bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Drought Stress-Induced Rma1H1, a RING Membrane-Anchor E3 Ubiquitin Ligase Homolog, Regulates Aquaporin Levels via Ubiquitination in TransgenicArabidopsisPlants
Authors: Lee Hyun Kyung , Cho Seok Keun , Son Ora , Xu Zhengyi , Hwang Inhwan , Kim Woo Taek
Published: February 2009

Ubiquitination is involved in a variety of biological processes, but the exact role of ubiquitination in abiotic responses is not clearly understood in higher plants. Here, we investigated Rma1H1, a hot pepper (Capsicum annuum) homolog of a human RING membrane-anchor 1 E3 ubiquitin (Ub) ligase. Bacterially expressed Rma1H1 displayed E3 Ub ligase activity in vitro. Rma1H1 was rapidly induced by various abiotic stresses, including dehydration, and its overexpression in transgenic Arabidopsis thaliana plants conferred strongly enhanced tolerance to drought stress. Colocalization experiments with marker proteins revealed that Rma1H1 resides in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) membrane. Overexpression of Rma1H1 in Arabidopsis inhibited trafficking of an aquaporin isoform PIP2;1 from the ER to the plasma membrane and reduced PIP2;1 levels in protoplasts and transgenic plants. This Rma1H1-induced reduction of PIP2;1 was inhibited by MG132, an inhibitor of the 26S proteasome. Furthermore, Rma1H1 interacted with PIP2;1 in vitro and ubiquitinated it in vivo. Similar to Rma1H1, Rma1, an Arabidopsis homolog of Rma1H1, localized to the ER, and its overexpression reduced the PIP2;1 protein level and inhibited trafficking of PIP2;1 from the ER to the plasma membrane in protoplasts. In addition, reduced expression of Rma homologs resulted in the increased level of PIP2;1 in protoplasts. We propose that Rma1H1 and Rma1 play a critical role in the downregulation of plasma membrane aquaporin levels by inhibiting aquaporin trafficking to the plasma membrane and subsequent proteasomal degradation as a response to dehydration in transgenic Arabidopsis plants.
Performance evaluation of a psychiatric facility in São Paulo, Brasil
Authors: Walbe Ornstein Sheila , Ono Rosaria , Lopes P.A. , França A.J.G.L. , Kawakita C.Y. , Machado  , Robles L.V.L. , Tamashiro S.H. , Fernandes P.R.
Published: February 2009

Purpose

This paper aims to present the results of a post‐occupancy evaluation (POE) in a complex hospital building, and also to discuss a system for analyzing and diagnosing those results.

Design/methodology/approach

The POE was aimed at establishing adequate use and maintenance of the building. The main approaches of the study consisted of two basic performance features, namely, physical accessibility and fire safety.

Findings

The importance of the pre‐design evaluation (PDE) might also be recalled as well as the usefulness of the POE for new designs and for remodeling existing buildings, because these instruments aid in the constant updating of directive plans of occupation, especially in the case of large complexes such as health care facilities. One indication of this importance is the relatively low number of problems detected during the POE, when one considers the complexity of the work of renovation and the dimensions of the IPq facilities.

Originality/value

The paper presents the results of a POE and recommendations that would make it possible to quickly identify the points where there is need for improvement, and the degree of importance or priority to be given.
Management education's blind spot: management of workplace relations
Authors: Clydesdale Greg
Published: February 2009

Purpose

Developing interpersonal relationships is widely recognised as a key managerial capability, but business schools have been criticised for the limited attention given to the subject. The purpose of this paper is to attempt to address this deficiency in the area of teaching workplace relationships.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper reviews and critiques existing literature on the teaching of interpersonal relationships. It examines possibilities for content and methods by which they could be taught, including the limitations of each method.

Findings

The limitations of skills‐based courses are recognised and a case is argued for a broad‐based approach to teaching interpersonal relations that draws on a motivational, behavioural, cognitive, emotion and personality approach. A large number of options exist and it is argued that techniques be used that complement one another.

Practical implications

Lectures of general management courses are frequently constrained by their limited training but the paper provides a cognitive and theoretical framework with which to analyse relationships, which can be combined with a number of other techniques within the abilities of the general management lecturer. More research is required on interpersonal relationship management strategies and relationship variability in the workplace.

Originality/value

The paper moves away from a skills‐based approach to interpersonal relationships to consider cognitive and motivational aspects. The concept of relational capital emphasises the inherent value of workplace relationships. The paper suggests that interpersonal relationship needs to be mainstreamed into management education if graduates are to be prepared for the business world.
Jacob “John” Rose – a tribute
Authors: Pearlman Wolf W.
Published: February 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to recall the influential role of Professor John Rose in stimulating development of sustainable cybernetic frameworks designed to contend with the daunting challenges obtaining in the domain of urban habitat generation.

Design/methodology/approach

Objectives are realized via discrimination of invaluable opinion (information/data), case study analyses of experiments (projects), differentiation of distinguished effects (phenomena), and intervention in the evolution of urban planning theory.

