bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Non polycystic ovary syndrome–related endocrine disorders associated with hirsutism
Authors: Unluhizarci Kursad , Kaltsas Gregory , Kelestimur Fahrettin
Published: May 2011

Eur J Clin Invest 2012; 42 (1): 86–94

Background  Hyperandrogenism refers to classical androgen‐dependent signs such as hirsutism, acne and androgenetic alopecia. Hirsutism is the main hyperandrogenic symptom, defined as an excess of body hair in the androgen‐sensitive skin regions of the women. In this review, we attempt to focus on the pathogenesis of hirsutism related to disorders other than polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Also, we will discuss their clinical and biochemical features as well as therapeutic options.

Design  Several original articles, meta‐analysis and reviews have been screened in the field of hirsutism and hyperandrogenic disorders.

Results  Current English literature including our studies suggests that PCOS is the most common cause of hirsutism. The most important purpose for investigation is to identify those women with androgen‐secreting tumours because of their life‐threatening potential. In approximately 1–8% of the women with hirsutism, the underlying cause is nonclassical adrenal hyperplasia because of 21‐hydroxylase deficiency. Depending on ethnicity and the geographic area, idiopathic hirsutism constitutes 5–17% of the patients with hirsutism. Approximately 3% of hyperandrogenic women were observed to suffer from hyperandrogenic‐insulin‐resistant acanthosis nigricans syndrome. More rare causes are glucocorticoid resistance syndrome, hyperprolactinemia, acromegaly, Cushing’s syndrome and some drugs. Specific causes of hirsutism such as Cushing’s syndrome and adrenal/ovarian tumours should be treated specifically. In other patients, pharmacological approach is the mainstay of therapy.

Conclusions  A number of patients presenting with hirsutism and exhibiting similar features to PCOS may have other underlying diagnoses. Unlike PCOS, some of these disorders can occasionally be life threatening and require prompt diagnosis and treatment.
Hen harrier management: insights from demographic models fitted to population data
Authors: New Leslie F. , Buckland Stephen T. , Redpath Stephen , Matthiopoulos Jason
Published: May 2011

1. The impact of hen harriers Circus cyaneus on red grouse Lagopus lagopus scoticus populations has received much attention. However, little has been done to model the population dynamics of the hen harrier alone. Such a model is needed to help inform the differing aims of conserving harriers and managing grouse moors, which serves as a reflection of human–wildlife conflicts around the globe.

2. On Langholm estate in Scotland, intensive studies have resulted in harrier numbers being known without error. We fit a Bayesian population model to these data, using a super‐population model to permit inference in the presence of demographic and environmental stochasticity and in the absence of observation error.

3. Hen harriers have a straightforward life history. After fledging, juveniles show little natal site fidelity, often dispersing long distances into breeding areas rich in their preferred prey, the field vole Microtus agrestis and meadow pipit Anthus pratensis. Therefore, any increase in a local population is largely because of recruitment into the area as opposed to fledging success. Once birds have settled in an area, harriers are generally site faithful, with year‐to‐year survival depending, in part, on the density of meadow pipits.

4. Our model suggests that temporal patterns in harrier numbers on managed grouse moors, in the absence of illegal persecution, are influenced by vole numbers, whereas meadow pipit density appears to have a limited effect.

5. Synthesis and applications. Our modelling approach is a useful way to infer population processes, and the effects of the environment on these processes, for populations censused without error. When used to predict future harrier numbers under alternate management scenarios, our model indicates that harrier numbers on Langholm estate, Scotland, could be reduced without any direct human intervention if the estate can be managed in a way that reduces vole populations. In contrast, there appears little to gain from managing meadow pipit densities. If these conclusions apply to other harrier populations, then management to reduce vole numbers, while maintaining grouse densities, may help alleviate the conflict between conservationists and managers of grouse moors.
Biodiversity conservation in dynamic landscapes: trade‐offs between number, connectivity and turnover of habitat patches
Authors: Johst Karin , Drechsler Martin , van Teeffelen Astrid J. A. , Hartig Florian , Vos Claire C. , Wissel Silvia , Wätzold Frank , Opdam Paul
Published: May 2011

1. Many species are adapted to landscapes with characteristic dynamics generated by ongoing habitat destruction and creation. Climate change and human land use, however, may change the dynamics of these landscapes. Studies have repeatedly shown that many species are not able to cope with such changes in landscape dynamics. Conservation policies must, therefore, explicitly address this threat. The way in which management should be modified when formerly static landscapes become dynamic or when landscape dynamics change is unclear.

2. Using an analytical formula for the rapid assessment of metapopulation lifetime in dynamic landscapes, we investigate if and how changes in one landscape attribute may be compensated by changes in another attribute to maintain species viability. We study such trade‐offs considering both spatial (number, connectivity of patches) and temporal (patch destruction and creation rates) landscape attributes.

3. We show that increasing patch destruction can be compensated to a certain extent by improvements in other spatial and/or temporal landscape attributes. Focusing on trade‐offs between management options reveals two key factors essential for management decisions: First, the trade‐offs are generally nonlinear irrespective of considering spatial or temporal landscape attributes. Secondly, species can be grouped according to their response to particular management options.

