bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Population genetic structure and gene flow patterns between populations of the Antarctic icefish Chionodraco rastrospinosus
Authors: Papetti Chiara , Pujolar Jose Martin , Mezzavilla Massimo , La Mesa Mario , Rock Jennifer , Zane Lorenzo , Patarnello Tomaso
Published: February 2012

Aim  A lack of genetic structure is predicted for Antarctic fish due to the duration of pelagic larval stages and the strength of the currents in the Southern Ocean, particularly the Antarctic Circumpolar Current. In this study we explored the population structure of the ocellated icefish, Chionodraco rastrospinosus, by means of analysing a total of 394 individuals collected at four geographical areas off the Antarctic Peninsula in the period 1996–2006.

Location  Elephant Island, southern South Shetlands, Joinville Island and South Orkneys in the Southern Ocean.

Methods  The spatio‐temporal genetic structure of Chionodraco rastrospinosus was explored using seven microsatellite loci. Existence and direction of gene flow across sampling locations were investigated using the isolation‐by‐migration procedure.

Results  Microsatellite data showed a lack of genetic structuring in the area studied, with no differences found at both the geographical or temporal level, and an eastward unidirectional gene flow among sites. This suggested a lack of genetic barriers for this species, attributable to larval dispersal following the Antarctic Circumpolar Current, which fits well with the predicted pattern for Antarctic fish. Re‐examination of genetic data of the closely related icefish Chaenocephalus aceratus, with similar larval duration but displaying genetically structured populations, indicated a weak but significant bidirectional gene flow.

Main conclusions  Our results point to a relationship that is more complex than expected between potential for dispersal and realized gene flow in the marine environment. In addition to ocean circulation and larval dispersal, other major life‐history traits might be driving connectivity, particularly larval retention.
Cortical morphometry in narcolepsy with cataplexy
Authors: SCHAER MARIE , PORYAZOVA ROSITSA , SCHWARTZ SOPHIE , BASSETTI CLAUDIO L. , BAUMANN CHRISTIAN R.
Published: February 2012

The sleep–wake disorder narcolepsy with cataplexy is associated with the loss of hypocretin‐(orexin‐) producing neurons in the lateral hypothalamus. Several studies have reported abnormal cerebral activation in patients with narcolepsy with cataplexy. It remains unclear, however, whether these functional changes are related to structural alterations, particularly at the cortical level. To quantify structural brain changes associated with narcolepsy with cataplexy, we used high‐resolution T1‐weighted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in 12 patients compared with 12 healthy participants matched for age and gender. Subcortical and regional cortical volumes were measured using a method unbiased by non‐linear registration. Further whole‐brain analyses were conducted, measuring cortical characteristics, such as cortical thickness and gyrification, at thousands of points across each hemisphere using validated algorithms. Statistical analyses accounted for an effect of age and gender. We observed decreased cortical volume in the left paracentral lobule and increased cortical volume in the left caudal part of the middle frontal gyrus in narcoleptic patients compared with controls. Cortical thickness in prefrontal areas was inversely correlated with the severity of narcolepsy. Further, we observed several clusters of cortical thinning in patients with childhood or adolescent onset of narcolepsy compared with patients with adult onset of the disease. Our results suggest that specific anatomical changes may differentiate subgroups of narcolepsy patients with different clinical profiles (such as varying symptom severity or different age at onset). Future studies with larger groups of sleepy patients are required to assess whether distinct patterns of anatomical changes may distinguish narcolepsy from non‐hypocretin‐deficient hypersomnia disorders.
Stimulation of gastric slow waves with manual acupuncture at acupuncture points ST36 and PC6 – A randomized single blind controlled trial
Authors: Witt C. M. , Meissner K. , Pach D. , Thiele C. , Lüdtke R. , Ghadiyali Z. , Deter H.‐C. , Zimmermann‐Viehoff F.
Published: February 2012

Background  To investigate the effects of stimulated and non‐stimulated manual acupuncture at ST36 and PC6 on gastric myoelectrical activity and autonomic function.

Methods  A total of 65 healthy volunteers were randomly assigned to a 1: 1: 2 ratio to receive either 15 min of verum acupuncture (VA) with stimulation followed by 15 min of VA without stimulation (nsVA), or 15 min of nsVA followed by 15 min of VA with stimulation (sVA), or 30 min of sham acupuncture (SA). Measures of autonomic function included electrogastrogram, electrocardiogram, impedance cardiography and assessment of blood pressure, breathing frequency, and electrodermal activity. Outcome parameters were compared between VA and SA, and between sVA and nsVA. The percentage of regular gastric slow waves (normogastria) was defined as the primary outcome.

Key Results  The percentage of normogastria was not significantly different between VA and SA. Differences in secondary outcomes such as power spectrum of gastric slow waves and heart rate variability parameters were pronounced in the comparison of sVA and nsVA. During sVA, the percentage of normogastria was lower (P = 0.005), the percentage of bradygastria was higher (P = 0.003) and power ratio was higher (P < 0.001), systolic blood pressure was lower (P = 0.039) and RMSSD was higher (P < 0.001) as compared with nsVA.