Findings

It is found that the disposition of geometrical forms of quasi‐crystal type – “Penrose Tiling” or “Shechtmanites” – realizes extensive economies in urban space allocations (land use), escalation of population indices (density), substantial contraction of time and distance in movement patterns (energy conservation): a triplet (encompassing quantity, quality and economy) are surely applicable in a world confronted by the unceasing demand for urban shelter and threat of a global economic meltdown.

Practical implications

Transformation of the manually derived models (for town design) is dependent on significant investment in the phase involving development of complex algorithms for enabling combinatorial computing and modeling; the sine qua non for testing applications at various scale levels prior to development of a universally viable computer software. The implications for urban habitat policies generally would be phenomenal if not revolutionary should the envisaged software ever be realized.

Originality/value

Exposure of original work in progress enhances the potential for obtaining valuable feedback from intrigued professionals as well as potential consumers, particularly those from public sector housing agencies experiencing acute budgetary agendas.
Dictatorships, democracies and the people
Authors: Mansour Mohamed
Published: February 2009

Purpose

The paper aims to consider system and control ideas which are useful in analysing problems in human science.

Design/methodology/approach

Three arts of dictatorships are considered, namely: dictatorship in a developing country, dictatorship in a developed country and the global dictatorship. The conditions leading to these dictatorships are explained.

Findings

Two arts of democracies are discussed and the common parameters of democracies and dictatorships are determined. In all the above, the position of the people is discussed.

Originality/value

An ideal democracy is suggested which can be considered as a goal for a better world and as reference for evaluation.
Economic yoyos and some mysteries about child labor
Authors: Lin Yi , Liu Sifeng
Published: February 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to establish a theoretical foundation for seemingly contradictory empirical findings about child labor and the families and the children's well‐being.

Design/methodology/approach

The systemic yoyo model is employed as justification and road map for exploring some issues related to child labor and its efficiency.

Findings

Among many interesting results obtained in this paper, it is particularly shown that: first, as long as children's disutility or utility of labor or formal schooling are concerned, the laissez faire triple of child labor, formal schooling, and level of maturity, which maximizes the parents' utility function, can never be efficient; second, if the efficiency of parent's chosen (for their children) levels of child labor, formal schooling, and level of maturity, is determined by the impact on the children's lifetime earnings potential, then the laissez faire triple of child labor, formal schooling, and level of maturity, is efficient, either if the parents' savings and bequests are interior when the capital markets are imperfect, or if the parents' bequests are interior and the capital markets are perfect. Third, if a government regulation is introduced to impose a marginal ban on child labor, then such a ban could be either welfare reducing for both the child and the parents or a Pareto improvement for both the child and the parents, under different sets of specific conditions.

Research limitations/implications

To take advantage of the methods and results of calculus, the assumption of continuity and differentiability is implied. So, all the findings of this work are limited by these conditions.

Originality/value

It is shown that by using systems analysis, seemingly contradictory empirical findings regarding the efficiency of child labor can be explained by using a unified theory.
Cybernetical physics Part II: the EPR paradox and its implications
Authors: Fidelman Uri
Published: February 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explain the Einstein, Podolski and Rosen (EPR) paradox applying the multidimensionality of time and the perpendicularity of the temporal axes.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper is an extension of the application of neuropsychology to physics, as previously described in Part I, to cosmology.

Findings

The paper removes the apparent contradictions in physics implied by the EPR paradox.

Practical implications

A theoretical basis for a possible instantaneous (faster than light) sending of messages to everywhere in the cosmos is provided.

Originality/value

This theory is entirely new. The possible application is independent from the existence of tachions.
The human side of ERMS: an Icelandic study
Authors: Gunnlaugsdottir Johanna
Published: February 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to present the findings of a research conducted in Iceland during the period 2001‐2005 and in 2008 on how employees view their use of Electronic Records Management Systems (ERMS).

Design/methodology/approach

Qualitative methodology was used. Four organizations were studied in detail and another four provided a comparison. Open‐ended interviews and participant observations were the basic elements of the research. The research discovered the basic issues in the user‐friendliness of ERMS, the substitutes that employees turned to if they did not welcome ERMS, how confident employees were in their computer use and how they felt that their work could be shared and observed by others.

Findings

Employees seemed to regard ERMS as a groupware for constructive group work and not as an obtrusive part of a surveillance society. The research identified training as the most important factor in making employees confident in their use of ERMS. Participation in adapting the classification scheme to the ERMS changed the views that employees had regarding the user‐friendliness of the ERMS and their effectiveness as users.

Originality/value

This topic has not been studied as regards ERMS before. The research identifies the most important implementation factors and the issues that must be dealt with to make employees more content, confident and proficient users of ERMS.
PIM @ academia: how e‐mail is used by scholars
Authors: Zimmerman Eric , Bar‐Ilan Judit
Published: February 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to look at measures of e‐mail use and e‐mail management among academic faculty in relation to research productivity. The aim is to report only on e‐mail use and management.

