bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Long Term Influences of Age–Education Transition on the Brazilian Labour Market
Authors: AMARAL ERNESTO FRIEDRICH DE LIMA , RIOS‐NETO EDUARDO LUIZ GONÇALVES , POTTER JOSEPH E.
Published: November 2011

The objective of this study is to estimate the long term mean earnings of the male Brazilian population, taking into account the ageing process of the population and the increase in educational attainment. Using census data, household sample surveys, as well as population and education projections, estimates indicate that an ageing population and an increase in education will have a 2 percent impact on the annual growth of an average income in Brazil by 2050. The challenge for the future is to improve the proportion of the Brazilian population with completed college degrees.
Age‐dependent responses to alarm calls depend on foraging activity in Willow Tits Poecile montanus
Authors: RAJALA MARI , KAREKSELA SANTTU , RÄTTI OSMO , SUHONEN JUKKA
Published: November 2011

Survivorship in animals depends on both foraging activities and avoidance of predation, and thus behavioural decisions often reflect a trade‐off between predation risk and foraging efficiency. In this experimental study, we compared behavioural responses of free‐living adult and juvenile Willow Tits Poecile montanus to a conspecific alarm call in two treatments. The alarm call was played back when a focal bird was either not feeding, or feeding on a sunflower seed on the middle part of a spruce branch. When feeding at the time of the alarm call, juveniles more often stayed motionless or moved shorter distances than adults. Our results suggest that in hierarchical groups, juveniles are forced to take greater risks to maintain access to food or lack experience to optimize between food and safety.
Large Hawk‐CuckooHierococcyx sparverioidesparasitism on the Chinese BabaxBabax lanceolatusmay be an evolutionarily recent host–parasite system
Authors: YANG CANCHAO , ANTONOV ANTON , CAI YAN , STOKKE BÅRD G. , MOKSNES ARNE , RØSKAFT EIVIN , LIANG WEI
Published: November 2011

We documented brood parasitism by the poorly studied Large Hawk‐Cuckoo on a previously unknown host species, the Chinese Babax. Furthermore, we describe a new egg colour for the Large Hawk‐Cuckoo. The parasitism rate of Chinese Babax nests over 4 years was 6.9% (11 of 159 nests), with significant temporal variation. The Large Hawk‐Cuckoo laid immaculate white eggs that appeared non‐mimetic to the blue Babax eggs, an impression that was confirmed by avian visual modelling. Nevertheless, most Cuckoo eggs were accepted by the host, suggesting that this host–parasite system may be evolutionarily recent.
Sustained high levels of neuregulin‐1 in the longest‐lived rodents; a key determinant of rodent longevity
Authors: Edrey Yael H. , Casper Diana , Huchon Dorothee , Mele James , Gelfond Jonathan A. , Kristan Deborah M. , Nevo Eviatar , Buffenstein Rochelle
Published: November 2011

Naked mole‐rats (Heterocephalus glaber), the longest‐lived rodents, live 7–10 times longer than similarly sized mice and exhibit normal activities for approximately 75% of their lives. Little is known about the mechanisms that allow them to delay the aging process and live so long. Neuregulin‐1 (NRG‐1) signaling is critical for normal brain function during both development and adulthood. We hypothesized that long‐lived species will maintain higher levels of NRG‐1 and that this contributes to their sustained brain function and concomitant maintenance of normal activity. We monitored the levels of NRG‐1 and its receptor ErbB4 in H. glaber at different ages ranging from 1 day to 26 years and found that levels of NRG‐1 and ErbB4 were sustained throughout development and adulthood. In addition, we compared seven rodent species with widely divergent (4–32 year) maximum lifespan potential (MLSP) and found that at a physiologically equivalent age, the longer‐lived rodents had higher levels of NRG‐1 and ErbB4. Moreover, phylogenetic independent contrast analyses revealed that this significant strong correlation between MLSP and NRG‐1 levels was independent of phylogeny. These results suggest that NRG‐1 is an important factor contributing to divergent species MLSP through its role in maintaining neuronal integrity.
Persistent degenerative changes in thymic organ function revealed by an inducible model of organ regrowth
Authors: Griffith Ann V. , Fallahi Mohammad , Venables Thomas , Petrie Howard T.
Published: November 2011

