bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Child Care in Infancy and Cognitive Performance Until Middle Childhood in the Millennium Cohort Study
Authors: Côté Sylvana M. , Doyle Orla , Petitclerc Amélie , Timmins Lori
Published: January 2013

This study used a British cohort (n = ∼13,000) to investigate the association between child care during infancy and later cognition while controlling for social selection and missing data. It was found that attending child care (informal or center based) at 9 months was positively associated with cognitive outcomes at age 3 years, but only for children of mothers with low education. These effects did not persist to ages 5 or 7 years. Early center‐based care was associated with better cognitive outcomes than informal care at ages 3 and 5 years, but not at 7 years. Effect sizes were larger among children whose mother had low education. Propensity score matching and multiple imputation revealed significant findings undetected using regression and complete‐case approaches.
Oxazolone and ethanol induce colitis in non-obese diabetic-severe combined immunodeficiency interleukin-2Rγnull mice engrafted with human peripheral blood mononuclear cells
Authors: Nolte T , Zadeh-Khorasani M , Safarov O , Rueff F , Gülberg V , Herbach N , Wollenberg A , Mueller T , Siebeck M , Wolf E , Gropp R
Published: January 2013

Oxazolone-induced colitis in mice has become a recognized model to study the efficacy of therapeutics targeting the immunological response underlying the development of inflammatory bowel disease. However, this model cannot be used when therapeutics designed to address human targets do not interact with the respective murine counterpart. In this study, we examined the induction of oxazolone mediated colitis in non-obese diabetic-severe combined immunodeficiency interleukin-2Rγnull (NOD-SCID IL2Rγnull) mice engrafted with human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (hPBMC) derived from patients suffering from ulcerative colitis (UC), atopic dermatitis (AD) and healthy volunteers. NOD-SCID IL2Rγ null mice were engrafted with hPBMC followed by challenge with oxazolone or ethanol vehicle. Mice developed the same symptoms as observed previously in immunocompetent mice. The clinical activity score increased and the colon architecture was characterized by the development of oedema, fibrosis, crypt loss and dense infiltration of predominantly T cells into the lamina propria. Fluorescence activated cell sorter (FACS) analysis of lymphocytes in the colon identified natural killer (NK) T cells as a major constituent. In contrast to studies with immunocompetent mice, we observed the same phenotype in the group challenged with ethanol vehicle. The phenotype was most pronounced in mice engrafted with PBMC derived from a patient suffering from UC, suggesting that the immunological history of the donors predisposes the engrafted mice to react to ethanol. The model described here has the potential to study the efficacy of therapeutics targeting human lymphocytes in a model which is more reflective of the human disease. In addition, it might be developed to elucidate molecular mechanisms underlying the disease.
Expression of CXCR3 and its ligands CXCL9, -10 and -11 in paediatric opsoclonus–myoclonus syndrome
Authors: Pranzatelli M R , Tate E D , McGee N R , Travelstead A L , Verhulst S J , Ransohoff R M
Published: January 2013

Opsoclonus–myoclonus syndrome (OMS) is a neuroinflammatory disorder associated with remote cancer. To understand more clearly the role of inflammatory mediators, the concentration of CXCR3 ligands CXCL10, CXCL9 and CXCL11 was measured in 245 children with OMS and 81 paediatric controls using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and CXCR3 expression on CD4+ T cells was measured by flow cytometry. Mean cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) CXCL10 was 2·7-fold higher in untreated OMS than controls. Intrathecal production was demonstrated by significantly different CXCL10 CSF : serum ratios. The dichotomized ‘high’ CSF CXCL10 group had higher CSF leucocyte count (P = 0·0007) and B cell activating factor (BAFF) and CXCL13 concentrations (P < 0·0001). CSF CXCL10 did not correlate with clinical severity or relapse using grouped data, although it did in some patients. Among seven types of immunotherapy, including rituximab or chemotherapy, only adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH) monotherapy showed reduced CSF CXCL10, but prospective longitudinal studies of ACTH combination therapies indicated no reduction in CXCL10 despite clinical improvement (P < 0·0001). CXCL10 concentrations were 11-fold higher in CSF and twofold higher in serum by multiplexed fluorescent bead-based immunoassay than enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, but the two correlated (r = 0·7 and 0·83). In serum, no group differences for CXCL9 or CXCL11 were found. CXCR3 expression on CD4+ T cells was fivefold higher in those from CSF than blood, but was not increased in OMS or altered by conventional immunotherapy. These data suggest alternative roles for CXCL10 in OMS. Over-expression of CXCL10 was not reduced by clinical immunotherapies as a whole, indicating the need for better therapeutic approaches.
Intergenerational pathways leading to foster care placement of foster care alumni's children
Authors: Jackson Foster Lovie J. , Beadnell Blair , Pecora Peter J.
Published: January 2013