Design/methodology/approach

For this quantitative study, productivity data were gathered from information management systems of Bar‐Ilan University in Israel and a survey questionnaire was distributed in order to measure e‐mail use. The scholarly community of Bar‐Ilan University was surveyed via a web‐form – of the 781 survey copies disseminated, 412 (52.8 per cent of the total) were received and the final usable number was 390 (49.9 per cent of the total).

Findings

With younger biological and/or professional age, there are correspondingly higher levels of e‐mail usage. It is clear that the younger a user is, the higher the perceived skill level and quantitative measures of e‐mail use, as well as a higher perception of one's capacity to use e‐mail. It would also seem that with older professional age, there is less perceived benefit to using e‐mail. With increased levels of perception as to the benefit of e‐mail to productivity, there is increased use of e‐mail.

Originality/value

This paper provides a depth of study (in its range of disciplines covered, in a single location, with a broad population) with a range of e‐mail measures not previously seen in this decade. While Israel is small in size, it accounts for 1 per cent of global scientific journal articles, emanating mainly from the universities and its achievements are such that the global community can indeed learn from the behaviour patterns of Israel's scholars, represented by the findings at one of the largest research universities.
Assessment of institutional structures for solid waste management in Kumasi
Authors: Appiah Obeng Peter , Donkor Emmanuel A. , Mensah Anthony
Published: February 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to find out and document what reforms have taken place in the institutional structure for solid waste management (SWM) in Kumasi since the inception of a National Environmental Sanitation Policy (NESP) in Ghana in 1999, and what impact institutional reforms have made on solid waste collection service efficiency.

Design/methodology/approach

The study undertook a before‐and‐after assessment of key institutional issues as well as service efficiency within five years of the inception of the policy using questionnaires and interviews to collect data and information from relevant SWM stakeholders in the metropolis.

Findings

It was found that the implementation of the policy has led to changes in the organisational structure for SWM in the city with the introduction of private sector participation, which has led to improvement in efficiency in terms of service coverage and cost recovery. Service coverage increased from about 50 per cent in 1999 to an annual average of 87.4 per cent between 2000 and 2004, while the amount recovered through house‐to‐house collection services increased from 26.5 per cent of the WMD's expenditure in 2001 to 68.6 per cent in 2004.

Practical implications

The findings and recommendations can inform future SWM policy reviews and implementation in the city and elsewhere.

Originality/value

The study is the first attempt at documenting the historical evolution towards the current institutional structure and a scientific assessment of the impact of the reforms on service efficiency in Ghana.
Bioethanol recovery using the pervaporation separation technique
Authors: Durmaz Hilmioglu Nilufer
Published: February 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to demonstrate applicability of the pervaporation technique for separation ethanol/water mixtures.

Design/methodology/approach

For the purposes of membrane material development for pervaporation zeolite filled and unfilled cellulose acetate membranes were prepared. Zeolite types were 4A, 13X. The effect of incorporation of nano‐sized zeolites prepared in a colloidal form in membranes was also investigated. Equilibrium sorption experiments were carried out. Degrees of swelling were calculated at different liquid feed mixture compositions for separating an azeotrope forming mixture, ethanol/water by pervaporation.

Findings

Zeolite 13X filled CA membrane may have the better pervaporation performance than zeolite 4A filled CA membrane. From the sorption tests it is concluded that ethanol/water azeotropy can be achieved by pervaporation.

Practical implications

Application of CA membranes in industrial scale pervaporation units may be feasible for separation of ethanol/water mixtures. Specially ethanol/water azeotropy will be achieved by pervaporation. Using distillation and pervaporation hybrid systems, bioethanol can be produced economically.

Orginality/value

The paper illustrates the success of pervaporation techniques in separating ethanol/water mixtures.
Economic development and environmental quality: an econometric study in India
Authors: Mohapatra Geetilaxmi , Giri A.K.
Published: February 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore the emissions of SO2, NO2 and SPM in India during 1991‐2003. The Environmental Kuznets' Curve (EKC) is applied to explore the relationship between economic development measured in terms of State Domestic Product (SDP) per capita and different air quality parameters for industrial and residential locations respectively. Several developmental factors contribute to change in emissions of these air quality parameters. These factors generally include the scale effect, composition effect and the pollution abatement effect.

Design/methodology/approach

The methodology has focused on testing the EKC hypothesis at state level in India, using cross‐section and time series data for 15 major states. The study has made use of fixed effect version of pooled data estimation technique.

Findings

The findings in the paper indicate only a directional inverted U‐shaped EKC relationship for both industrial and residential locations, without being significant statistically. Basically, some developmental factors such as population density, urbanization and policy variables are significant with expected signs in explaining the relationship for most of the cases. The calculated turning point of SDP per capita for different air quality parameters ranges between $163.46 and $408.66

Research limitations/implications

The present study has been restricted to a shorter time period (i.e. 1991‐2003) because of the unavailability of continuous time series data. The study only includes 15 major Indian states and excludes other states due to lack of proper data sources.

Practical implications

The inclusion of several developmental variables (such as urbanization, infrastructure development, population density, policy) helps to detect whether the emissions of different air quality is mainly due to economic growth or other reasons.