4. Synthesis and applications.We demonstrate the usefulness of an analytical formula for calculating trade‐offs between landscape attributes for a variety of landscapes and species. Two practical and robust management recommendations can be derived: (i) The nonlinearity of trade‐offs implies that the effectiveness of conservation measures depends explicitly on the current level of landscape attributes. It must, therefore, be taken into account in conservation decision making. In particular, the existing level of patch turnover is decisive: if it is already high, improvements in other landscape attributes are ineffective in maintaining species viability. Thus, monitoring the current level of landscape attributes is indispensable for effective biodiversity conservation. (ii) Compensation of increased patch destruction by increased patch creation is only suitable for species with high dispersal propensity adapted to variable environments (aside from habitat patch turnover). This implies that conservation policies which rely on such compensation, like offsetting and conservation banking, are feasible only for this type of species.
Optimizing invasive species control across space: willow invasion management in the Australian Alps
Authors: Giljohann Katherine M. , Hauser Cindy E. , Williams Nicholas S. G. , Moore Joslin L.
Published: May 2011

1. A key problem facing invasive species management is how best to allocate surveillance and control effort. Models of the establishment and spread of invasive species are widely used to predict species’ occurrence across space and inform resource prioritization. However, the way they should be used to direct control effort is less clear. Managers could exhaustively search and treat the few highest priority locations or apply less thorough effort more broadly. The choice between these options is a question of balancing resources to maximize local success while minimizing further spread.

2. We link a spatial model predicting the likelihood of occurrence with a decision model to efficiently allocate human resources to control the weed Salix cinerea in south‐eastern Australia. Using data collected during an ongoing control programme, we construct a species distribution model, empirically estimate control effectiveness and perform a budget‐constrained optimization that identifies priority regions for control.

3. Two alternative scenarios were explored against two seasonal budgets: control is equally valued in all areas or control is doubly valuable in conservation areas.

4. Optimal control effort per site varied according to the likelihood of occurrence and site‐specific benefits of control. Prioritizing conservation areas led to a reduction in area treated because of greater allocation of control effort.

5. Quantifying control effectiveness was critical for realistically allocating control effort. Targeting obvious individuals and then moving to new sites was more cost‐effective than attempting to control every individual at a high‐priority site.

6. Synthesis and applications. We have developed a method to identify priority locations for invasive species control across a landscape. By integrating a decision model with an empirical distribution model, our method offers a better management outcome by maximizing the efficiency of control efforts. It identifies where and how much control effort should be allocated for maximum effect within a season. Effort is expressed as control staff time spent per site with the allocation readily visualized as a map. In general, a strategy of visiting sites where the species is most likely to occur and exerting a moderate amount of effort at these sites is most efficient.
Aberrant protein N‐glycosylation impacts upon infection‐related growth transitions of the haploid plant‐pathogenic fungus Mycosphaerella graminicola
Authors: Motteram Juliet , Lovegrove Alison , Pirie Elizabeth , Marsh Justin , Devonshire Jean , van de Meene Allison , Hammond‐Kosack Kim , Rudd Jason J.
Published: May 2011

The ascomycete fungus Mycosphaerella graminicola is the causal agent of Septoria Tritici Blotch disease of wheat and can grow as yeast‐like cells or as hyphae depending on environmental conditions. Hyphal growth is however essential for successful leaf infection. A T‐DNA mutagenesis screen performed on haploid spores identified a mutant, which can undergo yeast‐like growth but cannot switch to hyphal growth. For this reason the mutant was non‐pathogenic towards wheat leaves. The gene affected, MgAlg2, encoded a homologue of Saccharomyces cerevisiae ScAlg2, an alpha‐1,2‐mannosyltransferase, which functions in the early stages of asparagine‐linked protein (N‐) glycosylation. Targeted gene deletion and complementation experiments confirmed that loss of MgAlg2 function prevented the developmental growth switch. MgAlg2 was able to functionally complement the S. cerevisiae ScAlg2‐1 temperature sensitive growth phenotype. Spores of ΔMgAlg2 mutants were hypersensitive to the cell wall disrupting agent Calcofluor white and produced abnormally hypo‐N‐glycosylated proteins. Gene expression, proteome and glycoproteome analysis revealed that ΔMgAlg2 mutant spores show responses typically associated with the accumulation of mis‐folded proteins. The data presented highlight key roles for protein N‐glycosylation in regulating the switch to hyphal growth, possibly as a consequence of maintaining correct folding and localization of key proteins involved in this process.
Exome sequencing in a family segregating for celiac disease
Authors: Szperl AM , Ricaño‐Ponce I , Li JK , Deelen P , Kanterakis A , Plagnol V , van Dijk F , Westra HJ , Trynka G , Mulder CJ , Swertz M , Wijmenga C , Zheng H Ch
Published: May 2011

Szperl AM, Ricaño‐Ponce I, Li JK, Deelen P, Kanterakis A, Plagnol V, van Dijk F, Westra HJ, Trynka G, Mulder CJ, Swertz M, Wijmenga C, Zheng H Ch. Exome sequencing in a family segregating for celiac disease.