This study examined a path model that postulated intergenerational relationships between biological parent psychosocial functioning and foster care alumni mental health, economic status and social support; and from these to the likelihood of children of foster care alumni being placed in foster care. The sample included 742 adults who spent time in foster care as children with a private foster care agency and who reported having at least one biological child. A full pathway was found between poorer father's functioning to greater alumni depression, which was in turn associated with negative social support, and then a greater likelihood of child out‐of‐home placement. Other parent to alumni paths were that poorer father functioning was associated with alumni anxiety and post‐traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and poorer mother's mental health was associated with PTSD; however, anxiety and PTSD were not implicated as precursors of foster care placement of the child. Findings support the need for increased practice and policy support to address the mental health needs of parents of children in or at risk of foster care, as well as the children themselves, as family history may have a lasting influence on quality of life, even when children are raised apart from biological parents.
Glucose‐lowering effect of the DPP‐4 inhibitor sitagliptin after glucose and non‐glucose macronutrient ingestion in non‐diabetic subjects
Authors: Ohlsson L. , Alsalim W. , Carr R. D. , Tura A. , Pacini G. , Mari A. , Ahrén B.
Published: January 2013

Aim

Recent studies suggest that the incretin concept is not restricted to glucose ingestion but relevant also after non‐glucose macronutrient administration. We therefore hypothesized that raising incretin hormones reduces circulating glucose after both glucose and non‐glucose macronutrient ingestion in healthy subjects.

Methods

Twelve healthy subjects received the dipeptidyl peptidase‐4 inhibitor sitagliptin (100 mg) or placebo before ingestion of glucose, fat (olive oil) or protein mix in equicaloric amounts (8 kcal/kg) plus paracetamol (1.5 g). The 120‐min areas under curve (AUC) of intact glucagon‐like peptide‐1 (GLP‐1), glucose, insulin, C‐peptide, glucagon and paracetamol, and model‐derived insulin secretion rate (ISR), insulin sensitivity, insulin clearance and glucose absorption were measured.

Results

The increased plasma intact GLP‐1 levels after each macronutrient was augmented by sitagliptin. This was associated with a robust lowering of glucose: glucose excursion after oral glucose was diminished, and glucose fell below baseline after oral fat and protein. In spite of lower glucose, AUCC‐peptide and ISR did not differ significantly between sitagliptin and placebo after any macronutrient. AUCglucagon, insulin sensitivity and insulin clearance were also not different between sitagliptin and placebo. Glucose absorption after oral glucose was reduced by sitagliptin, whereas AUCparacetamol was not statistically different between sitagliptin and placebo.

Conclusions

Physiological elevation of intact GLP‐1 levels after ingestion of glucose and non‐glucose macronutrients is robustly glucose‐lowering in healthy subjects. Hence, the incretin concept is not restricted to glucose ingestion in normal physiology. The glucose‐lowering action of sitagliptin at these low glucose levels in healthy subjects may have complex mechanisms, involving both islet‐dependent and islet‐independent mechanisms.
Characteristics of equine mesenchymal stem cells derived from amnion and bone marrow: In vitro proliferative and multilineage potential assessment
Authors: Lange‐Consiglio A. , Corradetti B. , Meucci A. , Perego R. , Bizzaro D. , Cremonesi F.
Published: January 2013

Reasons for performing study

This is the first study comparing stemness features of equine mesenchymal progenitor cells derived from amniotic membrane and bone marrow.

Objectives

To investigate an alternative and noninvasive stromal cell source for equine tissue engineering.

Study design

In vitro experimental study of the characteristics of equine mesenchymal progenitor cells derived from amnion and bone marrow.

Methods

Cells isolated from amniotic membrane and bone marrow were analysed for proliferation (growth curve, doubling time, colony forming unit). Immunocytochemical detection of pluripotency markers and gene expression of stromal cell markers were also performed and these cells were studied for multilineage plasticity.

Results

Amniotic stromal cells (AMSCs) and bone marrow mesenchymal cells (BM‐MSCs) both exhibited mature stromal cell‐specific gene expression and immunocytochemical properties, but showed substantial differences in their proliferative and differentiation potential. The mean doubling time for AMSCs was significantly lower (P<0.05) than that observed for BM‐MSCs (1.17 ± 0.15 vs. 3.27 ± 0.19 days, respectively). Compared to AMSCs, BM‐MSCs also demonstrated a significantly (P<0.05) lower clonogenic capability (one fibroblast‐like colony forming unit from a mean of 590.15 cells seeded for BM‐MSCs vs. 242.73 cells seeded for AMSCs). BM‐MSCs did not differentiate into glial cells, and the osteogenic differentiation process was longer than for AMSCs.

