bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effects of diversity‐dependent colonization–extinction dynamics on the mid‐domain effect
Authors: Keith S. A. , Connolly S. R.
Published: January 2013

Aim

We incorporate diversity‐dependent colonization and extinction rates into process‐based models of species geographic range dynamics to explore their effects on species richness gradients, and on extent and occupancy of species ranges. In particular, we investigate whether diversity dependence promotes or inhibits the emergence of mid‐domain effects (MDEs) in homogeneous environments.

Location

A theoretical one‐dimensional domain.

Methods

We formulated diversity‐independent (DI) and diversity‐dependent (DD) models that simulated colonization, local extinction and speciation within a homogenous domain. In theDDmodel, colonization and extinction probabilities were functions of diversity, whereas in theDImodel, they were constants. For a wide range of parameter values, we examined local and regional species richness gradients and species range size frequency distributions (RSFDs).

Results

In contrast to theDImodel, for whichMDEsonly occurred in a very narrow parameter range, theDDmodel generated aMDEin regional richness (range overlap) that was robust to colonization and extinction parameters, over a broad range of speciation rates. However, neither model could produce gradients in local richness (patch occupancy). TheDDmodel also produced more realisticRSFDsthan theDImodel. In the latter, all species generally either became highly pandemic or went globally extinct, depending on the balance of colonization and extinction probabilities.

Main conclusions

Diversity‐dependent colonization and extinction rates can have strong effects on species richness gradients and distributions of range extent and occupancy. Models with such diversity dependence amplifyMDEsin regional richness, but largely eliminateMDEsin local richness, relative toDImodels.DDmodels also generate more realisticRSFDs. These findings suggest that diffuse species interactions can strongly influence patterns of range size and overlap, but also that environmental gradients are likely to be necessary to explain many species richness patterns in nature, which exhibit both local and regional diversity gradients.
Expression of multidrug resistance 1 gene in B‐cell lymphomas: association with follicular dendritic cells
Authors: Yagi Keiko , Yamamoto Kouhei , Umeda Shigeaki , Abe Shinya , Suzuki Shiho , Onishi Iichiroh , Kirimura Susumu , Fukayama Masashi , Arai Ayako , Kitagawa Masanobu , Kurata Morito
Published: January 2013

Aims:  Multidrug resistance (MDR) in B‐cell lymphomas still constitutes a major obstacle to the effectiveness of chemotherapy even in the anti‐CD20 antibody therapy era. The aim of this study was to investigate the expression of MDR‐associated molecules in reactive lymphadenopathy (RL), follicular lymphoma (FL), and diffuse large B‐cell lymphoma (DLBCL).

Methods and results:  The expression of mRNA for ABC‐transporter family genes was determined by real‐time RT‐PCR in lymph nodes from RL, FL, and DLBCL cases. MDR1 exhibited significantly stronger expression in RL, FL, and DLBCL than Raji B‐cell lymphoma cells. RL and FL showed significantly higher expression than DLBCL. Immunohistochemically, MDR1 positive cells were localized in the germinal centers of RL and center of the nodular lesions of FL showing associations with CD21 positive follicular dendritic cells (FDCs). Raji cells were co‐cultured with FDC sarcoma‐derived cells and the expression of MDR1 and drug resistance were analyzed. The co‐culture of Raji cells with FDCs induced strong expression of MDR1 and introduced resistance to doxorubicin‐induced apoptosis.

Conclusions:  These results suggest that FDCs induce MDR1 expression in reactive as well as neoplastic B‐cells. Inhibition of the interaction of FDCs with B‐cells may provide a novel strategy for treating the chemotherapy resistant fraction.
House flies delay fungal infection by fevering: at a cost
Authors: ANDERSON ROBERT D. , BLANFORD SIMON , THOMAS MATTHEW B.
Published: January 2013

1. Many ectothermic species have evolved the ability to invoke a ‘behavioural fever’ when infected with a pathogen. The relative costs and benefits of this response, however, have rarely been quantified.

2. The aim of this study was investigate the nature and consequences of behavioural fever in the house fly, Musca domestica L., in response to infection with a possible biocontrol agent, the fungal entomopathogen, Beauveria bassiana (Balsamo) Vuillemin.

3. It was found that infected flies preferred higher temperatures and allocated more effort to thermoregulation than uninfected flies. Flies could not overcome infection but the altered thermal behaviour allowed infected flies to extend their survival and to lay more eggs relative to infected flies maintained under constant conditions. However, flies allowed to fever had lower egg viability suggesting a possible cost.

4. Under the present experimental conditions, the putative costs and benefits fever balanced one another resulting in no net change in fitness. Fever did not, therefore, limit the control potential of the fungus. We discuss whether the costs and benefits of behavioural fever might differ in other ecological contexts.
Catchment context and the bottom‐up regulation of the abundance of specialist semi‐aquatic weevils on water hyacinth
Authors: RAGHU S. , PURCELL MATTHEW F. , WRIGHT ANTHONY D.
Published: January 2013

1. Bottom‐up regulation is prevalent in plant–herbivore interactions and is thought to be particularly important in the case of aquatic plants and their specialist insect herbivores.