Originality/value

The investigation in the paper allows determination of the level of SDP per capita, the emissions of different types of air quality will start to decrease in different Indian states.
Blog/shop: it is authentic so don't worryˆˆˆ
Authors: Fletcher Gordon , Greenhill Anita
Published: February 2009

Purpose

The popularity and persistence of Blogshops raises ethical issues regarding the presentation of the female teenage owners' “self” to others and the relationship they maintain with buyers and other owners.

Design/methodology/approach

This ongoing observational study of Singaporean Blogshops reveals a layered and interrelated typology of alternative e‐commerce activities that critiques many of the myths associated with e‐commerce particularly the extent and manner in which it can empower consumers.

Findings

It is argued that Blogshops represent a new formulation of e‐commerce practice that draws upon a rich assemblage that includes readily available and popular digital technologies and an efficient urban public transport system.

Research limitations/implications

This study is primarily emic in perspective and requires complementary ethnographic research among Blogshopowners and buyers – specifically female teenage Singaporeans.

Originality/value

The present study introduces the phenomenon of Blogshops to a wider academic and theoried audience through a critical interpretation of observed activities. In doing this the study offers insight into the complex intersection of public transport infrastructure, freely available Web‐based technologies and the significant influence that fashion exerts upon contemporary popular culture.
Lifetime‐leveraging
Authors: Moore Frances C. , MacCracken Michael C.
Published: February 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to suggest an approach to post‐Kyoto climate negotiations that could provide a way out of the apparent deadlock between developed and developing countries. This is an urgent issue as the world already appears to be close to a level of climate change that could be considered “dangerous”.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper explores the potential that control of short‐lived greenhouse gases such as methane, tropospheric ozone, and soot could have, in addition to steep cutbacks in industrialized nations, to both mitigate global warming and overcome political stalemate in the international climate negotiations.

Findings

Although rarely mentioned in climate discourse, reducing emissions of short‐lived greenhouse gases offers a cost‐effective way of actually reducing the radiative forcing in the atmosphere, while at the same time producing substantial subsidiary benefits such as improved urban air quality. The paper suggests leveraging this potential in the post‐Kyoto treaty in order to “buy time” to address the arguably more difficult problem of essentially eliminating fossil‐fuel related CO2 emissions, which will ultimately be required to truly bring climate change under control. While high‐income countries work on steep cutbacks of all greenhouse gas emissions, middle‐income nations could make significant additional contributions by undertaking commitments to control only short‐lived greenhouse gases until they reached a threshold level of per‐capita GDP, at which point they would cap and begin reducing all greenhouse gas emissions.

Originality/value

This paper recognizes that political tradeoffs will have to be made in negotiating the next climate treaty, and offers a way of approaching these tradeoffs that could minimize resulting environmental damage.
Knockdown of c‐FLIPL enhanced AD5‐10 anti‐death receptor 5 monoclonal antibody‐induced apoptosis in human lung cancer cells
Authors: Chen Feng , Guo Juntang , Zhang Yaxi , Zhao Yu , Zhou Naikang , Liu Shilian , Liu Yanxin , Zheng Dexian
Published: February 2009

It is reported that the agonistic antibodies against death receptors 4 and 5 (DR4, DR5) are cytotoxic to various cancer cells. In the present study, the sensitivity of five human lung cancer cell lines to previously reported AD5‐10 agonistic antibody against DR5 were investigated. Of these cell lines, A549 and small cell lung cancer showed a moderate sensitivity to AD5‐10 and three other cell lines were resistant. Cell line H460 is resistant to AD5‐10 despite a high level of cell‐surface DR5 expression. We demonstrated that the resistance of H460 cells to AD5‐10 was not related to the expression level of DR5, but the expression and cleavage of c‐FLIPL in the cells. Inhibition of endogenous c‐FLIPL expression by siRNA significantly enhanced AD5‐10‐induced cell death in these lung cancer cells. We further showed that this sensitizing effect was associated with decreased expression of Bcl‐2 family proteins Bid and Bcl‐XL, change of mitochondrial membrane potential, release of cytochrome c from mitochondria, and caspase activation. Therefore, these data provide evidence that c‐FLIPL is involved in the resistance of lung cancer cells to AD5‐10‐induced apoptosis. Moreover, immunohistochemistry on paraffin‐embedded tissue revealed that c‐FLIPL was expressed in 87.9% (29 of 33) of lung carcinoma tissues from the patients, but little in tissues from normal controls. This suggests that inhibition of c‐FLIPL expression might be a potential strategy for lung cancer therapy, especially for those lung cancers resistant to the agonistic antibody against death receptors. (Cancer Sci 2009; 100: 940–947)
RET protein promotes non‐adherent growth of NB‐39‐nu neuroblastoma cell line
Authors: Futami Hitoyasu , Sakai Ryuichi
Published: February 2009