Conclusions and potential relevance

The amniotic membrane could be a valuable source of MSCs to be used both for allogenic and/or autologous therapies. The noninvasive nature and low cost of collection, the rapid proliferation along with a greater differentiation potential and the ‘off the shelf’ preparation potential could make AMCs useful for cell therapy.
Arthrophytum scoparium inhibits melanogenesis through the down‐regulation of tyrosinase and melanogenic gene expressions in B16 melanoma cells
Authors: Chao Hui‐Chia , Najjaa Hanen , Villareal Myra O. , Ksouri Riadh , Han Junkyu , Neffati Mohamed , Isoda Hiroko
Published: January 2013

Melanin performs a crucial role in protecting the skin against harmful ultraviolet light. However, hyperpigmentation may lead to aesthetic problems and disorders such as solar lentigines (SL), melasma, postinflammatory hyperpigmentation and even melanoma. Arthrophytum scoparium grows in the desert in the North African region, and given this type of environment, A. scoparium exhibits adaptations for storing water and produces useful bioactive factors. In this study, the effect of A. scoparium ethanol extract (ASEE) on melanogenesis regulation in B16 murine melanoma cells was investigated. Cells treated with 0.017% (w/v) ASEE showed a significant inhibition of melanin biosynthesis in a time‐dependent manner without cytotoxicity. To clarify the mechanism behind the ASEE‐treated melanogenesis regulation, the expressions of tyrosinase enzyme and melanogenesis‐related genes were determined. Results showed that the expression of tyrosinase enzyme was significantly decreased and Tyr, Trp‐1, Mitf and Mc1R mRNA expressions were significantly down‐regulated. LC‐ESI‐TOF‐MS analysis of the extract identified the presence of six phenolic compounds: coumaric acid, cinnamic acid, chrysoeriol, cyanidin, catechol and caffeoylquinic acid. The melanogenesis inhibitory effect of ASEE may therefore be attributed to its catechol and tetrahydroisoquinoline derivative content. We report here that ASEE can inhibit melanogenesis in a time‐dependent manner by decreasing the tyrosinase protein and Tyr, Trp‐1, Mitf and Mc1R mRNA expressions. This is the first report on the antimelanogenesis effect of A. scoparium and on its potential as a whitening agent.
On the Role of Intangible Information and Capital Gains Taxes in Long‐Term Return Reversals
Authors: Bhootra Ajay
Published: January 2013

Prior studies have linked long‐term reversals to the magnitude of locked‐in capital gains suggesting that reversals are driven by tax effects and not overreaction. I find that locked‐in capital gains do not explain the reversals in winners when winner returns are based on intangible information. In fact, the reversals for intangible return winners are long lasting and robust to controls for growth in assets and capital expenditures. To the extent that reversals associated with intangible information stem from investors’ overreaction to intangible information and given the prior results linking reversals only to intangible information, my results suggest that overreaction still explains reversal patterns in US stock returns.
Dramatic changes in a phytoplankton community in response to local and global pressures: a 24‐year survey of the river Loire (France)
Authors: Larroudé S , Massei N , Reyes‐Marchant P , Delattre C , Humbert JF
Published: January 2013

The impact of climate change and of other anthropogenic pressures on the structure and composition of phytoplankton communities of large European rivers remains poorly documented. Here we report the findings of a study of the changes in the phytoplankton community of the middle segment of the river Loire over the past 24 years. An attempt is made to distinguish between the impact of changes acting at the local scale and that of those acting more globally. A dramatic reduction in phytoplankton abundance was observed, particularly in the mid ‐1990s; this was concomitant with an increase in the relative proportion of cyanobacteria. At the same time, the phytoplankton community displayed increasing richness and diversity, and little change in its size structure. All these changes seem to be related to local changes, in particular to the reduction in phosphorus concentrations, as well as to changes in climate, throughout modifications in the river discharge and water temperature. Interestingly, herbicide contamination also appeared to be of particular importance in explaining the unexpected increase in the proportion of cyanobacteria in the phytoplankton community after the 1990s. These findings suggest that combinations of numerous anthropogenic pressures acting at different spatial and temporal scales have led to a mix of predictable and unpredictable changes occurring in the phytoplankton community of the river Loire, with probable consequences for the trophic networks in this river.
Climate change, securitisation and the Israeli–Palestinian conflict
Authors: Mason Michael
Published: January 2013

Securitisation theory serves as a useful corrective to the ‘climate determinism’ evident in mainstream debates on the security effects of climate change, but there are divergences within this approach over what constitutes ‘successful’ securitisation. For the Copenhagen School, climate change has not been securitised because relevant state actors do not yet accept that emergency measures are necessary to tackle ‘dangerous’ climate risks. In contrast, ‘sociological’ proponents of securitisation theory identify ‘successful’ securitisation evident from climate policies that would not otherwise have been undertaken without the political mobilisation of crisis narratives concerning threats to human and ecosystem health. These marked differences over climate change reflect, I argue, divergent spatialities deployed within securitisation theory. The Copenhagen School posits state‐bounded territoriality as the power container dominating global security dynamics, viewing climate change as a weaker, deterritorial source of securitisation. Sociological approaches admit a wider set of security effects arising from the political mobilisation of climate threats because securitisation is claimed to emerge from diverse performative spaces. A critical application of securitisation theory to the Israeli–Palestinian conflict reveals insights from both strands on the outcomes of attempts to portray climate change as a regional security threat. However, I contend that the spatial analytics of securitisation theory miss vertical forms of power that, in the case of Israeli occupational practices, feature use of a climate threat scenario to reinforce processes of military‐political domination.
Development and implementation of allocation arrangements for recreational and commercial fishing sectors in Western Australia
Authors: Crowe F. M. , Longson I. G. , Joll L. M.
Published: January 2013

