bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Niche incumbency, dispersal limitation and climate shape geographical distributions in a species‐rich island adaptive radiation
Authors: Algar Adam C. , Mahler D. Luke , Glor Richard E. , Losos Jonathan B.
Published: October 2012

Aim

To test the role of climate, dispersal limitation and biotic interactions in limiting species' distributions within an island adaptive radiation by integrating species traits, phylogeny and estimates of dispersal cost into climate‐based species distribution models.

Location

Hispaniola.

Methods

Focusing on 26 species of Anolis lizards, we used multivariate adaptive regression splines to evaluate the contribution of climate, species interactions, phylogenetic history and dispersal limitation to species distributional limits. For each species, we mapped the morphological similarity of congenerics using traits of known ecological import and predicted that species would be less likely to occur in climatically suitable areas if they were inhabited by ecologically similar species. Dispersal limitation was incorporated by generating spatially explicit estimates of dispersal cost, based on inferred habitat suitability. We compared models including morphological similarity, dispersal cost, phylogeny and climate with climate‐only models. Results were evaluated against a null model that conserved the spatial structure of species occurrences.

Results

Climate had a dominant role in shaping species distributions. However, for over one‐third of species we also found evidence consistent with supplemental effects of species interactions, i.e. ecological niche incumbency. These species were less likely to occur in climatically suitable areas inhabited by a morphologically similar species. Dispersal limitation also supplemented climatic limits in most species. These results were robust to co‐variation with phylogeny and to comparison with our null model.

Conclusions

These results suggest that, rather than act as mutually exclusive alternatives, multiple dimensions of the ecological niche, including climatic limits, biotic interactions and dispersal capacity, interact to shape species distributions and that local interactions can influence the broad‐scale geography of species in a predictable way.
Contribution of metal‐ion complex formation with organic substances to the acidity of water extracts of polluted soils
Authors: Motuzova G. , Makarychev I. , Barsova N.
Published: October 2012

The formation of complexes of copper ions with organic substances in soil water extracts and the development of acid–base properties of the extracts were examined. Potentiometric titration of water extracts from several soils with copper nitrate solution with a consecutive determination of the activity of protons and copper ions in the extracts was performed. This demonstrated the existence of a functional relationship between the complexing of copper ions with organic substances and the acid–base properties of the water extracts. The parameters of the interrelated processes of formation and dissociation of metal–organic complexes and the protonation‐deprotonation of organic acids, the ligands of which participate in the complexing reactions, were determined. It was found that the formation of the complexes is accompanied by the acidification of the solution from the acid hydrolysis of the copper ions and the displacement of protons from the functional groups of organic acids. The protons released in the course of complexing reactions affected these reactions. Under their impact, the stability of the copper–organic complexes decreased; finally, the formation of the complexes and the release of protons stopped, and the pH of the extracts reached an equilibrium level.
Diabetes self‐management, depressive symptoms, quality of life and metabolic control in youth with type 1 diabetes in China
Authors: Guo Jia , Whittemore Robin , Grey Margaret , Wang Jing , Zhou Zhi‐Guang , He Guo‐Ping
Published: October 2012

Aims and objectives

To assess diabetes self‐management, depressive symptoms, quality of life and metabolic control in a cohort of youth with type 1 diabetes in mainland China. Predictors of self‐management and depressive symptoms were also explored.

Background

Studies have shown that adaptation to childhood chronic illness is important in determining outcomes. Few studies have been reported on the behavioural, psychosocial and physiological adaptation processes and outcomes in Chinese youth with type 1 diabetes.

Design

This is a cross‐sectional study as part of a multi‐site longitudinal descriptive study. Data for this report were collected at baseline.

Methods

A convenience sample of 136 eligible youth was recruited during follow‐up visits in hospitals in 14 major cities of Hunan Province (located in central southern mainland China) from July 2009–October 2010. Data were collected on socio‐demographic background, clinical characteristics, diabetes self‐management, depressive symptoms, quality of life and metabolic control.

Results

Diabetes self‐management was lower in Chinese youth compared with a US cohort and was associated with insulin treatment regimen, treatment location, depressive symptoms and gender. A total of 17·6% of youth reported high depressive symptoms, and depressive symptoms were correlated with family annual revenue, school attendance, peer relationship and parent–child relationship. The mean score of global satisfaction with quality of life was 17·14 ± 3·58. The mean HbA1c was 9·68%.

Conclusions

Living with type 1 diabetes poses considerable challenges, and Chinese youth report lower self‐management than US youth and high depressive symptoms. Metabolic control and quality of life were sub‐optimal.

