bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Distance decay of similarity in freshwater communities: do macro‐ and microorganisms follow the same rules?
Authors: Astorga Anna , Oksanen Jari , Luoto Miska , Soininen Janne , Virtanen Risto , Muotka Timo
Published: June 2011

Aim  An intensively debated issue in macroecology is whether unicellular organisms show biogeographic patterns different from those of macroorganisms. One aspect of this debate addresses beta diversity, that is, do microbial organisms exhibit distance‐decay patterns similar to those of macroorganisms? And if so, is the decay of community similarity caused by spatially limited dispersal or by niche‐related factors? We studied the community similarity of stream diatoms, macroinvertebrates and bryophytes across the same set of sites in relation to environmental and geographic distance.

Location  A geographical gradient of c. 1100 km in Finland.

Methods  We first identified the subset of environmental variables that produced the highest correlation with community similarities for each taxonomic group. Based on these variables, we used partial Mantel tests to separate the independent influences of environmental and geographical distance for distance decay of community similarity, separately for diatoms, bryophytes and macroinvertebrates. Finally, macroinvertebrates were divided into three groups based on their different dispersal categories and a partial Mantel test was used to assess whether each of these groups were differently affected by environmental versus geographic distance, i.e. is dispersal a key factor in tests of niche versus neutral models.

Results  The level of environmental control was by far the strongest for diatoms; however, all groups were controlled more by environmental factors than by limited dispersal. Macroinvertebrate species with low dispersal ability were significantly related to geographic distance, while more effective dispersers showed no relationship to geography but were instead strongly related to environmental distance.

Main conclusions  Our results suggest that patterns between macro‐ and microorganisms are not fundamentally different, but the level of environmental control varies according to dispersal ability. The relative importance of niche versus dispersal processes is not simply a function of organism size but other traits (e.g. life‐history type, dispersal capacity) may obscure this relationship.
Rapid global change: implications for defining natives and aliens
Authors: Webber Bruce L. , Scott John K.
Published: June 2011

The ability to ascribe native or alien status to species in a rapidly changing world underpins diverse research fields that overlap with global change and biological invasions via biodiversity. Current definitions generally link alien status to anthropogenic dispersal events, but this can create conflicts for active management and global change adaptation strategies, such as managed relocation and restoration ecology. Here we propose a unifying approach that allows for the incorporation of rapid global change into biological invasion terminology. We introduce the concept of a projected dispersal envelope (PDE) to define the region where a species is or could be native, irrespective of human involvement. The PDE integrates biogeography and niche theory with existing invasion terminology to place a spatial and temporal context on species movements. We draw on a diverse suite of topical organism movements to illustrate these concepts. Our restructured definitions allow for native species to move into or with rapidly shifting climatic regions, as well as identifying the inappropriate introduction of alien species to new areas. Moreover, our definitions framework forms a timely and essential component of adaptation policies and responses for invasive species management and the enhancement of biodiversity in a rapidly changing world.
Large‐scale patterns of tree species richness and the metabolic theory of ecology
Authors: Fang Jingyun , Wang Zhiheng , Tang Zhiyao , Brown James H.
Published: June 2011

The metabolic theory of ecology (MTE) endeavours to explain ecosystem structure and function in terms of the effects of temperature and body size on metabolic rate. In a recent paper (Wang et al., 2009, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences USA, 106, 13388), we tested the MTE predictions of species richness using tree distributions in eastern Asia and North America. Our results supported the linear relationship between log‐transformed species richness and the inverse of absolute temperature predicted by the MTE, but the slope strongly depends on spatial scale. The results also indicate that there are more tree species in cold climate at high latitudes in North America than in eastern Asia, but the reverse is true in warm climate at low latitudes. Qian & Ricklefs (2011, Global Ecology and Biogeography, 20, 362–365) recently questioned our data and some of the analyses. Here we reply to them, and provide further analyses to show that their critiques are primarily based on unsuitable data and subjective conjecture.
Mediating effects of negative emotions in parent–child conflict on adolescent problem behavior
Authors: Yeh Kuang‐Hui
Published: June 2011

Hierarchical regression analyses were used to study four types of negative emotions (rage, resentment, perceived threat, and self‐blame) as possible mediators of the effect of parent–child conflict on internalizing (psychosomatic symptoms and social withdrawal) and externalizing (violent aggression and deviance) behavior in 724 adolescents. After controlling for demographic variables, the results showed that for both parents conflict had a positive main effect on internalizing and externalizing behavior. Of the four types of negative emotions, rage was the strongest mediator to mediate the effect of conflict on violent aggression, and resentment was the strongest mediator to mediate the effect of conflict on psychosomatic symptoms, social withdrawal, and deviant behavior. Implications and limitations of the study are discussed, and suggestions for future research are offered.
TESTING FOR CONTINUOUS LOCAL MARTINGALES USING THE CROSSING TREE
Authors: Rolls David A. , Jones Owen D.
Published: June 2011

