learning to avoid dangerous habitats may be particularly important for prey whose predators are visually cryptic ambush foragers, such as sculpin.
Infant and toddler sleep in Australia and New Zealand
Authors: Teng Arthur , Bartle Alex , Sadeh Avi , Mindell Jodi
Published: November 2011

Aims:  To characterize sleep patterns and sleep problems in a large sample of young children (birth to 36 months) in Australia (AU) and New Zealand (NZ).

Methods:  Parents and caregivers of 2154 infants and toddlers in AU and NZ completed an expanded version of the Brief Infant Sleep Questionnaire.

Results:  Overall, young children in AU and NZ go to bed relatively early (19:35), awaken on average 1.08 times per night for an average of 23 min, have a low likelihood of bed‐sharing with parents (7.2%) and obtain an average of 13.24 h total sleep. However, a significant percentage of parents perceive that their child has a sleep problem (30.69%). Sleep patterns in these children demonstrate clear developmental changes, including a decrease in daytime sleep and total sleep time, as well as consolidation of sleep during the night (decrease in night wakings and nocturnal wakefulness). Parents in AU and NZ are also highly likely to encourage independence and self‐soothing, especially after the age of 3 months.

Conclusions:  These findings provide parents and professionals reference data for assessing sleep in young children, as well as common parenting practices related to sleep behaviours.
The Relation of Self‐Control Demands to Job Strain: The Moderating Role of Organisational Commitment
Authors: Schmidt Klaus‐Helmut , Diestel Stefan
Published: November 2011

Drawing on recent theoretical developments in cognitive and social psychology, self‐control demands were introduced as a new source of stress at work. Affective organisational commitment was expected to operate as a buffer in the relation between self‐control demands and indicators of job strain. Data provided by 260 nurses in homes for elderly people revealed both significant relationships of self‐control demands and commitment to a broad spectrum of strain indicators that included not only self‐report measures (burnout, psychosomatic complaints, intentions of quitting), but also a measure of absenteeism. Self‐control demands were positively related to all indicators of job strain, whereas the associations were negative for affective commitment. In addition, the results provided clear evidence for the buffer hypothesis of commitment. The positive relations of high self‐control demands to all strain indicators were attenuated as a function of affective commitment. The results suggest that the buffer effect of commitment is mainly due to stress‐contingent appraisal processes rendering highly committed employees less vulnerable to the adverse effects of high stress.
The Job Market for Teachers in Italy
Authors: Cammelli Andrea , Ferrante Francesco , Ghiselli Silvia
Published: November 2011

The AlmaLaurea database (http://www.almalaurea.it) offers broad documentation on the characteristics of university graduates who chose a teaching career one year, three years and five years after their degree, forming a representative sample of Italian school teachers. This article offers both a descriptive analysis of the data on the characteristics of the groups examined and some deeper study to bring out the ways in which the features of university‐trained teachers differ from those of other university graduates. The underlying behaviour hypothesis is that educational and vocational choices depend not only on individuals’ social and cultural background but are also shaped by economic and socio‐cultural motivations. The intent of the in‐depth study is to determine the distinctive traits of the various groups of teachers, deliberately selected for uniformity with respect to their educational careers and their chances of employment.
The Emotional Readiness of Greek Cypriot Teachers for Peaceful Co‐existence
Authors: Zembylas Michalinos , Kendeou Panayiota , Michaelidou Athina
Published: November 2011

In this article, we: (1) offer a conceptualisation of what it means for Greek Cypriot teachers to be ‘reconciled’ with the ‘other side’ (i.e. Turkish Cypriots) in Cyprus; (2) examine Greek Cypriot teachers' emotional responses to the new educational objective of cultivating peaceful coexistence in schools; and (3) investigate how Greek Cypriot teachers' perceptions of reconciliation and emotional responses to the new educational objective of cultivating peaceful coexistence are entangled, and what implications these entanglements may have for educational reform efforts. This investigation is based on data collected in a national survey of Greek Cypriot primary and secondary teachers. The study is important not only for the Greek Cypriot educational system, but also for educational reform efforts in other conflict‐ridden areas in Europe because it addresses a fundamental issue in relation to reconciliation: Can teachers, who may still carry traumatic experiences from a conflict and thus be (potentially) emotionally unready to engage in reconciliation, be convinced to put the past behind and promote peaceful coexistence in schools? The findings highlight the teachers' multiple ambivalences, yet they also identify openings for promoting reconciliation and peaceful coexistence in schools. The implications are discussed in terms of educational policymaking, curriculum development, and teacher training.
Politics with Hidden Bases: Unearthing the Deep Roots of Party Systems
Authors: Byrne Kevin P. , O'Malley Eoin
Published: November 2011