2. Recently published mesocosm studies have shown that the abundance of specialist Neochetina weevils, N. bruchi and N. eichhorniae, on water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes) are principally under the influence of nutrients in plant tissues.

3. We examined historical patterns of the abundance of these species of semi‐aquatic weevils in two water bodies from catchments with significantly different nutrient loads in subtropical Australia to test the validity of the published conceptual model of bottom‐up regulation.

4. Our results revealed that these weevils are indeed under bottom‐up regulation under field conditions. However, the nature of this regulation appears to be influenced by the broader catchment context of the water hyacinth‐infested water body, with plant tissue nutrients influencing weevil abundance more in the catchment with lower nutrient run‐offs.

5. Our findings reaffirm the importance of bottom‐up regulation in plant–insect interactions, add to the growing evidence of indirect effects spanning terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems, and inform management of water hyacinth using these weevils as biocontrol agents.
Maintenance of body‐size variation and host range in the orange‐tip butterfly: evidence for a trade‐off between adult life‐history traits
Authors: DAVIES W. JAMES , SACCHERI ILIK J.
Published: January 2013

1. The evolution of host range and preference in phytophagous insects is driven by a female's oviposition choice impacting her offspring's fitness. Analysis of the fitness of progeny on different host plants has commonly been restricted to the performance of immature stages. However, since host use can affect adult size, it is important to measure the ongoing effects of host choice on the resulting imagines.

2. The orange‐tip butterfly, Anthocharis cardamines, shows a strong preference for two host plants in Britain, Alliaria petiolata and Cardamine pratensis, which affect body size. Whilst females exhibit a strong positive size–fecundity relation, the impact of body‐size alteration is unknown in males. In this study, fitness effects of host plant choice for male A. cardamines were examined.

3. Males reared on C. pratensis were smaller and emerged earlier than those reared on A. petiolata, and early‐season males were smaller than late‐season ones in the field. Interestingly, regression analysis indicated that the earlier emergence of small males was a host‐mediated rather than a size‐mediated effect. Small size was associated with reduced male dispersal in a semi‐isolated wild population over a 3‐year period.

4. It is proposed that the earlier emergence associated with C. pratensis has evolved in response to depressed dispersal in isolated/semi‐isolated populations associated with this patchily distributed host. We suggest that adult life‐history traits are important for the maintenance of host range in this species, and offer a critique of Courtney's earlier hypothesis that host range is maintained by time‐limited oviposition behaviour.
Life‐history consequences and disease resistance of western tent caterpillars in response to localised, herbivore‐induced changes in alder leaf quality
Authors: SARFRAZ RANA M. , CORY JENNY S. , MYERS JUDITH H.
Published: January 2013

1. Plants can respond to herbivore damage with phenotypically plastic changes in quality that negatively affect herbivores and prevent subsequent attack – induced defences.

2. The present study tested whether trees respond to herbivory with localised induction, and whether life‐history traits and disease resistance of an insect herbivore are altered on induced branches of the trees.

3. The influences of localised, within‐branch, herbivore‐induced changes in red alder trees (Alnus rubraBong.) on fitness characteristics of western tent caterpillars (Malacosoma californicum pluvialeDyar) were evaluated. In the field, randomly selected branches of trees were infested with tent caterpillar larvae and the adjacent branches were maintained as non‐infested controls. In the laboratory, larvae were fed leaves from either induced or non‐induced branches through to adult emergence. A second cohort of larvae was challenged with a viral pathogen to compare their disease susceptibility on induced versus non‐induced foliage.

4. Herbivore‐induced, localised responses of damaged branches reduced leaf quality for growth and the fecundity of female western tent caterpillars, but not that of males. Larvae fed induced leaves had a higher survival overall and a reduced mortality due to unidentified non‐viral pathogens than did their counterparts on non‐induced leaves. However, there was no influence of leaf quality on baculovirus‐induced mortality.

5. These findings suggest that localised induced changes in leaf quality could potentially influence populations of tent caterpillars in contradictory ways by reducing their growth rate and fecundity to a modest degree, while improving their survival and resistance to unidentified non‐viral pathogens to a larger extent.
Habitat quality favoured over familiarity: a rejection of natal habitat preference induction in the mosquitoAedes albopictus
Authors: REISKIND MICHAEL H. , ZARRABI ALI A.
Published: January 2013

1. Natal habitat preference induction (NHPI) is a behavioural phenomenon in which offspring show a change in preference in adult oviposition choice as a function of experience as an immature.

2. Although well known in certain systems, such as herbivorous insects, this behaviour has not been well studied in aquatic insects.

3. The container–breeding mosquito,Aedes albopictus(Skuse) was used to test if NHPI occurs in aquatic insects under natural conditions of two leaf species as a nutritive base (Juniperus virginianaL. andQuercus virginianaMill) and two larval densities.

