bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Are Voters Sensitive to Terrorism? Direct Evidence from the Israeli Electorate
Authors: BERREBI CLAUDE , KLOR ESTEBAN F.
Published: September 2008

This article relies on the variation of terror attacks across time and space as an instrument to identify the causal effects of terrorism on the preferences of the Israeli electorate. We find that the occurrence of a terror attack in a given locality within three months of the elections causes an increase of 1.35 percentage points on that locality's support for the right bloc of political parties out of the two blocs vote. This effect is of a significant political magnitude because of the high level of terrorism in Israel and the fact that its electorate is closely split between the right and left blocs. Moreover, a terror fatality has important electoral effects beyond the locality where the attack is perpetrated, and its electoral impact is stronger the closer to the elections it occurs. Interestingly, in left-leaning localities, local terror fatalities cause an increase in the support for the right bloc, whereas terror fatalities outside the locality increase the support for the left bloc of parties. Given that a relatively small number of localities suffer terror attacks, we demonstrate that terrorism does cause the ideological polarization of the electorate. Overall, our analysis provides strong empirical support for the hypothesis that the electorate shows a highly sensitive reaction to terrorism.
The effects of dietary curcumin and rutin on colonic inflammation and gene expression in multidrug resistance gene-deficient (mdr1a−/−) mice, a model of inflammatory bowel diseases
Authors: Nones Katia , Dommels Yvonne E. M. , Martell Sheridan , Butts Christine , McNabb Warren C. , Park Zaneta A. , Zhu Shuotun , Hedderley Duncan , Barnett Matthew P. G. , Roy Nicole C.
Published: September 2008

Damage of the intestinal epithelial barrier by xenobiotics or reactive oxygen species and a dysregulated immune response are both factors involved in the pathogenesis of inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD). Curcumin and rutin are polyphenolic compounds known to have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities, but their mechanism(s) of action are yet to be fully elucidated. Multidrug resistance gene-deficient (mdr1a− / − ) mice spontaneously develop intestinal inflammation, predominantly in the colon, with pathology similar to IBD, so this mouse model is relevant for studying diet–gene interactions and potential effects of foods on remission or development of IBD. The present study tested whether the addition of curcumin or rutin to the diet would alleviate colonic inflammation inmdr1a− / − mice. Using whole-genome microarrays, the effect of dietary curcumin on gene expression in colon tissue was also investigated. Twelve mice were randomly assigned to each of three diets (control (AIN-76A), control +0·2 % curcumin or control +0·1 % rutin) and monitored from the age of 7 to 24 weeks. Curcumin, but not rutin, significantly reduced histological signs of colonic inflammation inmdr1a− / − mice. Microarray and pathway analyses suggested that the effect of dietary curcumin on colon inflammation could be via an up-regulation of xenobiotic metabolism and a down-regulation of pro-inflammatory pathways, probably mediated by pregnane X receptor (Pxr) and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α (Ppara) activation of retinoid X receptor (Rxr). These results indicate the potential of global gene expression and pathway analyses to study and better understand the effect of foods in modulating colonic inflammation.
Intervention with flaxseed and borage oil supplements modulates skin condition in women
Authors: De Spirt Silke , Stahl Wilhelm , Tronnier Hagen , Sies Helmut , Bejot Marie , Maurette Jean-Marc , Heinrich Ulrike
Published: September 2008

Ingestion of selected nutrients modulates dermal properties. In the present study, two groups of women ingested flaxseed or borage oil for 12 weeks. The control group received a placebo containing medium-chain fatty acids. Dose was 2·2 g total fatty acids/d with α-linolenic acid and linoleic acid as major constituents in the flaxseed oil group; in the borage oil group linoleic and γ-linolenic acid were predominant. In the flaxseed oil group, the contribution of α-linolenic acid to total fatty acids in plasma was significantly increased on weeks 6 and 12, whereas there was an increase in γ-linolenic acid in the borage oil group (P < 0·05). Skin irritation was performed by nicotinate treatment, and changes in skin reddening and blood flow were monitored. Compared to week 0, skin reddening was diminished in both groups; blood flow was also lowered. Skin hydration was significantly increased after 12 weeks of treatment compared to week 0, with flaxseed or borage oil (P < 0·05). Transepidermal water loss was decreased in both oil groups by about 10 % after 6 weeks of supplementation. A further decrease was determined after 12 weeks in the flaxseed oil group. Surface evaluation of living skin revealed that roughness and scaling of the skin were significantly decreased with flaxseed and borage oil comparing week 0 and week 12 (P < 0·05). Except for hydration, none of the parameters was affected in the placebo group. The present data provide evidence that skin properties can be modulated by an intervention with dietary lipids.
Prenatally undernourished rats show increased preference for wheel runningv.lever pressing for food in a choice task
Authors: Miles Jennifer L. , Landon Jason , Davison Michael , Krägeloh Christian U. , Thompson Nichola M. , Triggs Christopher M. , Breier Bernhard H.
Published: September 2008

