bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The care of the immigrant self: technologies of citizenship and the healthcare sector
Authors: Pussetti Chiara , Barros Vitor
Published: April 2012

Purpose

In the public arena, immigrants are easily recognized as “vulnerable” but also “as a risk” for the social environment. They are associated with stigmatized infectious‐contagious health conditions, with deviant or disturbed behaviours, with poor education and hygiene, and with dubious morality and parental competence. This paper aims to analyse the complex array of targeted programmes designed in the last decades in Europe in order to intervene on immigrants' health practices and lifestyles.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper was designed to engage with a critical approach to the healthcare sector, rendering visible the rationale behind such programmes of intervention by focusing on the relations between the representation of immigrants' health, the symbolic and physical borders of the body and the nation, the welfare state, and the contemporary politics of care.

Findings

The paper highlights: the racialization of public health and social care policy, which have been constituting migrant populations as unsanitary citizens; the intervention of social care programmes as technologies of citizenship in order to guide these populations towards specific models of body, health, behaviour and life projects; and the paradigmatic shifts in the way healthcare is perceived and deployed, and its ethical and political implications.

Originality/value

Building on the contributions from medical anthropology, historical sociology, and governmentality studies, the paper sheds a new light on the subject by positioning the practices of healthcare on a racialized post‐colonial setting of intervening on populations constituting vulnerabilities and managing risks through medical expertise.
Middle managers on the slide
Authors: Carlström Eric D.
Published: April 2012

Purpose

This article aims to examine middle managers in health care and how their role has changed in times of fiscal constraints. It seeks to focus particularly on how cost savings influence the position of middle managers in the organisation between governance and advocacy pressure.

Design/methodology/approach

A total of 25 Swedish middle managers from public health care organisations during fiscal constraints were interviewed about what contributes to their positioning in the organisation.

Findings

The loyalty of middle managers is tested in the “in between” role. Excessive loyalty, in any direction, can distance a middle manager from their expected position. In times of a weakening economy, middle managers are expected to be a tool that is used by the management to communicate savings, personnel reductions, redundancies and closures. This contributes to middle managers sliding out of their role in between.

Practical implications

Middle managers’ skills are within care itself. In times of cost savings, demands are placed on their ability to handle advanced management tasks. They need to gain a clearer insight into management control, understanding conflict management and leadership.

Originality/value

The article explains not only why middle managers slide up (take on governance roles) and down (take on advocacy roles) in the organisation, which has been described previously. It also explains why middle managers slide out (abdicate responsibility) of the role between governance and advocacy during times of fiscal limitations.
Learning leadership through practice – healthcare managers' experience
Authors: Nilsson Kerstin , Furåker Carina
Published: April 2012

Purpose

The aim of this study is to describe the experience of Swedish healthcare managers (HCMs) of learning leadership through practice.

Design/methodology/approach

The study is based on a qualitative approach, and critical incident technique guided the data collection. Interviews with 22 hospital HCMs provided a total of 50 narratives. These narratives were categorised by classifying them according to their manifest content, and a latent content analysis resulted in categories with additional sub‐categories.

Findings

Leadership learning occurred in relation to reorganisation, developmental work and conflicts. About 50 per cent of the narratives were classified as “managing conflicts”. The learning outcome in the classes was related to the categories “personal development”, “interpersonal leadership qualities” and “developing leadership strategies”. About 50 per cent of all learning outcome was a result of managing conflicts.

Research limitations/implications

To be able to transfer the findings to a wider context in healthcare, further research into experience‐based leadership learning in healthcare is needed.

Practical implications

A majority of the narratives as well as the learning outcomes are related to managing conflicts. This indicates that in management development programmes, as well as leadership courses, the focus on conflict management should be extended, and also that HCMs need support from their employer in their conflict management duties.

Originality/value

With its use of critical incident technique, this study contributes to an understanding of HCMs' experience‐based leadership learning – a field in which limited research has been conducted.
Examining successful Iranian women entrepreneurs: an exploratory study
Authors: Javadian Golshan , Singh Robert P.
Published: April 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to discuss the factors impacting successful Iranian women entrepreneurs. The factors include: self‐efficacy, risk taking, negative stereotypes, and societal culture and traditions.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper utilizes interviews conducted with a sample of successful Iranian women entrepreneurs and examines the challenges they had to overcome, as well as their success factors.

Findings

Challenges caused by the negative stereotypes and traditions of Iranian society are barriers successful Iranian women entrepreneurs had to overcome. The possession of personal internal factors such as high levels of self‐efficacy and risk taking positively impacted these women's success.

Research limitation/implications

The interviews were not conducted by the authors and were published in Farsi, so there may be interpretation and/or translation issues. However, there are few empirical studies on Iranian women entrepreneurs, and this research is one of the first that contributes to a better understanding of this important group of entrepreneurs. Further empirical research is needed to advance knowledge of Iranian women entrepreneurs.