Celiac disease is a multifactorial disorder caused by an unknown number of genetic factors interacting with an environmental factor. Hence, most patients are singletons and large families segregating with celiac disease are rare. We report on a three‐generation family with six patients in which the inheritance pattern is consistent with an autosomal dominant model. To date, 27 loci explain up to 40% of the heritable disease risk. We hypothesized that part of the missing heritability is because of low frequency or rare variants. Such causal variants could be more prominent in multigeneration families where private mutations might co‐segregate with the disease. They can be identified by linkage analysis combined with whole exome sequencing. We found three linkage regions on 4q32.3‐4q33, 8q24.13‐8q24.21 and 10q23.1‐10q23.32 that segregate with celiac disease in this family. We performed exome sequencing on two affected individuals to investigate the positional candidate regions and the remaining exome for causal nonsense variants. We identified 12 nonsense mutations with a low frequency (minor allele frequency <10%) present in both individuals, but none mapped to the linkage regions. Two variants in the CSAG1 and KRT37 genes were present in all six affected individuals. Two nonsense variants in the MADD and GBGT1 genes were also present in 5 of 6 and 4 of 6 individuals, respectively; future studies should determine if any of these nonsense variants is causally related to celiac disease.
Exome sequencing and the genetics of intellectual disability
Authors: Topper S , Ober C , Das S
Published: May 2011

Topper S, Ober C, Das S. Exome sequencing and the genetics of intellectual disability.

Exome sequencing has greatly impacted the speed at which new disease genes are identified. In the last year alone, six studies have used exome sequencing to identify new genes involved in intellectual disability, a genetically heterogeneous condition affecting 1–3% of the population. These studies encompass the full gamut of modes of inheritance and phenotypic presentation, including syndromic and non‐syndromic conditions, sporadic and familial cases, and dominant and recessive inheritance patterns. Because different disease presentations require different approaches to gene discovery, studies of intellectual disability provide a nearly comprehensive showcase of strategies for exome‐driven gene discovery. Despite these successes, the etiology of ∼60% of cases of intellectual disability remains unknown. The application of exome sequencing to the clinical diagnosis of intellectual disability in the near future will ultimately reduce the number of idiopathic cases and provide a rich source of sequence variation for the identification of new intellectual disability genes.
Hormonal control of endoreduplication in sugar beet (Beta vulgaris L.) seedlings growing in vitro
Authors: Lukaszewska E. , Virden R. , Sliwinska E.
Published: May 2011

The effect on endoreduplication in sugar beet (Beta vulgaris L.) seedlings of five plant hormones in MS medium, ethylene, 24‐epibrassinolide (EBR), gibberellic acid (GA3), kinetin and 1‐naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA), as well as a combination of kinetin and NAA at two different concentrations, was studied using flow cytometry. Analyses of DNA content in nuclei of the root, hypocotyl and cotyledons of seedlings growing in vitro were performed during their early development, starting from when the root was 0.5–1.0 cm long until expansion of the first pair of leaves. The proportions of nuclei with different DNA contents were established and the mean C‐value calculated. The presence of exogenous plant hormones changed endoreduplication intensity, although to different extents, depending on the organ and developmental stage. Ethylene and NAA stimulated the process, while EBR and kinetin suppressed it and GA did not clearly affect it.
Generalized flare of pustular psoriasis induced by PEGylated interferon‐α2b therapy for chronic hepatitis C
Authors: Wu Meng‐Chi , Lee J Yu‐Yun
Published: May 2011

New onset or exacerbation of psoriasis vulgaris has been reported in a small number of patients after interferon (IFN)‐α therapy. Herein, we report a case of generalized flare of pustular psoriasis induced by PEGylated IFN‐α2b (PEG‐IFN‐α2b) in a 59‐year‐old woman with a 15‐year history of pustular psoriasis and chronic hepatitis C. Interferon‐α therapy was discontinued and the rash resolved after treatment with cyclosporin and systemic methylprednisolone. The potential side effect of PEG‐IFN‐α2b in inducing or exacerbating psoriasis should be kept in mind when treating patients with a history of psoriasis or pustular psoriasis.
Drug‐induced dermatomyositis after zoledronic acid
Authors: Tong Philip L , Yu Lawrence L , Chan Jonathan J
Published: May 2011

A 57‐year‐old woman with prior exposure to bisphosphonates developed myalgia, proximal muscle weakness and lichenoid rash over the upper extremities and face 3 days after infusion of zoledronic acid for the management of osteoporosis. The diagnosis of dermatomyositis was made on the basis of clinical, laboratory and histological findings. This is the first report of drug‐induced dermatomyositis secondary to zoledronic acid.
Hydroxyurea induced dermatomyositis‐like eruption
Authors: Zappala Tania M , Rodins Karl , Muir James
Published: May 2011