Maternal nutrition during pregnancy has a significant influence in establishing patterns of metabolism and postnatal behaviours in offspring, and therefore shapes their risk of developing disorders in later life. Although it is well established that a mismatch between food consumption and energy expenditure leads to obesity and metabolic dysregulation, little research has investigated the biological origin of such behaviour. We conducted the present experiments to investigate effects of early-life nutrition on preference between wheel running and lever pressing for food during adult life. To address this issue we employed a well-established experimental approach in the rat which has shown that offspring of mothers undernourished during pregnancy develop obesity and metabolic disorders when kept under standard laboratory conditions. Using this experimental approach, two studies were conducted where offspring ofad libitum-fed dams and dams undernourished throughout pregnancy were given the choice between wheel running and pressing a response lever for food. Across subsequent conditions, the rate at which the response lever provided food was varied from 0·22 to 6·0 (study 1) and 0·19 to 3·0 (study 2) pellets per min. Compared with the control group, offspring from dams undernourished during pregnancy showed a consistently greater preference for running over lever pressing for food throughout both experiments of the study. The results of the present study provide experimental evidence that a mother's nutrition during pregnancy can result in a long-term shift in her offspring's lifestyle choices that are relevant to obesity prevention. Such a shift, if endorsed, will have substantial and wide-ranging health consequences throughout the lifespan.
Phytic acid increases mucin and endogenous amino acid losses from the gastrointestinal tract of chickens
Authors: Onyango Edward M. , Asem Elikplimi K. , Adeola Olayiwola
Published: September 2008

The influence of the form of phytic acid on the regulation of mucin and endogenous losses of amino acids, nitrogen and energy in chickens was investigated. Forty-eight 10-week-old male broilers were grouped by weight into eight blocks of six cages with one bird per cage. Birds received by intubation six dextrose-based combinations of phytic acid and phytase arranged in a 3 × 2 factorial consisting of phytic acid form (no phytic acid, 1·0 g free phytic acid or 1·3 g magnesium–potassium phytate) and phytase (0 or 1000 units). Each bird received the assigned combination added to 25 g dextrose at each of the two feedings on the first day of experimentation. All excreta were collected continuously for 54 h following feeding and frozen until analysed. Frozen excreta were thawed, pooled for each bird, lyophilised, ground, and analysed for DM, energy, nitrogen, amino acids, mucin, and sialic and uric acids. Chickens fed either magnesium–potassium phytate or free phytic acid showed increased (P < 0·05) loss of crude mucin and sialic acid. The amount of crude mucin lost was significantly greater (P < 0·05) with magnesium–potassium phytate than with free phytic acid treatment. Both phytic acid treatments also increased (P < 0·05) endogenous loss of threonine, proline and serine. In conclusion, the form of phytic acid fed to chickens affects the extent of mucin and endogenous amino acid losses from the gastrointestinal tract.
Increased dietary protein consumed at breakfast leads to an initial and sustained feeling of fullness during energy restriction compared to other meal times
Authors: Leidy Heather J. , Bossingham Mandi J. , Mattes Richard D. , Campbell Wayne W.
Published: September 2008

The objective of the study was to assess whether the timing of increased dietary protein throughout the day influences the feelings of fullness during energy balance (EB) and restriction (ER). Nine men (age 48 (sem 6) years; BMI 32·7 (sem 0·7) kg/m2) randomly completed five controlled feeding trials, each consisting of 3 d of EB, followed by 3 d of ER of a 3138 kJ/d (750 kcal/d) reduction). The diet was composed of a normal amount of protein (NP) (0·8 g protein/kg per d), or an additional amount of protein (HP) (+0·6 g protein/kg per d) given at breakfast (HP-B), lunch (HP-L), dinner (HP-D) or equally divided among all meals (HP-E). Meal-related (3 h postprandial) and overall (15 h composite) feelings of fullness were assessed from thirteen-point, numbered, linear category scale questionnaires (reported as arbitrary units (au)). When comparing HP treatments, the data are presented as difference from NP. No differences in meal-related or overall fullness were observed among HP treatments during EB. During ER, the HP-B led to greater meal-related fullness (+137 (sem 44) au × 180 min) compared to HP-D ( − 1 (sem 37) au × 180 min; P = 0·003), but not for HP-L (+62 (sem 53) au × 180 min; P = 0·188) or HP-E-B (+92 (sem 85) au × 180 min; P = 0·587). HP-B also led to greater overall (15 h) fullness (+404 (sem 162) au × 900 min) v. HP-L (+33 (sem 162) au × 900 min; P = 0·009) and HP-D ( − 60 (sem 132) au × 900 min; P = 0·05), but not HP-E (+274 (sem 165) au × 900 min; P = 0·188). The initial and sustained feelings of fullness following protein consumption at breakfast suggests that the timing of protein intake differentially influences satiety during ER.
Dried plums (prunes) reduce atherosclerosis lesion area in apolipoprotein E-deficient mice
Authors: Gallaher Cynthia M. , Gallaher Daniel D.
Published: September 2008

