bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effect of chemical complexity of essential oils on feeding deterrence in larvae of the cabbage looper
Authors: AKHTAR YASMIN , PAGES EMMANUELLE , STEVENS ALEX , BRADBURY ROD , da CAMARA CLAUDIO A. G. , ISMAN MURRAY B.
Published: February 2012

The relationship between chemical composition and feeding deterrent activity of seven essential oils is explored, including those from Syzygium aromaticum (L.) Merr. & Perry (Myrtaceae), Cinnamomum zeylanicum Blume (Lauraceae), Lavendula latifolia (L.) Medicus, Lavendula angustifolia L., Mentha crispa L., Mentha arvensis L. and Mentha piperita L. (Lamiaceae) against an important agricultural pest, the cabbage looper (Trichoplusia ni Hübner, Noctuidae), using a leaf‐disc choice bioassay. Comparison of the deterrent activity of ‘full mixtures' with respective artificial blends missing individual constituents demonstrates that, for most oils, minor constituents in a mixture can be as important as major constituents with respect to the overall feeding deterrent effect. There is a lack of correlation between the feeding deterrent effect of an individual constituent of an essential oil and its contribution to the overall activity of the ‘full mixture’ in some cases. The effect of removing an individual constituent from the mixture of an essential oil depends on the unique properties of the mixture, which in turn may reflect the interaction of its constituents. Understanding the role and contribution of each constituent to the overall activity of the oil can facilitate the creation of artificial blends that optimize their efficacy against different pests.
Cuticular hydrocarbon profiles as a taxonomic tool: advantages, limitations and technical aspects
Authors: KATHER RICARDA , MARTIN STEPHEN J.
Published: February 2012

Cuticular hydrocarbons (CHCs) are expressed on an insect's cuticle and are one of the major factors allowing insects to identify members of their own species, colony and gender. As a result of their species‐specificity, CHCs are increasingly used to delimit species in addition to more conventional methods, such as morphology or genetic markers, and so play an important role in chemotaxonomy. Species vary in the type of CHCs that they produce, as well as in the relative quantities of shared compounds. This review summarizes not only how taxonomists may differentiate between species based on CHC profiles, but also the incentive for using CHC composition as taxonomic tool. Benefits regarding the identification of cryptic species and early signs of reproductive isolation are then discussed, giving examples from studies of taxonomy, behaviour and biosynthesis. For taxonomic characters to reliably indicate species boundaries, their limitations need to be known. Potential problems caused by environmental effects, intra‐species variation in profiles and other technical issues are highlighted, and suggestions are made regarding their avoidance. It remains a challenge to determine the variation beyond which two species can be called independent; a problem shared by most methods of delimitation. Recently, there has been a shift towards using a combination of different taxonomic tools, both molecular and non‐molecular, to test observed species differences.
Trans‐α‐xylosidase and trans‐β‐galactosidase activities, widespread in plants, modify and stabilize xyloglucan structures
Authors: Franková Lenka , Fry Stephen C.
Published: February 2012

Cell‐wall components are hydrolysed by numerous plant glycosidase and glycanase activities. We investigated whether plant enzymes also modify xyloglucan structures by transglycosidase activities. Diverse angiosperm extracts exhibited transglycosidase activities that progressively transferred single sugar residues between xyloglucan heptasaccharide (XXXG or its reduced form, XXXGol) molecules, at 16 μm and above, creating octa‐ to decasaccharides plus smaller products. We measured remarkably high transglycosylation:hydrolysis ratios under optimized conditions. To identify the transferred monosaccharide(s), we devised a dual‐labelling strategy in which a neutral radiolabelled oligosaccharide (donor substrate) reacted with an amino‐labelled non‐radioactive oligosaccharide (acceptor substrate), generating radioactive cationic products. For example, 37 μm [Xyl‐3H]XXXG plus 1 mm XXLG‐NH2 generated 3H‐labelled cations, demonstrating xylosyl transfer, which exceeded xylosyl hydrolysis 1.6‐ to 7.3‐fold, implying the presence of enzymes that favour transglycosylation. The transferred xylose residues remained α‐linked but were relatively resistant to hydrolysis by plant enzymes. Driselase digestion of the products released a trisaccharide (α‐[3H]xylosyl‐isoprimeverose), indicating that a new xyloglucan repeat unit had been formed. In similar assays, [Gal‐3H]XXLG and [Gal‐3H]XLLG (but not [Fuc‐3H]XXFG) yielded radioactive cations. Thus plants exhibit trans‐α‐xylosidase and trans‐β‐galactosidase (but not trans‐α‐fucosidase) activities that graft sugar residues from one xyloglucan oligosaccharide to another. Reconstructing xyloglucan oligosaccharides in this way may alter oligosaccharin activities or increase their longevity in vivo. Trans‐α‐xylosidase activity also transferred xylose residues from xyloglucan oligosaccharides to long‐chain hemicelluloses (xyloglucan, water‐soluble cellulose acetate, mixed‐linkage β‐glucan, glucomannan and arabinoxylan). With xyloglucan as acceptor substrate, such an activity potentially affects the polysaccharide’s suitability as a substrate for xyloglucan endotransglucosylase action and thereby modulates cell expansion. We conclude that certain proteins annotated as glycosidases can function as transglycosidases.
The Reproductive Behaviour of Aequidens paraguayensis (Pisces, Cichlidae)
Authors: Timms A. M. , Keenleyside M. H. A.
Published: February 2012