We present statistical tests for the continuous martingale hypothesis; that is, for whether an observed process is a continuous local martingale, or equivalently a continuous time‐changed Brownian motion. Our technique is based on the concept of the crossing tree. Simulation experiments are used to assess the power of the tests, which is generally higher than that of recently proposed tests using the estimated quadratic variation (i.e. realized volatility). In particular, the crossing tree shows significantly higher power with shorter data sets. We then show results from applying the methodology to five high‐frequency currency exchange rate data sets from 2003. For four of them we show that at small time‐scales (less than 15 minutes or so) the continuous martingale hypothesis is rejected, but not so at larger time‐scales. For the fifth, the hypothesis is rejected at small time‐scales and at some moderate time‐scales, but not all.
Deliberation from Within: Changing One's Mind During an Interview
Authors: Fournier Patrick , Turgeon Mathieu , Blais André , Everitt Joanna , Gidengil Elisabeth , Nevitte Neil
Published: June 2011

This article examines whether a public opinion survey can improve the quality of political attitudes. More specifically, we argue that simply positioning a summary attitudinal question after a balanced series of relevant items can increase people's ability to answer in a way that better reflects their underlying interests, values, and predispositions. By manipulating the location of the vote preference question in two separate national election campaign surveys, we find that there are fewer undecided respondents when the question is asked at the end of the survey rather than early on, that some people are changing their mind during the questionnaire, that a larger set of determinants is structuring late‐survey vote choice, and that voting preferences based on the later question are a better predictor of the actual vote. The findings carry important lessons for students of deliberation and of citizen decision making.
Bewitched—The Tea Party Movement: Ideas, Interests and Institutions
Authors: ASHBEE EDWARD
Published: June 2011

This article considers the development of the Tea Party movement, the character of its thinking and the nature of the interests and constituencies to which it is tied. The article suggests that despite the importance of ideas and interests, and the process of interaction between them, the movement has also been shaped and energised by institutional arrangements. In particular, it argues that there are significant numbers of independent or ‘detached’ conservatives and that the institutional architecture draws them towards political engagement but at the same time imposes constraints. The political friction that this creates has contributed to the anger that has characterised the movement. While the Tea Party movement may, as such, have only an ephemeral existence, independent conservatives are likely to remain a significant and potent constituency and will, within the institutional structures that define the American political process, give rise to other movements and protests.
Progressive Taxation: Applying Hayek's Constraint
Authors: STEELE G. R.
Published: June 2011

That progressive taxation might offset a disproportionate burden of indirect taxes upon low income households sits at the heart of a suggestion from Friedrich Hayek. This concerns the manner in which a degree of progression might be accommodated and constrained to preclude arbitrary tax hikes upon minority income groups. While Hayek's proposal is permissive of socialist aims, it looks for efficiency in resource usage as reflected in the aspiration ‘that each should feel that in the aggregate all the collective goods which are applied to him are worth at least as much as the contribution he is required to make’.
I don't Agree with Nick: Retrodicting the Conservative–Liberal Democrat Coalition
Authors: BALE TIM
Published: June 2011

Insider and journalistic accounts of the formation in May 2010 of the Conservative‐Liberal Democrat coalition actually, although not explicitly, rely on types of explanation familiar to those who study politics. They tell us that structure (or at least the economy) was important. So too, they suggest, were institutions (timing and the rules of the game). They also stress the importance of contingency (‘events, dear boy, events’) and agency (who did and said what to whom). While none of these things were unimportant, they only served to make certain an outcome that anyone with a passing acquaintance with the theory and the practice of coalition formation would have predicted—namely a ‘minimum winning coalition’. The only thing that could have made that outcome uncertain was a fundamental ideological difference between the two parties involved; however, it quickly became apparent—to the surprise of those of us who failed to appreciate how much the Liberal Democrats had changed—that no such difference existed. Indeed, it is possible to argue that the coalition formed was not merely minimum winning but ‘minimum connected winning’. As such, its formation was not so much breathtakingly bold and exciting as pretty much inevitable. In the end, the maths and the physics mattered more than the chemistry. Fortunately for the Conservatives, the Liberal Democrats seriously underplayed their hand in the negotiations, with possibly disastrous consequences for them in the long term.
Portfolio Allocation and Policy Compromises: How and Why the Conservatives and the Liberal Democrats Formed a Coalition Government
Authors: DEBUS MARC
Published: June 2011

The question of ‘who gets what?’ is one of the most interesting issues in coalition politics. Research on portfolio allocation has thus far produced some clear‐cut empirical findings: coalition parties receive ministerial posts in close proportion to the number of parliamentary seats they win. This article poses two simple questions: Why did the Conservatives and Liberal Democrats agree to form a coalition government and, secondly, did the process of portfolio allocation in the United Kingdom in 2010 reflect standard patterns of cabinet composition in modern democracies? In order to answer these questions, a content analysis of election manifestos is applied in this article in order to estimate the policy positions of the parties represented in the House of Commons. The results show that a coalition between the Tories and Lib Dems was indeed the optimal solution in the British coalition game in 2010. When applying the portfolio allocation model, it turns out that the Conservatives fulfilled the criteria of a ‘strong party’, implying that the Tories occupied the key position in the coalition game. On account of this pivotal role, they were ultimately able to capture the most important ministries in the new coalition government.
How Unusual is the United Kingdom Coalition (and What are the Chances of It Happening Again)?
Authors: LEES CHARLES
Published: June 2011

