bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Impacts of winter icing events on the growth, phenology and physiology of sub‐arctic dwarf shrubs
Authors: Preece Catherine , Callaghan Terry V. , Phoenix Gareth K.
Published: May 2012

The Arctic is experiencing the greatest climate change in winter, including increases in freeze–thaw cycles that can result in ice encasement of vegetation. Ice encasement can expose plants to hypoxia and greater temperature extremes, but currently the impacts of icing on plants in the field remain little understood. With this in mind, a unique field manipulation experiment was established in heathland in northern Sweden with ice encasement simulated in early March 2008, 2009 and 2010 until natural thaw each spring. In the following summers we assessed the impacts on flowering, bud phenology, shoot growth and mortality and leaf damage (measured by chlorophyll fluorescence and electrolyte leakage) of the three dominant dwarf shrub species Empetrum nigrum, Vaccinium vitis‐idaea (both evergreen) and Vaccinium myrtillus (deciduous). Two consecutive winters of icing decreased V. vitis‐idaea flowering by 57%, while flowering of V. myrtillus and E. nigrum remained unaffected. Vaccinium myrtillus showed earlier budburst but shoot growth for all species was unchanged. Shoot mortality of V. myrtillus and V. vitis‐idaea increased after the first year (by 70 and 165%, respectively) and again for V. myrtillus following the third year (by 67%), while E. nigrum shoot mortality remained unaffected, as were chlorophyll fluorescence and electrolyte leakage in all species. Overall, the sub‐arctic heathland was relatively tolerant to icing, but the considerable shoot mortality of V. myrtillus contrasting with the general tolerance of E. nigrum suggests plant community structure in the longer term could change if winters continue to see a greater frequency of icing events.
Investigation of ascorbate metabolism during inducement of storage disorders in pear
Authors: Cascia Giuseppe , Bulley Sean M. , Punter Matthew , Bowen Judith , Rassam Maysoon , Schotsmans Wendy C. , Larrigaudière Christian , Johnston Jason W.
Published: May 2012

In pear and apple, depletion of ascorbate has previously been associated with development of stress‐related flesh browning. This disorder occurs in intact fruit and differs from browning associated with tissue maceration and processing. We investigated changes in ascorbate content, ascorbate peroxidase (APX) activities and gene expression of l‐galactose pathway genes, ascorbate recycling genes and APXs from harvest to 30 days storage for three pear varieties [‘Williams Bon Chretien’ (WBC), ‘Doyenne du Comice’ and ‘Beurre Bosc’]. The pears were stored at 0.5°C in air or controlled atmosphere (CA, 2 kPa O2 and 5 kPa CO2). Storage in CA caused significant amounts of storage disorders in WBC only. Ascorbate content generally declined after harvest, although a transient increase in ascorbate in the form of dehydroascorbate (DHA) between harvest and 3 days was observed in CA stored WBC, possibly due to low at‐harvest monodehydroascorbate reductase and CA‐decreased dehydroascorbate reductase expression. Quantitative polymerase chain reaction indicated that all cultivars responded to CA storage by increasing transcripts for APXs, and surprisingly the pre‐l‐galactose pathway gene GDP‐mannose pyrophosphorylase, of which the product GDP mannose, is utilized either for cell wall polysaccharides, protein N‐glycosylation or ascorbate production. Overall, the small differences in ascorbate we observed suggest how ascorbate is utilized, rather than ascorbate content, determines the potential to develop internal browning. Moreover, a transitory increase in DHA postharvest may indicate that fruits are at risk of developing the disorder.
The effects of migration and drift on local adaptation to a heterogeneous environment
Authors: BLANQUART F. , GANDON S. , NUISMER S. L.
Published: May 2012

Local adaptation experiments are widely used to quantify the levels of adaptation within a heterogeneous environment. However, theoretical studies generally focus on the probability of fixation of alleles or the mean fitness of populations, rather than local adaptation as it is commonly measured experimentally or in field studies. Here, we develop mathematical models and use them to generate analytical predictions for the level of local adaptation as a function of selection, migration and genetic drift. First, we contrast mean fitness and local adaptation measures and show that the latter can be expressed in a simple and general way as a function of the spatial covariance between population mean phenotype and local environmental conditions. Second, we develop several approximations of a population genetics model to show that the system exhibits different behaviours depending on the rate of migration. The main insights are the following: with intermediate migration, both genetic drift and migration decrease local adaptation; with low migration, drift decreases local adaptation but migration speeds up adaptation; with high migration, genetic drift has no effect on local adaptation. Third, we extend this analysis to cases where the trait under selection is continuous using classical quantitative genetics theory. Finally, we discuss these results in the light of recent experimental work on local adaptation.
Pharmacokinetics and safety of roledumab, a novel human recombinant monoclonal anti‐RhD antibody with an optimized Fc for improved engagement of FCγRIII, in healthy volunteers
Authors: Yver A. , Homery M.‐C. , Fuseau E. , Guemas E. , Dhainaut F. , Quagliaroli D. , Beliard R. , Prost J.‐F.
Published: May 2012

Background and Objectives  A human recombinant monoclonal anti‐RhD IgG may be useful to prevent RhD allo‐immunization. Roledumab is such an antibody with a glycosylation pattern optimized for biological activity. The objective of the study was to assess the safety and pharmacokinetics of roledumab in healthy RhD‐negative volunteers.