The reproductive behaviour of aquarium‐held Aequidens paraguayensis is described, with emphasis on a quantitative comparison of male‐female parental roles. It is a biparental species. Eggs, laid on leaf litter, are guarded and aerated for about 32 hours (25–27° C) and newly‐hatched young are orally brooded for several days. Both sexes performed all parental activities; ♀♀ did more fanning and mouthing of eggs, ♂♂ more oral churning of young initially. The combination of substrate and oral brooding of young by both parents is rare among New World cichlids and is of interest for the study of the evolution of parental behaviour in fishes.
Observations on Fighting Behaviour of Male Mice (Mus musculus L.)
Authors: Beilharz R. G. , Beilharz V. C.
Published: February 2012

Fighting behaviour of male mice was eompared in 8 wild, 2 unselected laboratory and 6 laboratory mice from a population bred from winners of fights. Behaviour was recorded when all 16 mice were allowed to fight in all possible pairs in a neutral test box, and when 5 selected mice fought in pairs in the home cages of one or the other.

The occurrence of self‐grooming, tail rattle and squealing are discussed. Different occurrences of behaviour in the different strains are explained as a result of genetic selection responses.
Zur Bedeutung des Geruchssinnes beim Nahrungserwerb von Kröten (Amphibia, Anura, Bufonidae): Versuche mit der Kreuzkröte (Bufo calamita Laur.)
Authors: Hemmer Helmut , Schopp Gerhard
Published: February 2012

The influence of olfactory and visual prey stimuli on the feeding behaviour of toads was studied as well as their response to lasting olfactory cues. A further aim was to find simple methods for testing olfactory responsiveness in anurans. Subjects were 8 adult specimens of the European species Bufo calamita (natterjack) kept in captivity one year at least. The results point to the rôle of olfaction in these animals.
Relations entre territoire et comportement agressif chez Periophthalmus sobrinus Eggert (Pisces, Periophthalmidae) au Laboratoire et en milieu naturel
Authors: Brillet Charles
Published: February 2012

This study was carried out in the laboratory on experimental groups of adult Mudskippers of both sexes; also natural populations were observed in mangrove swamps along the west coast of Madagascar. This paper deals mainly with the various aggressive postures and their role in the establishment and defense territories, the variations of aggression in an experimental group and, in the field, according to the tide movements. The hierarchial organization in the group of Mudskippers, the emergence of displacement activities and vacuum activities, the structure and dimensions of territories have also been studied.
Variations dans la structure sociale du topi, Damaliscus korrigum Ogilby, au Pare National de l'Akagera, Rwanda
Authors: Monfort‐Braham Nicole
Published: February 2012

Naturalistic observations were conducted over two years, on social structure, agonistic and sexual behaviour of Topi antelope (Damaliscus korrigum Ogilby) in Akagera National Park and Mutara Hunting Reserve, Rwanda. The species shows an adaptive social polymorphism. In densely populated savanna ♂♂ form arenas on territorial breeding grounds, with small and clustered territories where interactions are numerous, whereas in more wooded areas, territorial individuals and harems live on larger and more isolated claims.
Les rôles des colorations du Mandrill (Mandrillus sphinx)
Authors: Jouventin Pierre
Published: February 2012

Through field observations in Gabon, literature comparisons and experiments in captivity an attempt was made to assess the biological significance of the colourations of the Equatorial Forest Baboon. It appears that the various coloured body parts fulfil different functions, although the same pigments occur throughout: The posterior colouration of the leader has a signal function for the troup, the penial colouration has a dominance function, and the facial colourations have evolved through rivalry of adult ♂♂ for ♀♀ and food.
At least two indigenous species of the Bemisia tabaci complex are present in Brazil
Authors: Marubayashi J. M. , Yuki V. A. , Rocha K. C. G. , Mituti T. , Pelegrinotti F. M. , Ferreira F. Z. , Moura M. F. , Navas‐Castillo J. , Moriones E. , Pavan M. A. , Krause‐Sakate R.
Published: February 2012

Bemisia tabaci is one of the most important global agricultural insect pests, being a vector of emerging plant viruses such as begomoviruses and criniviruses that cause serious problems in many countries. Although knowledge of the genetic diversity of B. tabaci populations is important for controlling this pest and understanding viral epidemics, limited information is available on this pest in Brazil. A survey was conducted in different locations of São Paulo and Mato Grosso states, and the phylogenetic relationships of B. tabaci individuals from 43 populations sampled from different hosts were analysed based on partial mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase 1 gene (mtCOI) sequences. According to the recently proposed classification of the B. tabaci complex, which employs the 3.5% mtCOI sequence divergence threshold for species demarcation, most of the specimens collected were found to belong to the Middle East‐Asia Minor 1 species, which includes the invasive populations of the commonly known B biotype, within the Africa/Middle East/Asia Minor high‐level group. Three specimens collected from Solanun gilo and Ipomoea sp. were grouped together and could be classified in the New World species that includes the commonly known A biotype. However, six specimens collected from Euphorbia heterophylla, Xanthium cavanillesii and Glycine maxima could not be classified into any of the 28 previously proposed species, although according to the 11% mtCOI sequence divergence threshold, they belong to the New World high‐level group. These specimens were classified into a new recently proposed species named New World 2 that includes populations from Argentina. Middle East‐Asia Minor 1, New World and New World 2 were differentiated by RFLP analysis of the mtCOI gene using TaqI enzyme. Taq I analysis in silico also differentiates these from Mediterranean species, thus making this method a convenient tool to determine population dynamics, especially critical for monitoring the presence of this exotic pest in Brazil.
Low‐dose cyclosporin improves the health‐related quality of life in Japanese psoriasis patients dissatisfied with topical corticosteroid monotherapy
Authors: Hashimoto Takashi , Kawakami Tamihiro , Tsuruta Daisuke , Hamada Takahiro , Natsuaki Yohei , Fukuda Shunpei , Koga Hiroshi , Sogame Ryosuke , Ohyama Bungo , Ono Fumitake , Karashima Tadashi , Nakama Takekuni , Dainichi Teruki , Ishii Norito , Yasumoto Shinichiro
Published: February 2012

