bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Effect of Sodium Restricted Diet on Plasma Visfatin Levels in Hypertensive Patients with Visceral Obesity
Authors: Rotkegel Sylwia , Chudek Jerzy , Spiechowicz-Zaton Urszula , Ficek Rafal , Adamczak Marcin , Wiecek Andrzej
Published: April 2013

Aim/Background: Experimental and clinical studies revealed contradictory data concerning the influence of renin-angiotensin-aldosterone (RAA) system activation on visfatin release. The aim of the present study was the assessment of the effect of dietary sodium restriction with RAA system activation on visfatin level in hypertensive and normotensive patients with visceral obesity. Methods: The study included 24 hypertensive patients with visceral obesity (12 women) and 22 normotensive subjects with visceral obesity (11 women) constituting the control group. Plasma renin activity, plasma insulin, aldosterone and visfatin levels were determined twice, on normal-salt diet after 6-8 h in recumbent position and the second time after 3 days of dietary sodium restriction and upright position for 2 h. Dietary compliance was controlled by 24 h natriuresis measurement. Results: Hypertensive patients had significantly higher plasma visfatin level than the control group [11.0 (8.5-13.5) vs. 6.8 (6.0-7.6) ng/ml, p=0.003]. Dietary sodium restriction and upright position caused significant increase in PRA and plasma aldosterone level in both groups. While, plasma visfatin level remained unaffected. In the combined group plasma visfatin levels correlated with BMI (r=0.398), waist circumference (r=0.391), glucose (r=0.328), insulin (r=0.663), HOMA-IR (r=0.698), triglycerides (r=0.500) and CRP (r=0.546) but not with percentage of fat mass, percentage of trunk fat, and blood pressure values. Conclusions: 1) Increased plasma visfatin concentration may play a significant role in the pathogenesis of hypertension in patients with visceral obesity. 2) RAA system activation by dietary sodium restriction and upright position has no effect on plasma visfatin levels in subjects with visceral obesity.
China Interventional Stroke Registry: Rationale and Study Design
Authors: Liu Xinfeng , Xiong Yunyun , Zhou Zhiming , Niu Guozhong , Wang Wei , Xiao Guodong , Lin Min , Leung Thomas W. , Liu Dezhi , Liu Wenhua , Fan Xiaobin , Yin Qin , Zhu Wusheng , Ma Minmin , Zhang Renliang , Xu Gelin
Published: April 2013

Background: Angioplasty and stenting have recently become attractive options for cerebral large artery stenosis in China. However, there are limited data on safety and long-term outcomes in Chinese patients having undergone cerebral interventional procedures. To address this need, we set up a common database - the China Interventional Stroke Registry (CISR) - to describe patient characteristics, interventional images, periprocedural complications and long-term clinical outcomes and to determine how adherence to guideline-based treatments in the ‘real world' works in China. Methods: Six medical centers have participated since 2004. They entered into an Internet-based database data on demographics, clinical history and angiography of patients undergoing angioplasty with/without stenting in extracranial arteries (carotid, vertebral and subclavian arteries) and/or intracranial arteries (middle cerebral artery, vertebral artery and basilar artery) in China. CISR is a research-funded project. Results: As of October 2012, we have already collected detailed clinical information on 1,356 patients (age: 63.6 ± 10.2 years, male: 1,084, 79.9%). The overall data quality is good. Site data quality control is supported via detailed monthly feedback reports and quarterly data monitoring meetings. Conclusions: The CISR is the first and the largest registry for angioplasty with/without stents in China. The database will provide the characteristics and outcomes of patients and the situation of adherence to guideline-based treatments under ‘real-world' conditions in China.
Treatment of Cancer-Associated Anaemia: Results from a Two-Day Cross-Sectional Survey in Germany
Authors: Link Hartmut , Schmitz Stephan
Published: April 2013

Background: The aim was to re-evaluate the current prevalence and management of cancer-associated anaemia as defined by the World Health Organisation (WHO) and related risk factors. Patients and Methods: This was a prospective, 2-day web-based cross-sectional survey in cancer patients with non-myeloid malignancies in German outpatient clinics. Results: 89 centres collected data from 3,867 patients, of whom 74% received active cancer therapy. The median age was 65 years (range 19-99 years) and almost two-thirds were women; 68% of the patients had solid tumours (breast 34%, colorectal 17%, lung 8%), with 56% of them being metastatic; 73% had a WHO performance score of ≤ 1. The mean haemoglobin level was 12.0 ± 1.7 g/dl (± standard deviation; range 4.3-17.8 g/dl); the prevalence of levels below 12.0 g/dl was 49%. Two-thirds of these patients were not treated for anaemia; one-third received erythropoiesis-stimulating agents (12.6%), iron therapy (8.1%), transfusions (7.5%) or combinations thereof (8.0%) during the 4 weeks before evaluation. Chemotherapy, female sex, age and poor performance status were identified as significant anaemia-associated factors. Conclusions: The prevalence of untreated anaemia and the decreased performance status of cancer patients in Germany have hardly changed since the European Cancer Anaemia Survey (ECAS) in 2001. The treatment practice may not only be driven by guidelines and does not yet reflect new concepts of anaemia management.
Microalbuminuria in HIV Disease
Authors: Hadigan Colleen , Edwards Elizabeth , Rosenberg Alice , Purdy Julia B. , Fleischman Estee , Howard Lilian , Mican JoAnn M. , Sampath Karmini , Oyalowo Akinbowale , Johnson Antoinette , Adler Alexandra , Rehm Catherine , Smith Margo , Lai Leon , Kopp Jeffrey B.
Published: April 2013