Conclusions & Inferences  Our study suggests that manual stimulation of acupuncture needles at ST36 and PC6 affects gastric myoelectrical as well as cardiac activities in healthy volunteers. The effect of stimulation in acupuncture deserves further investigation.
Prenatal negative life events increases cord blood IgE: interactions with dust mite allergen and maternal atopy
Authors: Peters J. L. , Cohen S. , Staudenmayer J. , Hosen J. , Platts‐Mills T. A. E. , Wright R. J.
Published: February 2012

Background

Prenatal exposure to both stress and aeroallergens (dust mite) may modulate the fetal immune system. These exposures may interact to affect the newborn immune response. We examined associations between prenatal maternal stress and cord blood total IgE in 403 predominately low‐income minority infants enrolled in the Asthma Coalition on Community, Environment, and Social Stress (ACCESS) project. We also examined potential modifying effects of maternal atopy and maternal dust mite exposure.

Methods

The Crisis in Family Systems survey was administered to mothers prenatally, and a negative life event domain score was derived to characterize stress. Dust mite allergen was quantified in dust from pregnant mothers' bedrooms. Cord blood was analyzed for total IgE. Using linear regression, we modeled the relationship of stress with cord blood IgE and interactions of stress with dust mite and/or maternal atopy, adjusting for potential confounders.

Results

Higher prenatal maternal stress (β = 0.09; P = 0.01) was associated with increased cord blood IgE. The interactive effects between stress and dust mite groups (high vs low) were significantly different for children of atopic vs nonatopic mothers (P for three‐way interaction = 0.005). Among children of atopic mothers, the positive association between stress and IgE was stronger in the high dust mite group. In children of mothers without a history of atopy, the positive association between stress and IgE was most evident in the low allergen group.

Conclusions

Prenatal stress was independently associated with elevated cord blood IgE. Mechanisms underlying stress effects on fetal immunomodulation may differ based on maternal atopic status.
Targeting HLA class I expression to increase tumor immunogenicity
Authors: del Campo A. B. , Carretero J. , Aptsiauri N. , Garrido F.
Published: February 2012

The dynamic interaction between the host immune system and growing cancer has been of central interest to the field of tumor immunology over the past years. Recognition of tumor‐associated antigens (TAA) by self‐HLA (human leukocyte antigen) class I‐restricted CD8+ T cells is a main feature in the detection and destruction of malignant cells. The discovery and molecular characterization of TAA has changed the field of cancer treatment and introduced a new era of cancer immunotherapy aimed at increasing tumor immunogenicity and T‐cell‐mediated anti‐tumor immunity. Unfortunately, while these new protocols of cancer immunotherapy are mediating induction of tumor‐specific T lymphocytes in patients with certain malignancies, they have not yet delivered substantial clinical benefits, such as induction of tumor regression or increased disease‐free survival. It has become apparent that lack of tumor rejection is the result of immune selection and escape by tumor cells that develop low immunogenic phenotypes. Substantial experimental data support the existence of a variety of different mechanisms involved in the tumor escape phase, including loss or downregulation of HLA class I antigens. These alterations could be caused by regulatory (‘soft’) or by structural/irreversible (‘hard’) defects. On the basis of the evidence obtained from experimental mouse cancer models and metastatic human tumors, the structural defects underlying HLA class I loss may have profound implications on T‐cell‐mediated tumor rejection and ultimately on the outcome of cancer immunotherapy. Strategies to overcome this obstacle, including gene therapy to recover normal expression of HLA class I genes, require consideration. In this review, we outline the importance of monitoring and correction of HLA class I alterations during cancer development and immunotherapy.
Analysis of HLA‐DM polymorphisms in the Chinese Han population
Authors: Feng M. L. , Liu R. Z. , Shen T. , Zhao Y. L. , Zhu Z. Y. , Liu D. Z.
Published: February 2012

Non‐classical human leukocyte antigen (HLA)‐DM plays an important and unique role in the processing and presentation of exogenous antigens. Polymorphisms of certain genes and frequency of alleles in populations may indicate susceptibility to certain diseases. In this study, the analysis of HLA‐DMA and HLA‐DMB gene polymorphisms and haplotypes in the Chinese Han population was conducted to obtain population genetic data. HLA‐DM typing has been performed previously by other groups by polymerase chain reaction (PCR)‐restriction fragment length polymorphism and PCR‐sequence‐specific oligonucleotide probe techniques. In this study, we established a TaqMan PCR typing method as an alternative to these techniques to survey the frequency of DMA and DMB alleles in the population. Genotyping was conducted in 1000 unrelated individuals of Han nationality in South and North China using TaqMan PCR typing. Four different DMA alleles and six different DMB alleles were detected. All loci met the Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium principle that both allele and genotype frequencies in a population remain constant. We found that the DMA*01:01 (69.35%) and DMB*01:01 (52.5%) alleles were more frequent in Chinese Hans. Analysis of the haplotypes for two loci of DMA and DMB showed that a highly significant positive linkage disequilibrium (LD) presented for DMA*01:01–DMB*01:02, DMA*01:01–DMB*01:03, DMA*01:01–DMB*01:04, DMA*01:02–DMB*01:01, DMA*01:02–DMB*01:05, DMA*01:03–DMB*01:07, and DMA*01:04–DMB*01:01 haplotypes. Analysis of haplotypes for four loci associated with antigen processing (DMA–DMB–TAP1–TAP2) showed a highly significant LD in DMA*01:01–DMB*01:04–TAP1*02:01:01–TAP2*01:02, DMA*01: 02–DMB*01:05–TAP1*01:01–TAP2*01:01, and DMA*01:01–DMB*01:03–TAP1* 04:01–TAP2*01:01 haplotypes. The comparison between the Chinese Han population and non‐Chinese populations showed that no significant differences were found at the HLA‐DMA locus in the Chinese Han population compared with people of German nationality, whereas significant differences presented when compared with Turkish, American Caucasian, Japanese, French, and Italian nationalities. However, at the HLA‐DMB locus, highly significant differences presented in the Chinese Han population compared with Germans and Italians. This study lays the foundations for further disease association analyses.
Genomic and transcriptomic alterations following hybridisation and genome doubling in trigenomic allohexaploid Brassica carinata × Brassica rapa
Authors: Xu Y. , Zhao Q. , Mei S. , Wang J.
Published: February 2012