Materials and Methods  A total of 46 subjects received doses of 30–3000 μg i.v. of roledumab or placebo using a double‐blind escalating single‐dose design; 12 of these subjects also received 300 μg i.m. of roledumab. Subjects were followed for 6 months after administration. Serum roledumab concentrations were determined using flow cytometry.

Results  Fourteen treatment‐emergent adverse events related to treatment were reported in nine subjects, with no apparent difference in their frequency or nature after placebo or roledumab administration. No anti‐roledumab antibodies were detected. AUClast increased from 4·4 ng/ml.day at 30 μg i.v. to 2257 ng/ml.day at 3000 g i.v. The t½ ranged from 18 to 22 days, and the absolute bioavailability after i.m. administration was between 73% and 80%.

Conclusion  Roledumab is safe and well tolerated in healthy RhD‐negative volunteers and shows a pharmacokinetic profile similar to that of polyclonal anti‐RhD immunoglobulin.
Testudodinium gen. nov. (Dinophyceae), a new genus of sand‐dwelling dinoflagellates formerly classified in the genus Amphidinium
Authors: Horiguchi Takeo , Tamura Maiko , Katsumata Kazuhito , Yamaguchi Aika
Published: May 2012

A new genus of sand‐dwelling photosynthetic dinoflagellate, Testudodinium Horiguchi, Tamura, Katsumata et A. Yamaguchi is proposed based on Testudodinium testudo (Herdman) Horiguchi, Tamura, Katsumata, et A. Yamaguchi comb. nov. (Basionym: Amphidinium testudo Herdman) and a new species in this new genus, Testudodinium maedaense Katsumata et Horiguchi sp. nov. is described. Amphidinium corrugatum is also transferred to this genus, making a new combination T. corrugatum (Larsen et Patterson) Horiguchi, Tamura et A. Yamaguchi. These three species are similar to the members of the genus Amphidinium in having an extremely small episome and a dorsoventrally flattened cell body. They are, however, distinguished from the genus Amphidinium seusu stricto by the possession of a distinct longitudinal furrow in the middle of ventral side of the episome. Phylogenetic trees based on small subunit (SSU) rDNA revealed that all three of these Testudodinium species formed a robust clade and, although statistical support is not high, the tree suggests Testudodinium clade is not closely related to Amphidinium seusu stricto clade. The morphological differences together with molecular data support the establishment of a new genus for A. testudo and its related species.
Clients' perceptions of opioid substitution treatment: An input to improving the quality of treatment
Authors: Deering Daryle , Horn Jacqueline , Frampton Christopher M. A.
Published: May 2012

Despite the emphasis on providing high quality mental health and addiction treatment, there has been relatively little consideration given to examining clients' perceptions of addiction treatment (consumer satisfaction) as a quality improvement strategy. The present article reports on a survey of a representative sample of 93 clients receiving opioid substitution treatment (OST). Employed participants reported higher treatment satisfaction and a pattern of positive associations was found between satisfaction and general health, mental health, social functioning, lower methadone doses, and participants' ratings of their treatment progress. Lower satisfaction was associated with higher frequency of benzodiazepine use, and, for women, longer treatment duration. Māori participants rated their treatment progress as lower than that of non‐Māori. Results strongly endorse recording participants' comments to provide a deeper understanding of survey item ratings. The study findings highlight the need for a research focus on the roles of mental health and other registered nurses who work with people receiving OST in specialist service and primary care settings, and endorse a partnership approach to future research in this area. The pattern of findings arising from this study suggests key strategies for improving the flexibility and client responsiveness of OST.
Mortality rates for extremely low‐birthweight infants: A regional, population‐based study in Japan during 2005–2009
Authors: Kaneko Masatoki , Sameshima Hiroshi , Kai Katsuhide , Urabe Hirotoshi , Kodama Yuki , Ikenoue Tsuyomu
Published: May 2012

Aim:  We investigated neonatal and infant mortality rates for extremely low‐birthweight infants and clarified clinical factors associated with death.

Material and Methods:  A population‐based study was conducted for 195 infants born from 2005 to 2009.

Results:  The infant mortality rate was 28.6%, 21.7%, 34.2%, 6.7%, 6.3%, 13%, and 4.8% at 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 28, and ≥28 weeks, respectively. The infant mortality rate according to birthweight was 50%, 9%, 31%, 16.7%, 19.4%, 7.5%, and 2.9% for <400 g, 400–499 g, 500–599 g, 600–699 g, 700–799 g, 800–899 g, and 900–999 g, respectively. Log–rank tests revealed a significant difference in the cumulative survival rates according to gestational age (P < 0.001). In the 24‐week group, this rate in a tertiary center was higher than in a non‐tertiary center (P = 0.001). The mortality of infants born by cesarean section (73%) was lower than that of infants born vaginally (P < 0.05). Multiple regression analyses show that the significant factors associated with death were 22–24 weeks of gestational age, management at non‐tertiary centers, and multiple births.