Background/Aims: Microalbuminuria is a marker for early kidney disease and cardiovascular risk. The purposes of this study were to determine the prevalence of microalbuminuria in an HIV-infected clinic population, to test the predictive value of a single urine albumin/creatinine ratio (ACR) to identify persistent microalbuminuria and to examine covariates of microalbuminuria. Methods: We conducted a prospective cohort study of HIV-infected subjects (n = 182) without proteinuria (urine protein/creatinine ratio ≥0.5 g/g), elevated serum creatinine, diabetes, or chronic inflammatory conditions. Subjects completed three research visits within 9 months. Microalbuminuria was defined as the geometric mean ACR of 25-355 mg/g for females and 17-250 mg/g for males. Results: The prevalence of microalbuminuria was 14%. The negative predictive value of a single urine ACR determination was 98%, whereas the positive predictive value was only 74%. Microalbuminuria was similar among Black (15%) and non-Black (14%) subjects (p = 0.8). Subjects with microalbuminuria were more likely to have hypertension (p = 0.02) and metabolic syndrome (p = 0.03). While duration of HIV infection and the level of HIV viremia were similar between groups, those with microalbuminuria were more likely to have a CD4 count <200 cells/μl (p = 0.0003). In a multivariate logistic regression analysis, the only significant independent predictors of microalbuminuria were low CD4 count (p = 0.018) and current ritonavir exposure (p = 0.04). Conclusion: The prevalence of microalbuminuria in an HIV-infected clinic population was similar to earlier reports, and was associated with hypertension and impaired immune function. A single normal ACR determination effectively excludes microalbuminuria, whereas an elevated ACR requires confirmation.
Use of Age-Albumin Ratio as a Single Predictor of 30-Day Mortality after Colectomy
Authors: Chin Chih-Chien , Yen Ching-Ho , Hsu Wen-Li , Wang Jeng-Yi , Chang Chia-Hao
Published: April 2013

Background: Colorectal cancer is among the three leading cancers and causes of mortality worldwide. It is important to develop an effective single-parameter screening technique for reducing the postoperative mortality rate. Previous studies have proved that patient age is a major factor influencing postoperative mortality. A strong association has been reported between serum albumin and patient age. We aimed to identify new predictors on the basis of age-albumin ratio (AAR) for assessing 30-day mortality after colectomy. Patients and Methods: Detailed information about patients with colon cancer was retrieved from the Colorectal Section Tumor Registry at Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taiwan. The study subjects comprised 3,732 consecutive patients with colon cancer who had undergone elective, potentially curative surgery. Results: The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) of the AAR was significantly larger than the AUC of serum albumin. The low specificity of AAR was compensated by its substantially high sensitivity. An AAR of ≥20 years g-1 nl-1 was found to be the most prevalent threshold value. Conclusion: The present investigation suggests that AAR can be used in clinical practice as a simple parameter for the identification of patients at risk of 30-day mortality after colectomy.
Association between Genetic Variants of the VEGFR-2 Gene and the Risk of Developing Endometriosis in Northern Chinese Women
Authors: Kang Shan , Shi Yuan-yuan , Li Yan , Wang Na , Lu Yu-chao , Zhou Rong-miao , Zhao Xi-wa
Published: April 2013

Aim: To investigate the association of tag single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 (VEGFR-2) gene with susceptibility to endometriosis. Methods: This study comprised 571 patients with endometriosis and 580 women in the control group. Five tag SNPs in the VEGFR-2 gene were selected using a Haploview program, and those SNPs were genotyped by a method of polymerase chain reaction and ligase detection reaction. Results: Statistical results show that there was a significant difference in the genotype and allele distribution of the 1192C/T polymorphism between the disease group and the control group (p = 0.041 and 0.017). The women carrying the T allele (C/T+T/T genotype) had a lower risk of developing endometriosis compared with the women with the C/C genotype (OR 0.75, 95% CI 0.57-0.99). There was no significant difference in the allele and genotype distribution of four other tag SNPs (1719T/A, +31C/T, IVS25-92A/G and IVS6+​54C/T) between the disease group and the control group (all p > 0.05). Conclusions: Our results suggested that the 1192C/T polymorphisms on the VEGFR-2 gene might affect the risk of developing endometriosis in Northern Chinese women of Han ethnicity.
Torus Palatinus Osteonecrosis Related to Bisphosphonate:A Case Report
Authors: Godinho Mariana , Barbosa Fabio , Andrade Felipe , Cuzzi Tullia , Ramos-e-Silva Marcia
Published: April 2013