This article draws upon insights from theoretical and empirical studies of coalition behaviour in multiparty politics to examine the formation of the United Kingdom coalition following the general election of 6 May 2010. It argues that the formation of the Conservative‐Liberal Democrat coalition is not unusual in historical terms or in the context of contemporary European politics; and that although it is a break from the more recent pattern of postwar British politics it nevertheless does conform to expectations in the light of the coalition literature. The article also provides a comparative analysis of the impact of Britain's ‘First‐Past‐The‐Post’ (FPTP) electoral system on party competition and an examination of the performance of the Alternative Vote (AV) system and argues that if the United Kingdom retains FPTP then a return to single‐party government in 2015 is highly likely; and it is not inevitable that the introduction of AV would significantly advantage the Liberal Democrats.
Liberalism, Language Revival and Employment
Authors: Lewis Huw
Published: June 2011

Do policies that seek to revive the prospects of minority languages transgress important liberal principles? The article will explore this question by focusing on one controversial aspect of language policy in Wales: the steps taken to set Welsh language requirements for some jobs in the public sector. This is a practice that has generated substantial debate, with opponents claiming that it undermines equality of opportunity in the field of employment and, in particular, transgresses the principle of appointing on the basis of merit. It will be argued here that such objections do not stand up to scrutiny. Efforts to promote a language's position in the field of employment do not undermine the principle of merit, but merely expand slightly on its meaning. Therefore, liberals should, in principle, be willing to endorse policies similar to those adopted in Wales in recent years. Nevertheless, the fact that these policies can be endorsed in principle does not mean that liberals would wish to exclude them completely from criticism. Rather, as will also be argued, the background conditions against which they are implemented and the degree to which these can influence an individual's linguistic ability should also be considered, and in the Welsh context, at least, this is an issue that may call for further attention.
A Sociology Classic Revisited: Religion in Banbury
Authors: Bruce Steve
Published: June 2011

This is one of a series of articles which document religious change in Britain by updating the data contained in classic British sociological and anthropological community studies,. The statistical and impressionistic observations on religion in Banbury in 1950 and 1967 in Margaret Stacey's Tradition and Change are augmented with data collected in 2010. The article identifies significant problems in interpreting the original Banbury data and offers some general observations on the advantages and difficulties of piggy-backing on previous research.
‘It Feels Right in My Heart’: Affective Accountability in Narratives of Attachment
Authors: Faircloth Charlotte
Published: June 2011

This article makes a contribution to discussions around ‘affect’ in the social sciences ( Clough and Halley, 2007 ; Connolly, 1999 ; Massumi, 2002 ). It emerges from a research project involving a network of mothers – in London – who breastfeed their children to ‘full term’. Typically, this would be up to the age of three or four, though ranged, in this case, to between one and eight years old. For many women, the most fundamental reasoning in their decision to breastfeed to ‘full term’ is that it simply ‘feels right.’ The article therefore explores anthropological approaches to the ‘feelings’ that embodied experiences generate, as revealed in the accounts and practices of the people we work with (whether at the physiological, emotional or moral levels). It considers various means of describing the feelings experienced by women during of long-term breastfeeding – such as ‘hormones’, ‘instinct’ and ‘intuition’ – but ultimately argues for a theoretical framework of ‘affect’ to incorporate best the combined physiological and moral aspects of ‘doing what feels right in my heart,’ so critical to women's perceptions of themselves as mothers.
‘Just Being Selfish for My Own Sake …’: Balancing the Views of Young Adults with Intellectual Disabilities and Their Carers in Transition Planning
Authors: Pilnick Alison , Clegg Jennifer , Murphy Elizabeth , Almack Kathryn
Published: June 2011

In contrast to other forms of family caregiving, becoming the parent or carer of a child with an intellectual disability (ID) implies an ongoing responsibility beyond the attainment of chronological adulthood ( Meyers et al., 1985 ; Todd and Shearn, 1996 ). At the same time, a discourse of self-determination pervades policy around transition to adult services in ID in England ( Valuing People, 2001) . In this paper we present a subset of data from a project which aimed to examine how the process of transition from child to adult services in ID is managed. Using data from 8 tape-recorded meetings in which transitions were planned and discussed, we examine what happens when the views of the parent/carer and the young adult are in apparent conflict. Drawing on the growing body of interactional work in the field (eg Rapley, 2004 ; Finlay, Antaki and Walton, 2008 ), we use conversation analysis to examine how professionals manage and negotiate this conflict and how some points of view or courses of action ultimately prevail over others. While the discourse of self-determination may prevail in English policy terms, we show how the fact that parents or carers ultimately have a key role in enabling the choices of the young person has a significant impact on these interactions.
Building Agent‐Based Walking Models by Machine‐Learning on Diverse Databases of Space‐Time Trajectory Samples
Authors: Torrens Paul , Li Xun , Griffin William A.
Published: June 2011