Originality/value

The paper contributes to the scarce knowledge about Iranian women entrepreneurship, by introducing readers to this unique subgroup of entrepreneurs. It represents a starting point to an important area of research.
A cross‐cultural study in the UK and Australia of pay expectations and entitlements
Authors: Davidson Marilyn J. , Wood Glenice J. , Harvey Jack T.
Published: April 2012

Purpose

Previous US research has consistently revealed females reporting lower pay expectations and entitlements compared to their male counterparts. The purpose of this paper is to investigate whether these gender differences still exist, specifically in British and Australian business students, or whether there has been a generation shift in attitudes.

Design/methodology/approach

Quantitative data were analysed from 481 (252 females and 229 males) university students, on their responses to what they “expected” to earn five years after graduation and what they thought they “deserved” to earn. Students from two British universities (n=285) and two Australian universities (n=196) participated.

Findings

Results revealed that the presence of very high values (outliers) reported by a small proportion of male respondents led to apparent gender differences in perceived entitlement (deserved salary). However, appropriately modified analyses showed no significant gender differences in expected salary, deserved salary or salary difference. Differences were observed between countries; in the UK expectations and views on deserved salary were higher than those expressed in Australia. In addition, in both countries' students from higher ranking universities expected higher salaries and believed they deserved a higher salary.

Research limitations/implications

The sample is restricted to University business students and may not generalise to other groups.

Practical implications

Implications of these findings reflect on gender pay inequities, along with methodological issues for future research.

Originality/value

This paper challenges the long‐held view that, in general, males have more positive expectations of their future salaries than females. While this has been reported in the past, the paper illustrates that in a contemporary sample across two countries, the great majority of male and female students had very similar expectations for their future salary. The paper proposes some explanations that may account for this phenomenon. The only clear gender difference observed was the presence of a small proportion of males with extremely high salary expectations; the paper highlights the necessity for appropriate statistical analysis of such highly skewed data.
Health professionals' beliefs about medication for bipolar disorder
Authors: Cooke Jennifer , Bowskill Richard , Clatworthy Jane , LeSeve Patrick , Rank Tim , Parham Rhian , Horne Rob
Published: April 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to compare beliefs about medication prescribed for bipolar disorder across professional groups within Community Mental Health Teams (CMHTs) – psychiatric nurses, psychiatrists, support workers, social workers, and occupational therapists – who each receive different training.

Design/methodology/approach

Participants (n=138) completed an adapted version of the Beliefs about Medicines Questionnaire. ANOVAs with Tukey's post hoc tests were used to compare beliefs across professional groups.

Findings

Beliefs about medication differed across professional groups, with psychiatrists believing most strongly that medication is necessary in the treatment of bipolar disorder (p<0.05) and reporting the lowest concern about its adverse effects (p<0.05). Psychiatrists and social workers were significantly more likely to believe that patients take less than instructed than occupational therapists, nurses and support workers (p<0.05).

Practical implications

The differences in perceptions of medication across professional groups may reflect differences in training, with the role of medication traditionally being “downplayed” on some training courses. This has implications for patient adherence, as patients' beliefs about medication are likely to be influenced by those of their key workers. This is particularly relevant in terms of “New Ways of Working” where patients are likely to see psychiatrists less often.

Originality/value

This original research provides evidence to support the provision of training about medications and adherence in bipolar disorder for CMHT workers, who may not have had exposure to such training as part of their primary qualification.
Attitudes of psychiatrists, nurses and service users towards prescribing and administrating depot antipsychotic medication
Authors: Besenius Claude , Bradley Eleanor , Nolan Peter
Published: April 2012

Purpose

The aim of this paper is to ascertain the attitudes and experiences of psychiatrists, nurse prescribers, and service users with regard to the prescription of antipsychotic medication, the route of administration, and the extent of service users' involvement.

Design/methodology/approach

A total of 26 psychiatrists and 12 nurses agreed to be interviewed in phase one of this study, concerning general aspects of prescribing. In phase two, 11 of the psychiatrists and five nurses from the first cohort took part in follow‐up interviews that focused specifically on their most recent prescribing experiences. In phase 3 of the study, 18 service users (14 male and 4 female) were recruited, during which their experiences of having medication prescribed was explored.

Findings

This interview‐based survey found that though there was some agreement between the attitudes and perceptions of prescribers and service users, there were also some important differences including differences with respect to the purposes of prescribed medication, when to prescribe, and under what conditions depot medication produces optimal results. It is not always clear to service users as to why certain medicines were prescribed nor is the information provided always understood. A considerable amount of prescribing practice is based on assumptions.

Originality/value

Even though medication (both oral and depot) has been shown to be useful in certain situations, nevertheless, the type of medication, dose and mode of administration continues to be idiosyncratic and inconsistent. This paper seeks to contribute to the debate by identifying in which pharmacological interventions for people with severe mental health problems could be improved.
The Practice Engagement Framework: a framework that assists the identification and development of the clinical role for lecturers in mental health nursing
Authors: Young Norman , Evans Nicola , Bowring‐Lossock Elizabeth
Published: April 2012

Purpose

The aim of this paper is to offer a framework that captures the clinical activity of mental health nursing academics.