Introduction: Osteonecrosis of the palate is a rare condition which is even rarer when occurring on a torus palatinus and associated with bisphosphonate (BP). Case Presentation: We report an uncommon case of osteonecrosis of a torus palatinus. Our patient was a 67-year-old white female who presented with a painful intraoral ulcer associated with necrotic bone tissue of her torus palatinus, due to the chronic use of alendronate. Conclusion: We point out the possible causative relationship of BPs and osteonecrosis on torus growth. It is very important to know that torus palatinus and the use of BPs are risk factors for osteonecrosis of the maxilla.
Hepatozelluläres Karzinom - ein interdisziplinäres Krankheitsbild
Authors: Malek Nisar Peter , Neumann Ulf Peter , Ricke Jens , Berg Thomas , Bruns Christiane , Denecke Timm , Klumpen Heinz-Josef , Lippert Hans , Pech Maciej , Peck-Radosavljevic Markus
Published: April 2013

No abstract available
Neuropsychiatric Symptoms in Elderly Inpatients: A Multicenter Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Mézière A. , Blachier M. , Thomas S. , Verny M. , Herbaud S. , Bouillanne O. , Henry O. , David J.P. , Le Thuaut A. , Canouï-Poitrine F. , Paillaud E.
Published: April 2013

Background/Aims: We determined the prevalence of neuropsychiatric symptoms in geriatric rehabilitation patients to compare neuropsychiatric symptoms between patients with and without dementia, and to evaluate associations linking severity of cognitive impairment and neuropsychiatric symptoms. Methods: In February 2009, we studied patients aged 75 years or older who had been admitted to four geriatric rehabilitation units in the Paris area. The twelve Neuropsychiatric Inventory items and four neuropsychiatric subsyndromes defined by the European Alzheimer's Disease Consortium were evaluated. Results: Of the 194 patients, 149 (76.8%) had dementia, and 154 (79.4%) had exhibited at least one neuropsychiatric symptom during the past week. Agitation was the most common neuropsychiatric symptom in the group with dementia (36.9%) and depression in the group without dementia (35.6%). The dementia group had significantly higher prevalences of hyperactivity (p < 0.001) and delusions (p = 0.01) than the non-dementia group. In the dementia group, severity of cognitive impairment was associated with hyperactivity (p = 0.01) and psychosis (p = 0.02). Conclusion: The prevalence of neuropsychiatric symptoms among geriatric rehabilitation patients was high but not higher than in elderly outpatients.
Mixed Response to Ipilimumab in a Melanoma Patient with Brain Metastases: Case Report and Review of the Literature
Authors: Feldmann Georg , Brossart Peter , Zipfel Matthias , von Lilienfeld-Toal Marie
Published: April 2013

Management of patients suffering from metastatic malignant melanoma and brain metastasis remains challenging in routine clinical practice. The inhibitory anti-CTLA-4 antibody ipilimumab has recently been approved as second-line therapeutic option for melanoma patients. Increasing evidence suggests distinct therapeutic activity on central nervous system metastases, although this continues to be actively debated. Here, we present the case of a patient suffering from metastatic melanoma, including symptomatic brain metastasis, who showed a partial response to ipilimumab in extracranial tumor manifestations, while the disease was progressing intracranially. Subsequently, intracranial disease progression could be managed by local irradiation. An overview of currently available literature on the efficacy of ipilimumab in melanoma patients with central nervous system metastases is provided.
Effect of Weight Reduction Following Bariatric Surgery on Serum Visfatin and Adiponectin Levels in Morbidly Obese Subjects
Authors: Hosseinzadeh-Attar Mohammad Javad , Golpaie Atefeh , Janani Leila , Derakhshanian Hoda
Published: April 2013

Objective: Adipokines are signaling and mediator proteins secreted from adipose tissue. A novel adipokine, visfatin, was reported as a protein which was mainly expressed in visceral adipose tissue. Controversial results have been shown regarding the changes of adipokines following weight reduction. So we investigated the effects of weight reduction on serum concentrations of adiponectin and visfatin in morbidly obese subjects. Methods: 35 severely obese patients (26 females and 9 males), aged 15-58 years, were studied. Anthropometric parameters and biochemical parameters as well as adiponectin and visfatin were analyzed before and 6 weeks after weight reduction. Results: Anthropometric indices decreased significantly. Blood levels of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and triglyceride were reduced significantly. The reduction of visfatin and the elevation of adiponectin were significant as well. However, other parameters like fasting glucose and insulin did not change. Moreover, we could not find any significant correlation between the change of serum visfatin and that of adiponectin. Conclusions: 6-week weight reduction after bariatric surgery resulted in decreased serum visfatin and increased adiponectin levels. However, we cannot find any significant correlation between changes of adiponectin, visfatin, BMI, waist circumference, and insulin resistance. Further studies with different design are suggested to clarify these associations.
In vivo Reflectance Confocal Microscopy: A Useful Tool to Select the Location of a Punch Biopsy in a Large, Clinically Indistinctive Lesion
Authors: Peppelman Malou , Wolberink Esther A.W. , Koopman Roland J.J. , van Erp Piet E.J. , Gerritsen Marie-Jeanne P.
Published: April 2013