4. Significant effects of leaf species and density on adult mosquito attributes were found, withJ. virginianaand low larval density associated with more, faster developing, larger and more fecund mosquitoes. However, no evidence for NHPI was found. Instead a canalised behavior was found that included spreading eggs between high– and low–quality oviposition choices in the same proportions regardless of larval experience.
Does an aridity and trophic resource gradient drive patterns of dung beetle food selection across the Botswana Kalahari?
Authors: TSHIKAE BALATLHANE P. , DAVIS ADRIAN L. V. , SCHOLTZ CLARKE H.
Published: January 2013

1. Aridity gradients are paralleled by both reductions in resources and decreased species richness of animals. Across the aridity gradient of the Botswana Kalahari, a reduction in mammal species richness leads to reduced density and diversity of dung types, accompanied by reduced dung beetle species richness. We investigated whether this gradient also drives changes in dung beetle food type association and specialisation owing to a loss of some dung types to the arid southwest.

2. Dung beetles were sampled from three study sites in each of the six study areas using 2 × 10 grids of pitfall traps baited with dung (pig, elephant, cattle, and sheep) or carrion (chicken livers).

3. Canonical correspondence analysis (CCA) showed that distributions of dung beetle species between bait types deviated significantly from random associations.

4. Central Kalahari assemblages were more specialist than those at the mesic and arid extremes of the gradient.

5. Patterns of selection and specialisation to bait types differed between mesic northeast and arid southwest study areas. There were specialist faunas on carrion and more generalist faunas on ruminant herbivore dung (cattle and sheep) in each region. However, specialist species associated with elephant dung in the northeast were replaced by a more generalist fauna in the southwest with an opposite trend on pig dung.

6. Reduced species richness and high species turnover from the mesic northeast to the arid southwest is paralleled by a shift in patterns of food association that may reflect changes in the diversity of food types, particularly the absence of elephant dung from the southwest.
Mutagenesis of Clostridium butyricum
Authors: Carrasco Alicia , Soto C.
Published: January 2013

Mutagenesis of Clostridium butyricum ATCC 19398 was best accomplished by u.v. irradiation (254 nm) and methyl methane sulphonate. Nitrosoguanidine was only slightly mutagenic for this organism. Procedures are described which yielded a variety of auxotrophic and antibiotic‐resistant mutant strains.
Landing response of Aedes (Stegomyia) polynesiensis mosquitoes to coloured targets
Authors: CHAMBERS E. W. , BOSSIN H. C. , RITCHIE S. A. , RUSSELL R. C. , DOBSON S. L.
Published: January 2013

Aedes polynesiensis Marks (Diptera: Culicidae) is the primary vector of lymphatic filariasis (LF) in the island countries and territories of the South Pacific. In the development of a novel control tool, the response of Ae. polynesiensis to six different colours (three solid fabrics, two patterned fabrics and a plastic tarp) was measured using a digital photographic system. Adult mosquitoes were placed into an environmental chamber and allowed to choose between a white target and one of six experimental targets. Mosquito landing frequency and landing duration were calculated. Adult female Ae. polynesiensis preferred all of the experimental targets to the white control target. Mosquito landing frequency was highest for the solid targets (black, navy blue and red) followed in turn by the two colour pattern targets and the polyethylene target. Mosquito landing duration was greater for experimental targets when compared with white control targets. Mosquito landing frequencies did not change over time during the course of the assay. The response of male Ae. polynesiensis was also measured when exposed to a 100% cotton black target. Male mosquitoes preferred the black target to the white control target, although at levels lower than that observed in female mosquitoes. The results suggest that future investigations evaluating the visual responses of Ae. polynesiensis mosquitoes are warranted, with a special emphasis on semi‐field and field‐based experiments.
How to Solve the Price Puzzle? A Meta‐Analysis
Authors: RUSNAK MAREK , HAVRANEK TOMAS , HORVATH ROMAN
Published: January 2013

The short‐run increase in prices following an unexpected tightening of monetary policy constitutes a puzzle frequently reported in empirical studies. Yet the puzzle is easy to explain away when all published models are quantitatively reviewed. We collect and examine about 1,000 point estimates of impulse responses from 70 articles that use vector autoregressions to study monetary transmission in various countries. We find that the puzzle is created by model misspecifications: especially by the omission of commodity prices, neglect of potential output, and reliance on recursive identification. Our results also suggest that the strength of monetary policy depends on the country’s openness, phase of the economic cycle, and degree of central bank independence.
Long‐Run Risk and Its Implications for the Equity Premium Puzzle: New Evidence from a Multivariate Framework
Authors: MA JUN
Published: January 2013

This paper investigates the empirical evidence of long‐run risk and its implications for the equity premium puzzle. We find that the long‐run risk model is generally weakly identified and that standard inferences tend to underestimate the uncertainty of long‐run risk. We extend the LM‐type test of Ma and Nelson (2010) that remains valid under weak identification to the bivariate VARMA‐GARCH model of consumption and dividend growth. The results cast doubt on the validity of long‐run risk as an explanation for the equity premium puzzle. We also evaluate the approach of Bansal, Kiku, and Yaron (2007a), which extracts long‐run risk by regressing consumption growth and its volatility on predictive variables. The results using the Bonferroni Q‐test of Campbell and Yogo (2006) suggest that consumption and dividend growth are generally unpredictable by the price‐dividend ratio and risk‐free rate. This casts doubt on the validity of the BKY approach.
The Real Effects of Financial Sector Interventions during Crises
Authors: LAEVEN LUC , VALENCIA FABIÁN
Published: January 2013