Design/methodology/approach

Through an exploration of relevant literature and an examination of the practices of a team of mental health nursing academics, the key clinical activities that academics were engaged in were identified.

Findings

The Practice Engagement Framework offers a structure to identify the range and breadth of clinical engagement for nursing academics.

Originality/value

This framework might be useful for other mental health academics from other professional groups such as social work and occupational therapy.
Coca‐Cola brand protection before World War II – it's the real thing!
Authors: Petty Ross D.
Published: April 2012

Purpose

This paper aims to discuss the early brand protection efforts of Coca‐Cola.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper examines the hundreds of trademark infringement challenges brought by Coca‐Cola in courts and before the US Patent and Trademark Office and develops a tripartite system of categorizing these challenges by primary legal issue.

Findings

Coca‐Cola developed several innovations in brand identity protection including challenges to a wide variety of similar names, logos and packaging, the use of detectives in service settings and the use of consumer psychological evidence in legal proceedings. Ultimately, it protected it name against those rivals that closely imitated both words in its name or words similar to Coca or Coke. However, it was unable to obtain exclusive rights to the word cola which became the generic designation for such drinks.

Practical implications

Even today, the scope of Coca‐Cola's brand protection efforts provide a useful model for modern brands. This work also presents and summarizes important historical data.

Originality/value

This study examines Coca‐Cola's brand protection efforts and legal challenges in much greater detail than previous historical works on Coca‐Cola.
The birth of modern packaging
Authors: Twede Diana
Published: April 2012

Purpose

During a short two‐decade period (1879‐1903) processes for making food packages – paperboard cartons, tinplate cans and glass bottles – were mechanized by American inventor/entrepreneurs Robert Gair, Edwin Norton and Michael Owens, respectively. This paper aims to describe the context for packaged, processed food at the time, and to explore the men, their inventions, and the modern packaging industry that they collectively developed.

Design/methodology/approach

Biographies and patents were reviewed as well as contemporaneous and retrospective trade publications, newspapers, censuses and commentary.

Findings

Packaging's industrial revolution played a key role in the development of modern marketing. Mass‐produced cartons, cans and bottles collectively became building blocks for mass markets. By the time of the first supermarket in 1920, annual sales of packaged breakfast cereal, crackers, biscuits, canned fruits and vegetables, preserves, soft drinks and other prepared foods had increased by 60‐fold over 1880 levels, 80 percent of which occurred after 1910. The packaging companies of Gair, Norton and Owens capitalized on new methods of production and business integration (and collusion) to profit from the trend, and enabled emerging national brands like Nabisco, Campbell's Soup and Coca‐Cola to successfully lead a revolution in mass marketing.

Originality/value

This paper shows why and how the practically simultaneous invention of machines to make cartons, cans and bottles was able to accelerate the development of national brands and supermarkets. Inasmuch as the histories of the three packaging forms are not considered to be in the same “industry,” this research represents a fresh interpretation of secondary sources.
Upholding whose values? Australia's advertising standards bodies, 1974‐2009
Authors: Crawford Robert , Spence‐Stone Ruth
Published: April 2012

Purpose

This paper seeks to develop a clearer understanding of the operations and decisions made by Australian advertising standards bodies, the Advertising Standards Council and its successor, the Advertising Standards Board. It also seeks to identify whose interests have been served by these advertising standards organisations – those of the public or those of the advertising industry.

Design/methodology/approach

Using annual reports and reports in mainstream press outlets, this paper compares the two advertising standards bodies, their respective organisational structures, and their decisions, in order to identify the key issues that have confronted Australia's advertising regulation bodies.

Findings

In addition to demonstrating the fundamental similarities between the Advertising Standards Council and the Advertising Standards Board, this paper raises serious questions about self‐regulation and the way that it serves the advertising industry's interests ahead of the public interest.

Originality/value

This is the first long‐term comparative survey of the operations, activities and decisions of the Advertising Standards Council and the Advertising Standards Board that also reveals the fundamental shortcomings of the current advertising standards codes.
Interpreting Brown and Hackley (2012)
Authors: Tadajewski Mark
Published: April 2012

Purpose

This paper aims to use Brown and Hackley's contribution to the Journal of Historical Research in Marketing as a springboard for further discussion. It seeks to argue that we can put aside their suggestion that they intend to “stress test the contention that Cowell is Barnum reborn”. This is not what they are trying to do at all. Their point is more elemental. They aim to provoke readers to think critically about the production of marketing histories and histories of marketing thought.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper adopts a viewpoint approach.

Findings

Given that Brown and Hackley arguably intend to encourage a response to their work and this is a response to their paper means they have been successful in their efforts. They have secured readers for their scholarship in an academic marketplace where many papers go unread, are never cited and whose only worldly “impact” is in terms of the carbon footprint they leave. This said, this paper takes Brown and Hackley seriously, engages with their ideas and offers a variety of ways we can think beyond their “thematic analysis”.