This paper examines why Western Australia's Integrated Fisheries Management (IFM) policy was adopted, its development, achievements, lessons learned and future directions. Adopted in 2004, IFM aims to achieve and maintain fish resource sustainability through optimal catch share arrangements between competing users. It involves setting an allowable harvest level for each resource, using an independent allocation committee process to allocate explicit catch shares for commercial, recreational and customary sectors, and monitoring sectoral catch. IFM provides guidance for managing each sector within its catch share, providing access to that share, and developing reallocation mechanisms to transfer sectoral catch shares. The three most important multi‐sector resources, western rock lobster, Panulirus cygnus George, metropolitan Roe's abalone, Haliotis roei Grey, and west coast demersal scalefish, have undergone the allocation process. The first two are operational while the third is almost complete. Allocation outcomes demonstrate the need to account for each sector's catch, with credible scientific data to underpin decision‐making, independent transparent allocation processes, robust sectoral representation, workable reallocation mechanisms and management arrangements to ensure that all sectors can access their allocated share. IFM generates fair decisions for optimal resource use to reduce intersectoral conflict and provide better community outcomes, with wide applicability across other jurisdictions.
Taxonomic revision and molecular phylogeny of the fig wasp genus AnidarnesBouček, 1993 (Hymenoptera: Sycophaginae)
Authors: FARACHE FERNANDO H. A. , CRUAUD ASTRID , GENSON GWENAËLLE , PEREIRA RODRIGO A.S. , RASPLUS JEAN‐YVES
Published: January 2013

Besides the pollinators (Agaonidae), several chalcidoid lineages of nonpollinating fig wasps are strictly dependent on Ficus (Moraceae) for reproduction. Overall, nonpollinating fig wasps have not received much consideration. Reliable phylogenetic and taxonomic frameworks are lacking for most groups, which hampers progress in our understanding of the evolution and functioning of fig wasp communities. Here we focus on Anidarnes Bouček (Sycophaginae), a member of the Neotropical fig wasp community. We present a detailed morphological analysis as well as the first molecular phylogeny of the genus inferred from two nuclear and two mitochondrial genes (Cytb, COI, EF‐1α and 28S rRNA, 3937 bp). Twelve species are recognised, illustrated and a key to their identification is provided. Of those, only three were previously described and are redescribed here: A. bicolor (Ashmead); A. globiceps (Mayr) and A. brevicauda Bouček. In addition, nine new species are described: Anidarnes breviorsp.n. Farache & Rasplus (Costa Rica); A. dissidenssp.n. Farache & Rasplus (Brazil); A. gracilissp.n. Farache & Rasplus (Costa Rica); A. isophlebiaesp.n. Farache & Rasplus (Costa Rica); A. jimeneziaesp.n. Farache & Rasplus (Costa Rica); A. longiscutellumsp.n. Farache & Rasplus (Brazil); A. martinaesp.n. Farache & Rasplus (U.S.A., Florida); A. nigrussp.n. Farache & Rasplus (Colombia) and A. rugosussp.n. Farache & Rasplus (Brazil). Finally, phylogenetic relationships inferred using parsimony, bayesian and maximum likelihood methods are discussed in the light of our morphological observations and the host fig tree taxonomy.
Revision of the genus Pseudabris Fairmaire (Coleoptera, Meloidae), an endemic to the Tibetan Plateau, with biogeographical comments
Authors: PAN ZHAO , REN GUO‐DONG , WANG XIN‐PU , BOLOGNA MARCO A.
Published: January 2013

The mylabrine genus Pseudabris is endemic to the Tibetan Plateau and includes seven species with overlapping or disjunct ranges. The genus is revised: three new species, P. brevipilosasp.n.,P. latimaculatasp.n.,P. regularissp.n., are described and illustrated, and a key to the species is provided. Molecular evidence supports the placement of Pseudabris within the tribe Mylabrini. Results of a morphology‐based cladistic analysis support the existence of two lineages, one centred mainly on the south central plateau, and the second in the eastern area. Faunistics and bionomics of the genus are summarized, focusing on phenology, elevation, habitat preference and host plants. The endemism of the Tibetan Plateau is discussed, with a special focus on the genus Pseudabris.
Positive surgical margins and their locations in specimens are adverse prognosis features after radical cystectomy in non‐metastatic carcinoma invading bladder muscle: results from a nationwide case–control study
Authors: Neuzillet Yann , Soulie Michel , Larre Stéphane , Roupret Morgan , Defortescu Guillaume , Murez Thibaut , Pignot Géraldine , Descazeaud Aurélien , Patard Jean‐Jacques , Bigot Pierre , Salomon Laurent , Colin Pierre , Rigaud Jérôme , Bastide Cyrille , Durand Xavier , Valeri Antoine , Kleinclauss François , Bruyere Franck , Pfister Christian ,   the Comité de Cancérologie de l'Association Française d'Urologie (CCAFU)
Published: January 2013

What's known on the subject? and What does the study add?