Conclusion:  Survival of infants (<1000 g) depends on gestational age, centralization and multiple births.
Vaginal myomectomy is a safe and feasible procedure: A retrospective study of 46 cases
Authors: Rolli Riccardo , Favilli Alessandro , Acanfora Marta Maddalena , Scuderi Gaetano , Di Renzo Gian Carlo , Gerli Sandro
Published: May 2012

Aim:  The aim of this study was to establish the feasibility and safety of vaginal myomectomy via posterior colpotomy in a series of consecutive procedures performed by one surgeon.

Material and Methods:  We conducted a retrospective study in a tertiary care university hospital, involving 46 patients with symptomatic myomas and uteruses smaller than 16 gestational weeks and with no signs of pelvic disease. After a presurgical study, the patients underwent vaginal myomectomy. Characteristics of patients, position and size of myomas, operative data, intraoperative and postoperative complications, and length of hospital stay were recorded.

Results:  Forty‐four women underwent vaginal myomectomy and conversion to laparotomy was required in two cases (4.3%). Two patients suffered from infertility and one of these achieved pregnancy after the procedure. The median size of myomas was 50 mm (range 16–81). In two cases a culdoscopy was performed with a flexible fiberoptic gastroscope to better evaluate size and localization of myomas. Thirty‐two patients underwent vaginal myomectomy under general anesthesia and 12 under locoregional anesthesia. The median vaginal operating time was 70 min (range 30–120). The estimated hemoglobin loss was 0.70 g/dL (range 0.40–3.35 g/dL). No severe intraoperative complications occurred. The median duration of hospital stay was 1 day (range 1–6).

Conclusions:  Vaginal myomectomy is a safe and feasible surgical procedure if performed by a well‐trained, experienced surgeon.
Pilot study of CD147 protein expression in epithelial ovarian cancer using monoclonal antibody 12C3
Authors: Ueda Kazu , Yamada Kyosuke , Kiyokawa Takako , Iida Yasushi , Nagata Chie , Hamada Tomomi , Saito Misato , Aoki Katsuhiko , Yanaihara Nozomu , Takakura Satoshi , Okamoto Aikou , Ochiai Kazunori , Ohkawa Kiyoshi , Tanaka Tadao
Published: May 2012

Aim:  CD147 is a membrane glycoprotein that is expressed in various cancer cells and is involved in tumor invasion and metastasis by inducing stromal fibroblastic cells to produce matrix metalloproteinases. This study was carried out to evaluate the correlation between CD147 expression and various clinicopathologic parameters, including histological grade and prognosis in a small sample set of human ovarian cancer patients.

Material and Methods:  Paraffin‐embedded surgical tissue samples from 25 patients with ovarian serous and endometrioid adenocarcinoma were stained with anti‐CD147 antibody (monoclonal antibody 12C3: MoAb 12C3) for immunohistochemical analysis.

Results:  CD147 protein was expressed in 84.0% (21 of 25 cases) of cancerous lesions, but not in normal lesions. CD147 expression by ovarian cancer cells was inversely correlated with overall survival. There was no correlation between CD147 expression and histological grade.

Conclusions:  These results suggest that measurement of CD147 expression may enhance the understanding of the pathophysiology of epithelial ovarian cancer.
Diagnosis and treatment of postpartum Candida endophthalmitis
Authors: Lee Jae Hyung , Kim Jung Sub , Park Young‐Hoon
Published: May 2012

The occurrence of endogenous Candida endophthalmitis is rare in immunocompetent patients. We report a case of a 29‐year‐old healthy woman who developed endogenous Candida endophthalmitis after normal spontaneous vaginal delivery. The patient was diagnosed with Candida endophthalmitis by positive vitreous culture obtained by diagnostic vitrectomy. After vitrectomy, she was treated with systemic and intravitreal antifungal therapy, and subsequently, her visual acuity recovered to 20/20 without other complications. Normal spontaneous vaginal delivery may cause endogenous Candida endophthalmitis in young healthy women. Diagnostic vitrectomy with systemic and intravitreal antifungal treatment can be useful in diagnosis and treatment of Candida endophthalmitis.
Tuberculosis in pregnancy: The challenges for South Asian countries
Authors: Jana Narayan , Barik Sukumar , Arora Nalini , Singh Arun Kumarendu
Published: May 2012

Aim:  Despite tuberculosis (TB) being a global problem, maternal TB remains an unrecognized and underestimated tragedy, especially in South Asian countries. Therefore, we performed a non‐systematic review regarding implications of maternal TB on obstetric and perinatal outcomes in the South Asian context.

Material and Methods:  We reviewed original studies, both descriptive and analytical, that originated from South Asian countries following an electronic search supplemented by a manual search. Although relevant studies from developed countries were reviewed, they were not included in the tabulation process because those studies had different socioeconomic/epidemiological background.

Results:  Diagnosis of TB is often delayed during pregnancy, because of its non‐specific symptoms, and overlapping presentation with other infectious diseases. Poverty, undernutrition, lack of social support and poor health infrastructure along with complications of TB and need for prolonged medications lead to increased maternal morbidity and mortality. Maternal TB in general (except lymphadenitis), is associated with an increased risk of small‐for‐gestational age, preterm and low‐birthweight neonates, and high perinatal mortality. These adverse perinatal outcomes are even more pronounced in women with advanced disease, late diagnosis, and incomplete or irregular drug treatment. There could be a synergy of TB, socioeconomic and nutritional factors, which might have contributed to adverse perinatal effects, especially in low‐income countries.