Medication‐induced dermatomyositis (DM) is rare, but a recent review highlighted hydroxyurea (HU) as the most common inciting agent. To aid diagnosis, HU‐induced DM‐like eruption (HU DM‐LE) forms a distinct dermopathy where the typical cutaneous features of DM are without systemic involvement and co‐exist with other HU‐induced cutaneous findings such as severe xerosis, atrophy, stomatitis, cutaneous and mucosal ulceration and melanonychia. On cessation of HU the DM‐LE clears avoiding unnecessary immunosuppression and demonstrating the importance of consideration of medication aetiology in DM presentations. We present a case report and review of the literature.
Decision‐Making Theories and their usefulness to the midwifery profession both in terms of midwifery practice and the education of midwives
Authors: Jefford Elaine , Fahy Kathleen , Sundin Deborah
Published: May 2011

Jefford E, Fahy K, Sundin D. International Journal of Nursing Practice 2011; 17: 246–253

Decision‐Making Theories and their usefulness to the midwifery profession both in terms of midwifery practice and the education of midwives

What are the strengths and limitations of existing Decision‐Making Theories as a basis for guiding best practice clinical decision‐making within a framework of midwifery philosophy?

Each theory is compared in relation with how well they provide a teachable framework for midwifery clinical reasoning that is consistent with midwifery philosophy. Hypothetico‐Deductive Theory, from which medical clinical reasoning is based; intuitive decision‐making; Dual Processing Theory; The International Confederation of Midwives Clinical Decision‐Making Framework; Australian Nursing and Midwifery Council Midwifery Practice Decisions Flowchart and Midwifery Practice.

Best practice midwifery clinical Decision‐Making Theory needs to give guidance about: (i) effective use of cognitive reasoning processes; (ii) how to include contextual and emotional factors; (iii) how to include the interests of the baby as an integral part of the woman; (iv) decision‐making in partnership with woman; and (v) how to recognize/respond to clinical situations outside the midwife's legal/personal scope of practice. No existing Decision‐Making Theory meets the needs of midwifery. Medical clinical reasoning has a good contribution to make in terms of cognitive reasoning processes. Two limitations of medical clinical reasoning are its reductionistic focus and privileging of reason to the exclusion of emotional and contextual factors.

Hypothetico‐deductive clinical reasoning is a necessary but insufficient condition for best practice clinical decision‐making in midwifery.
The effectiveness of an exercise programme for elders with dementia in a Taiwanese day‐care centre
Authors: Chang Su‐Hsien , Chen Chao‐Yi , Shen Shu‐Hua , Chiou Jhao‐Hua
Published: May 2011

Chang S‐H, Chen C‐Y, Shen S‐H, Chiou J‐H. International Journal of Nursing Practice 2011; 17: 213–220

The effectiveness of an exercise programme for elders with dementia in a Taiwanese day‐care centre

The purpose was to examine the effectiveness of an exercise programme for elders with dementia in Taiwan aimed to maintain their activities of daily living such as feeding, dressing, grooming, washing and toileting. This was a single study group, repeated measure research design. Twenty‐six dementia elders were recruited from a day‐care centre located in southern Taiwan. Caregivers of the day‐care centre provided all subjects an exercise programme. The exercise programme consisted of stretching and walking five times per week, and leg‐weight bearing at least three times per week for 20–30 min each. The data were obtained three times (baseline, 2 months post intervention and 4 months post intervention). Results showed slight changes in the scores of one‐leg‐standing, 30 s chair rise, functional reach and get up and go test but were not statistically significant. Results also indicated that scores in the performance of activities of daily living were significantly higher than at baseline and at 4 months post intervention. In conclusion, this study provides information for dementia day‐care centres in Taiwan about how elders with dementia can maintain physical fitness and perform activities of daily living.
The developing role of Transition to Practice programs for newly graduated mental health nurses
Authors: Procter Nicholas , Beutel Jenny , Deuter Kate , Curren David , de Crespigny Charlotte , Simon Magda
Published: May 2011

Procter N, Beutel J, Deuter K, Curren D, de Crespigny C, Simon M. International Journal of Nursing Practice 2011; 17: 254–261

The developing role of Transition to Practice programs for newly graduated mental health nurses

A number of significant challenges face graduate mental health nurses entering the workforce. In response, Transition to Practice programs have been promoted as a potential strategy for improving recruitment and retention within the mental health system. This review explores the experience of transition for mental health nurse graduates and identifies key aspects of Transition to Practice programs that facilitate the transition to practising professional. A comprehensive review of qualitative research, which sought to provide insight into the experience of transition for graduate mental health nurses, was conducted. Nine studies were identified through a search of MEDLINE, CINAHL, PsychINFO, PsychArticles, Psychology, AMED, EMBASE and Health Source: Nursing/academic edition. Findings showed a disparity between undergraduate perceptions of the mental health nurse role and what is actually observed during placement, highlighting the need for the positive contribution of preceptors and mentors within a transitional support model for newly graduated mental health nurses.
Nurses' knowledge of prevention and management of pressure ulcer at a Health Insurance Hospital in Alexandria
Authors: El Enein Nagwa Younes Abou , Zaghloul Ashraf Ahmad
Published: May 2011