Relevance to clinical practice

More clinic visits, treatment for high depressive symptoms and an intensive insulin regimen may improve diabetes self‐management for youth with type 1 diabetes in China. Culturally appropriate interventions aimed at helping them adapt to living with the disease and improving outcomes are urgently needed.
Geochemistry of Cenozoic volcanic rocks in Tengchong, SW China: relationship with the uplift of the Tibetan Plateau
Authors: Zhang Yutao , Liu Jiaqi , Meng Fanchao
Published: October 2012

There are wide spread Cenozoic volcanic rocks in Tengchong (CVRT), Yunnan province, SW China. These rocks comprise three rock types: basalt, andesite (dominant type) and dacite. Most samples are sub‐alkaline, and among the sub‐alkaline rocks, most are high‐K calc‐alkaline. These rocks have a SiO2 range of 49.1 wt.% to 66.9 wt.%. TiO2 contents are not high and have a variation of 0.7 wt.%–1.6 wt.%. Trace element concentrations and element ratios (such as Nb/U, Ce/Pb, Nb/La, etc.) of these rocks have a large variation. 87Sr/86Sr values fall in the range of 0.7057–0.7093 and 143Nd/144Nd values change from 0.5120 to 0.5125. 206Pb/204Pb, 207Pb/204Pb, and 208Pb/204Pb ratios are in the range of 17.936–19.039, 15.614–15.810, and 38.894–39.735, respectively. These geochemical characteristics of CVRT make them resemble island‐arc volcanic rocks. We suggest that the magmas were generated in the lithospheric mantle that had already been metasomatized by previous subduction processes. By the study of the uplift history of the Tibetan Plateau, we found that the beginning of the geotectonic processes to the eruption of CVRT was coeval with one uplift event. Therefore, we propose that the uplift of the Tibetan Plateau caused collapse of the collisional orogeny in Tengchong, which further triggered the generation and eruption of the CVRT magmas.
Mini‐Med School: promoting awareness of medicine as a career for suburban and rural high‐school students
Authors: Shaikh Faisal M. , Babar Mahwash , Cross K. Simon
Published: October 2012

Background

There is a global shortage of medical manpower. One approach to resolve such deficiencies is to effectively promote health careers to high‐school students. Summer programmes held by medical faculties provide ideal opportunities for pre‐medical students to examine the possible career opportunities in medicine.

Methods

The Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland has recently launched a ‘Mini‐Medical School’ (MMS) programme for suburban and rural high‐school students in the South Eastern Region of Ireland. This paper illustrates the MMS project and describes the participants' reaction and evaluation of the programme and the factors influencing their desire to practise medicine in future.

Results

A total of 90 students completed the online survey (response rate 75%). Eighty‐two per cent of the students indicated definitive and strong desire to study medicine after secondary school. There was no difference in interest between male and female students (P‐value 0.665). The main factors influencing this interest were personal. Forty‐four per cent of participants attributed this to the opportunity to help others while 30% to the intellectual challenge, whereas family, friends and other factors accounted for the rest of influential factors to study medicine. The majority agreed (60%) that the programme was quite accessible and easy to have a place. Opinions about the content of the programme focussed mainly on the interactive sessions. Forty‐seven per cent liked the live patient–doctor interaction session the most, and 43% found the live video session very informative.

Conclusion

The MMS is a highly effective platform for both the medical specialties and the high‐school students.
Diagnostic Tests in Urology: an Introduction
Authors: Breau Rodney H. , Scales Jr Charles D. , Dahm Philipp ,   on behalf of the International Evidence Based Urology Working Group
Published: October 2012

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

In our everyday practice as urologists, we often face diagnostic uncertainty that prompts us to perform a range of diagnostic tests to determine the probability that a patient has an underlying condition. Unfortunately, some diagnostic tests do not help us ‘rule in’ our ‘rule out’ a disease. These clinically unhelpful tests are not the best allocation of our healthcare system's resources.

This series will discuss the quality of evidence supporting the use of common diagnostic tests in urology. This discussion represents an important dimension of the decision‐making process and appropriate interpretation of these tests. Through this series we hope to improve patient care by encouraging and informing readers to exercise selective application of these diagnostic tests to reduce the burden of rising and ultimately unsustainable healthcare costs.
Tumour burden is an independent prognostic factor in metastatic renal cell carcinoma
Authors: Iacovelli Roberto , Lanoy Emilie , Albiges Laurence , Escudier Bernard
Published: October 2012

Study Type – Prognosis (cohort series)

Level of Evidence 2b

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

In the literature, few studies have evaluated the role of tumour burden (TB) in metastatic real cell carcinoma (mRCC), even though it has been considered as important in localized tumours. In metastatic patients the role of TB is uncertain because it was analyzed in chemotherapy treated patients or using a partial evaluation of TB.

This study, first reports the independent prognostic and predictive role of TB in mRCC patients treated with targeted agents in prospective clinical trials. TB is able to predict prognosis independently to localization of metastases and prognostic class defined by MSKCC criteria, moreover it is strictly related to patient's performance status.

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the possible prognostic role of baseline tumour burden (TB) in terms of progression‐free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS), in patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

A homogenous group of patients with mRCC enrolled in second‐line trials post‐cytokine treatment were selected for the present analysis.

The Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (the sum of the longest unidimensional diameter of each target lesion) were used to assess TB.

The PFS and OS rates were estimated using the Kaplan–Meier method and compared across the groups using the log‐rank test.