Positive surgical margin (PSM) frequency after radical cystectomy has been estimated to be 4–15%. Studies that have not distinguished between the different sites of PSM have failed to show that they are an independent prognostic factor for disease‐free survival. Only perivesical soft tissue PSMs have been associated with an increased risk of cancer recurrence and cancer‐specific death.

This is the first comprehensive published analysis of PSMs occurring during radical cystectomy for pTx pN0 M0 bladder cancer according to their location, comparing their cancer‐specific survival (CSS) and other outcomes with those of a control group paired according to TNM status, age, sex and urinary diversion method. Local recurrence‐free survival rates were found to be lower in patients with both soft tissue and urethral PSMs. Moreover, soft‐tissue PSMs were associated with lower metastatic recurrence‐free and CSS rates.

Objective

To compare the prognoses associated with positive surgical margins (PSMs) according to their urethral, ureteric and/or soft tissue locations in patients with pN0 M0 bladder cancer who have not undergone neoadjuvant chemotherapy.

Patients and Methods

A retrospective, case–control study was conducted between 1991 and 2011 using data from 17 academic centres in France.

A total of 154 patients (cases) with PSMs met the eligibility criteria and were matched according to centre, pT stage, gender, age and urinary diversion method with a population‐based sample of 154 patients (controls) from 3651 patients who had undergone cystectomies.

The median follow‐up period was 23.9 months.

Multivariable Cox regression analysis was used to test the effects of PSMs on local recurrence (LR)‐free survival, metastatic recurrence (MR)‐free survival and cancer‐specific survival (CSS).

Results

The 5‐year LR‐free survival and CSS rates of patients with urethral and soft tissue PSMs were lower than those in the control group.

A significant decrease in CSS was associated with soft tissue PSMs (P = 0.003, odds ratio = 0.425, 95% confidence interval 0.283–0.647). The prognosis was not affected in cases of ureteric PSMs.

Conclusions

Soft tissue PSMs were associated with poor CSS rates in patients with pN0 M0 bladder cancer.

A correlation between urethrectomy and a reduction of the risk of LR in a urethral PSM setting was observed.
Numerical response of small mustelids to vole abundance: delayed or not?
Authors: Sundell Janne , O’Hara Robert Brian , Helle Pekka , Hellstedt Paavo , Henttonen Heikki , Pietiäinen Hannu
Published: January 2013

One of the most studied problems in population ecology has been to understand the relative roles of top–down and bottom–up forces in regulating animal populations. This has also been a key issue in studies of vole population dyna mics. Vole populations exhibit a wide variation of dynamics, from seasonal fluctuations to multiannual variations or cyclicity. One of the hypotheses to explain cyclic population dynamics is predation by the specialist predators. A common counterargument against the predation hypothesis has been the lack of conclusive observations of the time delay in the predators’ numerical response. We studied the interaction between voles and their specialist small mustelid predators, the stoat Mustela erminea and the least weasel Mustela n. nivalis, by modelling their interaction to data sets that cover large areas of Finland. Vole abundance was monitored with biannual trappings and their predators with snow‐tracking. Results show a high dependence of the predators on the voles, and this connection is generally tighter in weasels than in stoats. Weasel abundance is affected most strongly by the vole abundance in previous spring, 8.5– 10 months earlier, while in stoats the effect of autumn abundance of voles, 2.5–6 months earlier, was the strongest. These results, together with the observation that the weasels’ effects on voles are stronger after a time lag of 6–9.5 than 2–4.5 months, indicate the existence of a time lag in weasels’ numerical response. A time lag in the predators’ numerical response is a necessary condition for the predators to drive population cycles in its prey, and therefore our results support the specialist predation hypothesis.
New views on how population‐intrinsic and community‐extrinsic processes interact during the vole population cycles
Authors: Andreassen Harry P. , Glorvigen Petter , Rémy Alice , Ims Rolf A.
Published: January 2013

Based on evidence from a series of recent studies linking behaviour to demography in experimental vole populations we propose how intrinsic and extrinsic factors interact through the various phases of the multi‐annual population cycles of voles and lemmings. We hypothesise that population growth in the increase phase of the cycle is enhanced by a high degree of space sharing (sociality) among reproductive females who share resource patches, especially during winter. These social females enjoy a high reproductive output due to good resource conditions, and facilitation provided by communal thermoregulation, breeding and defence of weanlings towards infanticidal conspecifics. We hypothesise on the other hand that the crash phase is initiated and enhanced by predation of adult males that leads to a series of cascading events involving infanticidal behaviour by immigrant males, increased mortality of adult social females, and inversely density‐dependent and/or disturbance‐induced dispersal. These events further enhance predation‐induced mortality and thus a negative feed‐back loop to the rate of the crash. In this framework we may explain how extrinsic factors such as predation and winter resource distribution contribute to transitions between docile and aggressive behaviours, and how this transition is spatially synchronised by inversely density‐dependent dispersal that may act to mediate a rapidly spreading wave throughout the population. We propose that innate differences among rodent species in their propensities for different social organizations also determine their propensity for exhibiting multi‐annual cycles as well as other cycle‐related phenomena such as shape of the population cycles and spatial synchrony. We provide a set of testable predictions for further empirical evaluation.
Different Roles of Land in Rural–Urban Migration: Evidence from China's Household Survey
Authors: Wang Xuelong
Published: January 2013