We assess the importance of supply‐side credit market frictions by studying the impact of bank recapitalization on firm growth in 50 countries during the recent crisis. Our identification strategy exploits the crisis as a shock to credit supply and combines an exogenous measure of firms’ dependence on external financing with policy interventions aimed at restoring bank capital. We find that the growth of financially dependent firms is disproportionately positively affected by bank recapitalization. This effect is quantitatively important and robust to controlling for other policies. These results provide new evidence of the influence of credit market frictions on economic activity.
Variability in Chinese as a Foreign Language Learners' Development of the Chinese Numeral Classifier System
Authors: ZHANG JIE , LU XIAOFEI
Published: January 2013

This study examined variability in Chinese as a Foreign Language (CFL) learners' development of the Chinese numeral classifier system from a dynamic systems approach. Our data consisted of a longitudinal corpus of 657 essays written by CFL learners at lower and higher intermediate levels and a corpus of 100 essays written by native speakers (NSs) of Chinese. A combination of quantitative and qualitative methods was employed to analyze the fluency, diversity, and accuracy of learners' and NSs' classifier use. Usage by 4 focal learners from the higher immediate level was then closely examined to discover inter‐ and intraindividual variability in learners' development of these dimensions and to reveal the patterns of interaction among these dimensions. Learners exhibited varied, nonlinear developmental paths for all three dimensions, with different degrees of fluctuation and regression for each path. The three dimensions did not always develop in parallel, but interacted with each other in divergent ways. Pedagogically, we advocate for a collocational approach to presenting and teaching classifiers and recommend that tailored assistance be provided to individual learners.
Capturing the Dynamics of Second Language Development via Learner Corpus Research: A Very Long Engagement
Authors: HASKO VICTORIA
Published: January 2013

This introductory paper highlights the promising potential of learner corpora to facilitate investigations of the developmental processes underlying L2 learning. It offers a critical discussion of the aspects in which the disciplines of learner corpus (LC) research and SLA would benefit from closer interdisciplinary engagement and introduces the studies gathered in this special issue with the goal of exploring such mutually informative connections.
Semiparametric Bayesian Inference for Phage Display Data
Authors: León‐Novelo Luis G. , Müller Peter , Arap Wadih , Kolonin Mikhail , Sun Jessica , Pasqualini Renata , Do Kim‐Anh
Published: January 2013

We discuss inference for a human phage display experiment with three stages. The data are tripeptide counts by tissue and stage. The primary aim of the experiment is to identify ligands that bind with high affinity to a given tissue. We formalize the research question as inference about the monotonicity of mean counts over stages. The inference goal is then to identify a list of peptide–tissue pairs with significant increase over stages. We use a semiparametric Dirichlet process mixture of Poisson model. The posterior distribution under this model allows the desired inference about the monotonicity of mean counts. However, the desired inference summary as a list of peptide–tissue pairs with significant increase involves a massive multiplicity problem. We consider two alternative approaches to address this multiplicity issue. First we propose an approach based on the control of the posterior expected false discovery rate. We notice that the implied solution ignores the relative size of the increase. This motivates a second approach based on a utility function that includes explicit weights for the size of the increase.
Associations between assertiveness, psychological well‐being, and self‐esteem in adolescents
Authors: Sarkova Maria , Bacikova‐Sleskova Maria , Orosova Olga , Madarasova Geckova Andrea , Katreniakova Zuzana , Klein Daniel , van den Heuvel Wim , van Dijk Jitse P.
Published: January 2013

This study explored the associations between adolescents’ assertive behavior, psychological well‐being, and self‐esteem. The sample consisted of 1,023 students (14.9 ± .51; 47.6% boys). Two dimensions of the Scale for Interpersonal Behavior (distress and performance), 2 factors of the General Health Questionnaire‐12 (depression/anxiety and social dysfunction), and 2 factors of the Rosenberg Self‐Esteem Scale (positive self‐esteem and negative self‐esteem) were used; data were analyzed using hierarchical linear regression. It was found that (a) the more anxious respondents felt in assertive situations, the less frequently they engaged in these situations; and that (b) both dimensions of assertiveness were associated with psychological well‐being and self‐esteem.
Action versus inaction: anticipated affect in the theory of planned behavior
Authors: Ajzen Icek , Sheikh Sana
Published: January 2013