The thymus is the most rapidly aging tissue in the body, with progressive atrophy beginning as early as birth and not later than adolescence. Latent regenerative potential exists in the atrophic thymus, because certain stimuli can induce quantitative regrowth, but qualitative function of T lymphocytes produced by the regenerated organ has not been fully assessed. Using a genome‐wide computational approach, we show that accelerated thymic aging is primarily a function of stromal cells, and that while overall cellularity of the thymus can be restored, many other aspects of thymic function cannot. Medullary islet complexity and tissue‐restricted antigen expression decrease with age, representing potential mechanisms for age‐related increases in autoimmune disease, but neither of these is restored by induced regrowth, suggesting that new T cells produced by the regrown thymus will probably include more autoreactive cells. Global analysis of stromal gene expression profiles implicates widespread changes in Wnt signaling as the most significant hallmark of degeneration, changes that once again persist even at peak regrowth. Consistent with the permanent nature of age‐related molecular changes in stromal cells, induced thymic regrowth is not durable, with the regrown organ returning to an atrophic state within 2 weeks of reaching peak size. Our findings indicate that while quantitative regrowth of the thymus is achievable, the changes associated with aging persist, including potential negative implications for autoimmunity.
Ischaemic preconditioning reduces myocardial calcium overload in coronary‐occluded pig hearts shown by continuous in vivo assessment using microdialysis
Authors: Waldenström Anders , Ronquist Gunnar , Åberg Anna‐Maja , Ahlström Katarina , Hauck Philip , Abrahamsson Pernilla , Johansson Göran , Biber Björn , Haney Michael F.
Published: November 2011

During ischaemia, ATP depletion leads to insufficient fuelling for Na+/K+ ATPase, decreased electrochemical potential and increased influx of calcium ions. This study demonstrated a means to assess the effects of ischaemic preconditioning (IP) on the free intracellular Ca2+ pool during prolonged ischaemia. In a porcine myocardial ischaemia model, microdialysis (MD) was used for sampling of metabolic and injury markers in IP and non‐IP (control) groups. 45Ca2+ was delivered in microperfusate locally to ischaemic myocardium, with distribution and uptake assessed by 45Ca2+ recovery in microdialysate. Cardiomyocytes in vitro were exposed to a Ca2+ ionophore and tested for 45Ca2+ uptake. An accentuated myocardial calcium ion influx (observed as an increased microdialysate 45Ca2+ recovery in the extracellular milieu) was noted in control pigs compared with IP pigs during ischaemia. Suspended cardiomyocytes preincubated with a Ca2+ ionophore to increase the intracellular calcium ion pool and subsequently incubated with 45Ca2+, displayed lower 45Ca2+ uptake in cells compared with control cells not exposed to the ionophore, corroborating the idea of a strong relationship between degree of intracellular calcium overload and microdialysate 45Ca2+ recovery. The ischaemic insult was differentially verified by metabolic and injury markers. We introduce an in vivo method for serial assessment of myocardial calcium overload during ischaemia, using a MD technique and 45Ca2+ inclusion. IP leads to relatively less calcium overload as assessed by this new method, and we interpret this to mean that reduction in calcium overload is an important part of the IP protective effect.
Anthropogenic effects on the physical and chemical properties of subtropical coastal urban soils
Authors: Hagan D. , Dobbs C. , Timilsina N. , Escobedo F. , Toor G. S. , Andreu M.
Published: November 2011

We investigated the effects of various anthropogenic factors on urban soil properties in subtropical, coastal Tampa, FL, USA. Specifically, we explored the influence of (i) urbanization as measured by land use, land cover, population density and years since urban development and (ii) socioeconomic conditions as reflected in household income and property values on bulk density (BD) and several key soil chemical properties. Results indicate that Tampa’s urban soils were affected to varying degrees by these factors with chemical properties being more variable than BD. Across land uses significant differences were found for Mehlich‐1 (M1) extractable P, Ca and Na. A similar trend was observed for land‐cover classes, although significant differences were also found for pH and M1‐Cu. Soil properties had no statistically significant relationship with population density. However, time since urbanization did with M1‐P and Na varying significantly across age categories. For our socioeconomic analyses, M1‐K and Mg levels differed significantly by household income while pH, P, Ca and Na values differed significantly by property value. Overall, our findings indicate that despite their inherent heterogeneity, there are identifiable patterns among subtropical coastal urban soil properties. We suggest that a more thorough understanding of these patterns and their drivers is an essential first step towards developing soil management strategies aimed at maintaining environmental quality and ecosystem services in subtropical cities.
Characterization of acute kidney injury in hospitalized dogs and evaluation of a veterinary acute kidney injury staging system
Authors: Thoen Meredith E. , Kerl Marie E.
Published: November 2011

Objective

To retrospectively apply standards characterizing acute kidney injury (AKI) used in human medicine to a population of critically ill hospitalized dogs in order to identify dogs with potentialAKIbased on subtle increases in plasma creatinine concentration.