Conclusions:  As active TB poses grave maternal and perinatal risks, early, appropriate and adequate anti‐TB treatment is a mainstay for successful pregnancy outcome. The current knowledge gaps in perinatal implications of maternal TB can be addressed by a multicenter comparative cohort study.
Association between self‐reported questionnaire data on fertility and results of hormone analyses in women after childhood cancer: A cross‐sectional study
Authors: Jantke Andreas , Rendtorff Rosa , Dittrich Ralf , Müller Andreas , Pfitzer Constanze , Hohmann Cynthia , Keil Thomas , Borgmann‐Staudt Anja
Published: May 2012

Aim:  The aim of this study was to compare self‐reported questionnaire‐based information on fertility impairment with results from hormone analyses in women who underwent chemoradiotherapy during childhood and adolescence.

Material and Methods:  In a cross‐sectional study, questionnaires and hormone analyses (anti‐Müllerian hormone [AMH], follicle‐stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone, estradiol, progesterone) were evaluated in 86 female former pediatric oncology patients in Berlin in 2009.

Results:  Eighty‐six women (median age 23 years, range 19–41) participated in the study with a median follow up of 14 years (range 2–30) after diagnosis. Among women with information on permanent and transient amenorrhea, 9% (5/55) of the women stated that they were permanently amenorrheic. Among women not taking oral contraceptives and giving information on the regularity of their menstrual cycle, 18% (4/22) had an irregular menstrual cycle and 82% (18/22) had a regular menstrual cycle. The median AMH values for women who were categorized as infertile by questionnaire‐based information were significantly lower than the AMH values of women who were categorized as fertile by questionnaire (0.05 vs 2.2 ng/mL, P = 0.004). Questionnaire‐based categories on the regularity of the menstrual cycle and categories based on AMH values showed a satisfying percentage agreement (66.7%) and were moderately correlated (r = 0.42, P = 0.002).

Conclusion:  Self‐reported questionnaire data used to detect fertility impairment has limited correspondence with objectively measured AMH values.
Combination of squamous cell carcinoma‐antigen, carcinoembryonic antigen, and carbohydrate antigen 19‐9 predicts positive pelvic lymph nodes and parametrial involvement in early stage squamous cell carcinoma of the uterine cervix
Authors: Ikeda Shun‐ichi , Yoshimura Kenichi , Onda Takashi , Kasamatsu Takahiro , Kato Tomoyasu , Ishikawa Mitsuya , Sasajima Yuko , Tsuda Hitoshi
Published: May 2012

Aim:  We examined the correlations between the pretreatment values of four tumor markers (squamous cell carcinoma [SCC]‐antigen, carcinoembryonic antigen [CEA], carbohydrate antigen [CA]19‐9, and CA125) and postsurgical high‐risk factors (parametrial involvement and positive pelvic lymph nodes) in women with SCC of the uterine cervix who had International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics clinical stage IB and IIA disease and underwent radical hysterectomy.

Material and Methods:  In this retrospective study, we reviewed 291 patients between April 1989 and December 2008. The first 200 subjects, studied between 1989 and 2001, served as the training set, and another 91 subjects, studied between 2002 and 2008, comprised the test set. To evaluate the correlations between pretreatment tumor markers and postsurgical high‐risk factors, the χ2‐test and logistic regression analysis were used for univariate and multivariate analysis, respectively.

Results:  Multivariate analysis with receiver–operator curves showed that the combination of SCC‐antigen, CEA, and CA19‐9 strongly predicted postsurgical high‐risk factors. Analysis of the training set showed that 66.7% (95% confidence interval, 52.6–84.8%) of patients who tested positive for at least two of these three tumor markers had postsurgical high‐risk factors. Similar results were obtained with the test set.

Conclusions:  Preoperative levels of SCC‐antigen, CEA, and CA19‐9 are useful for predicting the status of postsurgical high‐risk factors in women with SCC of the uterine cervix who undergo radical hysterectomy.
Photoperiodic modulation of the hepatic clock by the suprachiasmatic nucleus and feeding regime in mice
Authors: Parkanová Daniela , Nováková Marta , Sosniyenko Serhiy , Sumová Alena
Published: May 2012

Changes in photoperiod modulate the central circadian clock in the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) as well as the peripheral clocks. Consequently, the SCN‐driven output rhythms in activity and feeding are also modulated by the photoperiod. The aim of the present study was to elucidate whether photoperiodic modulation of the hepatic clock is mediated by changes in feeding or by another SCN‐driven pathway. Five days after the change from short photoperiod (SP) to long photoperiod (LP), the profiles of Per2 and Rev‐erbα expression in the rostral, middle and caudal regions of the SCN were desynchronized and those in the liver were modulated as in mice fully entrained to LP. The SCN profiles were not affected in mice left under SP and subjected to the 6‐h night‐time feeding regime for 5 days. In the liver, the profiles were shifted to the same phase, but their waveforms were not modulated compared with those under LP. In mice subjected to the change from SP to LP and fed twice daily during the daytime, the profiles in the SCN were not affected, whereas the waveforms and phases of those in the liver were affected. The data demonstrate that the adjustment of gene expression profiles in the rostral, middle and caudal SCN to the change from SP to LP proceeds within 5 days and is not affected by changes in the feeding regime. The results also suggest that the photoperiod‐modulated SCN affects waveforms of gene expression profiles in the liver by food‐independent signals.
Dispersal and spatial distribution of western corn rootworm larvae in relation to root phenology
Authors: Schumann Mario , Vidal Stefan
Published: May 2012

Despite the increasing economic importance of root feeding pests such as the western corn rootworm (WCR) Diabrotica virgifera virgifera, basic parameters about their below ground biology are only partly understood. The present study investigated the dispersal and distribution of WCR larvae in the maize root system during their development at two growth stages of maize (BBCH 13–14 and BBCH 17–18).