The association between TB and PFS or OS was evaluated using a Cox proportional hazards model. Multivariable analyses were adjusted for other prognostic variables: the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Centre (MSKCC) risk class and treatment.

RESULTS

A total of 124 patients were included in the final analysis. Of these, 66% received sorafenib or sunitinib and 34% received placebo. The median follow‐up was 80.1 month.

TB was directly related to PFS and OS and these associations remained significant after adjusting for modified MSKCC risk class and treatment,.

Each 1‐cm increase in TB increased the risk of progression by 4.5% (hazard ratio [HR]: 1.05; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.02–1.07; P < 0.001) and the risk of death by 5% (HR: 1.05; 95% CI 1.03–1.08; P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

TB is easy to calculate from standard computed tomography and significantly relates to OS in patients with mRCC.

We report for the first time the independent prognostic role of baseline TB in multivariate analysis.

We believe that this information could be translated into clinical practice.
Expression patterns of epithelial–mesenchymal transition markers in localized prostate cancer: significance in clinicopathological outcomes following radical prostatectomy
Authors: Behnsawy Hosny M. , Miyake Hideaki , Harada Ken‐Ichi , Fujisawa Masato
Published: October 2012

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

There have been few studies evaluating the prognostic value of epithelial–mesenchymal transition markers in prostate cancer; therefore the significance of these markers in the prognosis of patients with prostate cancer, particularly those with localized disease, remains largely unknown.

Consideration of the expression levels of potential epithelial–mesenchymal transition markers, particularly Twist and vimentin, in addition to conventional prognostic parameters would contribute to the prediction of biochemical recurrence after radical prostatectomy for localized prostate cancer.

Objective

To analyse the expression patterns of multiple molecular markers implicated in epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) in localized prostate cancer (PC), in order to clarify the significance of these markers in patients undergoing radical prostatectomy (RP).

Patients and Methods

Expression levels of 13 EMT markers, namely E‐cadherin, N‐cadherin, β‐catenin, γ‐catenin, fibronectin, matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) 2, MMP‐9, Slug, Snail, Twist, vimentin, ZEB1 and ZEB2, in RP specimens from 197 consecutive patients with localized PC were evaluated by immunohistochemical staining.

Results

Of the 13 markers, expression levels of E‐cadherin, Snail, Twist and vimentin were closely associated with several conventional prognostic factors.

Univariate analysis identified these four EMT markers as significant predictors for biochemical recurrence (BR), while serum prostate‐specific antigen, Gleason score, seminal vesicle invasion (SVI), surgical margin status (SMS) and tumour volume were also significant.

Of these significant factors, expression levels of Twist and vimentin, SVI and SMS appeared to be independently related to BR on multivariate analysis.

There were significant differences in BR‐free survival according to positive numbers of these four independent factors. That is, BR occurred in four of 90 patients who were negative for risk factors (4.4%), 21 of 83 positive for one or two risk factors (25.3%) and 19 of 24 positive for three or four risk factors (79.2%).

Conclusion

Measurement of expression levels of potential EMT markers, particularly Twist and vimentin, in RP specimens, in addition to conventional prognostic parameters, would contribute to the accurate prediction of the biochemical outcome in patients with localized PC following RP.
Weight of the resected specimen after transurethral resection as a new predictive variable for recurrence of non‐muscle‐invasive bladder tumour
Authors: De La Peña Enrique , Hernández Virginia , Blázquez Cristina , Martin Maria D. , Díaz Francisco J. , Capitán Carlos , Alemany Isabel , Llorente Carlos
Published: October 2012

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

Size is one of the currently used variables for predicting recurrence and progression of non‐muscle‐invasive bladder tumour (NMIBT), but size is subjective and not easy to measure.

We evaluate a new and objective variable to replace size, not previously reported. We assess the weight of the transurethral resection specimen as a predictor of recurrence and progression and conclude that this outperforms size as a predictor of recurrence of NMIBT.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the role of the weight of the resected specimen after transurethral resection as a predictive factor for recurrence and progression of non‐muscle‐invasive bladder tumour (NMIBT).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

The weight of the resected tumour was measured consecutively in 144 subjects who underwent transurethral resection of bladder tumours at our institution. The median (interquartile range [IQR]) follow‐up was 58 (61.3) months.

The probability of recurrence and progression at 1 and 5 years were calculated using the currently accepted variables.

Thresholds for the specimen weight were determined according to percentiles and receiver–operating characteristic curves.

RESULTS

The median (IQR) weight of the specimen was 6 (16) g.

Multivariate analysis showed that the weight of the resected specimen was an independent predictive risk factor for recurrence at a threshold value of 6 g with a hazard ratio of 1.7 (95% confidence interval: 1.048–2.761) P= 0.03.

Progression was not associated with the weight of the resected specimen.

CONCLUSIONS

The weight of the resected specimen is a new variable for predicting the risk of recurrence of NMIBT.