We introduce a novel scheme for automatically deriving synthetic walking (locomotion) and movement (steering and avoidance) behavior in simulation from simple trajectory samples. We use a combination of observed and recorded real‐world movement trajectory samples in conjunction with synthetic, agent‐generated, movement as inputs to a machine‐learning scheme. This scheme produces movement behavior for non‐sampled scenarios in simulation, for applications that can differ widely from the original collection settings. It does this by benchmarking a simulated pedestrian's relative behavioral geography, local physical environment, and neighboring agent‐pedestrians; using spatial analysis, spatial data access, classification, and clustering. The scheme then weights, trains, and tunes likely synthetic movement behavior, per‐agent, per‐location, per‐time‐step, and per‐scenario. To prove its usefulness, we demonstrate the task of generating synthetic, non‐sampled, agent‐based pedestrian movement in simulated urban environments, where the scheme proves to be a useful substitute for traditional transition‐driven methods for determining agent behavior. The potential broader applications of the scheme are numerous and include the design and delivery of location‐based services, evaluation of architectures for mobile communications technologies, what‐if experimentation in agent‐based models with hypotheses that are informed or translated from data, and the construction of algorithms for extracting and annotating space‐time paths in massive data‐sets.
Size Effects on the Transmission Mechanism from Finance to Development: A Study of Large Emerging Economies
Authors: Sun Puyang , Sen Somnath , Tong Jiadong
Published: June 2011

Large emerging economies, typically Brazil, India, China and South Africa (BICS), demonstrate a strong upward trend in many aspects of their macroeconomic performance in recent decades. This surge is attributed to ‘size effects’ whereby economies of scale and scope, and agglomeration impact, create productivity improvements. This paper concentrates on both conceptual and empirical studies about the most important contributions from real and financial sectors towards economic growth in large emerging economies. In particular, the transmission channels from finance to growth are discussed in this paper, to show how size effects can affect these transmission mechanisms from finance to development. The econometric estimations use a structural vector autoregressive (SVAR) model for four specific large emerging economies – BICS – and analyse dynamic shocks from real sectors and financial sectors, together with size‐effect variables: education investment, government spending and military expenditures. We conclude that real shocks have much higher impact effects on output and growth compared to financial shocks.
Protectionist Responses to the Crisis: Global Trends and Implications
Authors: Bussière Matthieu , Pérez‐Barreiro Emilia , Straub Roland , Taglioni Daria
Published: June 2011

In this paper, we take a systematic look at recent trends in global protectionism and at the potential implications of a protectionist backlash for economic growth, using results from the recent economic literature and new model simulations. We find that so far the increase in actual protectionist measures to restrict trade through tariff and non‐tariff barriers has been moderate. None of the World Trade Organization (WTO) members has retreated into widespread trade restrictions or protectionism to date. At the same time, however, evidence from surveys shows that public pressure for more economic protection has been mounting since the mid‐2000s and has possibly intensified since the start of the financial crisis. Meanwhile, our model‐based simulations suggest that the impairment of the global flow of trade would hamper the recovery process from the crisis as well as the long‐term growth of the global economy. At the same time, it is unlikely that protectionism would help correct existing current account imbalances. Moreover, the countries implementing protectionist measures should expect a deterioration of their international competitiveness, which would further affect the potential for longer‐term real GDP growth.
Izon syntax and the English of Izon‐English bilinguals
Authors: OKUNRINMETA URIEL
Published: June 2011

ABSTRACT:  This study explores the influences that the Izon language manifests in the syntax of the English of Izon (Nigerian) speakers and makes a clear distinction between the influences that result in errors and those that result in permissible local variations, which indicates that the idea of treating all variations in the syntax of Nigerian English as errors is misleading. To achieve this, the various Izon influences reflected in the syntax of Nigerian English are grouped and subjected to a rigorous acceptability test based on appropriateness, grammaticality, intelligibility and widespread usage. The findings reveal that there are acceptable local variations among the departures caused by the influence of the Nigerian languages on the syntax of Nigerian English and, thus, it is wrong and misleading to condemn, as indeed many have often done, all the local Nigerian influences reflected in the syntax of Nigerian English as errors. Some of these local influences should, because of their appropriateness, grammaticality, intelligibility and widespread usage among educated people, especially in the Izon (Nigerian) setting, be accepted as variations, since the syntax of English in Nigeria's multilingual/multicultural setting is bound to show permissible local variation in use.
Social effectiveness of style in Olusunle's “visions”
Authors: ALABI TAOFIQ ADEDAYO
Published: June 2011