El Enein NYA, Zaghloul AA. International Journal of Nursing Practice 2011; 17: 262–268

Nurses' knowledge of prevention and management of pressure ulcer at a Health Insurance Hospital in Alexandria

Nurses' knowledge of pressure ulcer prediction, prevention and management plays a very important role in the incidence and prevalence of pressure ulcers in health‐care systems. The aim of the current study was to assess the nurse's knowledge about prevention and management of pressure ulcer at one of the largest health insurance hospitals in Alexandria. A descriptive cross‐sectional study using an interview questionnaire format to assess the nurses' knowledge (n = 122) regarding prevention of pressure ulcers. The overall mean per cent score for nurses was below the minimum acceptable level. The mean per cent score for nurses was below 70% for nine measures of the 15 correct measures, which accounted for 60% of the measures of pressure ulcer prevention. Correct answers for non‐useful measures for preventing pressure ulcers accounted for 66% of the non‐useful measures on the questionnaire. It had been concluded that the nurses' knowledge regarding pressure ulcer prevention is below the acceptable levels.
Retracted: The nursing rounds system: Effect of patient's call light use, bed sores, fall and satisfaction level
Authors: Saleh Bassem S , Nusair Hussam , AL Zubadi Nariman , Al Shloul Shams , Saleh Usama
Published: May 2011

Retraction: The following article from the International Journal of Nursing Practice, “The nursing rounds system: Effect of patient's call light use, bed sores, fall and satisfaction level” by Saleh BS, Nusair H, Zubadi NAL, Al Shloul S, Saleh U., first published online on the 24th of May 2011 on Wiley Online Library (wileyonlinlibrary.com), has been retracted by agreement between the authors, the journal's Editor in Chief, Alan Pearson, and Wiley Publishing Asia Pty Ltd. The retraction has been agreed due to inappropriate overlap with previously published work: Meade, C., Bursell, A., and Ketelsen, L. (2006) Effects of Nursing Rounds on Patients’ Call Light Use, Satisfaction, and Safety. Am J Nurs. 106(9):58‐70.

Reference

Saleh BS, Nusair H, Zubadi NAL, Al Shloul S, Saleh U. 2011. “The nursing rounds system: Effect of patient's call light use, bed sores, fall and satisfaction level”. International Journal of Nursing Practice. 17: 299‐303. DOI: 10.1111/j.1440‐172X.2011.01938.x
Communication barriers to patient education in cardiac inpatient care: A qualitative study of multiple perspectives
Authors: Farahani Mansoureh A , Sahragard Roghiyeh , Carroll Jennifer K , Mohammadi Eesa
Published: May 2011

Farahani MA, Sahragard R, Carroll JK, Mohammadi E. International Journal of Nursing Practice 2011; 17: 322–328

Communication barriers to patient education in cardiac inpatient care: A qualitative study of multiple perspectives

Growing evidence in a variety of health‐care settings supports the need to strengthen nurse–physician communication and interprofessional collaboration to optimize patient‐health outcomes. The objective of this study is to explore communication barriers from the perspective of nurses themselves, as well as physicians, patients and families in a hospital‐based cardiac care setting. Qualitative analysis of individual interviews with 35 participants was taken in two hospitals in Tehran, Iran. Interview questions asked about experiences with patient education and communication barriers among physicians, nurses and patients. The three major themes identified were: (i) lack of collegiality and communication between nurses and physicians; (ii) problematic communication between the health‐care team, patients and their families; and (iii) cultural challenges. Findings from this study support the need for health‐care organizations to be more collaborative and inclusive of nursing professionals.
From Students to Consumers: reflections on the marketisation of Portuguese higher education
Authors: Cardoso Sónia , Carvalho Teresa , Santiago Rui
Published: May 2011

A progressive attempt to replace traditional public administration values and concepts by others that are closer to private management can be observed in the replacement of the service user concept by that of consumer or client. This redefinition's more implicit or explicit intent is to increase consumers'/clients' status, their capacity to choose and make rational choices in the market, and, ultimately, to ensure that organisations fulfil their needs.

Influenced by this tendency, higher education institutions (HEIs) also started to see students as clients or consumers and to influence their choices by trying to define HE demand. This is evident in the shift in their external communication strategies: ‘institutional information’, based on HEIs' prestige, is being progressively replaced by ‘marketed information’, based on economic consumer logic.