Psoriasis greatly impacts the health‐related quality of life of patients, including any dermatological conditions that are listed in the dermatology life quality index (DLQI). We investigated the relationships between DLQI and the degree of patient satisfaction using questionnaires among psoriasis patients treated only with topical corticosteroids. Patients who were dissatisfied with topical corticosteroids alone and agreed to receive cyclosporin were given low‐dose oral cyclosporin. We assessed changes of the DLQI and the psoriasis area and severity index (PASI) scores in patients dissatisfied with treatment during the period of cyclosporin addition. Of 32 enrolled patients, 17 reported dissatisfaction with the current treatment of topical corticosteroids alone. There was a significantly positive correlation between the degree of patient satisfaction questionnaires and the DLQI of these 32 patients. Among the 17 dissatisfied patients, 12 patients agreed to receive additional cyclosporin therapy and five did not. The 12 patients who started on cyclosporin had a significantly lower PASI after 12 weeks than they did at baseline. The DLQI improved significantly after 12 weeks in the cyclosporin‐treated patients. The 12 patients who agreed to receive cyclosporin showed a significantly lower DLQI at 12 weeks compared to the five patients who declined the addition of cyclosporin to their treatment. Assessing the degree of patient satisfaction with therapy using a questionnaire could be useful for improving clinical interventions in psoriasis patients. Low‐dose oral cyclosporin could be effective in patients who are dissatisfied with topical corticosteroid treatment alone.
Insulin resistance at diagnosis in Japanese children with type 2 diabetes mellitus
Authors: Urakami Tatsuhiko , Habu Masako , Kuwabara Remi , Komiya Kei , Nagano Nobuhiko , Suzuki Junichi , Mugishima Hideo
Published: February 2012

Background:  Insulin resistance at diagnosis was investigated in Japanese children with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).

Methods:  A total of 160 children with T2DM were divided into groups on the basis of percent overweight at time of diagnosis: group A (n= 28), <20%; group B (n= 55), 20–39%; group C (n= 37), 40–59%; group D (n= 40), ≥60%. Indicators of insulin resistance at diagnosis were compared among the four patient groups, and also between the children with T2DM and the 201 age‐matched normal Japanese children.

Results:  There were no significant differences in plasma glucose (PG) levels among the four patient groups. The mean concentration of fasting plasma immunoreactive insulin (IRI) was significantly higher in group D than in groups A and B (39.2 µU/mL vs 16.2 µU/mL and 24.1 µU/mL, P < 0.05, respectively). The mean homeostasis model assessment (HOMA‐R) was significantly higher in group D than in all the other three groups (17.6 vs 7.8, 10.8 and 12.7, P < 0.05, respectively). The indicators HOMA‐R and fasting IRI were significantly higher in each diabetes group, even in non‐obese group A, than in normal children (P < 0.01, respectively).

Conclusions:  Japanese children with T2DM had insulin resistance at diagnosis regardless of percent overweight, and the degree of insulin resistance gradually increased with rise in percent overweight.
Fire weather risk differs across rain forest—savanna boundaries in the humid tropics of north‐eastern Australia
Authors: LITTLE JEREMY K. , PRIOR LYNDA D. , WILLIAMSON GRANT J. , WILLIAMS STEPHEN E. , BOWMAN DAVID M. J. S.
Published: February 2012

Alternative stable state theory has been applied to understanding the control by landscape fire activity of pyrophobic tropical rain forest and pyrophytic eucalypt savanna boundaries, which are often separated by tall eucalypt forests. We evaluate the microclimate of three vegetation types across an elevational gradient and their relative fire risk as measured by McArthur's Forest Fire Danger Index (FFDI). Microclimatic data were collected from rain forest, tall eucalypt forest and savanna sites on eight vegetation boundaries throughout the humid tropics in north Queensland over a 3‐year period and were compared with data from a nearby meteorological station. There was a clear annual pattern in daily FFDI with highest values in the austral winter dry season and lowest values in the austral summer wet season. There was a strong association of the meteorological station FFDI values with those from the three vegetation types, albeit they were substantially lower. The rank order of FFDI values among the vegetation types decreased from savanna, tall eucalypt forest, then rain forest, a pattern that was consistent across each transect. Only very rarely would rain forest be flammable, despite being adjacent to highly flammable savannas. These results demonstrate the very strong effect of vegetation type on microclimate and fire risk, compared with the weak effect of elevation, consistent with a fire–vegetation feedback. This study is the first demonstration of how vegetation type influences microclimate and fire risk across a topographically complex tropical forest–savanna gradient.
Subpopulations of cholinergic, GABAergic and glutamatergic neurons in the pedunculopontine nucleus contain calcium‐binding proteins and are heterogeneously distributed
Authors: Martinez‐Gonzalez Cristina , Wang Hui‐Ling , Micklem Benjamin R. , Bolam J. Paul , Mena‐Segovia Juan
Published: February 2012