ABSTRACT:  From the dimensions of pluralism and multilevel approaches to investigation of textual style, style is viewed as the totality of the linguistic ingredients which cohere to confer effectiveness on a text, whether spoken or written. These linguistic ingredients become meaningful, hence effective, when they constitute appropriate linguistic choices in a social context. Thus, this paper seeks to argue for the imperativeness of context of situation (whether immediate or wider), in stylistics and at the same time re‐presenting established elements of language as functionally potent variables of measuring and interpreting the stylistic density of a given poetic discourse. It is presupposed that poetic analysis comprises a consideration of correlates of pattern and figures; paradigm and syntagm. It is evident that poetic language typically organizes figures along the chain and violates established patterns at points of choices. These patterns are specially styled in poetry such that they combine in an idiosyncratic fashion to harmonize the message with its medium in relation to its spatio‐temporal contexts. This makes stylistics an indispensable tool of exhaustively appraising and appreciating a poetic text.
Characterization of Dp71Δ78‐79, a novel dystrophin mutant that stimulates PC12 cell differentiation
Authors: Aragón Jorge , Romo‐Yáñez José , Martínez‐Herrera Alejandro , Ceja Víctor , Rendon Alvaro , Montañez Cecilia
Published: June 2011

J. Neurochem. (2011) 119, 697–707.

Dp71 has an important role in the central nervous system. To better understand the function of Dp71 domains in neuronal differentiation, PC12 cells were stably transfected with a dystrophin mutant, Dp71Δ78‐79, which lacks exons 78 and 79. Based on the percentage of cells bearing neurites and neurite length analyses, we found that cells stably expressing Dp71Δ78‐79 (PC12‐C11) differentiate more efficiently than non‐transfected cells. While wild‐type cells reach their maximum differentiation 9–12 days after initiating the differentiation process, the PC12‐C11 cells reach differentiation in 4–6 days. Protein expression analysis showed a down‐regulation of Dp71a and an up‐regulation of Dp71ab and/or Up71, β‐dystroglycan and neuron‐specific enolase in undifferentiated and in neural growth factor differentiated PC12‐C11 cells. No change was observed in the expression of Grb2 and Up400. The subcellular localization of Dp71Δ78‐79 was in the cell periphery, and there was no change in localization during the differentiation process, which was also observed throughout the neurite extensions.
Molecular basis of selective antagonism of the P2X1 receptor for ATP by NF449 and suramin: contribution of basic amino acids in the cysteine‐rich loop
Authors: El‐Ajouz S , Ray D , Allsopp RC , Evans RJ
Published: June 2011

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE The cysteine‐rich head region, which is adjacent to the proposed ATP‐binding pocket in the extracellular ligand‐binding loop of P2X receptors for ATP, is absent in the antagonist‐insensitive Dictyostelium receptors. In this study we have determined the contribution of the head region to the antagonist action of NF449 and suramin at the human P2X1 receptor.

EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH Chimeras and point mutations in the cysteine‐rich head region were made between human P2X1 and P2X2 receptors. Mutant receptors were expressed in Xenopus oocytes and P2X receptor currents characterized using two‐electrode voltage clamp.

KEY RESULTS The chimera replacing the region between the third and fourth conserved cysteine residues of the P2X1 receptor with the corresponding part of P2X2 reduced NF449 sensitivity a thousand fold from an IC50 of ∼1 nM at the P2X1 receptor to that of the P2X2 receptor (IC50∼1 µM). A similar decrease in sensitivity resulted from mutation of four positively charged P2X1 receptor residues in this region that are absent from the P2X2 receptor. These chimeras and mutations were also involved in determining sensitivity to the antagonist suramin. Reciprocal chimeras and mutations in the P2X2 receptor produced modest increases in antagonist sensitivity.

CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS These data indicate that a cluster of positively charged residues at the base of the cysteine‐rich head region can account for the highly selective antagonism of the P2X1 receptor by the suramin derivative NF449.
Br‐DIF‐1 accelerates dimethyl sulphoxide‐induced differentiation of P19CL6 embryonic carcinoma cells into cardiomyocytes
Authors: Seya K , Kanemaru K , Matsuki M , Hongo K , Kitahara H , Kikuchi H , Oshima Y , Kubohara Y , Okumura K , Motomura S , Furukawa K‐I
Published: June 2011

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Stem cell transplantation therapy is a promising option for treatment of severe ischaemic heart disease. Dimethyl sulphoxide (DMSO) differentiates P19CL6 embryonic carcinoma cells into cardiomyocyte‐like cells, but with low differentiation capacity. To improve the degree of this differentiation, we have assessed several derivatives of the differentiation‐inducing factor‐1 (DIF‐1), originally found in the cellular slime mould Dictyostelium discoideum, on P19CL6 cells.

EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH P19CL6 cells were cultured with each derivative and 1% DMSO for up to 16 days. Differentiation was assessed by measuring the number of beating and non‐beating aggregates, and the expression of genes relevant to cardiac tissue. The mechanism of action was investigated using a T‐type Ca2+ channel blocker.