Theory of planned behavior (TPB) variables and anticipated affect were assessed in relation to drinking and avoiding alcohol and in relation to eating and avoiding fast food. It was shown that previously reported residual effects of anticipated affect in the prediction of intentions are obtained only when the TPB variables are assessed with respect to one behavior (action or inaction) and anticipated affect is measured in relation to the alternative behavior. When all variables were assessed with respect to the same behavior, anticipated affect made no independent contribution to the prediction of intentions, nor did anticipated affect retain a residual effect when the TPB constructs in relation to the alternative action were included in the prediction equation.
Right‐wing authoritarianism and social dominance orientation differentially predict biased evaluations of media reports
Authors: Crawford Jarret T. , Jussim Lee , Cain Thomas R. , Cohen Florette
Published: January 2013

This study tested the dual‐process motivational (DPM) model, which posits that right‐wing authoritarianism (RWA) and social dominance orientation (SDO) differentially predict attitudes toward socially threatening or subordinate groups, respectively. Participants read articles on same‐sex relationships and affirmative action and evaluated the article content and the biases of the article authors. The article conclusions (i.e., pro‐ or anti‐same‐sex relationships and affirmative action) were varied between subjects. As expected, only RWA predicted evaluations of the same‐sex relationships articles and authors, whereas only SDO predicted evaluations of the affirmative action articles and authors. These results extend applications of the dual‐process model by demonstrating that RWA and SDO differentially predict evaluations of political information that pertains to socially threatening or subordinate groups, respectively.
Organ donation intentions and behaviors: application and extension of the theory of planned behavior
Authors: Rocheleau Courtney A.
Published: January 2013

Organ donation intentions and behaviors were investigated using a traditional and extended theory of planned behavior (TPB). In study 1, attitudes, subjective norms, and perceived behavioral control were associated with intentions to engage in donation behaviors in a student sample (all p ≤ .02), and intentions significantly predicted behavior 2 months later (p < .001). Study 2 utilized a community sample of Catholic, Jewish, and Muslim individuals. Measures of affect and religious attitudes were added to the traditional TPB, increasing the variance in intentions accounted for by the model, F(7, 181) = 6.94, p < .001. The studies support the use of an extended TPB in predicting donation‐related intentions and behaviors and suggest potential targets of interventions to promote donation.
Individual variation in sleep behaviour in blue tits Cyanistes caeruleus: assortative mating and associations with fitness‐related traits
Authors: Steinmeyer Corinna , Mueller Jakob C. , Kempenaers Bart
Published: January 2013

Sleep is ubiquitous in animals, but there is great inter‐ and intraspecific variation in the daily amount of sleep that is needed. Chronic sleep curtailment or experimental sleep deprivation are known to impair health and performance of individuals, but not much is known about the fitness consequences of naturally occurring variation in sleep behaviour. Here we test for assortative mating in sleep behaviour and for correlations between sleep phenotypes and reproductive success and survival in a free‐living blue tit population. We found that partners of a social breeding pair were mated assortatively in regard to standardized awakening time, i.e. awakening time relative to that of other birds of the same sex in the population. We found no evidence for assortative mating for other sleep parameters. In female blue tits no sleep parameter that we measured was significantly correlated with lay date or clutch size. Females that had extra‐pair young in their brood did not differ in awakening time, or in any other sleep parameter, compared to females without extra‐pair young. In males, the probability of siring extra‐pair young was related to sleep onset and sleep duration, but not as predicted. Males that began to sleep earlier and slept longer were more likely to sire extra‐pair offspring. None of the sleep parameters were significantly correlated with local survival of first‐year birds. Our results suggest that there is no strong effect of variation in sleep behaviour on fitness in blue tits, at least under natural conditions. Such a relationship might only become evident when natural sleep patterns are experimentally disturbed, or when sleep quality is affected by anthropogenic noise or light pollution.
Racial Socialization in Transracial Adoptive Families: Does It Help Adolescents Deal With Discrimination Stress?
Authors: Leslie Leigh A. , Smith Jocelyn R. , Hrapczynski Katie M. , Riley Debbie
Published: January 2013

Racial socialization protects minority adolescents from stress associated with racial discrimination. The process of racial socialization, however, may be challenging in transracial adoptive families. White parents may struggle with preparing their children for discrimination and fostering the development of racial pride. Thus, transracially adopted youth may be particularly vulnerable to stress resulting from discrimination. This study examines the extent to which racial socialization by White adoptive parents moderates the link between discrimination and stress for their minority adolescents. A study of 59 parent‐child dyads indicated that while not having an independent effect, racial socialization did moderate the link between experiences of discrimination and perceived stressfulness. For those adolescents experiencing high levels of discrimination, racial socialization did serve a protective function.
Parenting, Family Processes, Relationships, and Parental Support in Multiracial and Multiethnic Families: An Exploratory Study of Youth Perceptions
Authors: Lorenzo‐Blanco Elma I. , Bares Cristina B. , Delva Jorge
Published: January 2013