Neurons in the pedunculopontine nucleus (PPN) are highly heterogeneous in their discharge properties, their neurochemical markers, their pattern of connectivity and the behavioural processes in which they participate. Three main transmitter phenotypes have been described, cholinergic, GABAergic and glutamatergic, and yet electrophysiological evidence suggests heterogeneity within these subtypes. To gain further insight into the molecular composition of these three populations in the rat, we investigated the pattern of expression of calcium binding proteins (CBPs) across distinct regions of the PPN and in relation to the presence of other neurochemical markers. Calbindin‐ and calretinin‐positive neurons are as abundant as cholinergic neurons, and their expression follows a rostro‐caudal gradient, whereas parvalbumin is expressed by a low number of neurons. We observed a high degree of expression of CBPs by GABAergic and glutamatergic neurons, with a large majority of calbindin‐ and calretinin‐positive neurons expressing GAD or VGluT2 mRNA. Notably, CBP‐positive neurons expressing GAD mRNA were more concentrated in the rostral PPN, whereas the caudal PPN was characterized by a higher density of CBP‐positive neurons expressing VGluT2 mRNA. In contrast to these two large populations, in cholinergic neurons expression of calretinin is observed only in low numbers and expression of calbindin is virtually non‐existent. These findings thus identify novel subtypes of cholinergic, GABAergic and glutamatergic neurons based on their expression of CBPs, and further contribute to the notion of the PPN as a highly heterogeneous structure, an attribute that is likely to underlie its functional complexity.
Cocaine abstinence alters nucleus accumbens firing dynamics during goal‐directed behaviors for cocaine and sucrose
Authors: Cameron Courtney M. , Carelli Regina M.
Published: February 2012

Distinct subsets of nucleus accumbens (NAc) neurons differentially encode goal‐directed behaviors for natural vs. drug rewards [R. M. Carelli et al. (2000)The Journal of Neuroscience, 20, 4255–4266], and the encoding of cocaine‐seeking is altered following cocaine abstinence [J. A. Hollander & R. M. Carelli (2007) The Journal of Neuroscience, 27, 3535–3539]. Here, electrophysiological recording procedures were used to determine if the selective encoding of natural vs. cocaine reward by NAc neurons is: (i) maintained when the natural reinforcer is a highly palatable sweet tastant and (ii) altered by cocaine abstinence. Rats (n = 14) were trained on a multiple schedule of sucrose reinforcement and cocaine self‐administration (2–3 weeks) and NAc activity was recorded during the task before and after 30 days of cocaine abstinence. Of 130 cells recorded before abstinence, 82 (63%) displayed patterned discharges (increases or decreases in firing rate, termed phasic activity) relative to operant responding for sucrose or cocaine. As in previous reports, the majority of those cells displayed nonoverlapping patterns of activity during responding for sucrose vs. cocaine. Specifically, only 17 (21%) showed similar patterns of activity (i.e. overlapping activity) across the two reinforcer conditions. After abstinence, this pattern was largely maintained, 23 of 70 phasic cells (33%) were overlapping. However, cocaine abstinence altered the overall percentage of selectively active neurons across reinforcer conditions. Specifically, significantly more neurons became selectively activated during cocaine‐directed behaviors than during sucrose‐directed behaviors. The results indicate that, although the selective encoding of cocaine and natural rewards is maintained even with a highly palatable substance, 30 days of cocaine abstinence dynamically alters the overall population encoding of natural and drug rewards by NAc neurons.
The ecology of viruses that infect eukaryotic algae
Authors: Short Steven M.
Published: February 2012

Because viruses of eukaryotic algae are incredibly diverse, sweeping generalizations about their ecology are rare. These obligate parasites infect a range of algae and their diversity can be illustrated by considering that isolates range from small particles with ssRNA genomes to much larger particles with 560 kb dsDNA genomes. Molecular research has also provided clues about the extent of their diversity especially considering that genetic signatures of algal viruses in the environment rarely match cultivated viruses. One general concept in algal virus ecology that has emerged is that algal viruses are very host specific and most infect only certain strains of their hosts; with the exception of viruses of brown algae, evidence for interspecies infectivity is lacking. Although some host–virus systems behave with boom‐bust oscillations, complex patterns of intraspecies infectivity can lead to host–virus coexistence obfuscating the role of viruses in host population dynamics. Within the framework of population dynamics, host density dependence is an important phenomenon that influences virus abundances in nature. Variable burst sizes of different viruses also influence their abundances and permit speculations about different life strategies, but as exceptions are common in algal virus ecology, life strategy generalizations may not be broadly applicable. Gaps in knowledge of virus seasonality and persistence are beginning to close and investigations of environmental reservoirs and virus resilience may answer questions about virus inter‐annual recurrences. Studies of algal mortality have shown that viruses are often important agents of mortality reinforcing notions about their ecological relevance, while observations of the surprising ways viruses interact with their hosts highlight the immaturity of our understanding. Considering that just two decades ago algal viruses were hardly acknowledged, recent progress affords the optimistic perspective that future studies will provide keys to unlocking our understanding of algal virus ecology specifically, and aquatic ecosystems generally.
Bilateral uveal metastasis of a subcutaneous fibrosarcoma in a cat
Authors: Mowat Freya M. , Langohr Ingeborg M. , Bilyk Olenka , Koterbay Amy , Pierce Kenneth E. , Petersen‐Jones Simon M.
Published: February 2012