Originality/value

The paper situates Brown and Hackley's account within the wider sphere of marketing thought.
Seismic wave extrapolation using lowrank symbol approximation
Authors: Fomel Sergey , Ying Lexing , Song Xiaolei
Published: May 2012

We consider the problem of constructing a wave extrapolation operator in a variable and possibly anisotropic medium. Our construction involves Fourier transforms in space combined with the help of a lowrank approximation of the space‐wavenumber wave‐propagator matrix. A lowrank approximation implies selecting a small set of representative spatial locations and a small set of representative wavenumbers. We present a mathematical derivation of this method, a description of the lowrank approximation algorithm and numerical examples that confirm the validity of the proposed approach. Wave extrapolation using lowrank approximation can be applied to seismic imaging by reverse‐time migration in 3D heterogeneous isotropic or anisotropic media.
Nurses’ beliefs, experiences and practice regarding complementary and alternative medicine in Taiwan
Authors: Smith Graeme D , Wu Shu‐Chen
Published: May 2012

Aim.  To gain an insight into this issue, this study used a qualitative approach and aims to explore and describe nurses’ beliefs, experiences and practice regarding complementary and alternative medicine in Taiwan.

Background.  The integration of complementary and alternative medicine with conventional medicine has become more common worldwide in recent years. An increase in patient use and an expansion of nurses using complementary and alternative medicine has spawned further investigation. Most published studies have concentrated on the usage of complementary and alternative medicine in western societies and have focused principally on physicians’ attitudes and practice patterns in this regard. Despite the large amount of time and the unique relationship that nurses share with their patients, little research has investigated the nurse’s attitudes and practice regarding complementary and alternative medicine. Moreover, there has been no previous research into understanding this issue from the Taiwanese nursing perspective.

Design.  A qualitative research design.

Method.  By using an exploratory, descriptive, qualitative approach, data were collected from 11 registered nurses. The methods of the data collection were in‐depth, semi‐structured interviews, field notes and memos and the data were analysed using the constant comparative method.

Results.  Three major categories emerged from the data; namely, a ‘lack of clear definition’, ‘limited experience’ and ‘high interest’ towards complementary and alternative medicine. These results suggest that the definition of complementary and alternative medicine is often unclear for nurses in Taiwan. Due to the organisational policies and personal knowledge base, very few nurses integrate complementary and alternative medicine into their daily practice. However, the nurses in Taiwan show a great desire to participate in complementary and alternative medicine continuing education programmes.

Conclusions.  This study is not only significant in filling the gap in the existing literature, but is also important in understanding this issue from the nurses’ perspective, to offer a series of recommendations for policy, nursing education, nursing practice and suggestions for further research.

Relevance to clinical practice.  This study highlights the importance of nursing attitude in the use of complementary and alternative medicine. Clinical nurses have the potential to provide appropriate information to their patients to ensure safe complementary and alternative medicine use.
The journey from despair to hope: an exploration of the phenomenon of psychological distress in women residing in British secure mental health services
Authors: PARKES J. H. , FRESHWATER D. S.
Published: April 2012

Accessible summary

This paper describes a research study which was undertaken with 11 female patients, detained under the Mental Health Act. Seven of the women were resident in a high secure hospital; the remaining four women were patients on a female ward in an independent medium secure hospital.

All of the women had a history of self‐harming behaviours, with 10 of the participants expressing violence towards others. The female patients agreed to be interviewed about how they chose to show their feelings when they were sad, angry, frustrated and upset.

The findings describe how all of the women have different explanations for when and how they choose to hurt themselves, and what precipitates violent behaviour towards other people. The findings demonstrate that a combination of approaches to care and treatment can facilitate a reduction in both self‐harming and outwardly aggressive behaviours in this vulnerable client group. The findings of this study indicate that the most effective combination of treatment includes prescribed medication, informal support networks, intensive individual therapy and active engagement in a therapeutic programme which teaches life skills.

This paper reports the findings of a descriptive phenomenological study that aimed to elicit and describe the experience of psychological distress as expressed by a group of women compulsorily detained within secure mental health services in the UK. A fundamental objective of the study was to contribute to the existing evidence base that supports the care and treatment needs of this severely traumatized and challenging patient group. We argue that service providers and clinical practitioners could be better informed about the unique care and treatment needs of this severely traumatized and challenging patient group when working with them. A descriptive phenomenological approach developed by Giorgi was used to elicit the lived experiences of ‘psychological distress’ from a sample of female patients resident within a high secure hospital and an independent medium secure hospital. The findings indicate that a treatment plan which includes a combination of prescribed medication, informal support networks, intensive individual therapy and active engagement in a therapeutic life skills programme can be extremely beneficial. Most notably in helping to reduce the frequency of both internally and externally directed violent behaviour in this vulnerable client group.
Narcolepsy–cataplexy: deficient prepulse inhibition of blink reflex suggests pedunculopontine involvement
Authors: FRAUSCHER BIRGIT , LÖSCHER WOLFGANG N. , EHRMANN LAURA , GSCHLIESSER VIOLA , BRANDAUER ELISABETH , HÖGL BIRGIT , KOFLER MARKUS
Published: April 2012