In trying to understand how students are perceived by Portuguese HEIs, we undertook qualitative research based on the content analysis of undergraduate degrees' announcements in newspapers. Major findings evidence that their content: (1) can be classified in a continuum bounded by two poles: the use of ‘institutional information’ and the use of ‘marketed information’; (2) show the presence of a social representation of students as clients or consumers; (3) seems related to HEIs' nature (public vs. private), positioning in the HE system (universities and polytechnics) and ‘symbolic capital’ (traditional vs. new institutions).
Using Dialogic Research to Overcome Poverty: from principles to action
Authors: Valls Rosa , Padrós Maria
Published: May 2011

In the EU commitment to alleviating the high rates of poverty in Europe there is widespread agreement among policy‐makers that it is crucial to include the voices of those who are living in poverty in order to fight exclusion most effectively. Similarly, those studying ways to address poverty and inequality are increasingly required to seek dialogue with those who are the focus of their research. These policy‐makers and researchers need procedures that will allow them to move from the principle of including the voices of the most vulnerable social groups to specific ways of undertaking such a dialogue. Research using the critical communicative methodology (CCM) sheds some light on this. By examining aspects of the Integrated Project INCLUD‐ED, the largest research on school education in the Framework Programme, this article argues that three elements of the CCM — egalitarian dialogue, successful actions’ approach and informing effective policies — facilitate the engagement between researchers, end‐users, and all the other involved stakeholders and therefore the move from principles to action in the process of overcoming poverty in Europe. As this article and the special issue demonstrate, through those elements, INCLUD‐ED has already provided scientific knowledge that is instrumental to shorten the distance between the present situation and the horizon of a Europe which is free from poverty.
Invest for the Long Term or Attend to Immediate Needs? Schools and the Employment of Less Educated Youths and Adults
Authors: Santa Cruz Inãki , Siles Gregori , Vrecer Natalija
Published: May 2011

For the past 20 years, researchers worldwide have shared a consensus that tracking leads to failure in school. But educational systems continue to use this practice for many reasons. One argument used to support the practice is that students who enter the vocational track early in their careers tend to enter the labour market more quickly. Data show, however, that when these people are in their 40s, they become the most vulnerable to poverty, especially during periods of economic recession. In addition to moving towards more comprehensive educational systems as the best long‐term way to improve the chances of all future adults, our research demonstrates that schools can play a key role in preventing and reversing the risk of unemployment and poverty of low educated youth. The INCLUD‐ED project has analysed effective actions in eight European countries (Slovenia, United Kingdom, Italy, Austria, Romania, Belgium, Finland, and Spain) that respond to the educational needs of those who have experienced tracking. These effective alternatives are vocational programmes that include an academic‐type of curriculum and allow students to move to higher education, as well as adult education programmes in schools which meet families' training needs, improving their opportunities in the labour market.
Using Health Literacy in School to Overcome Inequalities
Authors: Flecha Ainhoa , García Rocío , Rudd Rima
Published: May 2011

Health literacy has firmly established the links between literacy skills and health outcomes and is subsequently considered a key strategy for improving the health of disadvantaged populations and addressing social inequality. However, current research findings for improving health literacy have primarily focused on adults and actions within health and health care settings. Implementation studies outside the health sector are scarce. This study, a subset of the INCLUD‐ED community‐ based project on social inclusion, reports on successful community‐based approaches to health literacy. This article focuses on two schools that take advantage of the cultural intelligence of their students' family members, allowing them to make health literacy programmes more effective and useful for the participants. In addition, family involvement in educational activities addressed to children, including health programmes, has been found to improve the health literacy of the participating adults and their use of healthcare services. Findings indicate that schools in Europe can play a key role in breaking the cycle of health inequalities by promoting health literacy through education.
How to Move from Power‐based to Dialogic Relations? Lessons from Roma Women
Authors: Melgar Patricia , Larena Rosa , Ruiz Laura , Rammel Stephanie
Published: May 2011

In its growth strategy for the coming decade, the EU recognises the Roma as one of several groups especially affected by poverty and social vulnerability. So far, many efforts to reverse this social exclusion have failed; imposed solutions based on power relations have ignored Roma voices and suggestions from the community. As a result, the EU now emphasises the urgency of identifying measures that can effectively help their situation. This article draws on data from a qualitative longitudinal case study of predominantly Roma schools in Spain. It shows how the move from power‐based relations with Roma families to more dialogic ones has helped overcome both social and educational exclusion. Two dimensions are identified that facilitate this transition: demonopolisation of the expert knowledge and recognition of the Roma culture. By introducing dialogic relations, these schools have encouraged more Roma women to participate in different domains; they have also increased their academic expectations, moved beyond society's prejudice towards the Roma, and helped new role models to emerge.
The Experience of Doctoral Studies in the UK and France: differences in epistemology, research objects and training
Authors: Chiang Kuang‐Hsu
Published: May 2011

This article investigates how doctoral students perceive their research education in different disciplines in two higher education systems, the UK and France. It explores what underlies the diversity of doctoral students' experiences. Three theoretical positions are identified: the epistemological position, conceptualisation of research objects and organisational structures of research training. A questionnaire on the experiences of research training was distributed to doctoral students in Economics & Management (representative of social sciences) and Chemistry (representative of natural sciences) in France and was compared to a survey carried out earlier in Education (representative of social sciences) and Chemistry (representative of natural sciences) in the UK. Strikingly, similar disciplinary patterns were found in the doctoral research experiences in the two countries. The findings were used to review the three theoretical positions on the experiences of doctoral studies.
Introduction of the ZmDof1 gene into rice enhances carbon and nitrogen assimilation under low‐nitrogen conditions
Authors: Kurai Tomohiro , Wakayama Masataka , Abiko Tomomi , Yanagisawa Shuichi , Aoki Naohiro , Ohsugi Ryu
Published: May 2011