This paper explores the influence of land holding on rural–urban migration using China's 2008 household survey data. It shows that the contradictory findings of existing published literature can be explained by introducing a migration distance variable. The empirical studies show that land holding plays a different role in short‐distance and long‐distance migration. Land holding has a U‐shaped curve association with the probability of short‐distance migration and has an inverted‐U‐shaped association with the probability of long‐distance migration. Therefore, the government needs to provide more job information and migration subsidies to farmers who have little land to overcome difficulties in the process of migration so as to reduce rural–urban inequality.
Social Investment According to the OECD/DELSA: A Discourse in the Making
Authors: Mahon Rianne
Published: January 2013

It is important to draw critical attention to the broad policy perspectives that travel across the globe and operate at multiple scales. Social Investment is clearly one such set of ideas that has assumed increasing prominence over the last two decades. Like most such rapidly diffusing ideas, however, it admits of quite different interpretations. In this article I examine the most recent iterations of the Directorate for Employment, Labour and Social Affairs’ (DELSA) interpretation of Social Investment against the backdrop of its earlier work. I argue that its initial formulations could be seen as an example of inclusive liberalism. Since then, however, DELSA has begun to embrace important elements of a social democratic version, including a concern with gender equality.

Policy Implications

 While the idea of Social Investment may have opened anew a positive role for social policy, it is insufficient for such policies to focus narrowly on improving the human capital of the poor. Rather it is important to develop the human capital of all.

 While Social Investment policies can include measures to facilitate work and family life it is also important to actively promote equality of the sexes in paid and unpaid work.

 Social Investment policies, with their emphasis on the supply side, need to be complemented by policies to promote good jobs for all.

 To be effective, Social Investment policies need to be accompanied by appropriate macroeconomic policies.
Where Do the World's Poor Live? A New Update
Authors: Sumner Andy
Published: January 2013

This paper revisits, with new data, the changes in the distribution of global poverty towards middle‐income countries (MICs). In doing so it discusses an implied ‘poverty paradox’– the fact that most of the world's extreme poor no longer live in the world's poorest countries.

The paper outlines the distribution of global poverty as follows: half of the world's poor live in India and China (mainly in India), a quarter of the world's poor live in other MICs (primarily populous lower MICs such as Pakistan, Nigeria and Indonesia) and a quarter of the world's poor live in the remaining 35 low‐income countries. Underlying this pattern is a slightly more surprising one: only 7 per cent of world poverty remains in low‐income, stable countries.

The paper discusses factors that are behind the shift in global poverty towards middle‐income countries in particular and how sensitive the distribution of global poverty is to the thresholds for middle‐income classification. The paper concludes with implications for research related to poverty.
The Hegemony Cracked: The Power Guide to Getting Care onto the Development Agenda
Authors: Eyben Rosalind
Published: January 2013

This paper uses power analysis and the notion of hegemony to enquire into the historical neglect of unpaid care in the international development sector. In the light of that analysis the paper looks at how to exploit the hegemonic contradictions that provide openings for getting care onto development policy agendas. Addressing feminist practitioners and scholar‐activists, the paper proposes a strategy of a succession of small wins in naming, framing, claiming and programming care. These can contribute to a change of mindset among citizens, think tanks and policy‐makers about the significance of care.
The incidence of gingival fissures associated with toothbrushing: crossover 28‐day randomized trial
Authors: Greggianin Bruna Frizon , Oliveira Sara Cioccari , Haas Alex Nogueira , Oppermann Rui Vicente
Published: January 2013

Aim

To compare the incidence of gingival fissures after the use of soft and medium‐hard toothbrushes.

Material & Methods

Overall, 35 participants (14–20 years old), with periodontal attachment loss (PAL) ≤1 mm, were assigned to soft or medium‐hard toothbrushes in a crossover design with a wash‐out of 10 days between two 28‐days periods. Gingival fissures were assessed using a disclosing solution. Pictures were taken from a selected quadrant every 2–3 days in 12 sessions. Picture files were evaluated by a blind examiner. Generalized estimating equations were used to evaluate the association between gingival fissures, toothbrush type, time, gender, age, self‐reported brushing frequency, plaque and PAL.

Results

Overall, 25% of the participants presented at least one gingival fissure. Higher incidence of fissures was observed after use of medium‐hard toothbrushes. In the multivariable model, the risk of fissure development was two times higher with medium‐hard compared with soft toothbrushes. The presence of buccal PAL was associated with a 5.19 times increased risk. The risk of fissure occurrence also increased with time and was higher in males than females.