Mixed‐race or multiethnic youth are at risk for mental and physical health problems. We used data from the National Longitudinal Study of Youth 1997 to compare family characteristics of adolescents of a mixed‐race or multiethnic background with those of a monoracial or monoethnic background. Mixed‐race or multiethnic youth reported feeling less supported by parents and reported less satisfactory parent‐adolescent relationships. Mixed‐race/multiethnic youth were more like monoracial White youth in terms of being independent but were more like racial or ethnic minorities (African Americans, Hispanics) in regard to family activities. Reasons for these findings are explored. We discuss the need for future research on the experiences of mixed‐race/multiethnic youth.
Ethnic Variations in Factors Contributing to the Life Satisfaction of Migrant Wives in South Korea
Authors: Sung Miai , Chin Meejung , Lee Jaerim , Lee Soyoung
Published: January 2013

Using data from the 2009 National Survey on Multicultural Families, we examined the factors associated with the level of life satisfaction among migrant wives in South Korea. Separate analyses were conducted for the four major ethnic and national groups of migrant wives in Korea: Chosun‐jok (Korean Chinese), Han Chinese, Vietnamese, and Filipinas. Overall, migrant wives' life satisfaction was significantly associated with health, Korean proficiency, relationship satisfaction with the husband, family material hardship, and family social status change regardless of ethnicity or nationality. Age, education, years in the current marriage, number of children, meeting with friends from the home country, community meetings, use of education and support services, discrimination, and Korean citizenship, however, were related to life satisfaction in different ways depending on ethnicity or nationality.
Using the Multicultural Family Support Centers and Adjustment Among Interethnic and Interracial Families in South Korea
Authors: Chung Grace H. , Yoo Joan P.
Published: January 2013

The present study proposes a model of using the Multicultural Family Support Centers and adjustment among foreign brides and their interethnicand interracial families in South Korea based on the narratives of 10 foreign brides married to Korean men and 11 service providers who directly interact with these women and their families. The results illustrate how programs offered through Multicultural Family Support Centers serve as a bridge for these families to pass through mistrust and conflict to reach a point of intimacy and unity as a family. Recommendations for the Multicultural Family Support Centers are made.
The Importance of Family, Race, and Gender for Multiracial Adolescent Well‐being
Authors: Schlabach Sarah
Published: January 2013

Using data from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health (Add Health), this study investigates patterns of well‐being among multiracial adolescents. Specifically, this article addresses three questions. First, using various categorizations for multiracial background, are there measurable differences in emotional and social well‐being among White, minority, and multiracial adolescents? Second, do multiracial adolescents with a White mother tend to fare differently than those with a minority mother? Third, does variation in family‐based social capital—including parental involvement, parent‐child relationship quality, and family structure—contribute to observed well‐being differences among multiracial and monoracial adolescents? Results suggest that multiracial adolescents experience more negative social and emotional well‐being outcomes when their mother is a minority. This finding persists even when controlling for sources of family‐based social capital.
Understanding Who Reported Multiple Races in the U.S. Decennial Census: Results From Census 2000 and the 2010 Census
Authors: Jones Nicholas A. , Bullock Jungmiwha J.
Published: January 2013

The United States's collection of race data in Census 2000 and the 2010 Census provides a historical and landmark opportunity to compare results from two decennial censuses on the distributions of people reporting multiple races in response to the census. This research provides insights on the number of people who reported more than one race and details on various multiple‐race combinations (e.g., White and Black or African American; White and Asian; White and American Indian and Alaska Native). This article presents analyses of the Two or More Races population and the largest multiple‐race groups at the national and state level. The results inform data users and the public about an evolving portrait of the multiple‐race population in the United States.
Same but different: space, time and narrative
Authors: Bansel Peter
Published: January 2013

In this paper, I give an account of the ways in which narratives and identities change over space and time. I give an account of a mobile and changing human subject, one who does not simply express or represent her‐ or himself through narrative, but is constructed and reconstructed through narrative. I draw on Paul Ricoeur's concepts of ‘narrative identity’, which refers to the role of narrative in the formation and expression of identities, and ‘refiguration’, which refers to the ways in which both narratives and identities change over time. I work with extracts from narrative interviews in order to demonstrate the ways in which this might help us understand how narratives and identities change across space and time and also consider what this might mean for pedagogy and the practice of literacy/ies.
Ageing in an inconvenient paradise: The immigrant experiences of older Korean people in New Zealand
Authors: Park Hong‐Jae , Kim Chang Gi
Published: January 2013

Aim

The purpose of this paper is to explore the immigrant experiences of older Korean people and their intergenerational family relationships in the New Zealand context.

Methods

Data were collected from qualitative interviews with older people, community leaders and professionals in Christchurch and Auckland. Data analysis was conducted using concept mapping techniques in the cross‐cultural context where two languages were simultaneously used.

Results

The findings of the study show that older Korean people in New Zealand were likely to face multiple challenges due to the combined effects of immigration and ageing in a new country. Some older people experienced difficulties in managing their immigrant lives and intergenerational relationships in the transnational family context in which their family members were dispersed across two or more nations.