The excessive application of nitrogen fertilizer to maximize crop yields causes negative environmental effects such as pollution and ecological imbalance. To overcome this problem, researchers have attempted to improve the nitrogen assimilation capacity of crops. Maize Dof1 (ZmDof1) is a plant‐specific transcription factor shown to promote nitrogen assimilation in Arabidopsis thaliana (Arabidopsis) even under nitrogen‐deficient conditions. The present study examines the effect of the introduction of the ZmDof1 gene on carbon and nitrogen assimilation in rice. ZmDof1 induced the expression of phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase (PEPC) genes in transgenic rice plants and transactivated the PEPC promoters in protoplast transient assays, showing similar effects in rice as in Arabidopsis. Transgenic rice expressing ZmDof1 and grown in the presence of 360 μm (nitrogen‐sufficient) or 90 μm (nitrogen‐deficient) of nitrogen concentrations showed modulation of metabolite content and gene expression associated with the anaplerotic pathway for the TCA cycle, suggesting an increased carbon flow towards nitrogen assimilation. Furthermore, increases in carbon and nitrogen amounts per seedling were found in Dof1 rice grown under nitrogen‐deficient conditions. Nitrogen deficiency also resulted in the predominant distribution of nitrogen to roots, accompanied by significant increases in root biomass and modification of the shoot‐to‐root ratio. Measurement of the CO2 gas exchange rate showed a significant increase in the net photosynthesis rate in Dof1 rice under nitrogen‐deficient conditions. Taken these together, the present study displayed that ZmDof1 expression in rice could induce gene expressions such as PEPC genes, modulate carbon and nitrogen metabolites, increase nitrogen assimilation and enhance growth under low‐nitrogen conditions.
Post‐flooding disaster crop diversity recovery: a case study of Cowpea in Mozambique
Authors: Ferguson Morag E. , Jones Richard B. , Bramel Paula J. , Domínguez Carlos , Torre do Vale Carla , Han Jie
Published: May 2011

To restore food security to a traditional African cropping system following a sudden loss of seed, genetic diversity must be re‐established. This study examines the extent to which Cowpea diversity was reinstated two years after a flood disaster in Gaza Province, Mozambique. The contribution that seed from various sources made to the recovery was assessed using semi‐structured interviews and morphological and molecular data. Data suggest that diversity had recovered to some extent yet there was evidence of a narrowing of the genetic base, with fewer rare alleles and differences in the distribution of allele frequencies. Although the main channels for accessing seed after the flood were seed relief and markets, these sources contributed to minimal and different diversity. It appears that diversity was regained primarily through social networking in the form of loans or gifts of seed from friends and relatives. The results of the study are discussed in relation to seed relief approaches.
Emancipation or Enclosement? The Spatialization of Difference and Urban Ethnic Contestation in Colombia
Authors: Bocarejo Diana
Published: May 2011

Abstract: The focus of this article is a paradox inherent in the political effects of spatial claims undertaken by multicultural policies in many nation states: though territory is considered as one of the primary means of achieving autonomy and self‐determination, it is at the same time a mechanism that encloses difference. Through a combination of archival and ethnographic research I study the political effects of binding indigenous people's minority rights with indigenous reservations in Colombia. I focus on analyzing the legal ways in which an “ethnic indigenoustype” has been attached to an “ethnic indigenous ruraltopos” in the jurisprudence of the Colombian Constitutional Court. I also examine how ethnic groups in the capital city of Bogotá have questioned the multicultural ideals of indigeneity and the romantic desires of what an indigenous place should look like. Ultimately, my intention is to draw attention both analytically and politically, to the necessity of more thorough analyses of the consequences of strict forms of spatializing ethnicity.
INNOVATION, PUBLIC POLICY AND PUBLIC SERVICES DELIVERY IN THE UK. THE WORD THAT WOULD BE KING?
Authors: OSBORNE STEPHEN P. , BROWN LOUISE
Published: May 2011

This paper explores the dialogue about innovation in public services currently found within public policy and creates an interaction between research and practice about its strengths and limitations. It argues that this dialogue is a flawed one, often both at odds with the existing evidence and lacking a holistic understanding of the nature of innovation and its distinctive policy and managerial challenges. It therefore synthesizes existing research to challenge current public policy thinking about the role and determinants of innovation in public services. It concludes by offering five lessons towards effective policy‐making and implementation that would provide a more sophisticated and evidence‐based approach to the encouragement and sustenance of public service innovation – and four key areas for further research.
Subsampling inference for the mean of heavy‐tailed long‐memory time series
Authors: Jach Agnieszka , McElroy Tucker , Politis Dimitris N.
Published: May 2011