KEY RESULTS Of all the DIF‐1 derivatives tested only Br‐DIF‐1 showed any effects on cardiomyocyte differentiation. In the presence of 1% DMSO, Br‐DIF‐1 (0.3–3 µM) significantly and dose‐dependently increased the number of spontaneously beating aggregates compared with 1% DMSO alone, by day 16. Expression of mRNA for T‐type calcium channels was significantly increased by Br‐DIF‐1 + 1% DMSO compared with 1% DMSO alone. Mibefradil (a T‐type Ca2+ channel blocker; 100 nM) and a small interfering RNA for the T‐type Ca2+ channel both significantly decreased the beating rate of aggregates induced by Br‐DIF‐1 + 1% DMSO.

CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS Br‐DIF‐1 accelerated the differentiation, induced by 1% DMSO, of P19CL6 cells into spontaneously beating cardiomyocyte‐like cells, partly by enhancing the expression of the T‐type Ca2+ channel gene.
Prostaglandin E2 induces spontaneous rhythmic activity in mouse urinary bladder independently of efferent nerves
Authors: Kobayter S , Young JS , Brain KL
Published: June 2011

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE The acute effects of PGE2 on bladder smooth muscle and nerves were examined to determine the origin of PGE2‐induced spontaneous rhythmic contractions.

EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH Contraction studies, confocal Ca2+ imaging and electrophysiological recordings in strips of mouse urinary bladder were used to differentiate the effects of PGE2 on bladder smooth muscle and efferent nerves.

KEY RESULTS PGE2 (50 µM) increased the tone and caused phasic contractions of detrusor smooth muscle strips. Confocal Ca2+ imaging showed that PGE2 increased the frequency of whole‐cell Ca2+ transients (WCTs) (72 ± 5%) and intracellular recordings showed it increased the frequency of spontaneous depolarizations, from 0.31·s−1 to 0.90·s−1. Non‐selective inhibition of EP receptors using SC‐51322 and AH‐6809 (10 µM), or the L‐type Ca2+ channel blocker nifedipine (1 µM), prevented these phasic contractions and WCTs, and reduced the tone (by 45 ± 7% and 59 ± 6%, respectively). Blocking P2X1 receptors with NF449 (10 µM) caused a small but significant reduction in the frequency of PGE2‐induced phasic contractions (24 ± 9%) and WCTs (28 ± 17%) but had no significant effect on spontaneous depolarizations or tone. Inhibiting muscarinic receptors with cyclopentolate (1 µM) had no significant effect on these measures. Spontaneous WCTs became synchronous in PGE2, implying enhanced functional coupling between neighbouring cells. However, the electrical input resistance was unchanged.

CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS It was concluded that depolarization alone is sufficient to explain a functional increase in intercellular coupling and the ability of PGE2 to increase detrusor spontaneous rhythmic activity does not require parasympathetic nerves.
Experimenting with Visual Storytelling in Students' Portfolios: Narratives of Visual Pedagogy for Pre‐Service Teacher Education
Authors: Rifà‐Valls Montserrat
Published: June 2011

This article interprets the repercussions of visual storytelling for art education and arts‐based narrative research and, particularly, it approaches visual storytelling as a critical tool for pre‐service teacher education. After reinterpreting storytelling from the perspective of visual critical pedagogy, I will narratively reconstruct the use of visual storytelling in three learning stories taking the form of students' portfolios. As a visual narrative researcher, I will examine the tactics for writing and reading that these students have developed in creating visual stories: the first narrative analyses the role of art during the reconstruction of the learning process by incorporating autobiography and reflexivity (Tanit's portfolio); the second narrative reflects on deconstruction and intertextuality in a multimedia portfolio, which mainly interrelates opera and cinema (Eulàlia's portfolio); and the third narrative introduces virtual storytelling and connects self‐awareness/meta‐awareness with multi‐literacy in narrative learning (Sonia's portfolios). This article also views improvisations, attempts, drafts and interactions in the process of writing and reading portfolios as part of visual experimentation to fabricate learning stories, in order to analyse the opportunities that visual storytelling offers for visual narrative pedagogy.
Design Education Online: Learning Delivery and Evaluation
Authors: Park Ji Yong
Published: June 2011

Online learning has been recognised as an effective pedagogical method and tool, and is broadly integrated into various types of teaching and learning strategies in higher education. In practice, the use of Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) in higher education has become an integral strategy for quality education. The field of design education, however, has not been researched extensively in regard to online learning, delivery and evaluation. This article discusses design education from an online learning perspective. It proposes an integrated framework with three key components for online learning via VLE including an interactive delivery structure, communication channels and learning evaluation. Additionally, the article describes and evaluates how VLE sites for two design units were built based on an integrated framework and student learning experiences. The results indicate that online design education should be integrated with various educational values and functional features in a systematic manner, and requires designing learning evaluation protocols as part of learning activities and communicative forms within online‐based learning sites.
Acute cardiogenic pulmonary oedema: reflecting on the management of an intensive care unit patient
Authors: Skinner Jaime , McKinney Aidín
Published: June 2011

Aim: The aim of this paper is to reflect upon the management interventions of non‐invasive ventilation (NIV) and diuretic therapy that were implemented for a patient admitted to an intensive care unit (ICU) with acute cardiogenic pulmonary oedema.