Conclusions

Gingival fissures are a common feature associated with toothbrushing. Medium‐hard toothbrushes, male gender, time and previous PAL are significant risk factors for the incidence of gingival fissures.
Invasive house mice facing a changing environment on the Sub‐Antarctic Guillou Island (Kerguelen Archipelago)
Authors: Renaud S. , Hardouin E. A. , Pisanu B. , Chapuis J.‐L.
Published: January 2013

Adaptation to new environments is a key feature in evolution promoting divergence in morphological structures under selection. The house mouse (Mus musculus domesticus) introduced on the Sub‐Antarctic Guillou Island (Kerguelen Archipelago) had and still has to face environmental conditions that likely shaped the pattern and pace of its insular evolution. Since mouse arrival on the island, probably not more than two centuries ago, ecological conditions dramatically differed from those available to their Western European commensal source populations. In addition, over the last two decades, the plant and animal communities of Guillou Island were considerably modified by the eradication of rabbits, the effects of climate change and the spread of invasive species detrimental to native communities. Under such a changing habitat, the mouse response was investigated using a morphometric quantification of mandible and molar tooth, two morphological structures related to food processing. A marked differentiation of the insular mice compared with their relatives from Western Europe was documented for both mandibles and molar shapes. Moreover, these shapes changed through the 16 years of the record, in agreement with expectations of drift for the molar, but more than expected by chance for the mandible. These results suggest that mice responded to the recent changes in food resources, possibly with a part of plastic variation for the mandible prone to bone remodelling. This pattern exemplifies the intricate interplay of evolution, ecology and plasticity that is a probable key of the success of such an invasive rodent facing pronounced shifts in food resources exploitation under a changing environment.
Pollinator‐mediated selection on floral morphology: evidence for transgressive evolution in a derived hybrid lineage
Authors: Anton K. A. , R. Ward J. , Cruzan M. B.
Published: January 2013

Hybridization between closely related lineages is a mechanism that might promote substantive changes in phenotypic traits of descendants, resulting in transgressive evolution. Interbreeding between divergent but morphologically similar lineages can produce exceptional phenotypes, but the potential for transgressive variation to facilitate long‐term trait changes in derived hybrid lineages has received little attention. We compare pollinator‐mediated selection on transgressive floral traits in both early‐generation and derived hybrid lineages of the Piriqueta cistoides ssp. caroliniana complex. The bowl‐shaped flowers of morphotypes in this complex have similar gross morphologies and attract a common suite of small insect pollinators. However, they are defined by significant differences in characters that generate pollinator interest and visitation, including floral area and petal separation. In common garden experiments, patterns of pollen deposition in early‐generation recombinant hybrids indicate that Piriqueta's pollinators favour flowers with greater area and reduced petal separation. Changes in floral morphology in derived hybrid lineages are consistent with predictions from selection gradients, but the magnitude of change is limited relative to the range of transgressive variation. These results suggest that hybridization provides variation for evolution of divergent floral traits. However, the potential for extreme transgressive variants to contribute to phenotypic shifts may be limited due to reduced heritability, evolutionary constraints or fitness trade‐offs.
Ovarian Regulation of Kisspeptin Neurones in the Arcuate Nucleus of the Rhesus Monkey (Macaca mulatta)
Authors: Alçin E. , Sahu A. , Ramaswamy S. , Hutz E. D. , Keen K. L. , Terasawa E. , Bethea C. L. , Plant T. M.
Published: January 2013

Tonic gonadotrophin secretion throughout the menstrual cycle is regulated by the negative‐feedback actions of ovarian oestradiol (E2) and progesterone. Although kisspeptin neurones in the arcuate nucleus (ARC) of the hypothalamus appear to play a major role in mediating these feedback actions of the steroids in nonprimate species, this issue has been less well studied in the monkey. In the present study, we used immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridisation to examine kisspeptin and KISS1 expression, respectively, in the mediobasal hypothalamus (MBH) of adult ovariectomised (OVX) rhesus monkeys. We also examined kisspeptin expression in the MBH of ovarian intact females, and the effect of E2, progesterone and E2 + progesterone replacement on KISS1 expression in OVX animals. Kisspeptin or KISS1 expressing neurones and pronounced kisspeptin fibres were readily identified throughout the ARC of ovariectomised monkeys but, on the other hand, in intact animals, kisspeptin cell bodies were small in size and number and only fine fibres were observed. Replacement of OVX monkeys with physiological levels of E2, either alone or with luteal phase levels of progesterone, abolished KISS1 expression in the ARC. Interestingly, progesterone replacement alone for 14 days also resulted in a significant down‐regulation of KISS1 expression. These findings support the view that, in primates, as in rodents and sheep, kisspeptin signalling in ARC neurones appears to play an important role in mediating the negative‐feedback action of E2 on gonadotrophin secretion, and also indicate the need to study further their regulation by progesterone.
The Publication of Precedents and Its Effect on Legislative Behavior
Authors: Lawrence Eric D.
Published: January 2013

What was the effect of the publication of the precedents in the House in the late nineteenth century? Empirical analysis demonstrates a significant effect of the publication of the House precedents on the behavior of members' willingness to appeal decisions of the chair. Publication of the precedents reduced the frequency of appeals, a finding consistent with the qualitative arguments of past parliamentarians but never before demonstrated empirically. Further, parallel analysis of the Senate reveals that the publication effect found for the House is not an artifact of some secular trend in legislative behavior, doing so by showing that no similar pattern occurs in the Senate during the same period of time.
The impact of learning environment disruption on medical student performance
Authors: Wilkinson Tim J , Ali Anthony N , Bell Caroline J , Carter Frances A , Frampton Chris M , McKenzie Jan M
Published: January 2013

Objectives  This study aimed to quantify the effects of two distinct and separate disruptions caused by earthquakes to a medical school learning environment on two separate cohorts of Year 5 medical students.