Reflectance confocal microscopy (RCM) is a noninvasive technique for in vivo imaging of the skin that allows evaluation of the total lesion area. This case report about a 66-year-old patient with a clinically indistinctive, previously treated erythematous lesion on the frontal part of the face demonstrates the use of RCM to select the proper biopsy location.
Evolution of Factor V Leiden
Authors: Levi Marcel , Middeldorp Saskia , van Mens Thijs
Published: April 2013

Factor V Leiden is a procoagulant mutation associated with venous and arterial thrombosis and pregnancy complications. Its high prevalence of 5% in Caucasians suggests that there are evolutionary benefits as well. Carriers are indeed reported to have various advantageous phenotypes related to haemostasis, inflammation and fertility: less acute blood loss; less menstrual blood loss; decreased risk of intracranial haemorrhage; milder phenotypes of haemophilia; higher survival in and lower susceptibility to severe sepsis; higher survival in acute respiratory distress syndrome; less severe diabetic nephropathy and higher fecundity in both men and women. Not all these associations come from high quality adequately powered studies and many have not been confirmed by further research. The evolutionary influence of the alleged associations varies and is difficult to establish, partly due to a shift over time in risk factors of the diseases concerned. For most of the phenotypes possible mechanistic explanations can be provided. The procoagulant phenotype and perhaps also certain pregnancy complications follow from activated protein C (APC) resistance. Elevated APC levels possibly mediate anti-inflammatory effects. Higher sperm counts and more successful embryo implantation seem to play a role in the increased fecundity.
Putting Pleiotropy and Selection Into Context Defines a New Paradigm for Interpreting Genetic Data
Authors: Predazzi Irene M. , Rokas Antonis , Deinard Amos , Schnetz-Boutaud Nathalie , Williams Nicholas D. , Bush William S. , Tacconelli Alessandra , Friedrich Klaus , Fazio Sergio , Novelli Giuseppe , Haines Jonathan L. , Sirugo Giorgio , Williams Scott M.
Published: April 2013

Background—

Natural selection shapes many human genes, including some related to complex diseases. Understanding how selection affects genes, especially pleiotropic ones, may be important in evaluating disease associations and the role played by environmental variation. This may be of particular interest for genes with antagonistic roles that cause divergent patterns of selection. The lectin-like low-density lipoprotein 1 receptor, encoded by
OLR1
, is exemplary. It has antagonistic functions in the cardiovascular and immune systems because the same protein domain binds oxidized low-density lipoprotein and bacterial cell wall proteins, the former contributing to atherosclerosis and the latter presumably protecting from infection. We studied patterns of selection in this gene, in humans and nonhuman primates, to determine whether variable selection can lead to conflicting results in cardiovascular disease association studies.

Methods and Results—

We analyzed sequences from 11 nonhuman primate species, as well as single-nucleotide polymorphisms and sequence data from multiple human populations. Results indicate that the derived allele is favored across primate lineages (probably because of recent positive selection). However, both the derived and ancestral alleles were maintained in human populations, especially European ones (possibly because of balancing selection derived from dual roles of
LOX-1
). Balancing selection likely reflects response to diverse environmental pressures among humans.

Conclusions—

These data indicate that differential selection patterns, within and between species, in
OLR1
render association studies difficult to replicate even if the gene is etiologically connected to cardiovascular disease. Selection analyses can identify genes exhibiting gene–environment interactions critical for unraveling disease association.
Cell Therapy of Peripheral Arterial Disease
Authors: Raval Zankhana , Losordo Douglas W.
Published: April 2013

The age-adjusted prevalence of peripheral arterial disease in the US population was estimated to approach 12% in 1985, and as the population ages, the overall population having peripheral arterial disease is predicted to rise. The clinical consequences of occlusive peripheral arterial disease include intermittent claudication, that is, pain with walking, and critical limb ischemia (CLI), which includes pain at rest and loss of tissue integrity in the distal limbs, which may ultimately lead to amputation of a portion of the lower extremity. The risk factors for CLI are similar to those linked to coronary artery disease and include advanced age, smoking, diabetes mellitus, hyperlipidemia, and hypertension. The worldwide incidence of CLI was estimated to be 500 to 1000 cases per million people per year in 1991. The prognosis is poor for CLI subjects with advanced limb disease. One study of >400 such subjects in the United Kingdom found that 25% required amputation and 20% (including some subjects who had required amputation) died within 1 year. In the United States, ≈280 lower-limb amputations for ischemic disease are performed per million people each year. The first objective in treating CLI is to increase blood circulation to the affected limb. Theoretically, increased blood flow could be achieved by increasing the number of vessels that supply the ischemic tissue with blood. The use of pharmacological agents to induce new blood vessel growth for the treatment or prevention of pathological clinical conditions has been called therapeutic angiogenesis. Since the identification of the endothelial progenitor cell in 1997 by Asahara and Isner, the field of cell-based therapies for peripheral arterial disease has been in a state of continuous evolution. Here, we review the current state of that field.
Bridging the Gap between Legal and Institutional Developments within Regional Seas Frameworks
Authors: Rochette Julien , Billé Raphaël
Published: April 2013