Dried plums are a fruit high in pectin with substantial antioxidant activity. Previous studies in rats and man indicate that dried plums or plum fibre lower liver and plasma cholesterol, respectively. The apoE-deficient mouse, which develops atherosclerotic lesions rapidly when fed cholesterol, was used to determine the ability of dried plums to reduce atherosclerosis. Diets containing 0·15 % cholesterol and either 0 (B+C), 4·75 % (Lo DP) or 9·5 % (Hi DP) dried plum powder were fed for 5 months. An additional group fed the basal diet without cholesterol (B − C) was included as a negative control. Arterial trees were dissected, stained to visualize lesions, and lesion area was quantitated by imaging software. Urinary thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS) excretion and serum amyloid P-component (SAP) were measured as indicators of oxidative stress and inflammation, respectively. Final serum cholesterol was significantly increased and serum TAG decreased in the B+C group and dried plum groups relative to the B − C group. Percentage arterial tree atherosclerotic lesion area was significantly lower in the B − C and Lo DP groups compared to the B+C group (P < 0·05), with a trend for a difference between the B+C and Hi DP groups (P = 0·075). SAP concentration was significantly lower in the B − C and Lo DP groups with the Hi DP group trending lower than the B+C group. Urinary TBARS excretion did not differ among the groups. These results suggest that consuming dried plums may help slow the development of atherosclerosis.
Effect of type and timing of oil supplements to sows during pregnancy on the growth performance and endocrine profile of low and normal birth weight offspring
Authors: Laws John , Litten Jennie C. , Laws Alison , Lean Ian J. , Dodds Peter F. , Clarke Lynne
Published: September 2008

Eighty-eight multiparous sows were used to evaluate whether type and timing of oil supplementation during gestation influences the incidence of low birth weight (LBW). Sows were allocated (eight per treatment) commercial sow pellets (3 kg/d; control diet) or an experimental diet consisting of control diet plus 10 % extra energy in the form of excess pellets, palm oil, olive oil (OO), sunflower oil (SO) or fish oil; experimental diets were fed during either the first half (G1) or second half (G2) of gestation. Growth performance and endocrine profile of LBW ( < 1·09 kg) and normal birth weight (NBW; 1·46–1·64 kg) offspring were compared. Maternal dietary supplementation altered the distribution curve for piglet birth weight. SOG1 sows had a greater proportion of LBW piglets (P < 0·05), whilst it was reduced in the OOG1 group (P < 0·05). Growth rate of LBW piglets was lower compared with their NBW siblings (P < 0·05) when dietary supplementation was offered in G2 but were similar for G1. At birth, LBW offspring of supplemented animals possessed more fat compared with the control group (P < 0·05); LBW offspring of control animals exhibited a more rapid decline in fat free mass/kg prior to weaning. Plasma metabolites and insulin concentrations were influenced by maternal diet and birth weight. In conclusion, maternal dietary supplementation altered the distribution of piglet birth weights and improved the energy status of LBW piglets. Supplementation with MUFA during G1 reduced the incidence of LBW, whereas PUFA had the reverse effect.
Spectrum of nasal disease in an asthma clinic: when is an ENT opinion indicated?
Authors: Stanton A E , McGarry G W , Carter R , Bucknall C E
Published: September 2008

Aims:

To characterise the spectrum of nasal symptomatology and nasendoscopic abnormalities seen in patients attending an asthma clinic, and to relate these symptoms to the likelihood of finding nasendoscopic abnormalities which merit treatment.

Methods:

Forty-three patients attending a problem asthma clinic were enrolled in an observational study. Cardinal nasal symptoms – obstruction, congestion, hyposmia, rhinorrhoea, sneezing, epistaxis or other symptoms – were graded as none (zero), mild (one), moderate (two) or severe (three), giving a maximum nasal symptom score of 21. Asthma symptoms and lung function were measured. Nasendoscopy was then performed.

Results:

Obstruction was the most common cardinal nasal symptom (seen in 15 patients), the median nasal symptom score was 5.3 (range zero to 14) and only three patients had no nasal symptoms. There was no correlation between nasal symptom score and severity of asthma symptoms or forced expiratory volume in one second. Twenty-two patients had a normal appearance on ENT examination (median nasal symptom score four). The nasendoscopic abnormalities seen comprised polyps (n = 8; median nasal symptom score five), deviated nasal septum (n = 7; median nasal symptom score four), oedematous mucosa (n = 4; median nasal symptom score seven) and other abnormalities (n = 2). Individual nasal symptoms were poor predictors of individual nasal pathologies, with hyposmia the best individual predictor of any abnormality (positive predictive value 80 per cent). The presence of a combination of symptoms increased the likelihood of any nasendoscopic abnormality, with obstruction, rhinorrhoea and hyposmia together having a positive predictive value of 100 per cent.

Conclusions:

Nasal symptoms are much more frequent than structural abnormalities in patients attending a problem asthma clinic. The threshold for ENT referral should be lower when the patient complains of a symptom complex including hyposmia. Furthermore, concurrent hyposmia, obstruction and rhinorrhoea should be seen as an indication for ENT referral.
Endoscopic sinus surgery as day-case procedure
Authors: Bajaj Y , Sethi N , Carr S , Knight L C
Published: September 2008

Objective:

Functional endoscopic sinus surgery is the mainstay of surgical treatment for chronic sinusitis. Day-case surgery has the advantage over in-patient surgery of being cost-effective and resource sparing. The objectives of this study were to assess our results for day-case functional endoscopic sinus surgery.