Dispersal of the WCR larvae increased as they developed; the larvae moved off their original place of emergence and into deeper soil layers. Overall, changes in the horizontal distribution of the larvae were more extensive than changes in the vertical distribution.

The spatial analysis of distance indices revealed that the larvae had an aggregative distribution throughout their development. The feeding site of larvae in the root system was determined by the stage of larval development. Initially, WCR larvae started feeding in close proximity to their emergence location and moved to more developed root tissue towards the end of their development.

Differences in root phenology mainly influenced the distribution of the larvae at the end of their development, when larvae exhibited increased vertical movement at a later growth stage of maize.

The mechanisms of these distributional changes and the implications for the management of WCR larvae are discussed, especially with regard to chemical control, because fewer larvae are expected to be targeted at a later growth stage of maize.
Randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled trial of the once‐daily GLP‐1 receptor agonist lixisenatide in Asian patients with type 2 diabetes insufficiently controlled on basal insulin with or without a sulfonylurea (GetGoal‐L‐Asia)
Authors: Seino Y. , Min K. W. , Niemoeller E. , Takami A. ,   on behalf of the EFC10887 GETGOAL‐L Asia Study Investigators
Published: May 2012

Aims

To assess the efficacy and safety of once‐daily lixisenatide versus placebo in Asian patients with type 2 diabetes insufficiently controlled on basal insulin ± sulfonylurea.

Methods

In this 24‐week, randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled, parallel‐group, multicentre study, participants (mean baseline HbA1c 8.53%) from Japan, Republic of Korea, Taiwan and the Philippines received lixisenatide (n = 154) or placebo (n = 157) in a stepwise dose increase to 20 µg once daily. The primary endpoint was HbA1c change from baseline to week 24.

Results

Once‐daily lixisenatide significantly improved HbA1c versus placebo (LS mean difference vs. placebo = −0.88% [95%CI= −1.116, −0.650]; p < 0.0001), and allowed more patients to achieve HbA1c <7.0% (35.6 vs. 5.2%) and ≤6.5% (17.8 vs. 1.3%). Lixisenatide also significantly improved 2‐h postprandial plasma glucose and glucose excursion, average 7‐point self‐monitored blood glucose and fasting plasma glucose. Lixisenatide was well tolerated; 86% of patients on lixisenatide completed the study versus 92% on placebo. Ten (6.5%) lixisenatide and 9 (5.7%) placebo patients experienced serious adverse events. More lixisenatide patients [14 (9.1%)] discontinued for adverse events versus placebo [5 (3.2%)], mainly with gastrointestinal causes. Nausea and vomiting were reported in 39.6 and 18.2% of patients on lixisenatide versus 4.5 and 1.9% on placebo. Symptomatic hypoglycaemia was more frequent with lixisenatide (42.9%) versus placebo (23.6%), but was similar between groups (32.6 vs. 28.3%, respectively), in those not receiving sulfonylureas. No severe hypoglycaemia was reported.

Conclusions

In an Asian type 2 diabetes population insufficiently controlled by basal insulin ± sulfonylurea, once‐daily lixisenatide significantly improved glycaemic control, with a pronounced postprandial effect, and was well tolerated.
Share and Share Alike? Hedge Funds, Human Rights, and Owning Enterprise in Britain
Authors: Bholat David , Dunn Alison , Gray Joanna
Published: May 2012

This article explores the meanings of ownership and shareholding in the context of the 2007 run on Northern Rock, its subsequent nationalization in 2008, and the resulting legal challenge brought by former shareholders. Drawing on evidence from a range of sources outside traditional legal and official doctrine, and from original empirical research, it focuses on the perspective and voices of local small individual shareholders in relation to shareholding, bank failure, and government responses to financial crisis. It tells the story of these individual shareholders against differing conceptions of share ownership rights and responsibilities, and from various angles, to show the many different subjectivities of corporate shareholding and ownership of enterprise of which orthodox legal and economic models take scant account. It concludes on a note of historic persistence in demand for proprietary shares in banking institutions, despite the differing levels of understanding and tolerance of equity risk among shareholders that our research reveals.
‘I Just Wanted Him to Hear Me’: Sexual Violence and the Possibilities of Restorative Justice
Authors: McGlynn Clare , Westmarland Nicole , Godden Nikki
Published: May 2012