Hypocretin (orexin) deficiency plays a major role in the pathophysiology of narcolepsy–cataplexy. In animal models, hypocretinergic projections to the pedunculopontine nucleus are directly involved in muscle tone regulation mediating muscle atonia – a hallmark of cataplexy. We hypothesized that pedunculopontine nucleus function, tested with prepulse inhibition of the blink reflex, is altered in human narcolepsy–cataplexy. Twenty patients with narcolepsy–cataplexy and 20 healthy controls underwent a neurophysiological study of pedunculopontine nucleus function. Blink reflex, prepulse inhibition of the blink reflex and blink reflex excitability recovery were measured. Blink reflex characteristics (R1 latency and amplitude, and R2 and R2c latency and area under the curve) did not differ between patients and controls (P > 0.05). Prepulse stimulation significantly increased R2 and R2c latencies and reduced R2 and R2c areas in patients and controls. However, the R2 and R2c area suppression was significantly less in patients than in controls (to 69.8 ± 14.4 and 74.9 ± 12.6%, respectively, versus 34.5 ± 28.6 and 43.3 ± 29.5%, respectively; each P < 0.001). Blink reflex excitability recovery, as measured by paired‐pulse stimulation, which is not mediated via the pedunculopontine nucleus, did not differ between patients and controls (P > 0.05). Our data showed that prepulse inhibition is reduced in narcolepsy–cataplexy, whereas unconditioned blink reflex and its excitability recovery are normal. Because the pedunculopontine nucleus is important for prepulse inhibition, these results suggest its functional involvement in narcolepsy–cataplexy.
The chestnut blight fungus world tour: successive introduction events from diverse origins in an invasive plant fungal pathogen
Authors: DUTECH C. , BARRÈS B. , BRIDIER J. , ROBIN C. , MILGROOM M. G. , RAVIGNÉ V.
Published: May 2012

Clonal expansion has been observed in several invasive fungal plant pathogens colonizing new areas, raising the question of the origin of clonal lineages. Using microsatellite markers, we retraced the evolutionary history of introduction of the chestnut blight fungus, Cryphonectria parasitica, in North America and western Europe. Combining discriminant analysis of principal components and approximate Bayesian computation analysis, we showed that several introduction events from genetically differentiated source populations have occurred in both invaded areas. In addition, a low signal of genetic recombination among different source populations was suggested in North America. Finally, two genetic lineages were present in both invaded areas as well as in the native areas, suggesting the existence of genetic lineages with a high capacity to establish in diverse environments and host species. This study confirmed the importance of multiple introductions, but questioned the role of genetic admixture in the success of introduction of a fungal plant pathogen.
Influence of environmental heterogeneity on genetic diversity and structure in an endemic southern Californian oak
Authors: ORTEGO JOAQUÍN , RIORDAN ERIN C. , GUGGER PAUL F. , SORK VICTORIA L.
Published: May 2012

Understanding how specific environmental factors shape gene flow while disentangling their importance relative to the effects of geographical isolation is a major question in evolutionary biology and a specific goal of landscape genetics. Here, we combine information from nuclear microsatellite markers and ecological niche modelling to study the association between climate and spatial genetic structure and variability in Engelmann oak (Quercus engelmannii), a wind‐pollinated species with high potential for gene flow. We first test whether genetic diversity is associated with climatic niche suitability and stability since the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM). Second, we use causal modelling to analyse the potential influence of climatic factors (current and LGM niche suitability) and altitude in the observed patterns of genetic structure. We found that genetic diversity is negatively associated with local climatic stability since the LGM, which may be due to higher immigration rates in unstable patches during favourable climatic periods and/or temporally varying selection. Analyses of spatial genetic structure revealed the presence of three main genetic clusters, a pattern that is mainly driven by two highly differentiated populations located in the northern edge of the species distribution range. After controlling for geographic distance, causal modelling analyses showed that genetic relatedness decreases with the environmental divergence among sampling sites estimated as altitude and current and LGM niche suitability. Natural selection against nonlocal genotypes and/or asynchrony in reproductive phenology may explain this pattern. Overall, this study suggests that local environmental conditions can shape patterns of genetic structure and variability even in species with high potential for gene flow and relatively small distribution ranges.
Pleistocene and ecological effects on continental‐scale genetic differentiation in the bobcat (Lynx rufus)
Authors: REDING DAWN M. , BRONIKOWSKI ANNE M. , JOHNSON WARREN E. , CLARK WILLIAM R.
Published: May 2012