Allopolyploidisation is a prominent evolutionary force that involves two major events: interspecific hybridisation and genome doubling. Both events have important functional consequences in shaping the genomic architecture of the neo‐allopolyploids. The respective effects of hybridisation and genome doubling upon genomic and transcriptomic changes in Brassica allopolyploids are unresolved. In this study, amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP), methylation‐sensitive amplification polymorphism (MSAP) and cDNA‐AFLP approaches were used to track genetic, epigenetic and transcriptional changes in both allohexaploid Brassica (ArArBcBcCcCc genome) and triploid hybrids (ArBcCc genome). Results from these groups were compared with each other and also to their parents Brassica carinata (BBCC genome) and Brassica rapa (AA genome). Rapid and dramatic genetic, DNA methylation and gene expression changes were detected in the triploid hybrids. During the shift from triploidy to allohexaploidy, some of the hybridisation‐induced alterations underwent reversion. Additionally, novel genetic, epigenetic and transcriptional alterations were also detected. The proportions of A‐genome‐specific DNA methylation and gene expression alterations were significantly greater than those of BC‐genome‐specific alterations in the triploid hybrids. However, the two parental genomes were equally affected during the ploidy shift. Hemi‐CCG methylation changes induced by hybridisation were recovered after genome doubling. Full‐CG methylation changes were a more general process initiated in the hybrid and continued after genome doubling. These results indicate that genome doubling could ameliorate genomic and transcriptomic alterations induced by hybridisation and instigate additional alterations in trigenomic Brassica allohexaploids. Moreover, genome doubling also modified hybridisation‐induced progenitor genome‐biased alterations and epigenetic alteration characteristics.
Prolonged Parental Feeding in Tool‐Using New Caledonian Crows
Authors: Hunt Gavin R. , Holzhaider Jennifer C. , Gray Russell D.
Published: February 2012

According to life‐history theory, the duration of extended parental feeding is determined by the costs and benefits of maximising reproductive success. Therefore, the length of regular parental provisioning should be correlated with the time required for juveniles to acquire the skills that they need to be independent. The relatively few cases of extremely prolonged parental feeding in both land and sea birds appear to be consistent with this prediction because they are associated with learning‐intensive foraging techniques. New Caledonian crows have the most intricate tool manufacture techniques amongst non‐human animals and juveniles take over 1 yr to reach adult‐like proficiency in their tool skills. We investigated the prediction that this species also should have prolonged parental provisioning. We found that these crows have one of the longest known periods of regular extended parental provisioning in birds. Some parents regularly fed juveniles for up to 10 mo post‐fledging. Humans also stand out amongst primates because of their learning‐intensive foraging strategies and an extended period of juvenile dependence. The independently evolved association between a relatively high level of technological skill in foraging and prolonged juvenile provisioning in both humans and New Caledonian crows raises the possibility that these two characteristics might be causally related.
Therapeutic targeting of the complement system in age‐related macular degeneration: a review
Authors: Troutbeck Robyn , Al‐Qureshi Salmaan , Guymer Robyn H
Published: February 2012

Abstract

The last decade has produced pivotal change in our understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying age‐related macular degeneration (AMD), a leading cause of global blindness. In this time, the complement system has featured as a unifying theme for several elements of new evidence: initially, the discovery of complement proteins within drusen and subsequently, the association between AMD and mutations in various complement pathway genes, most notably complement factor H. Increasingly, a wealth of data are pointing towards a role for chronic local inflammation and complement activation in the patho‐aetiology of AMD. These findings have paved the way for the exploration of a new paradigm of therapy in AMD management; targeting of specific molecular constituents in the complement pathway thus producing dampening or inhibition of the inflammatory response. Such an approach has the potential to intervene earlier in the disease process and ideally before vision is compromised. In this review we discuss the role of the complement system in AMD, novel therapies in preclinical evaluation and clinical trial, and whether these have a part to play in reducing the burden of disease.
Unconscious response priming by shape depends on geniculostriate visual projection
Authors: Koivisto Mika , Henriksson Linda , Revonsuo Antti , Railo Henry
Published: February 2012