Conclusion

The immigrant experiences of older migrants might be affected by an ‘invisible’ source of isolation and exclusion at familial, community, societal and transnational levels.
Nanocomposite Derived from Core–Shell Nanoparticles via Creep Deformation of an Amorphous Silica Layer Below its Glass Transition Temperature
Authors: Kinemuchi Yoshiaki , Towata Atsuya , Yasuoka Masaki
Published: January 2013

The microstructural design of ceramics is relevant to tune their properties. Nanostructuring can drastically modify ceramic properties because of enhanced interfacial effects, although the creation of such structures in ceramics is still challenging because of the interfacial reaction and grain growth at elevated temperatures during sintering. Here, we demonstrate densification of core–shell nanoparticles consisting of Fe3O4 (core particle, 20 nm diameter) and SiO2 (shell layer, 2 nm thick) with over 90% of theoretical density below 500°C, which was achieved by facilitating plastic flow of amorphous SiO2 under high pressure below its glass transition temperature. Thus, grain growth of the core nanoparticles was strongly suppressed, and the core nanoparticles remained separated by an amorphous layer in the final microstructure reflecting the original core–shell nanostructure. We also analyzed the densification behavior on the basis of a power law creep model, and estimated the pressures required to attain full density.
Differences in the Atrial Electrophysiological Properties Between Vagal and Sympathetic Types of Atrial Fibrillation
Authors: LO LI‐WEI , CHIOU CHUEN‐WANG , LIN YENN‐JIANG , CHANG SHIH‐LIN , HU YU‐FENG , TSAO HSUAN‐MING , CHAO TZE‐FAN , LI CHENG‐HUNG , CHANG HUNG‐YU , CHUNG FA‐PO , CHEN SHIH‐ANN
Published: January 2013

Substrate Properties Between Vagal and Sympathetic Types of AF

Introduction

Autonomic modulation of the cardiac activity plays an important role in the pathogenesis of atrial fibrillation (AF). The aim of this study was to assess the differences in the atrial electrical and structural properties between patients with vagal and sympathetic AF.

Methods

The study included 30 patients (53 ± 12 years old, male 26) with frequent attacks of symptomatic paroxysmal AF. All cases underwent 24‐hour ambulatory Holter monitoring before the catheter ablation. The onset of AF accompanied with an increased HF component and decreased L/H ratio was designated as a vagal type (group 1, n = 12), whereas a decreased HF component and increased L/H ratio was classified as a sympathetic type (group 2, n = 18). Electrical and structural properties were evaluated during the ablation procedure.

Results

All patients had AF originating from PVs. There was a higher incidence of non‐PV triggers in group 2 patients than that in group 1 (44% vs 8%, P = 0.04). Group 1 had a higher bipolar peak‐to‐peak voltage and mean DF of the global left atrium (LA), shorter total activation time, and smaller LA volume than group 2, whereas the electrical and structural properties in the right atrium were similar. After a follow‐up of 15 ± 7 months, there was a lower incidence of AF recurrence in group 1 than that in group 2 (0% vs 28%, P = 0.02).

Conclusion

There are better electrical properties and a smaller LA volume in patients with vagal‐type AF. In contrast, the LA substrate is worse, and coexisting non‐PV triggers and recurrence following ablation are more prevalent in patients with the sympathetic‐type AF.
Frequency of Inappropriate Therapy in Patients Implanted with Dual‐ Versus Single‐Chamber ICD Devices in the ICD Arm of MADIT‐CRT
Authors: RUWALD ANNE‐CHRISTINE H. , SOOD NITESH , RUWALD MARTIN H. , JONS CHRISTIAN , CLYNE CHRISTOPHER A. , MCNITT SCOTT , WANG PAUL , ZAREBA WOJCIECH , MOSS ARTHUR J.
Published: January 2013

Inappropriate Therapy in Single Versus Dual Chamber

Background

The majority of implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs) are dual‐chamber devices, but studies on the frequency of inappropriate therapy in dual‐ versus single‐chamber devices have shown conflicting results. The aim of this study is to determine whether implantation of dual‐chamber ICD devices decrease the incidence of inappropriate therapy without an unacceptable increase in complications.

Methods

In the ICD arm of the MADIT‐CRT study (N = 704), comparisons of single‐ versus dual‐chamber ICD devices were investigated on the endpoints of inappropriate therapy (antitachycardia pacing [ATP] and shocks) and device‐ and procedure‐related complications by use of multivariate Cox proportional hazard regression analysis (hazard ratio dual:single chamber) adjusting for relevant covariates.

Results

The frequency of inappropriate therapies in single‐ and dual‐chamber recipients was 41/294 (14%) and 50/410 (12%), respectively. There was no significant difference in overall inappropriate therapy (hazard ratio [HR] = 0.95 [CI: 0.63–1.45], P = 0.95) or inappropriate ATP (HR = 0.98 [CI: 0.61–1.58], P = 0.94), between single‐ and dual‐chamber devices, using single‐chamber as a reference (Dual:Single). However, there was a trend toward a decrease in inappropriate shocks (HR = 0.60 [CI: 0.34–1.08], P = 0.09) in the dual‐chamber group. The same was evident when only analyzing inappropriate therapy for atrial tachyarrhythmias (HR = 0.88 [CI: 0.56–1.38], P = 0.58). There was no significant difference between the groups in device‐ or procedure‐related complications (HR = 1.54 [CI: 0.82–2.90], P = 0.18).