Abstract

The last four decades have seen a considerable development of regional environmental law, especially within the United Nations Environment Programme’s Regional Seas Programme. However, implementation remains far from satisfactory. Among the enabling conditions that would favour more systematic implementation, appropriate institutional frameworks are key. It is therefore timely to examine the various ways in which institutional developments may keep up with legal progress. This article provides an international overview of institutional arrangements set up in various regional seas frameworks, and underlines common patterns as well as the variety of options experienced. It then sheds light on the Nairobi Convention framework as a typical case of a gap between legal and institutional developments. It draws on the worldwide review to explore a number of ways by which the institutional framework in the Western Indian Ocean region could be brought up to speed with the legal framework.
Subfossils of extinct and extant species of Simuliidae (Diptera) from Austral and Cook Islands (Polynesia): anthropogenic extirpation of an aquatic insect?
Authors: CRAIG DOUGLAS A. , PORCH NICK
Published: April 2013

Subfossil head capsules of Simuliidae larvae have been recovered from swamps on Tubuai and Raivavae of the Austral Islands, and Atiu and Mangaia of the southern Cook Islands. For Tubuai and Raivavae it is likely that the simuliids are extinct, but a single simuliid species is extant on nearby Rurutu. For Atiu and Mangaia, extant simuliids have not been reported, but are known on Rarotonga. Well-preserved head capsules indicate that the Cook Islands subfossils are those of Simulium (Inseliellum) teruamanga Craig and Craig, 1986. For the Austral Islands, the simuliid from Tubuai is consid-ered a variant of Simulium (Inseliellum) rurutuense Craig and Joy, 2000. That from Raivavae is morphologically distinct and is described here as a new species, Simulium (Inseliellum) raivavaense Craig and Porch. Humans arrived in Eastern Polynesia ca. 1,000 years ago resulting in the widespread destruction of lowland forest and conversion of wetlands to ag-riculture with implied consequences for the indigenous biota of these habitats. Here we consider that one such result was loss of freshwater aquatic biodiversity.
Description of a new genus and species of the family Melphidippidae Stebbing, 1899 (Crustacea: Amphipoda) from the deep waters of Brazil
Authors: MARQUES-JUNIOR PAULO R. , SENNA ANDRÉ R.
Published: April 2013

The species of the amphipod family Melphidippidae are distributed worldwide in marine habitats, but there is no record of this family from Brazil so far. A new genus and species of Melphidippidae are described from Brazilian waters. Steb-bingiella gen. nov. is monotypic and is distinguished from the other genera of the family by the presence of: antenna 1 with accessory flagellum 7-articulate, lateral cephalic lobe subacute, with globular eyes extremely produced, reaching be-yond the second article of peduncle of antenna 2; gnathopods stout and slightly subchelate; coxae 3 and 4 with strong an-terior projection and coxae 5 and 7 with strong posterior projection; telson cleft, not fully movable, with two globular lobes, about 2X wider than long. Stebbingiella globulosa sp. nov. is the first species of Melphidippidae recorded from Brazilian waters.
First record of the genus Megalota Diakonoff from China, with the descriptions of two new species (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae: Olethreutinae)
Authors: YU HAILI , LI BAOGUO
Published: April 2013

Megalota Diakonoff, 1966 is reported from China for the first time. Two new species, M. bicepsunca, sp. nov., and M. curvativa, sp. nov., are described and illustrated based on the male adults, both of them are distributed in south China. Photographs of the adults and male genitalia are provided.
Larval morphology of the antlion Myrmecaelurus trigrammus (Pallas, 1771) (Neuroptera, Myrmeleontidae), with notes on larval biology
Authors: DEVETAK DUŠAN , KLOKOČOVNIK VESNA , LIPOVŠEK SAŠKA , BOCK ELISABETH , LEITINGER GERD
Published: April 2013

Morphology and behaviour of third instar larvae of the Holomediterranean antlion species Myrmecaelurus trigrammus (Pallas) are described. Larvae are facultative pit-builders, they either ambush their prey at the surface, or dig pitfall traps that prey fall in to. Dark brown spots on dorsal and ventral sides of the head and on dorsal side of the thorax are charac-teristic of the larvae. Eye tubercles are not prominent. Jaws are equipped with long bristles, campaniform sensilla, sensilla coeloconica, and digitiform sensilla. A unique feature is the shape of the tips of all three teeth that is screw-like with a polyhedral surface. The body surface is covered with longitudinally grooved bristles and plumose hairs. On the tip of the antennae and on terminal and subterminal parts of labial palps sensilla basiconica occur. On the 9th abdominal segment there are two bulges, each of them bearing four digging bristles. Non-prominent eye tubercles and numerous mandibular bristles are morphological traits of pit-builders. Most of the behavioural traits are related to pit builders, whereas forward movement, waiting for prey without a pit and frequent changing of ambush location are traits of non-pit builders.
A new species of Ceratophysella (Collembola: Hypogastruridae) from Japan, with notes on its DNA barcode and a key to Japanese species in the genus
Authors: NAKAMORI TAIZO
Published: April 2013