A 6‐year‐old neutered male domestic short‐haired cat was presented to the Comparative Ophthalmology service at Michigan State University with a 3‐week history of decreased appetite and redness of the left eye. The left forelimb had been removed 15 months previously because of the presence of a subcutaneous fibrosarcoma. In the left globe, a large iridal mass was associated with increased intraocular pressure and retinal detachment. A smaller mass involving the right iris was also present. Imaging revealed a 2‐cm mass in the left caudodorsal lung lobe, and abdominal ultrasound showed multifocal bilateral renal masses. Aspirates of these masses were nondiagnostic. The left globe was removed for palliative reasons, and histopathology showed that fibrosarcoma was infiltrating the iris, choroid, and optic nerve. Despite systemic chemotherapy with doxorubicin, the animal died 4 months after initial presentation. Histopathology confirmed highly angioinvasive metastatic fibrosarcoma also in the right uveal tract, the lungs, and both kidneys.
LA COHESION SOCIALE N’EST PAS LE FRUIT DE LA RARETE: POUR UN RENOUVEAU DU PARADIGME ECONOMIQUE
Authors: DACHEUX Eric , GOUJON Daniel
Published: February 2012

RESUME:  La crise actuelle ne remet nullement en cause la référence théorique à un monde de rareté naturelle. Référence qui alimente l’idée productiviste selon laquelle la croissance dans la compétition permet un développement économique qui ensuite engendre la cohésion sociale. C’est pourquoi, il nous semble nécessaire de renouveler l’approche hétérodoxe: alors que l’on a longtemps prétendu que seule la création de richesses économiques pouvait, via la redistribution, créer de la cohésion sociale, l’étude de la gestion des biens communs et celle des initiatives solidaires révèlent que la cohésion sociale est source de richesses économiques. Ce constat coupléà l’avènement d’une société de la connaissance marquée par l’abondance conduit à délaisser le paradigme dominant de l’économie orthodoxe. Il s’agit donc bien d’un propos théorique qui s’ancre dans les réalités d’aujourd’hui pour fonder un nouveau paradigme pouvant demain remettre en question la domination du paradigme libéral.
BUILDING SOCIAL CAPITAL FOR SOCIAL ENTREPRENEURSHIP
Authors: WESTLUND Hans , GAWELL Malin
Published: February 2012

ABSTRACT: By entrepreneurial combinations of voluntary resources, project means from public and private sources, commissions on contracts and other ways of financing, the youth house Fryshuset, with a great number of social activities for primarily young people in Stockholm, Sweden, has been able to allocate resources for establishing and expanding its activities. This development would not have been possible without struggle against established norms, values, traditions and institutions, not least the ‘close to monopoly’ that the public sector in practice was having on the fields in which Fryshuset emerged. Step by step, Fryshuset has built partnerships and alliances with public, private as well as civil actors. Expressed in a general way, Fryshuset has built a new social capital and created new norms and values.

The aim of the paper is to investigate how Fryshuset has managed to build social capital through, and for entrepreneurial efforts aiming to facilitate young peoples’ development.
Of BOLD Claims and Excessive Fears: A Call for Caution and Patience Regarding Political Neuroscience
Authors: Theodoridis Alexander G. , Nelson Amy J.
Published: February 2012

Published and informal assessments of the prospects for neuroimaging in political science have tended to range from overexuberant to reflexively dismissive. We seek to present a cautious but fair middle ground in considering this new methodology, primarily from an epistemological perspective. Our examination centers on the relationship between two levels of analysis, focusing on the potential for connection between behavior‐based theories of political psychology and cognition and the neural processes and systems involved in generating behaviors and states of mind. We explore the place of each level of analysis on its own, as well as the potential for the fruitful interaction of the two. This analysis brings together opinions and ideas presented by others in various forums and across multiple disciplines, offers a discussion of the the promises and perils of neuroimaging in its application to social science, as well as some practical thoughts regarding its early‐stage incorporation into political psychology. We argue in favor of proceeding with more substantial incorporation of neuroimaging into political psychology's methodological arsenal, but note that this will initially require both (1) greater acceptance of work more focused on presenting empirical results than on providing dispositive evidence in broader theoretical debates and (2) a commitment on the part of those conducting this research to refrain from overstating the definitiveness of its theoretical implications.
Advantages of Variance Stabilization
Authors: MORGENTHALER STEPHAN , STAUDTE ROBERT G.
Published: February 2012