Methods:

This was a retrospective case note review of day-case functional endoscopic sinus surgery procedures performed at Leeds General Infirmary from February 2004 to February 2007. We recorded patients' demographic data, operative details, post-operative course and follow-up results.

Results:

A total of 105 day-case functional endoscopic sinus surgery procedures were included in the study. Patients' ages ranged from 16 to 93 years; 44 (41.9 per cent) were female and 61 (58.1 per cent) were male. Of these patients, 39 (37.1 per cent) had chronic sinusitis and the rest (66; 62.8 per cent) had nasal polyposis and sinusitis. Sixty-one patients (58.1 per cent) underwent surgery on the morning operating list, while the rest (44; 41.9 per cent) underwent surgery in the afternoon. Of the 105 patients, 24 (22.8 per cent) had undergone previous nasal surgery. The majority of patients (90/105; 85.7 per cent) were discharged on the same day as surgery. The only complication recorded in this study was bleeding, noted in seven patients (6.7 per cent). At the follow-up appointment, 90/105 (85.7 per cent) patients were satisfied with their post-operative results.

Conclusions:

Day-case endoscopic sinus surgery can be performed safely as a day-case procedure. The most important factors for a successful outcome are correct patient selection, in terms of general health and social circumstances, and a dedicated day-case team.
Immunotherapy in head and neck cancer: current practice and future possibilities
Authors: Agada F O , Alhamarneh O , Stafford N D , Greenman J
Published: September 2008

The survival of patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma has changed little over the last 30 years. However, with recent advances in the fields of cellular and molecular immunology, there is renewed optimism with regards to the development of novel methods of early diagnosis, prognosis estimation and treatment improvement for patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. Here, we present a critical review of the recent advances in tumour immunology, and of the current efforts to apply new immunotherapeutic techniques in the treatment of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.
Head and neck tumour immunology: basic concepts and new clinical implications
Authors: Topping K P , Fletcher L M , Agada F O , Alhamarneh O , Stafford N D , Greenman J
Published: September 2008

An understanding of the immune system and its modes of action is fundamental to understanding the causes, natural history, management and treatment of many diseases. As such, a grasp of the principles of immunology is essential for every physician.

This paper represents a succinct overview of the immune system, discussing the major components in turn, in respect of structure, function and integrated organisation, in relation to head and neck cancer.
Paediatric aneurysmal bone cysts of the head and neck
Authors: Fennessy B G , Vargas S O , Silvera M V , Ohlms L A , McGill T J , Healy G B , Rahbar R
Published: September 2008

Objective:

To provide an up to date review of the literature on aneurysmal bone cysts, including their diagnosis, pathology, pathophysiology, radiology and management.

Method:

Retrospective review of six cases over a 15-year period.

Results:

Six patients (age range, eight months to 17 years; mean, 9.6 years) presented with an aneurysmal bone cyst in the mandible (n = 3), maxilla (n = 2) or occipital soft tissue (n = 1). Each patient underwent primary excision, with one subsequent recurrence.

Conclusion:

Aneurysmal bone cysts are benign but locally destructive entities which may occasionally present to otolaryngologists, since they can involve the head and neck region, in particular the mandible.
Staining of nasal mucosa to examine remodelling
Authors: Ahmed S K , Williams J L , Drake-Lee A , Egginton S
Published: September 2008

Background and objective:

The process of embedding tissue in paraffin degrades many important molecules involved in respiratory epithelial remodelling. We therefore examined alternative methods.

Methods:

Inferior turbinate and nasal polyp biopsies were either placed in formalin or immediately snap-frozen in the operating theatre. Novel protocols for staining remodelling markers were compared with current methods.

Results:

Our method, using a mixture of three lectins, stained a significantly greater proportion of samples, compared with using Ulex europeaus lectin alone (84 vs 62 per cent; p < 0.005). Comparison of different proliferation markers showed that Ki67 was more suitable than proliferating cell nuclear antigen for frozen sections.

Conclusions:

This study indicates that our robust, repeatable methods for examining whole mounts and for staining capillaries, cell proliferation and nuclei on the same section of nasal mucosa are superior to current methods. The use of fresh tissue that has not been paraffin-embedded would allow a greater suite of epitopes to be examined in the future.
Nasal bacterial carriage in adult epistaxis: is neomycin the answer?
Authors: Walker F D L , Baring D E C
Published: September 2008

Introduction:

After treatment of epistaxis, patients are routinely supplied with an intranasal bactericidal cream containing neomycin. Neomycin cream is effective in preventing recurrent paediatric epistaxis. This study aimed to assess whether there is an increased rate of nasal bacterial infections in adult epistaxis patients.

Methods:

Between October 2004 and April 2005, nasal swabs were taken from adult patients presenting with epistaxis, and from a control group comprising elective ENT patients.

Results:

There were 23 controls and 26 epistaxis patients. Staphylococcus aureus was grown in 21 per cent and 23 per cent, respectively. There was no significant difference in bacterial carriage rates between the epistaxis and control groups.