Tumours weighing >6 g, according to the present data, have a 1.7‐fold higher likelihood of recurrence than those tumours that weigh less.
Relationship between overactive bladder and irritable bowel syndrome: a large‐scale internet survey in Japan using the overactive bladder symptom score and Rome III criteria
Authors: Matsumoto Seiji , Hashizume Kazumi , Wada Naoki , Hori Jyunichi , Tamaki Gaku , Kita Masafumi , Iwata Tatsuya , Kakizaki Hidehiro
Published: October 2012

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

There is known to be an association between overactive bladder (OAB) and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).

The study investigates the association between OAB and IBS using an internet‐based survey in Japan. It is the first to investigate the prevalence and severity of OAB in the general population using the OAB symptom score questionnaire.

Objective

To investigate the association between overactive bladder (OAB) and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) by using an internet‐based survey in Japan.

Subjects and Methods

Questionnaires were sent via the internet to Japanese adults.

The overactive bladder symptom score was used for screening OAB, and the Japanese version of the Rome III criteria for the diagnosis of IBS was used for screening this syndrome.

Results

The overall prevalence of OAB and IBS was 9.3% and 21.2%, respectively.

Among the subjects with OAB, 33.3% had concurrent IBS.

The prevalence of OAB among men was 9.7% and among women it was 8.9%, while 18.6% of men and 23.9% of women had IBS.

Concurrent IBS was noted in 32.0% of men and 34.8% of women with OAB.

Conclusion

Taking into account a high rate of concurrent IBS in patients with OAB, it seems to be important for physicians to assess the defaecation habits of patients when diagnosing and treating OAB.
The Fit Families pilot study: preliminary findings on how parental health and other family system factors relate to and predict adolescent obesity and depressive symptoms
Authors: Hooper Lisa M. , Burnham Joy J. , Richey Rachel , DeCoster Jamie , Shelton Mitch , Higginbotham John C.
Published: October 2012

This study, undergirded by family systems theory, examined the extent to which parent and family‐level factors correlate with adolescent obesity and depressive symptoms. We also considered whether these variables predict unique variance in adolescent obesity and depressive symptoms. The participants were a convenience sample of 77 racially diverse, predominantly early adolescents (aged 12 to 17) and their parents. Results from a series of linear and logistic regression analyses indicated that three of the study factors (parental weight history, family resources and adolescent weight history) significantly contributed to the variance in adolescents' body mass indexes and only one of the study factors (parental depressive symptomatology) significantly contributed to the variance in adolescents' rates of depressive symptomatology. These preliminary findings clarify how parent and family system factors might inform family and school‐based intervention and treatment efforts for adolescent health outcomes.

Practitioner points

Family environment (measured in this study as family conflict and cohesion) should continue to be evaluated as a risk factor for obesity and depressive symptoms in racial and ethnic minority and non‐minority families.

Family therapists as well as other practitioners (for example, primary care providers) should assess for family conflict when adolescents present with physical and psychological distress and disturbances.

Family therapists and other practitioners could be more effective if they established whether adolescent patients and their family members have the resources (for example, knowledge, financial ability and skills) needed to live a healthy lifestyle, as well as the coping strategies for maintaining their physical and psychological health.
Minimal‐group membership influences children's responses to novel experience with group members
Authors: Schug Mariah G. , Shusterman Anna , Barth Hilary , Patalano Andrea L.
Published: October 2012

Children, like adults, tend to prefer ingroup over outgroup individuals, but how this group bias affects children's processing of information about social groups is not well understood. In this study, 5‐ and 6‐year‐old children were assigned to artificial groups. They observed instances of ingroup and outgroup members behaving in either a positive (egalitarian) or a negative (stingy) manner. Observations of positive ingroup and negative outgroup behaviors reliably reduced children's liking of novel outgroup members, while observations of negative ingroup and positive outgroup behaviors had little effect on liking ratings. In addition, children successfully identified the more generous group only when the ingroup was egalitarian and the outgroup stingy. These data provide compelling evidence that children treat knowledge of and experiences with ingroups and outgroups differently, and thereby differently interpret identical observations of ingroup versus outgroup members.
ADVANCING THE THEORY OF THE COOPERATIVE ORGANIZATION: THE COOPERATIVE AS A TRUE HYBRID
Authors: CHADDAD Fabio
Published: October 2012

ABSTRACT:  What is a cooperative? Is it a form of vertical integration, an independent organization or an intermediate form of governance between the market and the hierarchy? This paper contributes to the economic theory of the cooperative organization by examining it from a comparative economic perspective. Departing from Williamson's one‐dimensional continuum of governance structures, the paper adopts the view that governance structures exhibit multiple dimensions and true hybrids are market‐like on some of these dimensions while hierarchy‐like on others. I show that the cooperative blends market‐like attributes with hierarchy‐like mechanisms and thus should be viewed as a true hybrid rather than as an intermediate form. The paper concludes with a discussion about the usefulness of this approach and potential avenues for future research.
LOCAL SERVICES OF GENERAL ECONOMIC INTEREST IN EUROPE. WATER SERVICES: WHAT ARE THE CHALLENGES?
Authors: BAUBY Pierre
Published: October 2012