Abstract. Variance stabilization is a simple device fornormalizinga statistic. Even though its large sample properties are similar to those ofstudentizing, many simulation studies of confidence interval procedures show that variance stabilization works better for small samples. We investigated this question in the context of testing a null hypothesis involving a single parameter. We provide support for a measure of evidence for an alternative hypothesis that is simple to compute, calibrate and interpret. It has applications in most routine problems in statistics, and leads to more accurate confidence intervals, estimated power and hence sample size calculations than standard asymptotic methods. Such evidence is readily combined when obtained from different studies. Connections to other approaches to statistical evidence are described, with a notable link to Kullback–Leibler symmetrized divergence.
The Relationship between Social Defiance, Vindictiveness, Anger, and Brain Morphology in Eight‐year‐old Boys and Girls
Authors: Fahim Cherine , Fiori Marina , Evans Alan C. , Pérusse Daniel
Published: February 2012

The goal of this study is twofold: (1) to assess brain anatomical differences between children meeting diagnostic criteria for oppositional defiant disorder (ODD) and healthy controls, and (2) to investigate whether morphological brain characteristics associated with ODD differ in boys and girls. Eight‐year‐old participants (N = 38) were scanned using magnetic resonance imaging. ODD symptoms were assessed using the Dominic‐R interactive. In ODD participants, we observed a significant reduction of gray matter density in the left orbitofrontal cortex—a prefrontal region that plays a pivotal role in emotional self‐regulation and impulse control—and, conversely, an increase in the left temporal area—an area that has been associated with aggressive, impulsive, and antisocial personality. Furthermore, ODD boys showed a reduction of both gray matter density in the left orbitofrontal cortex and of white matter density in the left superior frontal area. The structural abnormalities found in the present study, in particular, the correlation between ODD symptoms and reduction of gray matter density in the left orbitofrontal cortex, may present some evidence for the existence of neuropathology associated with ODD symptoms during childhood. Furthermore, our findings indicate morphometric differences between boys and girls with ODD, which may be associated with gender differences in social behavior in children showing ODD symptoms.
ASIAN BUSINESS CYCLE SYNCHRONIZATION
Authors: HE DONG , LIAO WEI
Published: February 2012

This paper develops a multilevel structural factor model to study international output comovement and its underlying driving forces. Our method combines a structural vector autoregression with a multilevel factor model, which helps us understand the economic meaning of the estimated factors. Using quarterly data of real GDP growth covering 9 emerging Asian economies and G‐7 countries, we estimate a global supply factor, a global demand factor, and group supply and demand factors for each group of the economies. We find that although the role of the global factors has intensified over the past 15 years for most of the economies, output fluctuations in Asia have remained less synchronized with the global factor than those in the industrial countries. The Asian regional factors have become increasingly important in tightening the interdependence within the region over time. Therefore, although emerging Asian economies cannot ‘decouple’ completely from the advanced economies, they have, nonetheless, sustained a strong independent cycle among themselves. We also find that synchronized supply shocks contributed more to the observed synchronization in output fluctuations among the Asian economies than demand shocks. This points to the role of productivity enhancement and transmission of other supply shocks through, for example, vertical trade integration, rather than dependence on external demand, as the primary source of business cycle synchronization in emerging Asia.
Delistings, Controlling Shareholders and Firm Performance in Europe
Authors: Croci Ettore , Giudice Alfonso Del
Published: February 2012

Using a novel European data set, we investigate the role of controlling shareholders in delisting decisions. Minority shareholders earn lower abnormal returns when the controlling shareholder takes the company private, but this lower premium disappears when we control for the firm's characteristics. After the delisting, firms delisted by their controlling shareholders do not improve their operating performance. These results do not suggest that controlling shareholders expropriate minority investors with minority freeze‐outs. Our findings are not due to heterogeneity across controlling shareholders. In fact, when we focus on family controlling shareholders, we find no evidence of performance improvement after the delisting.
Lungworm infection modifies cardiac response to exercise in cane toads
Authors: Pizzatto L. , Shine R.
Published: February 2012

Parasites can affect the locomotor performance of their hosts via a range of mechanisms. Cane toads (Rhinella marina) in Australia often contain native‐range lung nematodes (Rhabdias pseudosphaerocephala), and the parasite reduces endurance (and thus, dispersal rate) of this invasive anuran. The mechanism of impact plausibly involves reduced oxygen supply from infected lungs; if so, we expect to see that exercise will increase heartbeat rates more in infected toads than in uninfected conspecifics. Our data on 103 field‐collected toads (53 of which contained lungworms) support this prediction. Exercise induced a greater increase in heartbeat rate in infected toads than in uninfected conspecifics, but no shift in oxygen saturation of the haemoglobin.
Let us go shopping: exploring Northwest Chinese consumers' shopping experiences
Authors: Davis Lizhu Y.
Published: February 2012

With economic development and improvement of living standards, China has become an important and competitive consumer market. It becomes critical to understand Chinese consumers' shopping behaviour, especially that of largely neglected Northwest Chinese consumers. This study explores Northwest Chinese consumers' shopping experiences. The in‐depth interview revealed key retail factors that affect local consumers' shopping experiences, including atmospherics, store design, social environment, customer services and merchandise elements. The findings suggest that Northwest Chinese consumers have become more westernized, and the shopping experience has become important for local consumers. The study contributes to the literature by providing valuable insights for retailers aiming to expand to the large retail market in Northwest China.
Complications of hysteroscopic Essure® sterilisation: report on 4306 procedures performed in a single centre
Authors: Povedano B , Arjona JE , Velasco E , Monserrat JA , Lorente J , Castelo‐Branco C
Published: February 2012

Please cite this paper as: Povedano B, Arjona J, Velasco E, Monserrat J, Lorente J, Castelo‐Branco C. Complications of hysteroscopic Essure® sterilisation: report on 4306 procedures performed in a single centre. BJOG 2012;119:795–799.