It has been suggested that unconscious visual processing of some stimulus features might occur without the contribution of early visual cortex (V1/V2). In the present study, the causal role of V1/V2 in unconscious processing of simple shapes in intact human brain was studied by applying transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) on early visual cortex or lateral occipital cortex (LO) while observers performed a metacontrast‐masked response priming task with arrow figures as visual stimuli. Magnetic stimulation of V1/V2 impaired masked priming 30–90 ms after the onset of the prime. Stimulation of LO reduced the magnitude of masked priming at 90–120 ms, but this effect occurred only in the early parts of the priming experiment. A control task measuring the visibility of masked primes indicated that the orientation of masked primes could not be consciously discriminated and that TMS did not influence the conscious visibility of the primes indirectly by reducing the effectiveness of the mask in the critical time windows. We conclude that feedforward sweep of processing from V1/V2 (30–90 ms) to LO (90 ms and above) is necessary for unconscious priming of shape, whereas conscious perception requires also the contribution of recurrent (feedback) processing.
Dopaminergic modulation of ganglion‐cell photoreceptors in rat
Authors: Van Hook Matthew J. , Wong Kwoon Y. , Berson David M.
Published: February 2012

A novel class of photoreceptors, the intrinsically photosensitive retinal ganglion cells (ipRGCs), express the photopigment melanopsin and drive non‐image‐forming responses to light such as circadian photoentrainment, the pupillary light reflex and suppression of nocturnal melatonin production in the pineal. Because dendrites from one subclass of these cells – the M1‐type ipRGCs – make presumptive synaptic contacts at sites of dopamine release from dopaminergic amacrine cells, they are prime targets for modulation by dopamine, a neuromodulator implicated in retinal circadian rhythms and light adaptation. In patch‐clamp recordings from ipRGCs in intact rat retinas, dopamine attenuated the melanopsin‐based photocurrent. We confirmed that this was the result of direct action on ipRGCs by replicating the effect in dissociated ipRGCs that were isolated from influences of other retinal neurons. In these recordings, the D1‐family dopamine receptor agonist SKF38393 attenuated the photocurrent, caused a modest depolarization, and reduced the input resistance of ipRGCs. The D2‐family agonist quinpirole had no effect on the photocurrent. Single‐cell reverse‐transcriptase polymerase chain reaction revealed that the majority of ipRGCs tested expressed drd1a, the gene coding for the D1a dopamine receptor. This finding was supported by immunohistochemical localization of D1a receptor protein in melanopsin‐expressing ganglion cells. Finally, the adenylate cyclase activator forskolin, applied in combination with the phosphodiesterase inhibitor IBMX (isobutylmethylxanthine), mimicked the effects of SKF38393 on the ipRGC photocurrent, membrane potential and input resistance, consistent with a D1‐receptor signaling pathway. These data suggest that dopamine, acting via D1‐family receptors, alters the responses of ipRGCs and thus of non‐image‐forming vision.
An optimum time for intravenous cannulation after induction with sevoflurane in children
Authors: Joshi Ashutosh , Lee Sumin , Pawar Dilip
Published: February 2012

Background:  It is a common practice to perform inhalational induction with sevoflurane followed by intravenous cannulation in children. However, there is little information regarding the time at which the intravenous cannulation can be attempted safely after sevoflurane induction.

Aim:  To determine the optimal time for safe intravenous cannulation in children induced with sevoflurane.

Methods:  Pediatric patients aged 4–10 years receiving sevoflurane inhalational induction for elective cases were recruited. General anesthesia was induced with sevoflurane and oxygen via mask, then intravenous cannulation was attempted. The time for intravenous cannulation was determined by the use of up‐and‐down method using 30 s as a step size. Intravenous cannulation without any movement, coughing, or laryngospasm was considered successful. The up‐and‐down sequences were analyzed by the probit test.

Results:  The time for effective intravenous cannulation in 50% patients was 1.90 min (95% confidence limits, 1.24–2.41 min). The time for effective cannulation in 95% of patient population was 3.32 min (95% confidence limits, 2.68–6.77 min).

Conclusion:  We recommend an optimal time of 3.5 min for attempting intravenous cannulation after the loss of eyelash reflex with sevoflurane induction.
Implementation and usefulness of single‐access laparoscopic segmental and total colectomy
Authors: Baig M. N. , Moftah M. , Deasy J. , McNamara D. A. , Cahill R. A.
Published: February 2012

Aim  Single‐access laparoscopic surgery is a recent vogue in the field of minimally invasive colorectal surgery. While selected series have indicated feasibility, we prospectively examined its usefulness for resectional surgery in routine practice.

Method  All patients undergoing laparoscopic colorectal resection over a 12‐month period were considered for a single‐access approach by a single surgical team in a university hospital. This utilized a ‘glove’ port via a 3–5 cm periumbilical or stomal site incision, with standard rigid laparoscopic instruments then being used.

Results  Of 76 planned laparoscopic colorectal resections, 35 (47%) were performed by this single‐incision laparoscopic modality without disruption of theatre list efficiency or surgical training obligations. The mean (range) age and body mass index of these 25 consecutive right‐sided resections, eight total colectomies (seven urgent operations) and two anterior resections was 58 (22–82) years and 23.9 (18.6–36.2) kg/m2, respectively. The modal postoperative day of discharge was 4. For right‐sided resections, the mean (range) postoperative stay in those undergoing surgery for benign disease was 4.0 days, while for those undergoing operation for neoplasia (n = 18, mean age 71 years) it was 5.8 days and the average lymph node harvest was 13. Use of the glove port reduced trocar cost by 58% (€60/£53) by allowing the use of trocar sleeves alone without obturators.