The receptor tyrosine kinase RET is expressed in a number of neuroblastoma tissues and cell lines, but its role in neuroblastoma remains to be determined. In this study, we examined the roles of RET protein in neuroblastoma by the RNA interference technique using the NB‐39‐nu neuroblastoma cell line. NB‐39‐nu neuroblastoma cells show high expression and elevated tyrosine phosphorylation of RET, although short interfering RNA against RET (RET siRNA) did not significantly inhibit cell proliferation or suppression of basal levels of phosphorylation of extracellular regulated kinase (ERK)1/2 or protein kinase B (AKT). By the addition of glial cell line‐derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF), both the expression and phosphorylation of RET and the phosphorylation of ERK1/2 and AKT were further increased, whereas cell proliferation was not stimulated under normal culture conditions. However, proliferation of cells cultured under non‐adherent conditions was significantly increased by GDNF. The increased proliferation was suppressed by RET siRNA, which also caused inhibition of the phosphorylation of ERK1/2 and AKT. These results suggest that RET signaling plays an important role in GDNF‐induced enhancement of non‐adherent proliferation of NB‐39‐nu cells, which might contribute to the metastasis of neuroblastoma. (Cancer Sci 2009; 100: 1034–1039)
Clinical trial: the effect and timing of food on the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of dexlansoprazole MR, a novel Dual Delayed Release formulation of a proton pump inhibitor – evidence for dosing flexibility
Authors: LEE R. D. , VAKILY M. , MULFORD D. , WU J. , ATKINSON S. N.
Published: February 2009

Background  Dexlansoprazole MR is a proton pump inhibitor with a Dual Delayed Release (DDR) formulation designed to prolong the dexlansoprazole plasma concentration–time profile. The presence of food or time of dosing relative to food may affect dexlansoprazole absorption.

Aims  To evaluate the effect of food on the pharmacokinetics (PK) and pharmacodynamics (PD) of dexlansoprazole following oral administration of dexlansoprazole MR.

Methods  In this open‐label, single‐dose, randomized, 4‐way crossover study, 48 healthy subjects received placebo (day 1) and dexlansoprazole MR 90 mg (day 3) after fasting, 5 or 30 min before a high‐fat breakfast, or 30 min after a high‐fat breakfast. Intragastric pH (days 1 and 3) and PK (day 3) of dexlansoprazole were assessed over a 24‐h interval after each dose.

Results  Following administration of dexlansoprazole MR under fasted/fed conditions, mean dexlansoprazole plasma concentration–time profiles generally exhibited two distinct peaks, resulting from the DDR formulation. Increases in dexlansoprazole maximum plasma concentration (12–31%) and area under the plasma concentration–time curve (9–21%) were observed with the fed regimens; however, differences in intragastric pH were not considered clinically relevant.

Conclusion  Dexlansoprazole MR can be administered without regard to food or the timing of food in most patients.
The hypereosinophilic syndromes: current concepts and treatments
Authors: Gleich Gerald J. , Leiferman Kristin M.
Published: February 2009

The hypereosinophilic syndromes (HES) encompass a spectrum of diseases that have increased blood eosinophils and tissue damage in common. The clinical manifestations are protean and may involve any organ system, but especially the skin. Our understanding of these diseases has drastically changed over the past 15 years, along with new classifications that characterize patients with marked eosinophilia. One HES variant, myeloproliferative, is actually chronic eosinophilic leukaemia with a unique genetic marker, FIP1L1‐PDGFRA. Such patients are well‐controlled by administration of the kinase inhibitor, imatinib, and remissions appear durable with continued imatinib therapy. FIP1L1‐PDGFRA is expressed in several cell lineages, thus explaining increases in neutrophils and mast cells in HES. The lymphocytic HES variant is associated with T‐cell clones producing interleukin‐5 (IL‐5) and can evolve into lymphoma. While myeloproliferative and lymphocytic HES are well established and permit elimination of the term, idiopathic, to these varieties, most HES patients do not fall into these categories and are classified as complex (using the 2006 Workshop Report). A recent study showed that a monoclonal antibody to IL‐5, mepolizumab, reduced glucocorticoid therapy in HES patients who did not possess the FIP1L1‐PDGFRA mutation while controlling eosinophilia and preventing recurrence or progression of tissue damage. These advances augur well for continued progress in the understanding and treatment of HES.
Soil acidity, ecological stoichiometry and allometric scaling in grassland food webs
Authors: MULDER CHRISTIAN , ELSER JAMES J.
Published: February 2009

The factors regulating the structure of food webs are a central focus of community and ecosystem ecology, as trophic interactions among species have important impacts on nutrient storage and cycling in many ecosystems. For soil invertebrates in grassland ecosystems in the Netherlands, the site‐specific slopes of the faunal biomass to organism body mass relationships reflected basic biochemical and biogeochemical processes associated with soil acidity and soil C : N : P stoichiometry. That is, the higher the phosphorus availability in the soil, the higher, on average, the slope of the faunal biomass size spectrum (i.e., the higher the biomass of large‐bodied invertebrates relative to the biomass of small invertebrates). While other factors may also be involved, these results are consistent with the growth rate hypothesis from biological stoichiometry that relates phosphorus demands to ribosomal RNA and protein production. Thus our data represent the first time that ecosystem phosphorus availability has been associated with allometry in soil food webs (supporting information available online). Our results have broad implications, as soil invertebrates of different size have different effects on soil processes.
Fatigue in patients with rheumatoid arthritis: British and Dutch nurses’ knowledge, attitudes and management
Authors: Repping‐Wuts Han , Hewlett Sarah , Van Riel Piet , Van Achterberg Theo
Published: February 2009

Title.  Fatigue in patients with rheumatoid arthritis: British and Dutch nurses’ knowledge, attitudes and management.