Ceratophysella comosa sp. nov. was collected from ascomata of Ciborinia camelliae in Japan and the morphological and molecular characteristics of the species are described here. The species has 3 + 3 cephalic spines as in Ceratophysella loricata and Ceratophysella pilosa, but a plurichaetosis intermediate between C. loricata (absent) and C. pilosa (strong). The new species can be distinguished from these two species also by the number of setae on the first thorax segment and ventral tube. Partial DNA sequences of the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (COI) gene were used as DNA barcodes to dis-tinguish species. Interspecific genetic distances of the gene were higher than the intraspecific distances between Ceratophy-sella species for which sequence data are available. An identification key of Japanese Ceratophysella is provided.
Holothuria (Semperothuria) roseomaculata n. sp. (Aspidochirotida: Holothuriidae), a coral-reef inhabiting sea cucumber from the western Pacific Ocean
Authors: KERR ALEXANDER M.
Published: April 2013

Holothuria (Semperothuria) roseomaculata n. sp. is described from the main islands of Yap, Federated States of Micro-nesia. The ossicles are similar to those of its sister species, the sympatric H. (S.) flavomaculata Semper, 1868, but the new species is easily recognised, both in the field and among preserved specimens, by its much larger, rose-coloured dorsal papillae that fade to white in alcohol. Holothuria (S.) roseomaculata n. sp. appears to be an endemic of the tropical west-ernmost Pacific Ocean; it has been recorded from Okinawa to New Caledonia.
External morphology, chondrocranium, hyobranchial skeleton, and external and internal oral features of Rhinoderma rufum (Anura, Rhinodermatidae)
Authors: FORMAS J. RAMON
Published: April 2013

The species of Rhinoderma Duméril & Bibron are endemic to the temperate forests of South America in southern Chile and Argentina (Formas et al. 1975). Both have specialized reproductive modes, Rhinoderma darwinii Duméril & Bibron undergoes complete embryonic and larval development in the mouth of the male: newly metamorphosed frogs are expelled into the terrestrial environment (Jorquera et al. 1972). In contrast, embryos of R. rufum (Philippi) do not remain in the male's mouth, but instead are expelled into the water as larvae (Jorquera et al. 1974). Jorquera et al. (1972, 1974) described the normal development of both species. The chondrocranial morphology and visceral skeleton of R. darwinii was described by Lavilla (1987) and its internal oral features by Wassersug & Heyer (1988). The table of normal development of R. rufum (Jorquera et al. 1974) emphasized the duration of each stage of development: however, some features currently used for comparative purposes in tadpole morphological studies were not included or described only briefly. In this work, I include a detailed description of the morphology, particularly of the mouthparts, of the tadpoles of R. rufum, and describe the chondrocranium, hyobranchial skeleton, and the internal features of the oral cavity in this species. In addition, I compare the morphology of the mouth, chondrocranium, and hyobranchial skeleton of the congeneric tadpoles, considering different modes of feeding (endotrophic in R. darwinii versus exotrophic in R. rufum). Last, I present some thoughts about the evolution of larvae of Rhinoderma.
Transforming an Atmospheric Science Curriculum to Meet Students' Needs
Authors: Horel John D. , Ziegenfuss Donna , Perry Kevin D.
Published: April 2013

The Department of Meteorology (now Atmospheric Sciences) at the University of Utah faced reductions in state funding in 2008 that reduced support for nontenured instructors at the same time that the faculty were becoming increasingly successful obtaining federally supported research grants. A faculty retreat and subsequent discussions led to substantive curriculum changes to modernize the curriculum, enhance course offerings for undergraduate and graduate students, and improve the overall efficiency of the academic program. Maintaining discipline standards and existing teaching loads were important constraints on these changes.

Key features of the curriculum revisions for undergraduate majors included eliminating a very rigid course progression; shifting the emphasis from required courses to elective courses; offering many courses only every other year; and relying on half-semester short courses to survey subject areas rather than focusing in depth on fewer ones. The curriculum changes were evaluated through surveys and individual and focus group discussions of students and faculty. While the feedback suggests that the changes overall were beneficial, the transitional period during which the changes were implemented was difficult for faculty and students alike.

Faculty members have opportunities now to adjust courses based on their experiences gained teaching these courses in their new format. The feedback from students and faculty suggests that building improved relationships and interactions among co-enrolled undergraduate and graduate students is the greatest need in order to improve the classroom learning environment.
Memories of empire: The Empire Exhibition in Andrea Levy’s Small Island and Hari Kunzru’s The Impressionist
Authors: Graham Shane
Published: April 2013

Two novels from the early 2000s set key scenes at the Empire Exhibition in London in 1924: Hari Kunzru’s The Impressionist (2002) and Andrea Levy’s Small Island (2004). In both novels, the Exhibition is clearly intended to enshrine in the collective memory of British citizens a particular, museum-like vision of Britain’s history with its colonies. In part, the imperial propaganda generated by the exhibition is born out of England’s interwar anxiety about the looming breakup of its empire. It is ironic then that in both cases, the exhibits seem to evoke a very different reaction in the characters who encounter them: the presence of real people — specifically real Africans — undermines the tightly ordered fixity of the museum display. Instead it becomes another kind of memory site: messy and unpredictable, with the constant potential to expose the superficiality of colonial stereotypes and bear witness to more jagged and less flattering histories. Indeed, the same anxieties that create the need for stable memories of the past also lead to cracks in the structures of colonial domination, giving characters space to recreate their identities and their collective memories.
Discrimination across the Sectors: A Comparison of Discrimination Trends in Private and Public Organizations
Authors: Leasher Megan K. , Miller Corey E.
Published: April 2013