The use of restorative justice in cases of sexual violence is highly contentious. Some argue that it may trivialize violence against women, revictimize the vulnerable, and endanger the safety of victim‐survivors. On the other hand, from the perspective of victim‐survivors, it may enable us to hear their stories more holistically, offering greater control and validation, and reduce victim‐blaming. It may also provide an additional opportunity to secure some form of justice. Debate over the validity of these competing claims has largely taken place in an empirical vacuum. This article considers the results of an exploratory study of a restorative justice conference involving an adult survivor of child rape and other sexual abuse. The results, while necessarily tentative, provide good ground to consider afresh the possibilities of restorative justice in cases of sexual violence. We suggest that for those victim‐survivors who wish to pursue this option, restorative justice may offer the potential to secure some measure of justice.
TMT Potency and Strategic Decision‐Making in High Technology Firms
Authors: Clark Kevin D. , Maggitti Patrick G.
Published: May 2012

abstract

Confidence is necessary for effective top management team (TMT) functioning, however overconfidence or hubris has been associated with poor outcomes. Researchers have struggled to untangle questions of how much confidence is functional and whether there are different forms of confidence. Using data from a field study of 54 public high‐technology firms we provide a richer understanding of the complex influence of one type of confidence, TMT potency on strategic decision‐making. Specifically, using a field study of TMTs of 54 public high technology firms we find potency at least partially mediates the relationship between TMT experience and knowledge, TMT interaction process, and strategic decision speed. Post‐hoc analysis of high potency teams suggests that potency may be either functional – leading to high performance, or dysfunctional – resulting in low performance. Potency appears to be a multi‐faceted construct consisting of both level and domain boundedness. We offer propositions that begin to untangle the origins of functional versus dysfunctional potency or hubris.
Sexual abuse in bariatric surgery candidates – impact on weight loss after surgery: a systematic review
Authors: Steinig J. , Wagner B. , Shang E. , Dölemeyer R. , Kersting A.
Published: May 2012

Bariatric surgery is becoming more and more influential as efficient weight loss therapy for the morbidly obese. As many studies propose a relationship between sexual abuse and obesity in general, but especially with regard to weight regain after successful weight loss, sexual abuse might also have a crucial impact on the outcome of the surgical procedures. This review examines the literature comparing weight loss after bariatric surgery in sexually abused and non‐abused individuals. We conducted a systematic electronic literature search covering PubMed/Medline, ScienceDirect, PsychInfo and Web of Science. While 13 studies examined prevalence rates of sexual abuse among bariatric patients, eight studies explicitly investigated the effect of sexual abuse on surgery outcome. We hypothesized that individuals with a history of sexual abuse lose less weight compared to individuals with no such abuse history. At first glance, only three out of eight studies demonstrated significantly reduced weight loss in the sexually abused patients. However, a closer investigation of all studies revealed that patients with abuse experiences may indeed tend to lose less weight initially. Still, this sub‐population apparently benefits from the surgical procedure, as revealed by increased weight loss over time. Reasons for these mixed results are discussed, as well as the clinical implications that can be drawn from these studies.
New Alliances: Why Mainstream Parties Govern with Radical Right-Wing Populist Parties
Authors: de Lange Sarah L.
Published: May 2012

This article investigates the recent government participation of a number of radical right-wing populist parties in West European democracies. With the help of coalition formation theories the government coalitions in which these parties have participated are characterised and inferences are made about the reasons for the cooperation between mainstream right and radical right-wing populist parties. The accuracy of these inferences is then examined in more detail by analysing the changing electoral fortunes and party positions of both mainstream and radical right-wing populist parties. These analyses demonstrate that office, policy and votes made mainstream right parties turn to radical right-wing populist parties as new coalition partners and that two important changes in West European party systems have enabled the formation of the new alliances, the first being an electoral shift to the right and the second the convergence of party positions of mainstream right and radical right-wing populist parties.
ExperTAXsm: an expert system for corporate tax planing
Authors: SHPILBERG DAVID , GRAHAM LYNFORD E. , SCHATZ HARRY
Published: May 2012

Abstract: This paper describes the development of ExperTAXsm, an expert system designed as a part of the service rendered by the audit and tax practices of the accounting firm of Coopers & Lybrand in the corporate tax accrual and planning function. The current operating environment is described and the expert system based solution is presented. The knowledge engineering process is described in detail and novel techniques for knowledge extraction are presented. The resulting system and its knowledge base is also presented together with a discussion on detailed knowledge acquisition and ongoing knowledge base maintenance facilities.
An evaluation of expert system development tools
Authors: RICHER MARK H.
Published: May 2012

Abstract: There is a significant amount of interest in expert systems and the software tools that are available for developing these systems. Most tools that are developed at university research labs are described in some detail in books, articles, or technical reports. However, there is a need for objective information on commercial software tools for building expert systems. These tools can be used for research, prototyping and developing end‐user applications. Necessarily we must establish a set of criteria which can be used to evaluate these tools. These criteria include an evaluation of the basic features, the development environment, what a tool can be used for, how easy it is to learn and use, how much it costs, and how it is supported. In the first part of this paper, a set of criteria is described for evaluating expert system software tools. In the second part, these criteria are used to evaluate several currently available commercial tools.
Time to recanalization and risk of symptomatic intracerebral haemorrhage in patients treated with intravenous thrombolysis
Authors: Dorado L. , Millán M. , Pérez de la Ossa N. , Guerrero C. , Gomis M. , Aleu A. , López‐Cancio E. , Cuadras P. , Dávalos A.
Published: May 2012

Background and purpose

To test whether time to recanalization is associated with a progressive risk of symptomatic intracerebral haemorrhage (SICH) after intravenous alteplase (IVT), we conducted a serial transcranial duplex monitoring study up to 24 h after IVT in a cohort of 140 patients with acute ischaemic stroke attributed to large artery occlusion in the anterior circulation.