Aim.  This paper is a report of a study conducted to compare the knowledge, attitudes and current management of rheumatoid arthritis‐related fatigue in British and Dutch rheumatology nurses.

Background.  After pain, fatigue is the most important symptom for patients with rheumatoid arthritis, but little is known about the current management of this fatigue by healthcare professionals.

Methods.  A questionnaire was mailed in 2007 to rheumatology nurses who were members of British Health Professionals in Rheumatology (N = 267) and the Dutch Society of Rheumatology Nurses (N = 227). Descriptive statistics, independent samples t‐test and Pearson chi‐square tests were used for statistical analysis.

Results.  A total of 494 nurses returned questionnaires (response rate 48%). In general, their knowledge about rheumatoid arthritis fatigue was in accordance with the literature and all indicated a positive attitude towards assessing and managing rheumatoid arthritis‐related fatigue. However, respondents reported contradictory views about managing fatigue. Although they believed that other team members could help patients, they seldom referred patients on to other professionals. Although nurses believed that other advice besides pacing and balance between activity and rest might help, they did not offer this to patients. Despite acknowledging that there is poor communication about fatigue between patients and nurses, respondents reported that it is patients rather than nurses who raise the issue of fatigue in consultations.

Conclusion.  British and Dutch rheumatology nurses are sympathetic but do not know how to manage rheumatoid arthritis‐related fatigue. Strategies to support self‐management for this fatigue, and to increase communication between healthcare professionals and patients, should be initiated to help improve patient outcomes for rheumatoid arthritis‐related fatigue.
Evaluation of a transition to practice programme for mental health nursing
Authors: Cleary Michelle , Matheson Sandra , Happell Brenda
Published: February 2009

Title.  Evaluation of a transition to practice programme for mental health nursing.

Aim. This paper is a report of a study assessing nurses’ satisfaction with a 12‐month transition to practice programme into mental health nursing and its impact on their perceived knowledge, confidence and self‐concept.

Background.  Transition to practice programmes are necessary to facilitate graduate nurses’ professional adjustment into nursing and experienced nurses’ movement from one clinical setting or speciality to another. Role transition can be a difficult process, and those who have realistic expectations may experience less stress during the actual transition.

Method. A quantitative evaluation design carried out in Australia, using questionnaires for data collection. The study began in 2005 and the participants were three groups (n = 45) of Registered Nurses who all completed the programme during 2006 and 2007.

Findings. Forty‐four nurses (98%) completed pre‐ and postprogramme surveys. There was a relatively high level of satisfaction with the programme. Most participants found all aspects of the programme to be substantially positive, with the majority intending to continue to work in mental health nursing at programme completion. Data concerning knowledge of and confidence in undertaking a number of nursing tasks showed statistically significant gains postprogramme for most items. No differences were found in The Nurses’ Self‐Concept Questionnaire scores between pre‐ and post‐test phases, apart from a trend towards improved communication and caring.

Conclusion. Transition programmes have the potential to make a positive contribution to the mental health nursing workforce. Continuing professional development opportunities are essential to ensure that skill development is maintained. Future longitudinal research could ascertain the benefits of the programme on staff retention.
Adolescents with asthma: predictors of quality of life
Authors: Burkhart Patricia V. , Svavarsdottir Erla Kolbrun , Rayens Mary Kay , Oakley Marsha G. , Orlygsdottir Brynja
Published: February 2009

Title.  Adolescents with asthma: predictors of quality of life.

Aim.  This paper is a report of a study to determine the demographic, personal, interpersonal and illness factors associated with asthma quality of life (QOL), as self‐reported by adolescents from the United States of America (USA) and Iceland.

Background.  Asthma affects 12% of children in the USA and an estimated 9% in Iceland. Limited research has addressed asthma QOL for adolescents.

Methods.  This cross‐sectional exploratory study included adolescents with asthma (n = 15 from the USA; n = 15 from Iceland), aged 13–17 years, primarily recruited from paediatric practices in central Kentucky, USA and Reykjavik, Iceland. Data were collected in 2006. Adolescents in the USA (47% male) had a mean age of 14·1 years (sd = 1·5); Icelandic adolescents (73% male) had a mean age of 15·1 years (sd = 1·4). Participants completed questionnaires measuring sociodemographic and asthma characteristics, degree of limitations due to asthma, self‐rated health, depressive symptoms and asthma QOL. Multiple regression was used to determine predictors of asthma QOL.

Results.  Gender was statistically significantly associated with QOL. The difference in QOL between adolescents in the USA and Iceland was not statistically significant. Statistically significant predictors of higher asthma QOL were a better rating of overall health (P < 0·01), not having had a severe asthma attack in the last 6 months (P < 0·01), and lower depressive symptoms (P < 0·05).