In this article, we revisit a time series model introduced by MCElroy and Politis (2007a) and generalize it in several ways to encompass a wider class of stationary, nonlinear, heavy‐tailed time series with long memory. The joint asymptotic distribution for the sample mean and sample variance under the extended model is derived; the associated convergence rates are found to depend crucially on the tail thickness and long memory parameter. A self‐normalized sample mean that concurrently captures the tail and memory behaviour, is defined. Its asymptotic distribution is approximated by subsampling without the knowledge of tail or/and memory parameters; a result of independent interest regarding subsampling consistency for certain long‐range dependent processes is provided. The subsampling‐based confidence intervals for the process mean are shown to have good empirical coverage rates in a simulation study. The influence of block size on the coverage and the performance of a data‐driven rule for block size selection are assessed. The methodology is further applied to the series of packet‐counts from ethernet traffic traces.
Alternative Approaches for Studying Shared and Distributed Leadership
Authors: Fitzsimons Declan , James Kim Turnbull , Denyer David
Published: May 2011

Scholars hold different perspectives about leadership which are not limited to a formally appointed leader. Of the abundance of terms used to describe this phenomenon, shared and distributed are the most prevalent. These terms are often used interchangeably, resulting in confusion in the way that shared and distributed leadership is conceptualized and investigated. This paper provides a historical development of this field, challenges existing conceptions and reveals inconsistencies and contradictions that are seldom acknowledged. Four distinct approaches to the study of shared and distributed leadership are identified in the literature, each embracing different ontological views and leadership epistemologies. Individually, the four approaches offer valuable – yet partial – understanding. Comparing and contrasting the assumptions and insights from the four approaches raises fundamental issues about how we think about leadership in terms of research, practice and development.
The effect of topically applied corticosteroids on interleukin 1β levels in patients with atopic dermatitis
Authors: Nutan F.N.U. , Kanwar A.J. , Parsad D.
Published: May 2011

Background  Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic recurrent disease of childhood. The therapeutics of AD needs to be more tailored given the new cytokine antibodies available. In this scenario we considered interleukin 1 beta (IL‐1β) levels before and after therapy with topical corticosteroids.

Objectives  To measure the IL‐1β levels before and after treatment in patients with AD after 75% improvement in scoring for atopic dermatitis index.

Methods  Forty‐five subjects with AD were treated with betamethasone ointment and their IL‐1β level was measured prior to and following treatment.

Results  The IL‐1β levels were raised during disease activity and following improvement they decreased in a statistically significant manner. Also the IL‐1β levels corresponded with the severity of disease activity.

Conclusions  Newer modalities of therapy in the form of cytokine monoclonal antibodies should be studied in a larger scale in AD.
Exploiting the Brachypodium Tool Box in cereal and grass research
Authors: Mur Luis A. J. , Allainguillaume Joel , Catalán Pilar , Hasterok Robert , Jenkins Glyn , Lesniewska Karolina , Thomas Ianto , Vogel John
Published: May 2011

It is now a decade since Brachypodium distachyon (Brachypodium) was suggested as a model species for temperate grasses and cereals. Since then transformation protocols, large expressed sequence tag (EST) databases, tools for forward and reverse genetic screens, highly refined cytogenetic probes, germplasm collections and, recently, a complete genome sequence have been generated. In this review, we will describe the current status of the Brachypodium Tool Box and how it is beginning to be applied to study a range of biological traits. Further, as genomic analysis of larger cereals and forage grasses genomes are becoming easier, we will re‐evaluate Brachypodium as a model species. We suggest that there remains an urgent need to employ reverse genetic and functional genomic approaches to identify the functionality of key genetic elements, which could be employed subsequently in plant breeding programmes; and a requirement for a Pooideae reference genome to aid assembling large pooid genomes. Brachypodium is an ideal system for functional genomic studies, because of its easy growth requirements, small physical stature, and rapid life cycle, coupled with the resources offered by the Brachypodium Tool Box.

Contents

Summary
334

I.
Introduction
335

II.
A challenge for the Brachypodium Tool Box: the legacy of cereal domestication
335

III.
Opening the Brachypodium Tool Box: what is Brachypodium?
336

IV.
The Brachypodium Tool Box: where are we now?
337

V.
Targets for the Brachypodium Tool Box: key traits
342

VI.
Whence for the Brachypodium Tool box? Primus inter pares?
344

Acknowledgements
345

References
345
The influence of health involvement and satisfaction on healthy food choices among people over 60 years
Authors: Saba Anna , Vassallo Marco
Published: May 2011

With increased longevity in Europe, diet quality in later life is increasingly important. The aim of this study was to understand views on the consumption of fruit, raw and cooked vegetables held by a sample (n = 258) of people over 60 years randomly recruited in Italy. Data were gathered by self‐completed questionnaires and the results analysed to assess the causal relationship between selected variables predicting the consumption of fruit and vegetables. Generally, respondents had good health involvement (i.e. health had personal relevance and importance was attached to health issues) and they claimed knowledge of the relationship between health and consumption of fruit and vegetables. Their expressed feelings of satisfaction (i.e. positive feelings towards and from consumption) were the most important predictor of consumption for fruit, raw and cooked vegetables. Despite high levels of interest in healthy eating, health involvement was not found to motivate healthy consumption behaviour. This may have important implications for the way that health promotion campaigns are conceptualized and designed.