Objective  To analyse the short‐, medium‐ and long‐term complications in women undergoing hysteroscopic tubal sterilisation with the Essure® device.

Design  Retrospective 7‐year study.

Setting  Office hysteroscopic unit in a teaching hospital.

Sample  A total of 4306 women whoe underwent the Essure® sterilisation procedure from 2003 to 2010.

Methods  Data on the success of the procedure and complications arising from outpatient hysteroscopic sterilisation using the Essure® system were collected from consecutive women undergoing the procedure over a 7‐year period.

Main outcome measures  Placement rate, successful bilateral tubal occlusion, perioperative adverse events, early postoperative (during the first 3 months of follow‐up) and late complications (after the initial 3 months of follow‐up).

Results  A total of 4108 (96.8%) women completed the standard 3‐month follow‐up protocol. Only 534 (13%) women had undergone the procedure within the previous year. There were 115 (out of 4306; 2.7%) recorded complications, none of which resulted in the need for hospitalisation or discharge later than 2 hours after the procedure. Vasovagal syncope was the most frequently encountered adverse event, occurring in 85 (2.0%) of 4306 cases. In 19 cases, one device was expelled, with most expulsions (14 out of 19) being detected before or during the 3‐month follow‐up.

Conclusions  Outpatient hysteroscopic sterilisation using the Essure® system is safe, with a low rate of complications.
The brain in vivo expresses the 2′,3′‐cAMP‐adenosine pathway
Authors: Verrier Jonathan D. , Jackson Travis C. , Bansal Rashmi , Kochanek Patrick M. , Puccio Ava M. , Okonkwo David O. , Jackson Edwin K.
Published: February 2012

J. Neurochem. (2012) 122, 115–125.

Although multiple biochemical pathways produce adenosine, studies suggest that the 2′,3′‐cAMP‐adenosine pathway (2′,3′‐cAMP→2′‐AMP/3′‐AMP→adenosine) contributes to adenosine production in some cells/tissues/organs. To determine whether the 2′,3′‐cAMP‐adenosine pathway exists in vivo in the brain, we delivered to the brain (gray matter and white matter separately) via the inflow perfusate of a microdialysis probe either 2′,3′‐cAMP, 3′,5′‐cAMP, 2′‐AMP, 3′‐AMP, or 5′‐AMP and measured the recovered metabolites in the microdialysis outflow perfusate with mass spectrometry. In both gray and white matter, 2′,3′‐cAMP increased 2′‐AMP, 3′‐AMP and adenosine, and 3′,5′‐cAMP increased 5′‐AMP and adenosine. In both brain regions, 2′‐AMP, 3‐AMP and 5′‐AMP were converted to adenosine. Microdialysis experiments in 2′,3′‐cyclic nucleotide‐3′‐phosphodiesterase (CNPase) wild‐type mice demonstrated that traumatic brain injury (controlled cortical impact model) activated the brain 2′,3′‐cAMP‐adenosine pathway; similar experiments in CNPase knockout mice indicated that CNPase was involved in the metabolism of endogenous 2′,3′‐cAMP to 2′‐AMP and to adenosine. In CSF from traumatic brain injury patients, 2′,3′‐cAMP was significantly increased in the initial 12 h after injury and strongly correlated with CSF levels of 2′‐AMP, 3′‐AMP, adenosine and inosine. We conclude that in vivo, 2′,3′‐cAMP is converted to 2′‐AMP/3′‐AMP, and these AMPs are metabolized to adenosine. This pathway exists endogenously in both mice and humans.
The “Homeless Problem” and the Double Consciousness*
Authors: Wasserman Jason Adam , Clair Jeffrey Michael , Platt Chelsea
Published: February 2012

The purpose of this article was to identify manifestations of a social discourse that construct those who are homeless as an existential problem. Based on 4 years of ethnographic data and grounded theory analysis, we illustrate the nature of exclusionary social practices that emerge from discourse on the “homeless problem” as well as the conflicting identities experienced by those who are homeless. Herein we frame the data using DuBois concept of “double consciousness.” Our findings indicate that those who are homeless mix together discourses of value and legitimacy with self‐applied stigmas and self‐denigrating political perspectives in ways that directly mirror DuBois’ notion of the conflicting nature of African and American identities around the end of the nineteenth century. We illustrate identity problems that manifest in the contemporary conflict between being both “homeless” and “American.”
Cervical leiomyomas in pregnancy: Report of 17 cases
Authors: Tian Jishun , Hu Wensheng
Published: February 2012

Aim

To analyse the management strategies and delivery outcomes of women with cervical leiomyomas in pregnancy.

Methods

We retrospectively analysed the pregnancy outcomes of 17 women with cervical leiomyomas. The outcome measures assessed included the volume of blood loss at delivery, need for blood transfusion, intra‐ and post‐operative complications and length of hospital stay.