Conclusion  Single‐incision laparoscopic surgery is an effective option for abdominal surgery and seems especially suited for laparoscopic‐assisted right‐sided colonic resections. The glove port technique facilitates procedural frequency and familiarity and proves economically favourable.
Weight status of European preschool children and associations with family demographics and energy balance‐related behaviours: a pooled analysis of six European studies
Authors: van Stralen M. M. , te Velde S. J. , van Nassau F. , Brug J. , Grammatikaki E. , Maes L. , De Bourdeaudhuij I. , Verbestel V. , Galcheva S. , Iotova V. , Koletzko B. V. , von Kries R. , Bayer O. , Kulaga Z. , Serra‐Majem L. , Sánchez‐Villegas A. , Ribas‐Barba L. , Manios Y. , Chinapaw M. J. M. ,   ToyBox‐study group
Published: February 2012

This study aimed to (i) gain insight in the prevalence of overweight indices in European preschoolers (4–7 years); (ii) identify energy balance‐related behaviours associated with overweight/obesity; and (iii) identify children at risk for overweight/obesity. Secondary analyses of six European data sets were conducted according to standardized protocols. Based on objectively measured height and weight, prevalence of overweight and obesity across the countries ranged from 8% to 30% and 1% to 13%, respectively, with highest rates in Southern European countries (i.e. Spain and Greece). Positive associations between sedentary behaviours and overweight indices were found. Physical activity and dietary behaviours were not associated, possibly because of methodological limitations. Children of parents with high body mass index or low socioeconomic status were at increased risk of overweight/obesity. In conclusion, large differences in prevalence of overweight and obesity among preschoolers across Europe were observed. Future obesity prevention interventions in preschoolers should target screen time giving specific attention to children from overweight and/or low socioeconomic status parents. There is a need for high methodological quality studies, preferably with a long‐term prospective design using sensitive, valid and reliable measures of behaviours, assessing whether and which physical activity and dietary behaviours are associated with overweight in preschoolers.
Influencing factors of screen time in preschool children: an exploration of parents' perceptions through focus groups in six European countries
Authors: De Decker E. , De Craemer M. , De Bourdeaudhuij I. , Wijndaele K. , Duvinage K. , Koletzko B. , Grammatikaki E. , Iotova V. , Usheva N. , Fernández‐Alvira J. M. , Zych K. , Manios Y. , Cardon G. ,   ToyBox‐study group
Published: February 2012

Preschoolers already spend significant proportions of their waking hours being sedentary. Screen time (i.e. television/DVD viewing and computer use) has been negatively associated with several health outcomes but interventions aiming to reduce preschoolers' sedentary behaviour are scarce. This study aimed to explore parents' perceptions of their preschool children's screen time. One hundred twenty‐two parents of low and medium‐high socioeconomic status from six European countries with children between 4 and 6 years old were involved in 24 focus groups. Following a qualitative content analysis, the available information and key findings were centrally analysed. Results showed that children tend to like watching television (TV) and most parents do not express worries about their children's TV viewing time. Education is considered to be the main benefit of watching TV and in general, parents only have informal rules about TV viewing. Computer and active games use are less frequent compared with TV viewing. No univocal results are found about the influence of siblings or friends on children's screen time. Weather conditions and parental habits at home are the most important factors influencing children's screen time. Alternatives for screen activities and information on how to set rules for screen time should be provided to parents to assist them in decreasing their preschool children's screen time.
Fight, Flee or Fulminate: Prime Ministerial Challengers, Strategic Choices and the Rites of Succession
Authors: WELLER PATRICK
Published: February 2012

Prime ministers often have to work with prime ministerial aspirants, senior ministers who regard themselves as possible successors. But can these challengers seize the job when the prime ministers are reluctant to stand down? Using evidence from Canada, Britain and Australia, the article explores the conditions in which successions have taken place and the capacity of the prime ministerial aspirants to expedite the process. It identifies three alternative strategies that are shaped by the party rules in the different countries. The aspirants may flee, fight or fulminate. Which strategy will best improve their chances of winning the top job depends on the traditional or developing modes of leadership election that their parties have adopted. Some processes provide the means to assassinate the leader. Others have no opportunity to act; rivals can do nothing but wait, either in or outside parliament. The article finds that the broader the constituency that elects the leaders, the more secure those leaders are when their reputation declines.
‘We will not balance the books on the backs of the poorest people in the world’: Understanding Conservative Party Strategy on International Aid
Authors: HEPPELL TIMOTHY , LIGHTFOOT SIMON
Published: February 2012