Conclusions:

The epistaxis and control groups demonstrated the same bacterial species and the same proportion of bacterial carriage. Although the majority of bacterial species encountered were sensitive to neomycin, a significant proportion was not. These results do not support the routine use of neomycin in the prevention of recurrent adult epistaxis.
Economic viability of stapes surgery in Germany
Authors: Savvas E , Maurer J
Published: September 2008

Objective:

The purpose of this study was to determine the economic viability of stapes surgery in Germany. We compared the cost of the operation to the retail value and average cost of a lifelong supply of hearing aids.

Study design:

Retrospective study.

Setting:

Tertiary referral centre.

Patients:

One hundred and sixty-four consecutive cases of primary stapedotomy performed on patients with otosclerosis at our institution served as the representative group for the calculation. The post-operative air–bone gap average at the frequencies 500, 1000, 2000 and 4000 Hz was less than 10 dB for 62 per cent of the patients, and less than 20 dB for 92 per cent of the patients. There was a post-operative sensorineural hearing loss in 1.2 per cent of the patients.

Results:

Analysis showed that, even for an elderly patient aged 65 years with a life expectancy of 15 years, the cost of a lifelong supply of hearing aids was greater than that of a stapedotomy procedure. Based on our group of patients, the stapedotomy procedure proved to be €800000 K cheaper than treatment with an averagely priced hearing aid. The economic benefit was still present when taking into account possible revision surgery in 5–10 per cent of cases, and also when, in addition to the surgery, a post-operative hearing aid was required, in for example 20 per cent of cases.

Conclusion:

Stapes surgery is economically beneficial for the individual patient as well as for the general patient cohort, irrespective of age. The stapedotomy procedure also prevents the known disadvantages of conventional hearing aids, thus improving the patient's quality of life.
Early acquisition of gender agreement in the Spanish noun phrase: starting small
Authors: MARISCAL SONIA
Published: September 2008

Nativist and constructivist accounts differ in their characterization of children's knowledge of grammatical categories. In this paper we present research on the process of acquisition of a particular grammatical system, gender agreement in the Spanish noun phrase, in children under three years of age. The design of the longitudinal study employed presents some variations in relation to classical studies. The aim was to obtain a large corpus of NP data which would allow different types of analysis of the children's productions to be carried out. Intra-individual variability in early NP types was analyzed and measured, and an elicitation task for adjectives was used. Results show that the acquisition of NP and gender agreement is a complex process which advances as the children gradually integrate different pieces of evidence: phonological, distributional and functional. The reduction of variability as the grammatical process advances is a key feature for its explanation.
Developmental differences in the effects of phonological, lexical and semantic variables on word learning by infants
Authors: STORKEL HOLLY L.
Published: September 2008

The influence of phonological (i.e. individual sounds), lexical (i.e. whole-word forms) and semantic (i.e. meaning) characteristics on the words known by infants age 1 ; 4 to 2 ; 6 was examined, using an existing database (Dale & Fenson, 1996). For each noun, word frequency, two phonological (i.e. positional segment average, biphone average), two lexical (i.e. neighborhood density, word length) and four semantic variables (i.e. semantic set size, connectivity, probability resonance, resonance strength) were computed. Regression analyses showed that more infants knew (1) words composed of low-probability sounds and sound pairs, (2) shorter words with high neighborhood density, and (3) words that were semantically related to other words, both in terms of the number and strength of semantic connections. Moreover, the effect of phonological variables was constant across age, whereas the effect of lexical and semantic variables changed across age.
Obligatory grammatical categories and the expression of temporal events*
Authors: WINSKEL HEATHER , LUKSANEEYANAWIN SUDAPORN
Published: September 2008

Thai has imperfective aspectual morphemes that are not obligatory in usage, whereas English has obligatory grammaticized imperfective aspectual marking on the verb. Furthermore, Thai has verb final deictic-path verbs that form a closed class set. The current study investigated if obligatoriness of these grammatical categories in Thai and English affects the expression of co-occurring temporal events and actions depicted in three different short animations. Ten children aged four years, five years, six years and seven years, and ten adults as a comparison group from each of the two languages participated. English speakers explicitly expressed the ongoingness of the events more than Thai speakers, whereas Thai speakers expressed the entrance and exit of protagonists depicted in the animations significantly more than English speakers. These results support the notion that obligatory grammatical categories shape how Thai and English speakers express temporal events or actions.
From Conservation to Environment: The Sierra Club and the Organizational Politics of Change
Authors: Young McGee
Published: September 2008

In the 1950s, the Sierra Club emerged as a leader of the nascent environmental movement. In challenging a proposal to build two dams within the boundaries of Dinosaur National Monument, the Club found its voice as a public advocate for the preservation of wilderness and in the process introduced a new type of politics to old conflicts over conservation. Born out of the Dinosaur dam conflict was a new environmentalism characterized by confrontation with state authorities and emotion-laden appeals to the public for political support. The Sierra Club's success in pioneering these strategies launched it to the forefront of the new movement, elevated its executive director David Brower to icon status among environmentalists, and affirmed the philosophy of Aldo Leopold as the moral compass of the movement. In this essay, I argue that interest group entrepreneurs ought to be considered alongside institutional actors as agents of change within processes of political development. As the case of the Sierra Club demonstrates, the internal organizational politics of a group can be just as important in establishing a trajectory of political development as are processes of policy feedback.
Pockets of Expertise: Institutional Capacity in Twentieth-Century State Legislatures
Authors: Burns Nancy , Evans Laura , Gamm Gerald , McConnaughy Corrine
Published: September 2008