Results

The mean diameter of the leiomyomas was 10.4 ± 7.2 cm, with a range of 3–30 cm. The mean blood loss was 697 ± 394 mL (range of 350–4200 mL). Six women (35.3%) required a blood transfusion. The mean duration of stay in hospital after delivery was 7.9 ± 3.9 days (range 4–20 days). There were three cases of severe haemorrhage or infection post‐operation necessitating hysterectomy, and all of the leiomyomas in these cases were more than 20 cm in diameter. There was a positive correlation between the blood loss volume and the size of leiomyomas (correlation coefficient 0.638, P < 0.01).

Conclusions

The dimensions of cervical leiomyomas influences post‐partum blood loss. Large cervical leiomyomas appear associated with adverse outcomes. When the leiomyomas are relatively small, an experienced practitioner could consider myomectomy during a caesarean delivery.
Field observation of foraging behavior by a group of adult diving beetles Agabus (Gaurodytes) bipustulatus preying on an adult Lissotriton boscai
Authors: ROSA Gonçalo M. , LAURENTINO Telma , MADEIRA Madalena
Published: February 2012

Adult dytiscids prey on a variety of items including other invertebrates but also larger prey such as frogs and fish. Observations of anuran larvae predation are common. However, there have been no reports concerning predation on caudata post‐metamorphosis by dytiscids. Here we describe a predation event by a group of adult diving beetles of the species Agabus (Gaurodytes) bipustulatus (Linnaeus, 1767) on an adult Lissotriton boscai (Lataste in Tourneville, 1879). This report represents the first observation of foraging behavior of adult diving beetles preying on and consuming a living post‐metamorphic newt.
A brief history on the oscillating roles of thalamus and cortex in absence seizures
Authors: Avoli Massimo
Published: February 2012

This review summarizes the findings obtained over the past 70 years on the fundamental mechanisms underlying generalized spike‐wave (SW) discharges associated with absence seizures. Thalamus and cerebral cortex are the brain areas that have attracted most of the attention from both clinical and experimental researchers. However, these studies have often favored either one or the other structure in playing a major role, thus leading to conflicting interpretations. Beginning with Jasper and Penfield’s topistic view of absence seizures as the result of abnormal functions in the so‐called centrencephalon, we witness the naissance of a broader concept that considered both thalamus and cortex as equal players in the process of SW discharge generation. Furthermore, we discuss how recent studies have identified fine changes in cortical and thalamic excitability that may account for the expression of absence seizures in naturally occurring genetic rodent models and knockout mice. The end of this fascinating tale is presumably far from being written. However, I can confidently conclude that in the unfolding of this “novel,” we have discovered several molecular, cellular, and pharmacologic mechanisms that govern forebrain excitability, and thus consciousness, during the awake state and sleep.
Assessing the “Short Mental Distance” in Eco‐Industrial Networks
Authors: Ashton Weslynne S. , Bain Ariana C.
Published: February 2012

Like many economic exchanges, industrial symbiosis (IS) is thought to be influenced by social relationships and shared norms among actors in a network. While many implicit references to social characteristics exist throughout the literature, there have been few explicit attempts to operationalize and measure the concepts. The “short mental distance,”“trust,”“openness,” and “communication” recorded among managers in Kalundborg, Denmark, set a precedent for examining and encouraging social interactions among key personnel in the dozens of eco‐industrial networks around the world. In this article we explore the relationships among various aspects of social embeddedness, social capital, and IS. We develop a conceptual framework and an approach using quantitative and qualitative methods to identify and measure these social characteristics, including social network structure, communication, and similarities in norms and conceptions of waste, and apply them in an industrial network in Nanjangud, South India. The findings suggest that there is a fairly high level of shared norms about dealing with waste—the “short mental distance”—in this network, but by‐product transactions are only weakly correlated with the structure and content of communication among managers. Replication of this approach can increase the understanding and comparability of the role of social characteristics in eco‐industrial activities around the world.
The dynamics of immigrant participation in entitlement programs: evidence from Canada, 1993–2007
Authors: Ostrovsky Yuri
Published: February 2012

Abstract Using uniquely rich Canadian administrative data from the 1993–2007 period, I find no evidence of rising Employment Insurance (EI) participation across recent‐immigrant cohorts and no evidence of rising EI participation with number of years spent in Canada beyond the short period following entrance into the Canadian labour market. I also find little evidence of the rising immigrant participation in Social Assistance (SA), either across recent arrival cohorts or with years in Canada. The results do not appear to be seriously affected by emigration and attrition within each immigrant cohort. While the immigrant participation in traditional ‘welfare’ programs such as Social Assistance has generally declined from 1993 to 2007, I show that Canada Child Tax Benefit and other federal and provincial programs aimed at providing financial assistance to families with children have become a major source of transfer income to immigrant families.
Willingness‐to‐pay for parallel private health insurance: evidence from a laboratory experiment
Authors: Buckley Neil J. , Cuff Katherine , Hurley Jeremiah , McLeod Logan , Nuscheler Robert , Cameron David
Published: February 2012

AbstractDebate over the effects of public versus private health care finance persists in both academic and policy circles. This paper presents the results of a revealed preference laboratory experiment that tests how characteristics of the public health system affect a subject's willingness‐to‐pay (WTP) for parallel private health insurance. Consistent with the theoretical predictions of Cuff et al. (2010), subjects’ average WTP is lower and the size of the private insurance sector smaller when the public system allocates health care based on need rather than randomly and when the probability of receiving health care from the public system is high.