ABSTRACT:  This study was conducted within the CIRIEC International Scientific Commission ‘Public Services/Public Enterprises’ project on Local services of general economic interest. Compared to other sectors, the process of Europeanization has distinct features in the water field. At EU level, water policy is rather founded on the respect of common ambitious quality standards based on public health and environmental protection norms than the creation of an ‘internal market’. Therefore, the evolution of different models of governance, organization and supply have undergone specific changes. This study focuses on local and national diversity of water services and the broad outlines of current challenges and developments. It concludes that a key challenge is to guarantee the competent public authorities’ freedom of choice of management modes.
Is Foreign Immigration the Solution to Rural Depopulation? The Case of Catalonia (1996–2009)
Authors: Bayona‐i‐Carrasco Jordi , Gil‐Alonso Fernando
Published: October 2012

This article analyses, from a demographic perspective, how foreign immigration has affected Catalan municipalities under 1000 inhabitants. After decades losing population, this group of villages is, despite its on‐going negative natural growth rate, recently regaining population due to immigration. Nevertheless, not all these municipalities have followed the same path. The local population register or Padrón has been used to build a typology which classifies these villages on the basis of their Spanish and foreign population growth between 1996 and 2009. Results show that, despite practically all of them receiving foreign immigrants, approximately half still decrease in population or have poor increases. Therefore, the international immigration boom has emphasised the spatial dichotomy between a few dynamic rural areas and the rest, which largely occupy inland Catalonia. Only tourist municipalities, mainly receiving foreign immigrants, and those located near urban centres, basically benefiting from Spanish nationality suburban flows, have been able to clearly put an end to depopulation.
‘The ground beneath my feet’: projects, project management and the intensified control of R&D engineers
Authors: Gleadle Pauline , Hodgson Damian , Storey John
Published: October 2012

This paper examines the erosion of autonomy among research and development (R&D) engineers in a global information technology company and the ways in which they responded. Over a 14‐year period, we examine the changing regime of control as knowledge workers in this firm are increasingly subjected to increased project and portfolio management interventions. Drawing on extended interviews, we consider the propensity of such knowledge workers to challenge, subvert or else acquiesce to these enhanced control mechanisms. The idea of the project, we argue, plays a critical role in affording meaning and security and informing their responses.
Carrier Erythrocytes from Cattle Can be Prepared from Cells Stored in a Hypotonic, Porous, Dialyzed State
Authors: DeLoach JR , Andrews K.
Published: October 2012

Hypotonic dialysis of bovine erythrocytes to 160–180 mosmol/kg produces cells with metastable pores. Cells stored for 3 weeks in a hypotonic dialyzed state can be used to prepare carrier erythrocytes. Pores generated by nonlytic hypotonic conditions are initially greater than 40 A in radius but shrink to less than 20 A with storage beyond 1 week. A metastable pore allows for hemoglobin isolation from hypotonically dialyzed cells.
Site‐Directed Immobilization of Glycoproteins on Hydrazide‐Containing Solid Supports
Authors: O'Shannessy DJ , Hoffman WL
Published: October 2012

Methods are described for the preparation and use of solid supports containing hydrazide functions for the immobilization of glycoproteins specifically through the oligosaccharide moieties. The solid supports are prepared from commercial “active ester” agarose by reaction with hydrazine hydrate. Glycoproteins are oxidized with sodium periodate, resulting in the production of aldehydes on the oligosaccharide moieties. Oxidized glycoprotein is then reacted with the hydrazide‐derivatized solid support to produce stable hydrazone linkages. Data are presented for the optimization of binding of oxidized glycoprotein to hydrazide‐derivatized agarose. Agarose hydrazide/glycoprotein gels were shown to be stable from pH 3 to 10 and activity studies using immobilized avidin show that this method of immobilization results in an increased “specific activity” of bound protein when compared with standard methods of immobilization.
CO2 Fixation by Mineral‐Leaching Bacteria: Characteristics of the Ribulose Bisphosphate Carboxylase‐Oxygenase of ThiobaciIlus ferrooxidans
Authors: Holuigue Loreto , Herrera Luisa , Phillips Olga M. , Young Manuel
Published: October 2012

Thiobacillus ferrooxidans is a microorganism involved in the bacterial leaching of minerals. It fixes CO2 and uses it as its only carbon source. The growth rate of this microorganism is
directly increased by increasing the percentage CO2 above the normal concentration in air. The specific activity of the ribulose bisphosphate carboxylase‐oxygenase (RuBP carboxylase) of T.
ferrooxidans also increases with higher CO2 concentrations. This enzyme has been purified and characterized. The enzyme has a native Mr of 570,000 and is composed of Mr 54,000 and Mr15,500 subunits; therefore, it corresponds to a T‐type enzyme with an A8B8 structure. The enzyme has apparent Km values for ribulose bisphosphate of 80 µM and for CO2 of 28 µM. The
apparent Km values reported for C02 of RuBP carboxylases of other thiobacilli are 30‐fold higher. The T. ferrooxidans enzyme can be inhibited by 6‐phosphogluconate. Incubation of a
crude extract of T.ferrooxidans with the transition state analog 2‐carboxyarabinitoll 1,5‐bisphosphate and 142 leads to a stably labeled enzyme and allows one to estimate that RuBP carboxylase accounts for 2‐5% of the total protein present in the extract.
Religiosity and Social Network Diversity: Decomposing the “Divided by Faith” Theoretical Framework
Authors: Porter Jeremy R. , Emerson Michael O.
Published: October 2012