The potential for widespread, mobile species to exhibit genetic structure without clear geographic barriers is a topic of growing interest. Yet the patterns and mechanisms of structure—particularly over broad spatial scales—remain largely unexplored for these species. Bobcats occur across North America and possess many characteristics expected to promote gene flow. To test whether historical, topographic or ecological factors have influenced genetic differentiation in this species, we analysed 1 kb mtDNA sequence and 15 microsatellite loci from over 1700 samples collected across its range. The primary signature in both marker types involved a longitudinal cline with a sharp transition, or suture zone, occurring along the Great Plains. Thus, the data distinguished bobcats in the eastern USA from those in the western half, with no obvious physical barrier to gene flow. Demographic analyses supported a scenario of expansion from separate Pleistocene refugia, with the Great Plains representing a zone of secondary contact. Substructure within the two main lineages likely reflected founder effects, ecological factors, anthropogenic/topographic effects or a combination of these forces. Two prominent topographic features, the Mississippi River and Rocky Mountains, were not supported as significant genetic barriers. Ecological regions and environmental correlates explained a small but significant proportion of genetic variation. Overall, results implicate historical processes as the primary cause of broad‐scale genetic differentiation, but contemporary forces seem to also play a role in promoting and maintaining structure. Despite the bobcat’s mobility and broad niche, large‐scale landscape changes have contributed to significant and complex patterns of genetic structure.
Human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG) enhances immunity against L. tropica by stimulating human macrophage functions
Authors: ABU ALSHAMAT E. , AL‐OKLA S. , SOUKKARIEH C. H. , KWEIDER M.
Published: April 2012

During pregnancy, there are important changes in hormone levels such as the huge production of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), which is supposed to influence the immune system. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of hCG on immune response against Leishmania, through the evaluation of the functions of human macrophages infected with L. tropica. This study demonstrated that hCG significantly increased the NO production by rHu‐IFNγ‐primed macrophages then infected with L. tropica, which was correlated with decrease in the number of infected macrophages as well as the number of amastigotes per macrophage in a dose‐dependent manner; however, the greatest effect was shown with the 250 U/mL concentration. The addition of the same concentration of hCG to rHu‐IFNγ‐primed macrophages caused also a major increase in both IL‐6 and IL‐12p40 production. In conclusion, hCG enhances different macrophage functions involved in immunity against L. tropica.
A tyrosine aminotransferase involved in tocopherol synthesis in Arabidopsis
Authors: Riewe David , Koohi Mehrana , Lisec Jan , Pfeiffer Markus , Lippmann Rico , Schmeichel Judith , Willmitzer Lothar , Altmann Thomas
Published: April 2012

The metabolic function of the predicted Arabidopsis tyrosine aminotransferase (TAT) encoded by the At5g53970 gene was studied using two independent knock‐out mutants. Gas chromatography‐mass spectrometry based metabolic profiling revealed a specific increase in tyrosine levels, supporting the proposed function of At5g53970 as a tyrosine‐specific aminotransferase not involved in tyrosine biosynthesis, but rather in utilization of tyrosine for other metabolic pathways. The TAT activity of the At5g53970‐encoded protein was verified by complementation of the Escherichia coli tyrosine auxotrophic mutant DL39, and in vitro activity of recombinantly expressed and purified At5g53970 was found to be specific for tyrosine. To investigate the physiological role of At5g53970, the consequences of reduction in tyrosine utilization on metabolic pathways having tyrosine as a substrate were analysed. We found that tocopherols were substantially reduced in the mutants and we conclude that At5g53970 encodes a TAT important for the synthesis of tocopherols in Arabidopsis.
The endoplasmic reticulum localized PIN8 is a pollen‐specific auxin carrier involved in intracellular auxin homeostasis
Authors: Bosco Cristina Dal , Dovzhenko Alexander , Liu Xing , Woerner Nina , Rensch Tatiana , Eismann Margitta , Eimer Stefan , Hegermann Jan , Paponov Ivan A. , Ruperti Benedetto , Heberle‐Bors Erwin , Touraev Alisher , Cohen Jerry D. , Palme Klaus
Published: April 2012

The plant hormone auxin is a mobile signal which affects nuclear transcription by regulating the stability of auxin/indole‐3‐acetic acid (IAA) repressor proteins. Auxin is transported polarly from cell to cell by auxin efflux proteins of the PIN family, but it is not as yet clear how auxin levels are regulated within cells and how access of auxin to the nucleus may be controlled. The Arabidopsis genome contains eight PINs, encoding proteins with a similar membrane topology. While five of the PINs are typically targeted polarly to the plasma membranes, the smallest members of the family, PIN5 and PIN8, seem to be located not at the plasma membrane but in endomembranes. Here we demonstrate by electron microscopy analysis that PIN8, which is specifically expressed in pollen, resides in the endoplasmic reticulum and that it remains internally localized during pollen tube growth. Transgenic Arabidopsis and tobacco plants were generated overexpressing or ectopically expressing functional PIN8, and its role in control of auxin homeostasis was studied. PIN8 ectopic expression resulted in strong auxin‐related phenotypes. The severity of phenotypes depended on PIN8 protein levels, suggesting a rate‐limiting activity for PIN8. The observed phenotypes correlated with elevated levels of free IAA and ester‐conjugated IAA. Activation of the auxin‐regulated synthetic DR5 promoter and of auxin response genes was strongly repressed in seedlings overexpressing PIN8 when exposed to 1‐naphthalene acetic acid. Thus, our data show a functional role for endoplasmic reticulum‐localized PIN8 and suggest a mechanism whereby PIN8 controls auxin thresholds and access of auxin to the nucleus, thereby regulating auxin‐dependent transcriptional activity.
FHY3 promotes shoot branching and stress tolerance in Arabidopsis in an AXR1‐dependent manner
Authors: Stirnberg Petra , Zhao Shuqing , Williamson Lisa , Ward Sally , Leyser Ottoline
Published: April 2012