We examine the development of legislative capacity in U.S. state legislatures in the twentieth century. This capacity can be derived from the legislators themselves, or from institutions and practices. We consider both sources as we provide an account of the ragged and piecemeal development of legislative capacity in the states. We argue that most state legislatures have been neither entirely professional nor amateur, but rather have existed somewhere in between, in a place where pockets of expertise fill in for professional capacity.
The Beginning of the End for Authoritarian Rule in America:Smith v. Allwrightand the Abolition of the White Primary in the Deep South, 1944–1948
Authors: Mickey Robert W.
Published: September 2008

In 1944, the U.S. Supreme Court inSmith v. Allwrightshocked the southern body politic by invalidating the white-only Democratic primary. Interpreting the eleven states of the old Confederacy as enclaves of authoritarian rule, this article views Smith as beginning a long process that culminated in the early 1970s with the consolidation of democratic rule in America. Smith v. Allwright transformed the politics of all eleven enclaves, challenging rulers in their roles both as party officials and as lawmakers. Filtered through various configurations of intraparty conflict, political institutions, and black insurgency, however, the ruling shaped the politics of each enclave differently. This article compares the ruling's effects on three similarly-situated enclaves—Georgia, Mississippi, and South Carolina. It suggests how Smith v. Allwright positioned these enclaves differently as they faced several other democratization challenges over the next three decades. The article closes with a discussion of how southern enclaves ultimately took divergent paths out of Dixie, why these different modes of democratization matter today, and how the reframing of southern political history developed here engages with recent research on America's distinctive democratic development.
A common contrast pooling rule for suppression within and between the eyes
Authors: MEESE TIM S. , CHALLINOR KIRSTEN L. , SUMMERS ROBERT J.
Published: September 2008

Recent work has revealed multiple pathways for cross-orientation suppression in cat and human vision. In particular, ipsiocular and interocular pathways appear to assert their influence before binocular summation in human but have different (1) spatial tuning, (2) temporal dependencies, and (3) adaptation after-effects. Here we use mask components that fall outside the excitatory passband of the detecting mechanism to investigate the rules for pooling multiple mask components within these pathways. We measured psychophysical contrast masking functions for vertical 1 cycle/deg sine-wave gratings in the presence of left or right oblique (±45 deg) 3 cycles/deg mask gratings with contrast C%, or a plaid made from their sum, where each component (i) had contrast 0.5Ci%. Masks and targets were presented to two eyes (binocular), one eye (monoptic), or different eyes (dichoptic). Binocular-masking functions superimposed when plotted against C, but in the monoptic and dichoptic conditions, the grating produced slightly more suppression than the plaid when Ci ≥ 16%. We tested contrast gain control models involving two types of contrast combination on the denominator: (1) spatial pooling of the mask after a local nonlinearity (to calculate either root mean square contrast or energy) and (2) “linear suppression” (Holmes & Meese, 2004, Journal of Vision4, 1080–1089), involving the linear sum of the mask component contrasts. Monoptic and dichoptic masking were typically better fit by the spatial pooling models, but binocular masking was not: it demanded strict linear summation of the Michelson contrast across mask orientation. Another scheme, in which suppressive pooling followed compressive contrast responses to the mask components (e.g., oriented cortical cells), was ruled out by all of our data. We conclude that the different processes that underlie monoptic and dichoptic masking use the same type of contrast pooling within their respective suppressive fields, but the effects do not sum to predict the binocular case.
Membrane frizzled-related protein is necessary for the normal development and maintenance of photoreceptor outer segments
Authors: WON JUNGYEON , SMITH RICHARD S. , PEACHEY NEAL S. , WU JIANG , HICKS WANDA L. , NAGGERT JÜRGEN K. , NISHINA PATSY M.
Published: September 2008

A 4 base pair deletion in a splice donor site of the Mfrp (membrane-type frizzled-related protein) gene, herein referred to as Mfrprd6/rd6, is predicted to lead to the skipping of exon 4 and photoreceptor degeneration in retinal degeneration 6 (rd6) mutant mice. Little, however, is known about the function of the protein or how the mutation causes the degenerative retinal phenotype. Here we examine ultrastructural changes in the retina of Mfrprd6/rd6 mice to determine the earliest effects of the mutation. We also extend the reported observations of the expression pattern of the dicistronic Mfrp/C1qtnf5 message and the localization of these and other retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) and retinal proteins during development and assess the ability of RPE cells to phagocytize outer segments (OSs) in mutant and wild-type (WT) mice. At the ultrastructural level, OSs do not develop normally in Mfrprd6/rd6 mutants. They are disorganized and become progressively shorter as mutant mice age. Additionally, there are focal areas in which there is a reduction of apical RPE microvilli. At P25, the rod electroretinogram (ERG) a-wave of Mfrprd6/rd6 mice is reduced in amplitude by ~50% as are ERG components generated by the RPE. Examination of β-catenin localization and Fos and Tcf-1 expression, intermediates of the canonical Wnt pathway, showed that they were not different between mutant and WT mice, suggesting that MFRP may operate through an alternative pathway. Finally, impaired OS phagocytosis was observed in Mfrprd6/rd6 mice both in standard ambient lighting conditions and with bright light exposure when compared to WT controls.
A pattern for almost compositional functions
Authors: BRINGERT BJÖRN , RANTA AARNE
Published: September 2008