Objectives

Our objective is to extend previous structural explanations of religious belonging and denominational variations concerning “closed communities” and the “divided by faith” thesis to the individual level by testing the effect of religious affiliation and church membership on levels of self‐reported social network diversity among a nationally representative sample.

Methods

Survey data from the Panel Study—American Religion and Ethnicity (PS‐ARE) were used to examine individual‐level variations in social network diversity. A multifaceted measure of diversity was decomposed to examine racial, gender, educational, and occupational variations in network diversity using a series of hierarchical linear models.

Results

Our results show that while previous structural explanations suggest that religious belonging is likely to lower the diversity of one's close social network at the individual level, the current findings indicate a positive relationship between religious membership and the diversity of one's close friendship network above and beyond the effects of denominational affiliation.

Conclusions

The results of the decomposition component analyses along with the hierarchical linear modeling (HLM) strategy highlight the relatively distinct role of race in understanding the differing dynamics associated with the many indicators of diversity and religious belonging.
Migration and the Gendered Origin of Migrant Networks Among Couples in Mexico
Authors: Creighton Mathew J. , Riosmena Fernando
Published: October 2012

Objectives

We investigate how the matrilineal versus patrilineal origin of Mexican couples’ migrant networks are associated with the aspirations to migrate and the subsequent migration behavior of each spouse.

Methods

Using longitudinal data from the Mexican Family Life Survey (2002–2005) on 3,923 married couples across 139 municipalities, we estimate multilevel logistic regressions predicting aspirations to migrate to the United States for each spouse and the subsequent migration behavior of the couple in the interwave period.

Results

The networks of both ego and spouse are associated with U.S. migration aspirations although they matter more for the person from which they originate. Only matrilineal networks predicted a subsequent move to the United States. for men and women/couples who were assessed jointly.

Conclusion

Matrilineal networks are instrumental in the migration process, particularly of the couple. As such, they could prove instrumental in helping understand the migration motivations and dynamics of individuals and families.
Pushing “Reset”: The Conditional Effects of Coaching Replacements on College Football Performance
Authors: Adler E. Scott , Berry Michael J. , Doherty David
Published: October 2012

Objectives

We assess the effects of coaching replacements on college football team performance.

Methods

Using data from 1997 to 2010, we use matching techniques to compare the performance of football programs that replaced their head coach to those where the coach was retained. The analysis has two major innovations over existing literature. First, we consider how entry conditions moderate the effects of coaching replacements. Second, we examine team performance for several years following the replacement to assess its effects.

Results

We find that for particularly poorly performing teams, coach replacements have little effect on team performance as measured against comparable teams that did not replace their coach. However, for teams with middling records—that is, teams where entry conditions for a new coach appear to be more favorable—replacing the head coach appears to result in worse performance over subsequent years than comparable teams who retained their coach.

Conclusions

The findings have important implications for our understanding of how entry conditions moderate the effects of leadership succession on team performance, and suggest that the relatively common decision to fire head college football coaches for poor team performance may be ill advised.
Systemic sclerosis – focus on dermatological aspects. Part 2: Diagnostics, therapy
Authors: Sticherling Michael
Published: October 2012

Systemic sclerosis is a chronic inflammatory multiorgan disease which may involve the skin and internal organs to a varying extent. Pathogenetically the vasculature, connective tissue and the immune system are involved in a yet to be defined sequence and impact. Case history and results of physical as well as laboratory examinations will determine individually adapted further organ imaging or invasive procedures. Based on their results therapy is initiated which may include supportive measures such as physiotherapy as well as basic skin care and avoidance of any trauma. Many agents are available for the circulatory problems including Raynaud phenomenon and digital ulcers such as calcium channel blockers, ACE inhibitors and intravenous prostacyclin derivatives, as well as endothelin receptor blockers and phosphodiesterase inhibitors. Immunosuppressive and immunomodulatory agents are of varying efficacy depending on organ involvement. Though various therapeutic measures are available, beneficial effects are limited and associated with various unwanted effects. In any case, the therapy has to be individually adapted to the disease stage and course of the disease.
Cell‐based therapies for epidermolysis bullosa – from bench to bedside
Authors: Uitto Jouni , Has Cristina , Bruckner‐Tuderman Leena
Published: October 2012