Conclusion.  Interventions designed to decrease depression and prevent asthma exacerbations may improve QOL for adolescents with asthma.
Learning for holistic care: addressing practical wisdom (phronesis) and the spiritual sphere
Authors: Leathard Helen L. , Cook Michael J.
Published: February 2009

Title.  Learning for holistic care: addressing practical wisdom (phronesis) and the spiritual sphere.

Aim.  This paper is a discussion of practical wisdom (phronesis) and spirituality in holistic caring and strategies to facilitate their application in nurse education.

Background.  Phronesis, with its inherent spiritual qualities, is an established aspect of the persona of excellent clinical leaders. There is a strong case for recognizing the value of this characteristic in all nurses, and a strategy is required for engendering the development of phronesis during nurse education.

Data sources.  Electronic searches of Google Scholar and CINAHL were conducted for English language publications in the period 1996–2008. Search terms included combinations of phronesis, spirituality, health, education, pharmacology, medicines and medication education, holistic care and spiritual care. Selection of items for inclusion was based on their pertinence to the arguments being developed and their value as leads to earlier material.

Discussion.  The links between the attributes of effective clinical leaders and those required for holistic caring are explicated and related to phronesis, the acquisition of which involves spiritual development. An explanatory account of phronesis and its applicability to nursing leads to an explanation of how its spiritual aspects in particular might be incorporated into learning for holistic care. Reference to research in medicines‐related education illustrates how the principles can be applied in nurse education.

Conclusion.  Nursing quality could be enhanced if adequate opportunities for acquiring phronesis through experiential learning were provided in nursing curricula. Phronesis and spiritual care could be incorporated into existing models of nursing care or new models devised to use these critical concepts.
Validation of connective tissue growth factor (CTGF/CCN2) and its gene polymorphisms as noninvasive biomarkers for the assessment of liver fibrosis
Authors: Kovalenko E. , Tacke F. , Gressner O. A. , Zimmermann H. W. , Lahme B. , Janetzko A. , Wiederholt T. , Berg T. , Müller T. , Trautwein C. , Gressner A. M. , Weiskirchen R.
Published: February 2009

Summary.  Clinical and experimental studies have demonstrated that connective‐tissue growth factor (CTGF) expression is increased in fibrotic human liver and experimental animal models of liver fibrogenesis. CTGF has been linked to transforming growth factor‐beta (TGF‐β) pathways in fibroproliferative diseases and specific polymorphisms within the CTGF gene may predispose for fibrosis in systemic sclerosis. As CTGF is detectable in various human fluids (serum, plasma and urine), it may provide information about fibrotic remodelling processes and reflect hepatic TGF‐β bioactivity. We established a novel ELISA for the measurement of serum CTGF and tested its clinical value in patients with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection and chronic liver disease (CLD). HCV infected patients (n = 138) had significantly higher serum CTGF levels than healthy controls. CTGF was linked to the histological degree of liver fibrosis. To expand the results to other aetiologies, a separate cohort of CLD patients (n = 129) was evaluated, showing higher serum CTGF than healthy controls and again an association with advanced stages of liver cirrhosis (Child B and C). Although independent of the underlying aetiology, serum CTGF was most powerful in indicating fibrosis/advanced disease states in HCV‐related disorders. The genotyping of six polymorphisms (rs6917644, rs9399005, rs6918698, rs9493150, rs2151532 and rs11966728) covering the CTGF locus in 365 patients suffering from chronic hepatitis C revealed that none of these polymorphisms showed a genotypic or allelic association with the severity of hepatic fibrosis. Taken together, serum CTGF is suitable for determination of hepatic fibrosis and most powerful in patients with chronic HCV infection.
A powerful regression‐based method for admixture mapping of isolation across the genome of hybrids
Authors: GOMPERT ZACHARIAH , BUERKLE C. ALEX
Published: February 2009

We propose a novel method that uses natural admixture between divergent lineages (hybridization) to investigate the genetic architecture of reproductive isolation and adaptive introgression. Our method employs multinomial regression to estimate genomic clines and to quantify introgression for individual loci relative to the genomic background (clines in genotype frequency along a genomic admixture gradient). Loci with patterns of introgression that deviate significantly from null expectations based on the remainder of the genome are potentially subject to selection and thus of interest to understanding adaptation and the evolution of reproductive isolation. Using simulations, we show that different forms of selection modify these genomic clines in predictable ways and that our method has good power to detect moderate to strong selection for multiple forms of selection. Using individual‐based simulations, we demonstrate that our method generally has a low false positive rate, except when genetic drift is particularly pronounced (e.g. low population size, low migration rates from parental populations, and substantial time since initial admixture). Additional individual‐based simulations reveal that moderate selection against heterozygotes can be detected as much as 50 cmaway from the focal locus directly experiencing selection, but is not detected at unlinked loci. Finally, we apply our analytical method to previously published data sets from a mouse (Mus musculusandM. domesticus) and two sunflower (Helianthus petiolarisandH. annuus) hybrid zones. This method should be applicable to numerous species that are currently the focus of research in evolution and ecology and should help bring about new insights regarding the processes underlying the origin and maintenance of biological diversity.
Dynamic micro‐geographic and temporal genetic diversity in vertebrates: the case of lake‐spawning populations of brown trout (Salmo trutta)
Authors: HEGGENES JAN , RØED KNUT H. , JORDE PER ERIK , BRABRAND ÅGE
Published: February 2009