Differences and similarities between public and private sector organizations have been hypothesized and researched for several decades. This study investigated the differences in claims of employment discrimination reported for employees within the private and public sectors. A longitudinal database of statewide discrimination claims was analyzed to determine if differences in employment discrimination patterns or levels exist between the sectors. Theoretical and practical implications are presented in addition to propositions for future research.
Human Resource Challenges Confronting the Senior Management Service of the South African Public Service
Authors: Sing Danny
Published: April 2013

The Senior Management Service constitutes the supreme leadership cadre of the South African Public Service. It was established in 2001, and its aim and purpose being to lead and direct the service delivery transformatory agenda of the South African Government, within a developmental state paradigm. Driving the transformatory agenda is dependent upon a stable, reliable and competent Senior Management Service (SMS). However, the SMS is currently confronted with human resource challenges, such as staff capacity, strategic cross-cutting issues, and staff turnover. Regular summits lead by the Public Service Commission (PSC) and Department of Public Service and Administration (DPSA) with civil society and labor union involvement, can effectively contribute to ensuring that human resource challenges are adequately dealt with.
Leisure Ethic, Money Ethic, and Occupational Commitment among Recreation and Park Professionals: Does Gender Make a Difference?
Authors: Cunningham Peter H. , Tang Thomas Li-Ping , Frauman Eric , Ivy Mark I. , Perry Tara L.
Published: April 2013

We developed a model and investigated the relationship between (1) leisure ethic, money ethic and (2) occupational commitment. We collected data from 397 professionals in the public sector using a stratified random sample of National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) professionals in the USA. Results suggested that females had high leisure ethic, low money ethic, and low continuance commitment. Career tenure was associated with high leisure ethic and all three components of commitment. After controlling for gender and tenure, leisure ethic was positively related to affective commitment; but money ethic was negatively related to affective commitment. Moreover, for males, leisure ethic was positively related to affective commitment; whereas money ethic was negatively related to affective commitment, but positively related to continuance commitment. Males with affective occupational commitment had high leisure ethic and low love of money; those with continuance occupational commitment had high love of money. For females, these results failed to exist. Females do not stay in the profession due to their values and interests in leisure activities. Managers need to develop different strategies to attract, retain, and motivate male and female professionals in the public sector.
A Fire Bell in the Night: Unfunded Liability and Local Government Retiree Health Care Benefits
Authors: Daley Dennis M.
Published: April 2013

This paper reports on a survey on retiree health care benefits in the American local governments. With GASB 45 requiring reporting of their unfunded liabilities for other (non-pension) post employment benefits, local governments are now challenged with a dilemma of finding funds or reducing benefits. The survey examines perceived effects of health care benefits on human resources goals (recruitment, retention, and retirement), the current structure of local government retiree health care programs, and measures under consideration and/or adopted to deal with retiree health care costs. Survey results show that the local governments have adopted cost containment strategies and cost-sharing programs. With financial options limited, programmatic choices focus on termination, cost shedding, cost-sharing, and preventive and wellness. They have slowly begun to introduce preventive medicine and wellness efforts while continuing with further cost sharing. A few local governments have even begun to contemplate major cost shedding options (although very few are considering terminating benefits).
Diversity Management: Development, Practices, and Perceptions among State and Local Government Agencies
Authors: Wyatt-Nichol Heather , Antwi-Boasiako Kwame Badu
Published: April 2013

As diversity increases among citizens and employees, human resource practitioners in the public sector have come to view diversity management strategies as essential for the effective performance of organizations. An examination of best practices among private and public organizations reveals common components necessary for successful diversity initiatives. While there have been numerous studies on diversity management in the federal government, far less is known about diversity management at the state and local level. In light of the best practices research on the factors necessary for successful diversity management, this study examines the extent of diversity initiatives at various state and local government agencies. Measures used to develop diversity strategies, diversity management practices, professional development initiatives, organizational policies, and perceptions of effectiveness are considered. The findings demonstrate a few variations based on level of government, region, and size of agency. In addition, the majority of respondents believed that the organization's diversity strategy was effective at recruitment, retention, development, and promotion; however, there was uncertainty about the effectiveness of the diversity strategy on organizational performance.
Using Social Cognitive Career Theory to Predict the Academic Interests and Goals of Chinese Middle Vocational-Technical School Students
Authors: Jiang Zhao-Ping , Zhang Zhang-Ran
Published: April 2013