Background: Acute pulmonary oedema is a serious and life‐threatening complication of acute heart failure, particularly if this results from an ischaemic event. Statistics highlight that of those patients treated for acute cardiogenic pulmonary oedema, approximately only one third were alive after 1 year. Many of these patients will require intensive care management in order to restore homeostasis. It is therefore imperative that nurses understand the condition and the relevant management of it in order to maximize the already poor prognosis.

Results: Using Driscoll's (2000) reflective model to guide critical thinking, this paper reflects on the management of one patient who was admitted to ICU with acute cardiogenic pulmonary oedema as a result of heart failure. Although there are many aspects of patient management that can be explored, specific care interventions that this patient received in relation to NIV and diuretic therapy will be considered. The evidence base for their use, together with the relevant nursing management issues, and patient implications will be critically analysed and outlined.

Conclusions: This paper identifies that standard therapy for acute cardiogenic pulmonary oedema is largely supportive and aimed at promoting gaseous exchange. It also highlights that nurses have a key role in ensuring that these essential treatments are as efficacious as possible.

Relevance to clinical practice: By using a reflective analysis approach, this paper highlights how reflecting on practice improves knowledge and understanding of the use of NIV and diuretic therapy interventions and should facilitate nurses working in ICU to become more competent in ensuring that the treatment provided for acute cardiogenic pulmonary oedema is as successful as possible.
Pain assessment in turning procedures for patients with invasive mechanical ventilation
Authors: Vázquez Mónica , Pardavila Miren‐Idoia , Lucia María , Aguado Yara , Margall MaÁngeles , Asiain Ma Carmen
Published: June 2011

Background: The assessment of pain is particularly difficult in critical patients unable to self‐report or with cognitive impairment. In such cases, the use of scales which evaluate pain through patient behaviour is important.

Aims: To compare the behavioural responses to pain, measured on the Critical‐Care Pain Observation Tool (CPOT) scale, and the physiological responses prior to, during and after the positioning procedure in patients with invasive mechanical ventilation. We also sought to analyse whether there are differences in the CPOT scores between medical and surgical patients, and between conscious and unconscious patients.

Method: Pain scores were evaluated in 96 patients. The data gathering was carried out 1 min before, during and 10 min after the turning by means of the CPOT scale which includes four behavioural indicators, each indicator scored from 0 to 2. Likewise, mean arterial pressure (MAP), heart rate (HR), respiratory rate (RR) and arterial oxygen saturation (SpO2) were recorded.

Results: The total mean score on the CPOT scale prior to the positioning procedure was 0·27; during turning it was 1·93 and 0·10 after the procedure (p < 0·05). Facial expression was the indicator that increased most with reference to the baseline situation, followed by body movements; compliance with the ventilator, and finally, muscle tension. There were also slight variations in these physiological variables during the turning procedure (p < 0·05). The total mean score on the CPOT scale during the turning of surgical patients was 2·02 and 1·80 for medical patients (p = 0·162).

Conclusions: The observation of the patient's behaviour during the turning and the physiological changes produced allow professionals to objectify pain in critical patients with verbal communication difficulties. Moreover, our results also highlight the need to administer of additional analgesia before a painful procedure, particularly in post‐surgical patients.

Relevance to clinical practice: The good measurement qualities of the CPOT scale obtained during a painful procedure recommend its use in intensive care units (ICUs) for adult patients with artificial ventilation.
Parkinsonism with multiple cysts in the bilateral striata
Authors: NORIMOTO Kazunobu , KIUCHI Kuniaki , MORIKAWA Masayuki , INOUE Yuichiro , KOSAKA Jun , INOUE Makoto , KISHIMOTO Toshifumi
Published: June 2011

The present paper reports on a 68‐year‐old man with a 10‐year history of parkinsonism who developed hallucinations and delusions after admission to an intensive care unit for the treatment of organophosphate intoxication. His initial diagnosis was delirium. On the basis of brain computed tomography findings and clinical symptoms, we diagnosed drug‐induced psychosis in parkinsonism with multiple cysts in the bilateral striata.
Presenile dementia diagnosed as posterior cortical atrophy
Authors: TSUNODA Ayami , IRITANI Shuji , OZAKI Norio
Published: June 2011

Posterior cortical atrophy (PCA) was originally proposed in 1988 based on five cases of dementia presenting characteristic clinical symptoms. The concept of PCA is still not generally accepted. Herein, we present a case of a presenile female with PCA. A 57‐year‐old woman was brought to the hospital by her older sister. The patient's chief complaints were that she could not drive a car safely and had caused numerous traffic accidents. Construction apraxia and unilateral spatial agnosia were detected by neuropsychological tests. The patient could not write a coherent the letter even though she was well educated. In addition, she demonstrated slight memory disturbance and she needed her sister's support in daily life. Magnetic resonance imaging and single photon emission computed tomography examinations confirmed bilateral posterior atrophy and significant hypoperfusion in the occipital regions. The neuropathological background of PCA remains unclear. Therefore, the concept of PCA should be validated by the accumulation of information from more cases.
Exploring strategies to alleviate caregiver burden: Effects of the National Long‐Term Care insurance scheme in Japan
Authors: ARAI Yumiko , ZARIT Steven H.
Published: June 2011