Methods  The first disruption was caused by an earthquake of magnitude 7.1 that occurred near the end of the academic year but caused minimal physical damage. The second disruption, to a different cohort of students, was caused by a magnitude 6.3 aftershock that occurred at the beginning of the academic year, caused loss of life and widespread damage to the city, and resulted in the closure of the medical school building for 2 years. Using students from the same class, who spent their year in different unaffected cities, as control subjects, and students from previous years in the same city as historic controls, we developed models to compare actual and predicted performances on end‐of‐year examinations in each of the two cohorts with those in the three previous unaffected year groups.

Results  The predictive models fitted the data well with multiple correlations for the written (R range: 0.69–0.79) and clinical (R range: 0.52–0.69) examinations. Students in the first cohort, for whom the disruption occurred close to end‐of‐year examinations but had a mild effect on the physical environment, performed slightly (− 1.5% to − 2.0%) but significantly (p < 0.05) worse than predicted for all three outcomes. Students in the second cohort, who experienced major disruption of their physical environment, performed as expected.

Conclusions  An unexpected disruption that occurred close to examinations, but which had less physical environmental effect, had a greater impact on assessment performance than a more severe disruption and series of disruptions to which students had time to adapt and which they could work around. Two theories are offered to explain the observations.
Peer influence on students’ estimates of performance: social comparison in clinical rotations
Authors: Raat A N (Janet) , Kuks Jan B M , van Hell E Ally , Cohen‐Schotanus Janke
Published: January 2013

Context  During clinical rotations, students move from one clinical situation to another. Questions exist about students’ strategies for coping with these transitions. These strategies may include a process of social comparison because in this context it offers the student an opportunity to estimate his or her abilities to master a novel rotation. These estimates are relevant for learning and performance because they are related to self‐efficacy. We investigated whether student estimates of their own future performance are influenced by the performance level and gender of the peer with whom the student compares him‐ or herself.

Methods  We designed an experimental study in which participating students (n = 321) were divided into groups assigned to 12 different conditions. Each condition entailed a written comparison situation in which a peer student had completed the rotation the participant was required to undertake next. Differences between conditions were determined by the performance level (worse, similar or better) and gender of the comparison peer. The overall grade achieved by the comparison peer remained the same in all conditions. We asked participants to estimate their own future performance in that novel rotation. Differences between their estimates were analysed using analysis of variance (anova).

Results  Students’ estimates of their future performance were highest when the comparison peer was presented as performing less well and lowest when the comparison peer was presented as performing better (p < 0.001). Estimates of male and female students in same‐gender comparison conditions did not differ. In two of three opposite‐gender conditions, male students’ estimates were higher than those of females (p < 0.001 and p < 0.05, respectively).

Conclusions  Social comparison influences students’ estimates of their future performance in a novel rotation. The effect depends on the performance level and gender of the comparison peer. This indicates that comparisons against particular peers may strengthen or diminish a student’s self‐efficacy, which, in turn, may ease or hamper the student’s learning during clinical rotations. The study is limited by its experimental design. Future research should focus on students’ comparison behaviour in real transitions.
Analysing the hidden curriculum: use of a cultural web
Authors: Mossop Liz , Dennick Reg , Hammond Richard , Robbé Iain
Published: January 2013

CONTEXT Major influences on learning about medical professionalism come from the hidden curriculum. These influences can contribute positively or negatively towards the professional enculturation of clinical students. The fact that there is no validated method for identifying the components of the hidden curriculum poses problems for educators considering professionalism. The aim of this study was to analyse whether a cultural web, adapted from a business context, might assist in the identification of elements of the hidden curriculum at a UK veterinary school.

METHODS A qualitative approach was used. Seven focus groups consisting of three staff groups and four student groups were organised. Questioning was framed using the cultural web, which is a model used by business owners to assess their environment and consider how it affects their employees and customers. The focus group discussions were recorded, transcribed and analysed thematically using a combination ofa prioriand emergent themes.

RESULTS The cultural web identified elements of the hidden curriculum for both students and staff. These included: core assumptions; routines; rituals; control systems; organisational factors; power structures, and symbols. Discussions occurred about how and where these issues may affect students’ professional identity development.

CONCLUSIONS The cultural web framework functioned well to help participants identify elements of the hidden curriculum. These aspects aligned broadly with previously described factors such as role models and institutional slang. The influence of these issues on a student’s development of a professional identity requires discussion amongst faculty staff, and could be used to develop learning opportunities for students. The framework is promising for the analysis of the hidden curriculum and could be developed as an instrument for implementation in other clinical teaching environments.