The decision of the Conservative‐dominated coalition to ring‐fence international development spending has been, given the economic environment, one of most intriguing decisions of the new government. Recognising the relative neglect of academic work on Conservative policy towards international development, the article seeks to provide an explanation for its new‐found prioritisation. In doing so, the article suggests that it can be attributed to four possible influences: that it can be tied to the process of modernisation and brand decontamination of the Conservatives; that it is a consequence of the personal commitment of key elites such as David Cameron, George Osborne and Andrew Mitchell; that it is by‐product of the perceived success of the Department for International Development under New Labour, which made subsuming it within the Foreign and Commonwealth Office a non‐viable (and expensive) option; and that protecting the international aid budget was actually in the British national interest.
Intensive Coaching of New Immigrants: An Evaluation Based on Random Program Assignment*
Authors: Joona Pernilla Andersson , Nekby Lena
Published: February 2012

The purpose of this study is to evaluate whether intensive counseling and coaching by Public Employment Service (PES) caseworkers improves the employment opportunities of new immigrants in Sweden. This is tested within the framework of introduction programs for new immigrants. A trial introduction program was implemented from October 2006 to June 2008. Within participating municipalities, new immigrants were randomly assigned into treatment (intensive coaching) or control (regular introduction programs). The results indicate that there are significant treatment effects on employment probabilities as well as on participation in intermediate PES training programs.
Privatizations around the world: economic or political determinants?
Authors: Roberts Barbara M. , Saeed Muhammad A.
Published: February 2012

The article examines economic, political, and institutional determinants of privatization using a panel of 50 countries over the period of 1988–2006. Our sample includes developed, developing, and transition economies. Privatization activity is measured by the number of privatization deals as well as the revenue raised and analyzed using the negative binomial regression and Tobit regression respectively. Although more privatization activity is usually taking place in countries displaying satisfactory economic performance in some respect, the role of economic factors turns out to be limited. The results identify a number of political and institutional determinants but some effects are specific to a particular type of economy. For example, in developing countries, right‐wing governments are associated with privatizations while new, not necessarily right‐wing governments, are behind privatization in Eastern Europe. The role of financial development is also varied, with sound financial institutions related to successful privatization in developed and developing countries but not in transition economies.
Genomic selection for growth and wood quality in Eucalyptus: capturing the missing heritability and accelerating breeding for complex traits in forest trees
Authors: Resende Marcos D. V. , Resende Márcio F. R. , Sansaloni Carolina P. , Petroli Cesar D. , Missiaggia Alexandre A. , Aguiar Aurelio M. , Abad Jupiter M. , Takahashi Elizabete K. , Rosado Antonio M. , Faria Danielle A. , Pappas Georgios J. , Kilian Andrzej , Grattapaglia Dario
Published: February 2012

Featured paper: See also the Commentary by Ellis
Detecting Earnings Management: A New Approach
Authors: DECHOW PATRICIA M. , HUTTON AMY P. , KIM JUNG HOON , SLOAN RICHARD G.
Published: February 2012

This paper provides a new approach to test for accrual‐based earnings management. Our approach exploits the inherent property of accrual accounting that any accrual‐based earnings management in one period must reverse in another period. If the researcher has priors concerning the timing of the reversal, incorporating these priors can significantly improve the power and specification of tests for earnings management. Our results indicate that tests incorporating reversals increase test power by around 40% and provide a robust solution for mitigating model misspecification arising from correlated omitted variables.
Detecting Deceptive Discussions in Conference Calls
Authors: LARCKER DAVID F. , ZAKOLYUKINA ANASTASIA A.
Published: February 2012

We estimate linguistic‐based classification models of deceptive discussions during quarterly earnings conference calls. Using data on subsequent financial restatements and a set of criteria to identify severity of accounting problems, we label each call as “truthful” or “deceptive.” Prediction models are then developed with the word categories that have been shown by previous psychological and linguistic research to be related to deception. We find that the out‐of‐sample performance of models based on CEO and/or CFO narratives is significantly better than a random guess by 6–16% and is at least equivalent to models based on financial and accounting variables. The language of deceptive executives exhibits more references to general knowledge, fewer nonextreme positive emotions, and fewer references to shareholder value. In addition, deceptive CEOs use significantly more extreme positive emotion and fewer anxiety words. Finally, a portfolio formed from firms with the highest deception scores from CFO narratives produces an annualized alpha of between −4% and −11%.
Noladin ether, a putative endocannabinoid, enhances motivation to eat after acute systemic administration in rats
Authors: Jones EK , Kirkham TC
Published: February 2012

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Endocannabinoid systems are strongly implicated in the physiological control of appetite and eating behaviour, with cannabinoid CB1 receptor agonists and antagonists, respectively, increasing or decreasing food intake. This study examined the acute actions of the putative endocannabinoid noladin ether on food intake and eating motivation, assessing how it affects the amount of work expended by animals to obtain food.

EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH Non‐deprived male rats were injected systemically with noladin ether to assess its acute effects on ad libitum feeding of a standard laboratory diet. Additionally, the effects of noladin on lever pressing for palatable food were determined using a progressive ratio (PR) operant paradigm.

KEY RESULTS Noladin dose dependently increased 2 h food intake, with a significant effect over 1 h after a dose of 0.5 mg·kg−1. In the PR test, this hyperphagic dose of noladin ether promoted sustained high rates of responding and significantly increased the total number of lever presses and break‐point. These latter effects were prevented by pretreatment with 1.0 mg·kg−1 of the selective CB1 antagonist surinabant (SR147778), that alone had no effect on responding.

CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS This is the first report of hyperphagia induced by acute noladin administration, and the first description of behavioural actions in rats. Consistent with prevailing notions about the role of endocannabinoids in appetite, a hyperphagic dose of noladin markedly increased efforts expended by animals to obtain food. Thus, noladin exerts a specific action on eating motivation; possibly promoting eating by increasing the incentive value of food.
Impacts of Vessel Capacity Reduction Programmes on Efficiency in Fisheries: the Case of Australia’s Multispecies Northern Prawn Fishery
Authors: Pascoe Sean , Coglan Louisa , Punt Andre E. , Dichmont Catherine M.
Published: February 2012

Capacity reduction programmes, in the form of buybacks or decommissioning, have had relatively widespread application in fisheries in the US, Europe and Australia. A common criticism of such programmes is that they remove the least efficient vessels first, resulting in an increase in average efficiency of the remaining fleet, which tends to increase the effective fishing power of the remaining fleet. In this paper, the effects of a buyback programme on average technical efficiency in Australia’s Northern Prawn Fishery are examined using a multi‐output production function approach with an explicit inefficiency model. As expected, the results indicate that average efficiency of the remaining vessels was generally greater than that of the removed vessels. Further, there was some evidence of an increase in average scale efficiency in the fleet as the remaining vessels were closer, on average, to the optimal scale. Key factors affecting technical efficiency included company structure and the number of vessels fishing. In regard to fleet size, our model suggests positive externalities associated with more boats fishing at any point in time (due to information sharing and reduced search costs), but also negative externalities due to crowding, with the latter effect dominating the former. Hence, the buyback resulted in a net increase in the individual efficiency of the remaining vessels due to reduced crowding, as well as raising average efficiency through removal of less efficient vessels.
Chronology of the last deglaciation andHolocene environmental changes in theSisimiut area,SW Greenland based on lacustrine records
Authors: Wagner Bernd , Bennike Ole
Published: February 2012

TheSisimiut area was deglaciated in the earlyHolocene,c.11 cal. kaBP. At that time the lowlands were inundated by the sea, but the isostatic rebound surpassed the global sea‐level rise, and the lowlands emerged from the sea. The pioneer vegetation in the area consisted of mosses and herbaceous plants. The oldest remains of woody plants (Empetrum nigrum) are dated toc.10.3 cal. kaBP, and remains ofSalix herbaceaandHarrimanella hypnoidesare found in slightly younger sediments. The maximum occurrence of statoblasts of the bryozoanPlumatella repensfromc. 10 to 4.5 cal. kaBPprobably reflects theHolocene thermal maximum, which is also indicated in geochemical proxies of the lake sediments. A maximum in organic matter accumulation in one of the three studied lakesc.3 cal. kaBPcan probably be ascribed to a lateHolocene short‐duration temperature maximum or a period of increased aridity.Cenococcum geophilumsclerotia are common in the lateHolocene, implying increased soil erosion during the Neoglaciation. A comparison with sediment and macrofossil records from inland shows similarHolocene trends and a similar immigration history. It also reveals that there has been a significant gradient throughout theHolocene, from an oceanic and stable climate at the outer coast to a more continental and unstable climate with warmer summers and drier conditions close to the margin of theGreenland ice sheet, where the buffer capacity of the sea is lower.
Fifty Years of Work on the Artificial Placenta: Milestones in the History of Extracorporeal Support of the Premature Newborn
Authors: Schoberer Mark , Arens Jutta , Lohr Anne , Seehase Matthias , Jellema Reint K. , Collins Jennifer J. , Kramer Boris W. , Schmitz‐Rode Thomas , Steinseifer Ulrich , Orlikowsky Thorsten
Published: February 2012

The concept of an artificial placenta has been pursued in experimental research since the early 1960s. The principle has yet to be successfully implemented in neonatal care despite the constant evolution in extracorporeal life support technology and advancements in neonatal intensive care in general. For more than three decades, the physical dimensions of the required equipment necessitated pump‐driven circuits; however, recent advances in oxygenator technology have allowed exploration of the simpler and physiologically preferable concept of pumpless arteriovenous oxygenation. We expect that further miniaturization of the extracorporeal circuit will allow the implementation of the concept into clinical application as an assist device. To this end, NeonatOx (Fig. 1), a custom‐made miniaturized oxygenator with a filling volume of 20 mL, designed by our own group, has been successfully implemented with a preterm lamb model of less than 2000 g body weight as an assist device. We provide an overview of milestones in the history of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation of the preterm newborn juxtaposed against current and future technological advancements. Key limitations, which need to be addressed in order to make mechanical gas exchange a clinical treatment option of prematurity‐related lung failure, are also identified.

NeonatOx, a low‐volume extracorporeal assist device for preterm lung failure.

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Proinflammatory cytokines and complement activation in salvaged blood from abdominal aortic aneurism surgery and total hip replacement surgery
Authors: Lindholm Espen , Seljeflot Ingebjørg , Aune Erlend , Kirkebøen Knut Arvid
Published: February 2012

BACKGROUND: Levels of proinflammatory mediators in unwashed salvaged blood from abdominal aortic aneurism (AAA) surgery are unknown. We hypothesized that there are higher levels of these mediators in unwashed blood salvaged in AAA surgery compared to hip replacement surgery.