This paper introduces a pattern for almost compositional functions over recursive data types, and over families of mutually recursive data types. Here “almost compositional” means that for all of the constructors in the type(s), except a limited number of them, the result of the function depends only on the constructor and the results of calling the function on the constructor's arguments. The pattern consists of a generic part constructed once for each data type or family of data types, and a task-specific part. The generic part contains the code for the predictable compositional cases, leaving the interesting work to the task-specific part. Examples of the pattern are given, implemented in dependent type theory with inductive families, in Haskell with generalized algebraic data types and rank-2 polymorphism, and in Java using a variant of the Visitor design pattern. The relationships to the “Scrap Your Boilerplate” approach to generic programming, and to general tree types in dependent type theory, are investigated by reimplementing our operations using those frameworks.
Hoare type theory, polymorphism and separation
Authors: NANEVSKI ALEKSANDAR , MORRISETT GREG , BIRKEDAL LARS
Published: September 2008

We consider the problem of reconciling a dependently typed functional language with imperative features such as mutable higher-order state, pointer aliasing, and nontermination. We propose Hoare type theory (HTT), which incorporates Hoare-style specifications into types, making it possible to statically track and enforce correct use of side effects.

The main feature of HTT is the Hoare type {P}x:A{Q} specifying computations with preconditionPand postconditionQthat return a result of typeA. Hoare types can be nested, combined with other types, and abstracted, leading to a smooth integration with higher-order functions and type polymorphism.

We further show that in the presence of type polymorphism, it becomes possible to interpret the Hoare types in the “small footprint” manner, as advocated by separation logic, whereby specifications tightly describe the state required by the computation.

We establish that HTT is sound and compositional, in the sense that separate verifications of individual program components suffice to ensure the correctness of the composite program.
Consumer testing of the preliminary paediatric food-based dietary guidelines for healthy children aged 1–7 years, among English- and Afrikaans-speaking mothers in the city of Cape Town, South Africa
Authors: Scott Lesley Dalene , Marais Debbi , Bourne Lesley
Published: September 2008

Objective

The aim of this qualitative study was to test the comprehensibility of the preliminary food-based dietary guidelines (FBDG) for healthy South African children aged 1–7 years. Objectives included assessing exposure to FBDG, comprehension of the proposed paediatric FBDG (PFBDG) and whether the guidelines can be used in meal planning.

Design

Focus group discussions were used to collect data. Discussions were facilitated by the investigator in either English or Afrikaans, according to a predetermined discussion schedule. Focus groups were formed on the basis of language and socio-economic status (SES).

Setting

Areas within the City of Cape Town representing lower, middle and upper SES groups.

Subjects

A total of seventy-six English- and Afrikaans-speaking mothers were contacted via randomly selected consenting preschool groups to participate voluntarily.

Results

Most mothers reported that they do not use guidelines. They had a good grasp of the concepts of and need for PFBDG. They suggested slight alterations to wording/phrasing of the guidelines. The most problematic guidelines were those regarding starch, milk and sweet treats/drinks. No substantial differences were found between English and Afrikaans data. Differences were found between SES groups, with the upper SES groups comprehending the guidelines better.

Conclusion

The proposed PFBDG were well received. The target population that would benefit the most from these guidelines would be the less educated, lower SES groups. The present study shows that once the guidelines have been modified, they may be used as a comprehensive guide for nutritional education.
Perception of needs and responses in food security: divergence between households and stakeholders
Authors: Hamelin Anne-Marie , Mercier Céline , Bédard Annie
Published: September 2008

Objectives

The aim of the study was (i) to describe the needs of food-insecure households and their assessment of community programmes, as expressed by households and perceived by stakeholders; and (ii) to examine the similarities and differences between households’ and stakeholders’ perceptions in Quebec City area.

Design/setting/subjects

A semi-structured interview and sociodemographic questionnaire with fifty-five households and fifty-nine stakeholders (community workers, managers, donor agencies). The transcriptions were subjected to content analysis and inter-coder reliability measurement.

Results

The respondents’ perceptions converge towards three main categories of needs: needs specific to food security, conditions necessary for achieving food security and related needs. There was agreement on the necessity of better financial resources, although the impact of financial resources alone may be uncertain in the opinion of some stakeholders. Different perceptions of needs and of their fulfilment by community programmes emerge between both groups. Despite households found positive aspects, they complained that quality of food and access were major needs neglected. Their account suggests overall a partial fit between the programmes and food security needs; even a combination of programmes (e.g. collective kitchens, purchasing groups, community gardens) was insufficient to adequately meet these needs. In contrast, most stakeholders perceived that the household’s primary need was a basic amount of food and that the households were satisfied with programmes.