Conclusion

No significant difference was found in inappropriate therapy or complications in patients treated with single‐ versus dual‐chamber ICD devices.
Parent–child problem solving in families of children with or without intellectual disability
Authors: Wieland N. , Green S. , Ellingsen R. , Baker B. L.
Published: January 2013

Objective

To examine differences in child social competence and parent–child interactions involving children with intellectual disability (ID) or typical development (TD) during a Parent–Child Problem‐Solving Task.

Design

Mothers and their 9‐year‐old children (n = 122) participated in a problem‐solving task in which they discussed and tried to resolve an issue they disagreed about. The interactions were coded on child and mother problem solving and affect behaviours, as well as the dyad's problem resolution.

Results

Children with ID (n = 35) were rated lower on expression/negotiation skills and higher on resistance to the task than children with TD (n = 87). Mothers in the ID group (vs. TD group) were more likely to direct the conversation. However, there were no group differences on maternal feeling acknowledgement, engagement, warmth or antagonism. The ID dyads were less likely to come to a resolution and to compromise in doing so than the TD dyads. These group differences were not attributable to differences in children's behaviour problems.

Conclusions

Children with ID and their mothers had more difficulty resolving problems, and this increased difficulty was not explained by greater behaviour problems. Additionally, with the exception of directiveness, mothers of children with ID displayed similar behaviours and affect towards their children during problem solving as mothers of children with TD. Results suggest that the Parent–Child Problem‐Solving Task is a useful way to assess social skills and associated parental behaviours in middle childhood beyond self‐report. Implications for future research and intervention are discussed.
Training support staff to modify fluids to appropriate safe consistencies for adults with intellectual disabilities and dysphagia: an efficacy study
Authors: Chadwick D. D. , Stubbs J. , Fovargue S. , Anderson D. , Stacey G. , Tye S.
Published: January 2013

Background

Modifying the consistency of food and drink is a strategy commonly used in the management of dysphagia for people with intellectual disabilities (ID). People with ID often depend on others for the preparation of food and drink and therefore depend on those caregivers achieving the correct consistency to keep them safe and avoid discomfort during mealtimes. Clinical experience and prior research have demonstrated that although training can improve modification, carers often find modification difficult and potentially stressful and recommend additional support for carers. Fluid consistency is often modified through the addition of powdered thickener. This study investigates the efficacy of typical training and use of consistency guides, the Thickness Indicator Model (TIM) tubes, in helping carers to modify fluids accurately.

Method

A 3 × 3 pre–post experimental design with a control group was employed to compare the observed accuracy of modification across three groups and at three time points (pre‐intervention baseline, immediately post‐training intervention and 3–10 months post‐training). Sixty‐two paid carers who supported people with ID were recruited to participate in the study and each was randomly allocated to one of the three groups: a control group given written guidance only, a group who received typical training and written guidance and a group who received training, written guidance and the TIM tubes.

Results & Conclusions

Typical training resulted in significantly greater carer accuracy in modifying fluid consistencies when compared with written guidance alone. Use of the TIM tubes also significantly improved accuracy in the modification of drinks compared with the group who modified with the aid of written guidance alone. At 3–10‐month follow‐up only the group who received typical training alongside the TIM tubes were significantly more accurate than the Written Guidance group. Further research is warranted to ascertain the effectiveness of the training and the utility of the TIM tubes in improving accuracy over a longer time scale and in individuals' usual living environments.
Knowledge, attitudes and usage of cancer screening among West African migrant women
Authors: Ogunsiji Olayide , Wilkes Lesley , Peters Kath , Jackson Debra
Published: January 2013

Aims and objectives

To explore West African migrant women's knowledge, attitude and usage of cancer screening in Australia.

Background

Despite strong evidence that cancer screening saves lives through early detection and treatment, there is lack of empirical studies on West African migrant women's knowledge, attitude and usage of cancer screening in Australia.

Design

Qualitative naturalistic inquiry.

Methods

Twenty‐one West African migrant women who consented to participate in the study were recruited through a snowballing technique. These women were engaged in face‐to‐face audiotaped in‐depth interviews which lasted for about 90 minutes. Interviews were transcribed verbatim and thematically analysed.

Results

The following three themes emerged from the data: knowledge of cancer screening, attitude towards cancer screening and usage of cancer screening Irrespective of the women's place of birth in Africa, twenty of the participants had no knowledge of cancer screening prior to migration, and most had a negative attitude towards screening. Women who had given birth after migrating to Australia were more likely to have had cervical cancer screening. Women who had passed their child‐bearing years or had not presented to healthcare facilities for medical issues were more likely to be unaware of cancer screening.

Conclusions

Improved health promotion strategies that provide accessible information and education to West African migrant women regarding cancer screening are required to enhance the uptake of such screening in this migrant group.

Relevance to clinical practice

Nurses who encounter West African migrant women in their day‐to‐day practice have the opportunity to provide this group with education related to the importance of cancer screening.