Students' academic self-efficacy, interests, goals, and perceptions of social supports and barriers critically influence their career development and career management. In this study, we used the social cognitive career theory (SCCT) to predict the academic interests and goals of Chinese Middle Vocational-Technical School Students. Five hundred and Seventy-eight (578) Chinese middle vocational-technical school students majoring in electric power engineering were investigated. Participants performed measures of self-efficacy, outcome expectation, academic interests, academic goals, and social supports and barriers relative to the achievement of their majors. The data offered adequate fit to the basic SSCT model across gender and homeplace. However, self-efficacy and outcome expectation did not directly predict academic goals. The implication of findings was discussed.
Representative Bureaucracy
Authors: Clark Ronald C. , Ochs Holona LeAnne , Frazier Michael
Published: April 2013

Does the bureaucracy represent the interests of the public or react to the partisan and ideological demands of political principals? This study uses data from the federal workforce reports and the U.S. Office of Personnel Management’s Central Personnel Data File to demonstrate that partisanship and ideology influence the demographic composition of the federal senior executives. The analysis indicates that fluctuation between administrations is largely attributed to presidents nominating and appointing individuals who share similar ideological views. The analysis also suggests that political control by ideologically driven principals has the potential to perpetuate divisiveness over polarizing issues. The partisan and ideological influences that continue to influence access to policy-making positions contribute to the perpetuation of patterned disparities in the representation of interests and undermine government performance.
Trade Union Strategy and Teamwork: The British and German Car Industry
Authors: Murakami Thomas
Published: April 2013

There have been many studies on teamwork in the car industry but only a few have compared trade union strategies on teamwork in two countries. The two case studies analyze the strategies of a British and a German trade union in their respective plants: General Motors British Vauxhall and the German Opel plant. The analytical framework for the comparison utilizes Miles and Snow's model of prospector, defender, analyzer, and reactor strategy as well as Walton, Cutcher-Gershenfeld and McKersie's concepts of strategic negotiations and institutional secu rity. The paper concludes that British trade unions adopted a defender strategy, while the German union used a prospector strategy and that institutional security supports the development and application of union strategies on teamwork.
Building Union Commitment: The Impact of Parental Attitudes and Participation
Authors: Hester Kim , Fuller Jerry Bryan
Published: April 2013

We use structural equations to model Barling, Kelloway, and Bremermann's (1991) mediation model of family socialization in a unionized manufacturing setting. Contrary to expectations, our results indicate the relationship between parents' participation in union activities and their children's general union attitude is only partially mediated by parents' general union attitude. In addition, parents' union participation is found to exert a direct influence on their children's union commitment. Implications for labor unions include the restructuring of union activities to include children in order to lay a solid foundation for a future of committed union members.
Living Wage Campaigns as Social Movements: Experiences from Nine Cities
Authors: Reynolds David
Published: April 2013

Ever since Baltimore passed its pioneering law in 1994, a living wage movement has come to life across the nation. Today, more than 63 municipalities have living wage ordinances in place— thanks largely to coalitions of unions and community and religious groups. In a recent article in Labor Studies Journal, Bruce Nissen raised the question of the extent to which these campaigns can be considered social movements. For his Miami case Nissen found that, while the living wage effort achieved much, its accomplish ments as a social movement proved more limited. This raises the question of what a living wage campaign that has greater social- movement characteristics actually looks like. This paper uses the experience of nine notable campaigns to sketch out these social- movement qualities and to explore how and why some campaigns take on more of a social-movement character.
Free Riding: Trends in Collective Bargaining Coverage and Union Membership Levels in New Zealand
Authors: Harbridge Raymond , Wilkinson David
Published: April 2013

Free riding occurs when non-union members receive the benefits of a union-negotiated collective bargain without contributing to the costs of achieving that bargain, whether by paying union mem bership dues or an agency fee. In New Zealand, free riding has been a significant difficulty for unions operating under the Employment Contracts Act 1991. Free riding had been approximately 16 per cent of collective bargaining coverage under previous employment laws. Free riding under the Employment Contracts Act represented some 27 percent of collective bargaining coverage. This paper re views the nature and extent of the differences between industry free riding rates and examines the paradigm shifts occurring in the New Zealand industrial relations system.
Organizing Unionism and the Possibilities for Perpetuating a Social Movement Role
Authors: Wood Geoffrey
Published: April 2013

Based on a nationwide survey of members of the Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU), this paper explores the extent to which the federation remains true to the culture and strategies of "organizing unionism," through the persistence of its past social movement role. It focuses on two specific issues: the federation's relationship with community and political organizations, and the degree to which it is in a position to pursue a "moral project," as well as its capacity to draw in and actively involve those in more vulnerable categories of labor.
Social Partner or Social Movement? European Integration and Trade Union Renewal in Europe
Authors: Taylor Graham , Mathers Andrew
Published: April 2013

This paper outlines recent examples of labor movement renewal in Europe in the context of European integration and globalization. It highlights an increasing tension between the strategy of social partnership pursued by official labor organizations and grassroots "social movement unionism." The paper demonstrates that the prospects for successful renewal involves linking workplace mobi lization and organization with wider popular struggles to form a movement against the new regionalized forms of corporate and state power. This has direct relevance to current debates in the US concerning the tension between "service" and "organizing" models and demonstrates the need for vibrant autonomous work place unionism as well as a political dimension to labor movement renewal.