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: Ten patients scheduled for AAA surgery (Group A) and 10 patients for total hip replacement surgery (Group H) were included. Blood samples from the autotransfusion set were obtained during surgery and arterial samples before, during, and 6 hours after surgery. Determination of interleukin (IL)‐1β, IL‐6, IL‐8, tumor necrosis factor‐α, activated complement 3 (C3a), and high‐sensitivity C‐reactive protein (CRP) were performed. Salvaged blood was not retransfused.

RESULTS: Levels (median [range]) of IL‐8 in blood in the salvage system were higher in Group A versus Group H (215.3 [22.5‐697.2] vs. 35.3 [16.7‐66.6] pg/mL; p = 0.002). Higher levels of IL‐6 were also seen in Group A versus Group H (60.0 [52.6‐62.2] vs. 42.34 [19.4‐62.2] pg/mL; p = 0.049). Levels of IL‐6 in blood sampled during surgery were approximately fivefold higher in Group A versus Group H (p = 0.023), whereas approximately 70% higher levels of C3a were observed in Group H versus Group A (p = 0.021). Postoperative concentrations of IL‐1β (p = 0.002), IL‐6 (p = 0.001), and IL‐8 (0.005) were higher in Group A versus Group H.

CONCLUSION: Salvaged blood in AAA surgery contains substantially higher levels of proinflammatory mediators compared to blood in total hip replacement surgery.
Effect of a Rising R‐Curve on the Sliding Wear of Silicon‐Disilicide In Situ Composites
Authors: Fischer David S. , Schuh Christopher A.
Published: February 2012

This study investigates the tribological behavior of a new class of silicon‐disilicide (Si‐(Cr,V)Si2) in situ composites which display eutectic microstructures comprising a Si matrix and reinforcing (Cr,V)Si2 disilicide phase. Dry, room temperature ball‐on‐disk tests carried out at various loads (W = 1–6 N) showed that the specific wear rates of the Si‐(Cr,V)Si2 composites (ka ≈10−5 mm3/Nm) were about an order of magnitude lower than that of unalloyed Si (ka ≈10−4 mm3/Nm) in the wear regime dominated by lateral cracking. Microscopic analysis of the wear tracks, as well as observations from indentation experiments, revealed that the improved wear resistance of the Si‐(Cr,V)Si2 composites at higher loads was due to the activation of crack deflection and bridging toughening mechanisms during the wear process, which results in a rise in the apparent composite fracture toughness with increasing crack size (i.e., a rising R‐curve behavior). Analysis of the wear test data in the context of a lateral fracture wear model demonstrates that the enhanced short‐crack response of the Si‐(Cr,V)Si2 composites during sliding wear can indeed be explained by the incorporation of a sharply rising R‐curve relation for the composite fracture toughness.
Effect of Composition and Temperature on Volatilization of Cs from Borosilicate Glasses
Authors: Banerjee Dayamoy , Joseph Annie , Sudarsan Vasantha Kumaran , Wattal Piaray Kishen , Das Dasarathi
Published: February 2012

Volatility of Cs from borosilicate glasses incorporated with different additives like ZnO, BaO, and CaO have been investigated as a function of heating temperatures (900°C, 950°C, and 1000°C) and time. According to the lower Cs volatility, the sequence of the incorporated oxides is arrived as ZnO < B2O3 < BaO < CaO. It is confirmed that the volatilization of Cs occurred predominantly through diffusion controlled process. From the temperature‐dependence volatility profiles of Cs, the activation energy and frequency factor was calculated and found to be in the range of 300–500 kJ/mol and 103–1012 cm2/s, lowest for ZnO and highest for CaO containing glasses. It was found that the frequency factor and not the activation energy were controlling the Cs loss. The observed variations in the activation energy and frequency factor have been explained by a unique model structure and possible interactions of Cs with different structural units formed due to incorporation of the different additives.
Neuroimaging of Pediatric Intracranial Infection—Part 2: TORCH, Viral, Fungal, and Parasitic Infections
Authors: Nickerson Joshua P. , Richner Beat , Santy Ky , Lequin Maarten H. , Poretti Andrea , Filippi Christopher G. , Huisman Thierry A.G.M.
Published: February 2012

In the second half of this 2‐part review, the neuroimaging features of the most common viral, fungal, and parasitic infections of the pediatric central nervous system are discussed. Brief discussions of epidemiology and pathophysiology will be followed by a review of the imaging findings and potential differential considerations. J Neuroimaging 2012;22:e52–e63.
Social Movement Audiences1
Authors: Blee Kathleen , McDowell Amy
Published: February 2012

Audiences are important to social movements, but the relationships between social movements and their audiences are not well understood. This article uses scholarship from performance studies, especially ideas of audiences as constructed, meaningful, and influenced/influential, to explore two issues. First, how do social movements define their audiences? Second, how are social movement actions toward their audiences shaped by these definitions? Analysis of longitudinal data on two social movement groups in Pittsburgh from 2003 to 2007 shows that social movements variously interpret the nature and role of their audiences and that these interpretations affect their strategies and goals, sometimes quite radically. The conclusion explores how attention to audiences can augment scholarship on the relational, iterative, interpretive, and reflexive aspects of social movements.