The ever‐increasing population of older people with disabilities, including dementia, has been accompanied by a corresponding growth in the number of family caregivers, who are themselves at risk of developing mental and physical health problems. As a result, the need for practical and effective approaches for alleviating caregiver burden has become a major public health concern. One approach involves the development of public policy initiatives to allow the caregiver burden to be borne partly by society as a whole, rather than falling solely on individuals. In 2000, Japan introduced a National Long‐Term Care (LTC) insurance scheme that requires adults over the age of 40 years to pay compulsory monthly premiums, with one aim of the program being to reduce caregiver burden. The present paper reviews the effects of this scheme on caregivers' and the general public's perception of caregiver burden and assesses what other measures are needed to further reduce and/or prevent burden. Drawing on recent studies, four questions are addressed: (i) have caregivers' attitudes towards caregiving changed since the implementation of the scheme; (ii) do services provided under the scheme alleviate caregiver burden; (iii) what are the general public's attitudes to and understanding of family caregiving; and (iv) what is the general public's level of understanding of dementia? Results from recent studies suggest that the LTC insurance scheme in Japan appears to be an effective measure for alleviating the burden of caregiving among current family caregivers, but larger studies are needed to determine overall effectiveness.
Correlates and Prevalence of Insufficient 25‐Hydroxyvitamin D Status in Black and White Older Adults: The Health, Aging and Body Composition Study
Authors: Shea M. Kyla , Houston Denise K. , Tooze Janet A. , Davis Cralen C. , Johnson Mary Ann , Hausman Dorothy B. , Cauley Jane A. , Bauer Douglas C. , Tylavsky Frances , Harris Tamara B. , Kritchevsky Stephen B. ,   for the Health, Aging and Body Composition Study
Published: June 2011

OBJECTIVES: To determine the prevalence and correlates of vitamin D insufficiency in black and white older adults.

DESIGN: Cross‐sectional.

SETTING: Health, Aging and Body Composition Study.

PARTICIPANTS: Nine hundred seventy‐seven black and 1,604 white adults aged 70 to 81.

MEASUREMENTS: Logistic regression and classification and regression tree analysis were used to identify correlates of vitamin D insufficiency (25‐hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) <30 ng/mL) separately in blacks and whites.

RESULTS: The prevalence of 25(OH)D insufficiency was 84% in blacks and 57% in whites. Seventy‐six percent of blacks and 56% of whites did not take a multivitamin; those who did not take a multivitamin were more likely to be vitamin D insufficient (odds ratio (OR)=5.17 (95% confidence interval (CI)=3.47–7.70) for blacks; OR=2.56, 95% CI=2.05–3.19 for white). Additional risk factors for vitamin D insufficiency were vitamin D–containing supplement use, female sex, and obesity in blacks; and winter season, low dietary vitamin D intake, obesity, type 2 diabetes mellitus, and female sex in whites.

CONCLUSION: Vitamin D insufficiency was more prevalent in blacks than whites. Not consuming a multivitamin increased the odds of vitamin D insufficiency in blacks and whites. Knowledge of additional risk factors such as dietary intake and comorbid conditions may help identify older adults who are likely to be vitamin D insufficient.
Biosecurity Policy and the Use of Geospatial Predictive Tools to Address Invasive Plants: Updating the Risk Analysis Toolbox
Authors: Lindgren Cory J.
Published: June 2011

International and national biosecurity policies consider risk assessment a critical component of overall plant health risk analysis. The Agreement on the Application of Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures, the International Plant Protection Convention, and the Convention on Biological Diversity all provide guidelines and recommendations on how to use risk assessment. This article discusses how these instruments address risk assessment, and makes recommendations on how the risk assessment process needs to incorporate current geospatial predictive science and geographic information systems into the plant health biosecurity risk analysis toolbox.
Comparing Sexual and Ethnic Minority Perspectives on Same‐Sex Marriage
Authors: Ghavami Negin , Johnson Kerri L.
Published: June 2011

We examined views on same‐sex marriage in the context of California's Proposition 8 among a community sample of non‐Black gay men, lesbians, and bisexual men and women (GLBs) as well as Black heterosexuals. Additionally, we investigated whether GLBs’ perception of Blacks’ views on same‐sex marriage influenced the extent to which they blamed Blacks for the passage of Proposition 8. As expected, GLBs viewed same‐sex marriage as a civil rights issue significantly more than a moral issue and as analogous to the 1960s Civil Rights Campaign. The views of Black heterosexuals, however, varied greatly by their vote on Proposition 8. Furthermore, the more GLBs perceived Blacks to view same‐sex marriage as a civil rights issue, the less they blamed Blacks for the passage of Proposition 8. These findings suggest that GLBs and Blacks frame the issue of same‐sex marriage differently and point to important intergroup consequences of perceived views of others.