The research presented here uses a novel method to show that contemporary party systems may originate much further back than is usually assumed or might be expected—in reality many centuries. Using data on Ireland, a country with a political system that poses significant challenges to the universality of many political science theories, by identifying the ancestry of current party elites we find ethnic bases for the Irish party system arising from population movements that took place from the 12th century. Extensive Irish genealogical knowledge allows us to use surnames as a proxy for ethnic origin. Recent genetic analyses of Irish surnames corroborate Irish genealogical information. The results are particularly compelling given that Ireland is an extremely homogeneous society and therefore provides a tough case for our approach.
CHIEF EXPLORATION OFFICER
Authors: Peters Georgina
Published: November 2011

What can we learn from a global adventurer?Sir Ranulph Fiennes is the world's greatest living explorer, according to the Guinness Book of World Records, as well as a prolific author. Also honoured for his charitable works, he recently spoke to some 400 London Business School MBA students, faculty and guests at Lord's Cricket Ground as part of the school's ‘London Talks’ series. Georgina Peters says the man, and his adventurous achievements, offer valuable lessons.
MANAGING ETHICALLY IN CORRUPT ENVIRONMENTS
Authors: Mullins John , Rhodes Terry
Published: November 2011

Companies seeking to expand their global presence are increasingly entering emerging markets. However, the rules for doing business are not always the same in less developed countries. John Mullins teams up with the co‐founder and former Chief Strategy Officer of Celtel International, Terry Rhodes, to explore ways you can do business ethically wherever you choose to go. Mullins and Rhodes conclude that, if today's business leaders want to leave a better legacy to their children and grandchildren, it's the only way to do business.
VOICES: SECURING THE TALENT ADVANTAGE IN KEY GROWTH MARKETS
Authors: Ellehuus Christoffer
Published: November 2011

Attracting talent in emerging markets has always been a challenge for Western multinationals. Christoffer Ellehuus of Corporate Executive Board (CEB) says that the need to become the employer of choice is now imperative if these companies are to succeed in emerging markets.
Geometrically Corrected Second Order Analysis of Events on a Linear Network, with Applications to Ecology and Criminology
Authors: ANG QI WEI , BADDELEY ADRIAN , NAIR GOPALAN
Published: November 2011

Abstract.  We study point patterns of events that occur on a network of lines, such as road accidents recorded on a road network. Okabe and Yamada developed a ‘network K function’, analogous to Ripley's K function, for analysis of such data. However, values of the network K‐function depend on the network geometry, making interpretation difficult. In this study we propose a correction of the network K‐function that intrinsically compensates for the network geometry. This geometrical correction restores many natural and desirable properties of K, including its direct relationship to the pair correlation function. For a completely random point pattern, on any network, the corrected network K‐function is the identity. The corrected estimator is intrinsically corrected for edge effects and has approximately constant variance. We obtain exact and asymptotic expressions for the bias and variance of under complete randomness. We extend these results to an ‘inhomogeneous’ network K‐function which compensates for a spatially varying intensity of points. We demonstrate applications to ecology (webs of the urban wall spider Oecobius navus) and criminology (street crime in Chicago).
Determiner spreading as DP‐predication*
Authors: Phoevos Panagiotidis E. , Marinis Theodore
Published: November 2011

Abstract. Determiner Spreading (DS) occurs in adjectivally modified nominal phrases comprising more than one definite article, a phenomenon that has received considerable attention and has been extensively described in Greek. This paper discusses the syntactic properties of DS in detail and argues that DS structures are both arguments and predication configurations involving two DPs. This account successfully captures the word‐order facts and the distinctive interpretation of DS, while also laying the groundwork towards unifying it with other structures linking two DPs in a predicative relation.