Conservation of species should be based on knowledge of effective population sizes and understanding of how breeding tactics and selection of recruitment habitats lead to genetic structuring. In the stream‐spawning and genetically diverse brown trout, spawning and rearing areas may be restricted source habitats. Spatio–temporal genetic variability patterns were studied in brown trout occupying three lakes characterized by restricted stream habitat but high recruitment levels. This suggested non‐typical lake‐spawning, potentially representing additional spatio–temporal genetic variation in continuous habitats. Three years of sampling documented presence of young‐of‐the‐year cohorts in littoral lake areas with groundwater inflow, confirming lake‐spawning trout in all three lakes. Nine microsatellite markers assayed across 901 young‐of‐the‐year individuals indicated overall substantial genetic differentiation in space and time. Nested gene diversity analyses revealed highly significant (≤P = 0.002) differentiation on all hierarchical levels, represented by regional lakes (FLT = 0.281), stream vs. lake habitat within regional lakes (FHL = 0.045), sample site within habitats (FSH = 0.010), and cohorts within sample sites (FCS = 0.016). Genetic structuring was, however, different among lakes. It was more pronounced in a natural lake, which exhibited temporally stable structuring both between two lake‐spawning populations and between lake‐ and stream spawners. Hence, it is demonstrated that lake‐spawning brown trout form genetically distinct populations and may significantly contribute to genetic diversity. In another lake, differentiation was substantial between stream‐ and lake‐spawning populations but not within habitat. In the third lake, there was less apparent spatial or temporal genetic structuring. Calculation of effective population sizes suggested small spawning populations in general, both within streams and lakes, and indicates that the presence of lake‐spawning populations tended to reduce genetic drift in the total (meta‐) population of the lake.
Using parentage analysis to examine gene flow and spatial genetic structure
Authors: KANE NOLAN C. , KING MATTHEW G.
Published: February 2009

Numerous approaches have been developed to examine recent and historical gene flow between populations, but few studies have used empirical data sets to compare different approaches. Some methods are expected to perform better under particular scenarios, such as high or low gene flow, but this, too, has rarely been tested. In this issue of Molecular Ecology, Saenz‐Agudelo et al. (2009) apply assignment tests and parentage analysis to microsatellite data from five geographically proximal (2–6 km) and one much more distant (1500 km) panda clownfish populations, showing that parentage analysis performed better in situations of high gene flow, while their assignment tests did better with low gene flow. This unusually complete data set is comprised of multiple exhaustively sampled populations, including nearly all adults and large numbers of juveniles, enabling the authors to ask questions that in many systems would be impossible to answer. Their results emphasize the importance of selecting the right analysis to use, based on the underlying model and how well its assumptions are met by the populations to be analysed.
Effects of photoperiod and temperature on diapause induction and termination in the swallowtail, Sericinus montelus
Authors: WANG XIAO‐PING , YANG QIU‐SHENG , ZHOU XING‐MIAO , XU SHU , LEI CHAO‐LIANG
Published: February 2009

Abstract Sericinus montelus overwinters as diapausing pupae. In the present study, the effects of photoperiod and temperature on diapause induction and termination of diapause are investigated. The results obtained demonstrate that high temperature can reverse the effect of short day‐lengths on diapause induction. Under an LD 12 : 12 h photoperiod, all pupae enter diapause at 15, 20 and 25 °C, whereas all pupae develop without diapause at 35 °C. No pupae enter diapause under an LD 14 : 10 h photoperiod when the temperature is above 20 °C. Photoperiodic response curves obtained at 25 and 30 °C indicate that S. montelus is a long‐day species and the critical day‐length is approximately 13 h at 25 °C. At 25 °C, the duration of diapause is shortest when the diapausing pupae are maintained under an LD 16 : 8 h photoperiod and increases under LD 14 : 10 h and LD 12 : 12 h photoperiods. Under an LD 16 : 8 h photoperiod, the duration of diapause is shortest when the diapausing pupae are maintained at 25 °C, followed by 20 and 30 °C, and then at 15 °C. These results suggest that a moderate temperature favours diapause development under a diapause‐averting photoperiod in this species. The duration of diapause induced by an LD 12 : 12 h photoperiod is significantly longer at 25 °C than those at 15, 20 and 30 °C, and is shortest at 15 °C. At 25 °C, the duration of diapause induced by LD 6 : 18, LD 12 : 12 and LD 13 : 11 h photoperiods is similar and longer than 90 days. Thus, the diapause‐inducing conditions may affect diapause intensity and a photoperiod close to the critical day‐length has significant influence on diapause intensity in S. montelus.