Significant progress has been made over the past two decades in molecular genetics of epidermolysis bullosa (EB), a group of heritable blistering disorders, with diagnostic and prognostic implications. More recently, novel molecular approaches have been developed towards potential treatment of EB, with emphasis on gene‐, protein‐, and cell‐based strategies. This overview highlights cell‐based approaches that have recently been tested in pilot clinical trials, attesting to the potential of regenerative medicine for blistering skin diseases.
Disparate Outcomes: The Quest for Uniform Treatment of Immigrant Children
Authors: Mandelbaum Randi , Steglich Elissa
Published: October 2012

Increasingly, immigrants and immigration issues are present in family court practice. One underutilized protection available to provide relief to abused, abandoned, and neglected immigrant youth is Special Immigrant Juvenile Status (SIJS). After providing an overview of the law and regulations concerning SIJS, this article presents the challenges that immigrant youth face in seeking SIJS. By focusing on one hypothetical child, we illustrate how children are treated differently based upon how the child came to this country, what happened once the child arrived here, and whether and when child welfare agency involvement was triggered. Often children who lived through very similar abuse or neglect circumstances will have very different immigration outcomes depending on whether they were found to be in need of state care, as compared to those outside the system (residing with a relative caregiver, homeless, or simply unable to access the child welfare system). In short, a youth's ability to access state courts and secure the necessary state court findings is often left to chance and happenstance. We propose several strategies to increase both flexibility and uniformity as to how these matters are handled by our state courts. Among our recommendations are the need for increased training (both general and SIJS focused), the development of model and standardized policies and tools, and legislative reform.

Practitioner's Key Points:

Provides a definition and overview of Special Immigrant Juvenile Status (SIJS)

Explains the challenges of immigrant youth, practitioners and judges in establishing eligibility for SIJS for children in need

Offers concrete scenarios to illustrate the problem

Explores solutions that have been implemented in certain jurisdictions, such as training programs, uniform court practices, and special legislation, to facilitate the state court role in SIJS

Key Points for the Family Court Community:

SIJS provides immigration relief to abused, abandoned, neglected, and other children in need—eligibility depends on special state court findings

All SIJS‐eligible children do not have the same ability to access the state courts for relief and to secure the special findings, which leads to many children remaining vulnerable to deportation

Several states have used training, uniform screening tools, model orders, and legislation to reduce the disparate treatment of eligible children depending on their custody circumstances

Additional state and federal reforms can further ensure that all eligible children have access to the state courts and are identified as SIJS‐eligible
Ethical Advocacy for Immigrant Survivors of Family Crisis
Authors: Liebmann Theo
Published: October 2012

The involvement of family courts in the lives of youth and families creates significant opportunities for advocates to assist their clients with immigration‐related issues. Informed and effective advocacy on these issues in family court can make life‐changing, and even life‐saving, differences for immigrants. More specifically, immigration issues are germane to family court because certain vital avenues of immigration relief available to survivors of abuse, neglect, abandonment, and other forms of family crisis explicitly depend on findings, orders, and certifications that are issued in the context of family court proceedings. After describing these forms of relief, and the family court's role in immigrants’ access to them, this essay analyzes how ethical mandates related to client counseling, representational goals, and competence affirmatively require family court practitioners to provide advice and advocacy related to these collateral benefits to family court proceedings.

Key Points for Family Court Community:

The involvement of family courts in the lives of youth and families creates significant opportunities for advocates to assist their clients with immigration‐related issues

Certain vital avenues of immigration relief available to survivors of abuse, neglect, abandonment, and other forms of family crisis explicitly depend on findings, orders, and certifications that are issued in the context of family court proceedings

The substance of immigration‐related findings in family court, and their ultimate affect on family stability, are consistent with the core family court goal of supporting safety, well‐being, and permanency for children and families

Ethical mandates related to client counseling, representational goals, and competence affirmatively require family court practitioners to provide advice and advocacy related to these collateral benefits to family court proceedings
Transformation: the Progression of Immigration Petitions for Transgender Spouses
Authors: Cintron Elanie J.
Published: October 2012

U.S. citizens who marry foreign nationals may petition for their spouses so that the couple can reside permanently together in the United States. The guidelines set forth in the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Adjudicator's Field Manual provide guidance to immigration officials for determining whether to grant or deny spousal petitions. Previously, the Adjudicator's Field Manual imposed a requirement that transgender individuals undergo costly and dangerous sex reassignment surgery in order to qualify as married for the purposes of a spousal petition. However, revisions to the Adjudicator's Field Manual issued in April 2012 provide transgender binational couples the opportunity to remain together in the United States without forcing one partner to undergo sex reassignment surgery. Given the history of discrimination against transgender individuals under U.S. immigration law, these revisions are a significant step in equality for transgender couples. Although these revisions provide many transgender binational couples with a means to remain together in the United States, this Note proposes that, to continue on the path toward equality for transgender couples, special guidelines should not be applied to marriages involving transgender partners if their marriage is deemed a valid heterosexual marriage in the state where solemnized. The goals of U.S. immigration law and compliance with the federal definition of marriage can be achieved without implementing individualized guidelines for transgender binational couples.