Methods

Patients were classified in four groups according to the time to complete recanalization (Thrombolysis in Brain Ischaemia, TIBI grades 4 or 5) after alteplase bolus: <2 h (n = 53), 2–6 h (n = 9), 6–24 h (n = 32) and no recanalization (NR) at 24 h (n = 46). SICH was defined as any haemorrhagic transformation with National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score worsening ≥4 points (European Australian Acute Stroke Study II, ECASS II criteria) or parenchymal haematoma type 2 with neurological worsening (SITS‐MOST criteria) in the 24–36 h CT. Favourable outcome was defined as modified Rankin score ≤2 at 3 months.

Results

There were no differences between the groups of patients who recanalized at each time frame regarding localization of the occlusion (
P
 = 0.29), stroke severity at baseline (
P
 = 0.22) and age (
P
 = 0.06). SICH (ECASS/SITS‐MOST) was observed in 5.7%/5.7% of the patients who recanalized in <2 h, in 0%/0% of the patients who recanalized between 2–6 h, in 3.1%/3.1% of the patients who recanalized within 6–24 h and in 2.2%/0% of those patients who did not recanalize at 24 h. The rate of favourable outcome according to the time of recanalization was 79.2%, 50%, 46.9% and 34.1% (P < 0.001).

Conclusions

Our findings are in line with the literature showing a relationship between time to recanalization and functional outcome after IVT in acute stroke, but they do not confirm a progressive increase in the rate of SICH.
Pain following stroke, initially and at 3 and 18 months after stroke, and its association with other disabilities
Authors: Sommerfeld D. K. , Welmer A.‐K.
Published: May 2012

Background and purpose

A general hypothesis is that pain following stroke (PFS) causes disabilities. However, the clinical implication of PFS on other disabilities after stroke and vice versa has not been fully investigated. The aims of this observational study were to analyze the correlation between PFS and other disabilities at different time points after stroke, whether PFS can be a predictor of coming disabilities and whether other disabilities can be predictors of coming PFS.

Methods

Patients with a first‐ever stroke were assessed initially (n = 109), and at 3 (n = 95) and 18 months (n = 66) after stroke for PFS, mobility, self‐care as well as touch, proprioceptive, muscle tone, and movement functions.

Results

PFS was correlated to impaired upper extremity movement function on all occasions, while the correlations between PFS and other disabilities varied across the three occasions. Initial PFS and PFS at 3 months did not independently predict coming disabilities. Initial mobility limitation independently predicted PFS at 3 months and impaired touch function, initially and at 3 months, independently predicted PFS at 18 months. No other disabilities independently predicted coming PFS.

Conclusions

The present results do not support the hypothesis that PFS causes other disabilities. Our results indicate that PFS is correlated to other disabilities; however, no ultimate conclusions can be drawn on causality. PFS was not a predictor of coming disabilities, while some disabilities were predictors of coming PFS.
Behçet’s disease in concurrence with psoriasis
Authors: Cho S. , Cho S.B. , Choi M.J. , Zheng Z. , Bang D.
Published: May 2012

Background  Behçet’s disease (BD) and psoriasis are chronic inflammatory diseases characterized by multisystemic vasculitis and epidermal hyperplasia respectively. Although it has been found that the pathogenesis of BD and psoriasis share common perspectives, reports of patients who have both diseases in concurrence are rare.

Objectives  To analyse and evaluate the clinical manifestations of BD patients who have psoriasis together.

Methods  Retrospective evaluation of the medical records of nine BD patients who were also diagnosed with psoriasis at the BD Specialty Clinic of Severance Hospital was carried out. We analysed the characteristics of patients and the clinical activity of both diseases, and also the effect of the treatment of one disease against the other.

Results  Of the nine BD patients who also had psoriasis, male to female ratio was 1 : 2. Two (22.2%) patients had a complete type of BD and seven (77.8%) patients had an incomplete type of BD. For the psoriatic lesions, all nine (100%) patients were diagnosed as psoriasis vulgaris. Five (55.6%) patients had BD as the preceding disease and four (44.4%) patients had psoriasis as the preceding. All five patients who formerly developed BD followed by psoriasis had an active state of BD, but the activity of psoriasis of all nine patients was minimal to average.