The transposase‐related transcription factor FAR‐RED ELONGATED HYPOCOTYL3 (FHY3) promotes seedling de‐etiolation in far‐red light, which is perceived by phytochrome A (phyA). In this role, FHY3 indirectly mediates the nuclear import of light‐activated phyA, which triggers downstream transcriptional responses. Here, we present genetic evidence for additional roles of FHY3 in plant development and growth. New fhy3 alleles were isolated as suppressors of max2‐1 (more axillary branching2‐1), a strigolactone‐insensitive mutant characterised by highly branched shoots. Branching suppression by fhy3, in both wild‐type and max2‐1 backgrounds, resulted from inhibition of axillary bud outgrowth. Additional roles in axillary meristem initiation were revealed in the revoluta (rev) fhy3 double mutant, with fhy3 enhancing rev mutant defects in axillary shoot meristem formation, as well as in floral meristem maintenance. fhy3 also affected embryonic and floral patterning with low penetrance, and displayed oxidative stress‐related phenotypes of retarded leaf growth and of cell death. The fhy3 phenotypes of axillary bud outgrowth suppression and of stress‐induced leaf growth retardation both required the AUXIN‐RESISTANT1 gene, and are independent of phyA. Consistent with the recent discovery that FHY3 regulates many Arabidopsis promoters, our results suggest much wider roles for FHY3 in growth and development, either in concert with, or beyond, light signalling.
Employing a Monte Carlo algorithm in expectation maximization restricted maximum likelihood estimation of the linear mixed model
Authors: Matilainen K. , Mäntysaari E.A. , Lidauer M.H. , Strandén I. , Thompson R.
Published: April 2012

Multiple‐trait and random regression models have multiplied the number of equations needed for the estimation of variance components. To avoid inversion or decomposition of a large coefficient matrix, we propose estimation of variance components by Monte Carlo expectation maximization restricted maximum likelihood (MC EM REML) for multiple‐trait linear mixed models. Implementation is based on full‐model sampling for calculating the prediction error variances required for EM REML. Performance of the analytical and the MC EM REML algorithm was compared using a simulated and a field data set. For field data, results from both algorithms corresponded well even with one MC sample within an MC EM REML round. The magnitude of the standard errors of estimated prediction error variances depended on the formula used to calculate them and on the MC sample size within an MC EM REML round. Sampling variation in MC EM REML did not impair the convergence behaviour of the solutions compared with analytical EM REML analysis. A convergence criterion that takes into account the sampling variation was developed to monitor convergence for the MC EM REML algorithm. For the field data set, MC EM REML proved far superior to analytical EM REML both in computing time and in memory need.
Progress Towards a Real‐time PCR Assay for the Simultaneous Detection of Clavibacter michiganensis subsp. michiganensis and Pepino mosaic virus in Tomato Seed
Authors: Johnson Kameka L. , Walcott Ron R.
Published: April 2012

Quarantined phytopathogens such as Pepino mosaic virus (PepMV) and Clavibacter michiganensis subsp. michiganensis can be introduced into tomato transplant houses and fields on infested seed and thereby cause significant economic losses. Hence, specific and sensitive seed health assays are required to exclude these organisms. Currently, separate assays must be conducted on seed samples for each pathogen, making the process time‐consuming and expensive. One approach to improve the efficiency of seed health testing is multiplex real‐time PCR; however, PCR can be inhibited by compounds co‐extracted from seed tissues with nucleic acids. To address this concern, we explored the use of magnetic capture hybridization (MCH) to concentrate and purify target nucleic acids prior to real‐time PCR. The combination of MCH with multiplex real‐time PCR resulted in a 102–103‐fold increase in detection sensitivity for both pathogens compared to DNA extraction and direct multiplex real‐time PCR. The detection threshold observed for the MCH multiplex real‐time PCR assay was a combination of 105C. michiganensis subsp. michiganensis CFU/ml plus a 10−4‐fold dilution of total RNA extracted from PepMV‐infected tomato leaf tissue. These observations provide proof for the concept that MCH can facilitate the simultaneous detection of Clavibacter michiganensis subsp. michiganensis and PepMV by multiplex real‐time PCR.
Effects of tides and weather on sedimentation of iron‐oxyhydroxides in a shallow‐marine hydrothermal environment at Nagahama Bay, Satsuma Iwo‐Jima Island, Kagoshima, southwest Japan
Authors: KIYOKAWA SHOICHI , NINOMIYA TOMOMI , NAGATA TOMOAKI , OGURI KAZUMASA , ITO TAKASHI , IKEHARA MINORU , YAMAGUCHI KOSEI E.
Published: April 2012