Key Points for the Family Court Community:

Transgender spouses of a binational couple should not be subjected to additional guidelines when submitting spousal petitions that, if granted, would afford the couple the opportunity to reside together in the United States

Transgender individuals should not be subjected to disparate treatment solely because the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services seeks to enforce discriminatory provisions of the Defense of Marriage Act

A marriage should be recognized by immigration law if it is a valid marriage under the law of the state where the marriage was celebrated

In order to achieve U.S. immigration law's mission of family unification, nontraditional couples should be afforded the same opportunity to remain together in the United States without additional scrutiny
Explaining variations in absence rates: temporary and agency workers in the food manufacturing sector
Authors: Hopkins Benjamin
Published: October 2012

This article responds to a recent call in a provocation article in the Human Resource Management Journal by Thompson to use workplace studies to investigate employees' experiences of HR practices. Examining the particular case of absence management, the article investigates the experiences of short‐term workers in the food manufacturing industry in the UK. Variations in absence rates between directly employed temporary workers and agency workers are shown to be the result of differing levels of managerial control over absence, which affects workers' ability to use absence as a form of industrial conflict to escape a low‐skilled and monotonous work process.
Influence of Genotypic Variations on Antioxidant Properties in Different Fractions of Tomato
Authors: Chandra Harish Mani , Shanmugaraj Bala Murugan , Srinivasan Balamurugan , Ramalingam Sathishkumar
Published: October 2012

Abstract:  The purpose of this study was to determine the antioxidant potential of phytochemicals present in 15 commercially important tomato genotypes specifically developed for growing in different geographical regions (high altitude and plain). Antioxidant components of tomatoes, namely lycopene, anthocyanin, ascorbic acid, total phenolics, quenching capacity of free radicals, and titratable acidity were analyzed in skin, pulp and seed fractions of the tomato fruits. Results of our study revealed that the antioxidant potency of tomato fruit fractions were in the order of Skin>Pulp>Seeds. Lycopene, anthocyanin content and free radical quenching ability was higher in the high altitude cultivars, whereas total phenolics, ascorbic acid and titratable acidity were seen higher in the plain region cultivars. In general, the outcome of this study showed that, the high altitude cultivars (Sindhu and Shalimar) were superior in antioxidant capacities. In conclusion, with this study it could be established that genetic factors play an important role in determining the antioxidants level and activity of the tomato genotypes and hence it is very important to select the right genotype to get the maximum health benefit.

Practical Application:  Phytochemicals present in the tomatoes are the major determinants of antioxidant potency of the fruits. To study the effect of genotype, it is necessary to grow the cultivars in ideal condition to assess the antioxidants level and activity, to select the right genotype for human consumption that gives better physiological benefit to the consumer.
Trout‐Skin Gelatin‐Based Edible Films Containing Phenolic Antioxidants: Effect on Physical Properties and Oxidative Stability of Cod‐Liver Oil Model Food
Authors: Tammineni Nageshwar , Ünlü Gülhan , Rasco Barbara , Powers Joseph , Sablani Shyam , Nindo Caleb
Published: October 2012

Abstract:  Trout‐skin (Oncorhynchus mykiss) gelatin‐based films containing antioxidants (epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), 50 and 250 ppm w/w) and green tea powder (1% and 20% w/w of gelatin) were tested for tensile strength, elastic modulus, and elongation, and oxygen and water vapor transmission rates, in vitro antioxidant activity using the DPPH (2,2‐diphenyl‐1‐picrylhydrazyl) assay and effect on stabilizing cod‐liver oil held under mild thermal abuse conditions. Cod‐liver oil overlaid with films was stored at 40 °C for 20 d and analyzed for peroxide value (PV) and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS). Antioxidant activity was retained in films containing green tea powder, but was reduced (P < 0.05) in EGCG films (20 d, 23 °C). Water vapor transmission rate of the films incorporated with antioxidants did not change significantly (P > 0.05), but the oxygen transmission rate for films with 50 ppm EGCG and 20% green tea powder was significant (P < 0.05). Other physical properties varied with antioxidant incorporation. The TBARS and PV of control oil increased from 0.05 ± 0.01 to 4.71 ± 0.30 g MDA/kg oil and from 3.6 ± 0.2 to 178.3 ± 24.5 millieq peroxides/kg oil, respectively, after 20 d. For cod‐liver oil covered with control or antioxidant‐containing films, TBARS remained below 0.37 g MDA/kg oil and PV below 7 millieq peroxides/kg oil. Incorporation of antioxidants to the films did not reduce oil oxidation (P > 0.05) at the levels tested and this was confirmed by activation energy calculations. The rate of oil oxidation was more dependent upon the inherent oxygen barrier property of the films than the presence of antioxidants.

Practical Application:  This research has the potential to enhance the utilization of fish skins, a valuable food processing by‐product, as edible films with natural antioxidants to extend the shelf life of foods. The film physical properties and barrier to oxygen and water are investigated.