Conclusion  In this study, we evaluated the clinical manifestations of nine patients who had BD and psoriasis together. Although the exact pathogenesis remains unclear, there might be some influence by each disease to the other between BD and psoriasis.
Provisioning call by mothers of a subsocial shield bug
Authors: Nomakuchi S. , Yanagi T. , Baba N. , Takahira A. , Hironaka M. , Filippi L.
Published: May 2012

The offspring of many animal species solicit food from parents using begging signals, while parents manipulate offspring behavior to optimize fitness using various signals. FemaleParastrachia japonensis(Heteroptera) provision nests with drupes of the host tree. Provisioning females were recently heard emitting a low‐pitched fluttering sound that we characterized in the field using a contact microphone. A single calling event consisted of multiple sound bouts of varying lengths. A fastFourier transform analysis revealed a frequency range of 0∼1 kHz. We hypothesized that the call is specific to provisioning behavior in the context of parent–offspring communication, and tentatively designated it ‘provisioning call’. To test this hypothesis, we observed nesting females in the laboratory to determine if and when they emitted the call, and the response of nymphs. In every case, the call was clearly coordinated with female provisioning behaviors: females emitted the call only upon returning to their nests with a drupe. Moreover, nymphs quickly gathered to the drupe while the female was calling. Because nymphs usually hide in crevices throughout the nest debris while the mother is foraging, we also hypothesized that the provisioning call functions to induce nymphs to gather and feed synchronously on newly provisioned drupes. A playback experiment indicated that significantly more nymphs gathered on a drupe with the playback call than without the call, supporting this hypothesis. Furthermore, observations through nymphal development revealed that the total length of all sound bouts in a single provisioning call was shorter for females with older nymphs. This is consistent with the assumption that older nymphs should gather on the provisioned drupe more quickly than young, less‐motile nymphs. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of a parent producing sound and/or vibration signals directly to offspring at repeated progressive provisioning events in a subsocial insect.
Fine motor skills and interhemispheric transfer in treatment‐naive male children with Tourette syndrome
Authors: BUSE JUDITH , AUGUST JULIA , BOCK NATHALIE , DÖRFEL DENISE , ROTHENBERGER ARIBERT , ROESSNER VEIT
Published: May 2012

Aim  This study addressed whether Tourette syndrome is associated with an impairment of fine motor skills or altered interhemispheric transfer. We additionally investigated the association between interhemispheric transfer and size of the corpus callosum.

Method  The sample, a subsample of our larger neuroimaging sample, included 27 treatment‐naive males with ‘pure’ Tourette syndrome (age range 10y 2mo–14y 4mo; mean age 11y 10mo, SD 1y 2mo) and 26 matched healthy comparison children (age range 10y 2mo–14y 4mo; mean age 11y 10mo, SD 1y 1mo). A finger tapping task and the Purdue Pegboard were used to assess fine motor skills. Interhemispheric transfer time (ITT) was measured with the Poffenberger paradigm. The neuroanatomical data were derived from our previous neuroimaging study.

Results  ITT was negatively correlated with the size of callosal subregion 3 (r=−0.366, p=0.028), indicating that a shorter ITT was associated with a larger corpus callosum.

Interpretation  Our findings support the assumption that previously reported impairment of motor skills in Tourette syndrome does not directly result from tics but from other factors such as medication or comorbidities. Following the assumption that callosal subregion 3 in Tourette syndrome grows as a consequence of tic performance over years, our preliminary results suggest that this growth might accelerate interhemispheric transfer in Tourette syndrome.
Altered regulation of CXCR4 expression during aging contributes to increased CXCL12‐dependent chemotactic migration of CD4+ T cells
Authors: Cané Stefania , Ponnappan Subramaniam , Ponnappan Usha
Published: May 2012

Chemokine‐dependent migration of T lymphocytes assures recirculation of naïve T cells to secondary lymphoid organs and tissue‐specific trafficking of memory‐effector T cells. Previous studies carried out in rodents have demonstrated age‐associated modulation of the expression of chemokine receptors such as CXCR4 and CCR5; however, little is known about the molecular mechanisms that regulate receptor expression and turnover in T cells, during advancing age in humans. Our recent results demonstrating increased chemotactic migration in response to CXCL12 in CD4+ T cells obtained from the elderly, as compared to those from young donors, led us to hypothesize that increase in surface expression, because of altered endocytic regulation of CXCR4 on T cells during aging, might be directly responsible for increased migration toward CXCL12. Studies presented here demonstrate a significant increase in the surface expression of CXCR4 in CD4+ T cells from elderly human donors, relative to those from the young. Additionally, CXCL12‐mediated endocytosis of CXCR4 was differentially regulated during aging, which could be attributed to alterations in the ubiquitination of CXCR4. Thus, altered ubiquitination of CXCR4 may contribute to the increased surface expression and enhanced T‐cell migration to chemotactic stimuli in the elderly.
Host cell factor 1 inhibits SKN‐1 to modulate oxidative stress responses in Caenorhabditis elegans
Authors: Rizki Gizem , Picard Colette Lafontaine , Pereyra Charles , Lee Siu Sylvia
Published: May 2012

Host cell factor‐1 (HCF‐1) is a conserved regulator of the longevity and stress response functions of DAF‐16/FOXO. SKN‐1 transcription factor is an evolutionarily conserved xenobiotic stress regulator and a pro‐longevity factor. Here, we demonstrate that SKN‐1 contributes to the enhanced oxidative stress resistance incurred by hcf‐1 mutation in C. elegans. HCF‐1 prevents the nuclear accumulation of SKN‐1 and represses the transcriptional activation of SKN‐1 specifically at target genes involved in cellular detoxification pathways. Our findings reveal a novel and context‐specific regulatory relationship between two highly conserved longevity and stress response factors HCF‐1 and SKN‐1.