Nagahama Bay of Satsuma Iwo‐Jima Island, southwest Japan, is an excellent place for studying sedimentation of iron‐oxyhydroxides by shallow‐marine low‐temperature hydrothermal activity. Its fishing port has a narrow entrance that limits exchange of seawater between the bay and open ocean, allowing the accumulation of fine‐grained precipitates of iron‐bearing materials (Fe‐oxyhydroxides) on the seafloor. The fishing port is usually filled with orange‐ to brown‐colored Fe‐rich water, and deposits >1.5 m thick Fe‐rich sediments. To elucidate the movement and depositional processes of the Fe‐rich precipitates in the bay, we conducted continuous profiling of turbidity throughout the tidal cycle and monitoring of surface water. The results showed that clear seawater entered the bay during the rising tide, and turbid colored water flowed into the ocean during the ebb tide. Neap tide was found to be an optimal condition for sedimentation of Fe‐oxyhydroxides due to weak tidal currents. Storms and heavy rains were also found to have influenced precipitation of Fe‐oxyhydroxides. Storm waves disturbed the bottom sediments, resulting in increased turbidity and rapid re‐deposition of Fe‐oxyhydroxides with an upward‐fining sequence. Heavy rain carried Fe‐oxyhydroxides originally accumulated in nearby beach sands to the bay. Our findings provide information on optimal conditions for the accumulation of Fe‐rich sediments in shallow‐marine hydrothermal settings.
Comparative genomics of methylated amine utilization by marine Roseobacter clade bacteria and development of functional gene markers (tmm, gmaS)
Authors: Chen Yin
Published: April 2012

The marine Roseobacter clade bacteria comprise up to 20% of the microbial community in coastal surface seawater. Marine Roseobacter clade bacteria are known to catalyse some important biogeochemical transformations in marine carbon and sulfur cycles. Using a comparative genomic approach, this study revealed that many marine Roseobacter clade bacteria have the genetic potential to utilize methylated amines (MAs) as alternative nitrogen sources. These MAs represent a significant pool of dissolved organic carbon and nitrogen in the marine environment. The marine Roseobacter clade bacterial genomes also encode full sets of genes providing them with the potential to generate energy from complete oxidation of the methyl groups of MAs. Representative species of the marine Roseobacter clade were tested and their abilities to use MAs are directly linked to the presence in their genomes of genes encoding key enzymes involved in MA metabolism, including trimethylamine monooxygenase (tmm) and gamma‐glutamylmethylamide synthetase (gmaS). These two genes were chosen as functional markers for detecting MA‐utilizing marine Roseobacter clade bacteria in the environment. PCR primers targeting these two genes were designed and used successfully to retrieve corresponding gene sequences from MA‐utilizing isolates of the marine Roseobacter clade, as well as directly from DNA extracted from surface seawater obtained from Station L4 off the coast of Plymouth, UK. Taken together, the results suggest that MAs may serve as important nitrogen and possibly energy sources for marine Roseobacter clade bacteria, which helps to explain their global success in the marine environment.
Rupatadine 10 mg in the treatment of immediate mosquito‐bite allergy
Authors: Karppinen A. , Brummer‐Korvenkontio H. , Reunala T. , Izquierdo I.
Published: April 2012

Background  People frequently experience wealing and delayed papules from mosquito bites. Wealing is mediated by antisaliva IgE antibodies and histamine.

Rupatadine is a new antihistamine effective in allergic rhinitis and urticaria, but the effect on mosquito‐bite allergy is not known.

Objective  To determine the effectiveness of rupatadine in inmediate mosquito‐bite allergy‐confirmed adult patients.

Methods  A double‐blind, placebo‐controlled, cross‐over study was performed with rupatadine 10 mg and matched placebo in 30 mosquito‐bite‐sensitive adults. The mean age was 37 years and the subjects had suffered from harmful mosquito bites for a mean of 15 years. Either rupatadine or placebo was taken at 08:00 am for 4 days, followed by a 5 day wash out period and then alternative treatment was given for 4 days. On day 3, in both drug periods the subjects received two Aedes aegypti mosquito‐bites on the forearm. The size of lesions and intensity of pruritus [visual analogue scale (VAS)] were measured after 15 min bite reaction.

Results  Twenty‐six subjects were analysed for efficacy. The size of the 15 min bite reaction under placebo was of 106 mm2 and under rupatadine, of 55 mm2. This is a significant decrease (48%; P = 0.0003). The accompanying pruritus decreased from 60 (VAS; median) under placebo to 47.5 under rupatadine, which also is a significant (P = 0.019) difference. There was no significant (P = 0.263) difference in adverse events under rupatadine and placebo.

Conclusion  The present placebo‐controlled study in mosquito‐bite‐sensitive adults shows that rupatadine 10 mg prophylactically given is an effective treatment for the mosquito‐bite wealing and skin pruritus.