Conclusions

It is urgent to evaluate the overall effect of community programmes on specific aspects of household food insecurity. The results emphasise that community programmes alone cannot bring about social change needed to prevent food insecurity.
Overweight and obesity among Ghanaian residents in The Netherlands: how do they weigh against their urban and rural counterparts in Ghana?
Authors: Agyemang Charles , Owusu-Dabo Ellis , de Jonge Ank , Martins David , Ogedegbe Gbenga , Stronks Karien
Published: September 2008

Objective

To investigate differences in overweight and obesity between first-generation Dutch-Ghanaian migrants in The Netherlands and their rural and urban counterparts in Ghana.

Design

Cross-sectional study.

Subjects

A total of 1471 Ghanaians (rural Ghanaians, n 532; urban Ghanaians, n 787; Dutch-Ghanaians, n 152) aged ≥17 years.

Main outcome measures

Overweight (BMI ≥ 25 kg/m2) and obesity (BMI ≥ 30 kg/m2).

Results

Dutch-Ghanaians had a significantly higher prevalence of overweight and obesity (men 69·1 %, women 79·5 %) than urban Ghanaians (men 22·0 %, women 50·0 %) and rural Ghanaians (men 10·3 %, women 19·0 %). Urban Ghanaian men and women also had a significantly higher prevalence of overweight and obesity than their rural Ghanaian counterparts. In a logistic regression analysis adjusting for age and education, the odds ratios for being overweight or obese were 3·10 (95 % CI 1·75, 5·48) for urban Ghanaian men and 19·06 (95 % CI 8·98, 40·43) for Dutch-Ghanaian men compared with rural Ghanaian men. Among women, the odds ratios for being overweight and obese were 3·84 (95 % CI 2·66, 5·53) for urban Ghanaians and 11·4 (95 % CI 5·97, 22·07) for Dutch-Ghanaians compared with their rural Ghanaian counterparts.

Conclusion

Our current findings give credence to earlier reports of an increase in the prevalence of overweight/obesity with urbanization within Africa and migration to industrialized countries. These findings indicate an urgent need to further assess migration-related factors that lead to these increases in overweight and obesity among migrants with non-Western background, and their impact on overweight- and obesity-related illnesses such as diabetes among these populations.
From Welfare State to Social Development: Winning the War of Words in New Zealand
Authors: Lunt Neil
Published: September 2008

This paper examines how ‘welfare state’ and ‘welfare’ have been displaced by a ‘social development’ agenda within New Zealand. The discussion outlines a growing attention to language and the place of vocabulary and discourse as a valid research agenda. The paper then traces the end of welfare and the rise of ‘social development’, assessing the impact on citizenship debates. It suggests reasons why ‘social development’ must be handled carefully given its assumptions around temporality, its elevation of the market, the diminishing of the social, the stunted vision of development and its peculiar view of progress.
Barriers and Contradictions in the Resettlement of Single Homeless People
Authors: Harding Jamie , Willett Andrea
Published: September 2008

Research in one local authority area suggests that a number of social policy difficulties and contradictions need to be resolved if single homeless people are to be resettled effectively. In particular, there are competing pressures on social housing providers, who are expected to meet the needs of socially excluded individuals while also creating sustainable communities and operating in a cost efficient manner. The government needs to clarify that meeting housing need is a priority for social landlords, and provide adequate funding for long-term support, if single homeless people are to find appropriate permanent accommodation.
Freedom to be a Child: Commercial Pressures on Children
Authors: Piachaud David
Published: September 2008

Children's lives have been transformed over the past century. Family incomes have increased, children lead lives that are more solitary, attitudes to childhood have changed, new products have been developed and commercial pressures on children have increased. The importance of these commercial pressures is analysed. Do children understand advertising? How is child poverty affected? How does increased materialism affect psychological well-being? The issues raised for public policy are discussed in terms of children's freedom.
Labour's Policy on Money for Parents: Combining Care with Paid Work
Authors: Campbell Mary
Published: September 2008

Since 1997, Labour has redistributed welfare spending to caregivers, especially parents. Two primary aims of this policy were getting more mothers into paid work and reducing child poverty. But the implications are more complicated than this. All households with children have gained, and especially those on low and middle incomes. But lone parents and mothers and fathers in couple households have each been affected differently. Defining what constitutes ‘money for care’ is a prerequisite for normative discussion on how the social costs of caregiving should be shared between and within households.
Introduction: The Poverty of Policy? Gaps in Anti-Poverty Policy for Children and Young People
Authors: Predelli Line Nyhagen , France Alan , Dearden Chris
Published: September 2008

The focus of this themed section is on identifying gaps in anti-poverty policy towards children and young people. The idea to address this question originated at the conference ‘A Fairer Society? A Review of Policies for Vulnerable Groups’ organised by the Centre for Research in Social Policy (CRSP) at Loughborough University in September 2006. The section offers a combination of papers from the conference (Bradshaw and Richardson; Smith; Sutton) and papers commissioned specifically to deal with gaps in anti-poverty policy towards children and young people (Lloyd; France; Phung). An overview of some useful sources has also been included (Davis and Sandu).