Design

Retrospective study.

Setting

UniversityVeterinaryMedicalTeachingHospital.

Animals

One hundred and sixty‐four client‐owned dogs admitted to the intensive care unit.

Interventions

None.

Measurements and Main Results

Medical records of 164 dogs meeting the study inclusion criteria were reviewed to identify age, results of creatinine measurements, discharge status, length of stay, performance of general anesthesia, number of diagnoses, and calculated survival prediction index scores (SPI2). A veterinaryAKI(VAKI) staging system was retrospectively applied to classify dogs based on increase in creatinine concentration from baseline as follows: stage 0 (S0; <150%), stage 1 (S1; 150–199% or ≥26.5 μmol/L [≥0.3 mg/dL]), stage 2 (S2; 200–299%), or stage 3 (S3; ≥300%). Of the dogs evaluated, 140/164 wereVAKIstage S0, 19/164 were classified as S1, 3/164 as S2, and 2/164 were S3. Mortality rate was greater forS1–3 (13/24; 54.2%) compared toS0dogs (22/140; 15.7%) (P< 0.0001). Length of stay, general anesthesia, and number of diagnoses were not associated with survival. In a logistic regression model, stage and age were jointly, significantly associated with mortality (P= 0.0002 andP= 0.0330, respectively). MeanSPI2scores were not different betweenS0(0.52) andS1(0.59) dogs (P= 0.23). Only 4/19 (21%) ofS1dogs had a peak plasma creatinine concentration above the laboratory reference interval.

Conclusions

Dogs meetingVAKIstage 1–3 criteria were less likely to survive to discharge. Small increases in plasma creatinine concentration may be clinically relevant even when absolute values are within reference intervals.
β‐Adrenergic receptors stimulate interleukin‐6 production through Epac‐dependent activation of PKCδ/p38 MAPK signalling in neonatal mouse cardiac fibroblasts
Authors: Chen Chao , Du Jianhai , Feng Wei , Song Yao , Lu Zhizhen , Xu Ming , Li Zijian , Zhang Youyi
Published: November 2011

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE IL‐6 plays crucial roles in cardiac hypertrophy, cardiac fibrosis and heart failure. Activation of β‐adrenoceptors induced IL‐6 production in neonatal mouse cardiac fibroblasts (NMCFs) through a Gs/adenylate cyclase/cAMP/p38 MAPK pathway but independent of PKA. However, how cAMP activates p38 MAPK is still not defined. In this study, we have assessed the role of the exchange protein directly activated by cAMP (Epac) and PKCδ in p38 MAPK activation and IL‐6 production by stimulated by the β‐adrenoceptor agonist isoprenaline in NMCFs.

EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH The IL‐6 concentration in cell culture supernatants was measured by ELISA. The levels of phosphorylated and total p38 MAPK and PKCδ were determined by Western blot analysis. The translocation of PKCδ was determined by immunoblotting the soluble and particulate fractions. Expression of Epac1 or PKCδ was knocked down by the corresponding, adenovirus‐mediated, small hairpin RNA (shRNA).

RESULTS In NMCFs, activation of β‐adrenoceptors enhanced PKCδ phosphorylation and translocation. Furthermore, knock‐down of the PKCδ isoform using an adenovirus‐mediated shRNA markedly down‐regulated IL‐6 induction by NMCFs stimulated with isoprenaline. Moreover, knock‐down of Epac1 confirmed that Epac1 was upstream of PKCδ in IL‐6 production. Additionally, both Epac1 and PKCδ mediated the p38 MAPK activation induced by isoprenaline.

CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS β‐Adrenoceptor agonists activate a cAMP/Epac/PKCδ/p38 MAPK pathway to produce IL‐6 in NMCFs. This study identifies Epac as the link between cAMP and p38 MAPK signalling pathways and demonstrates that PKCδ can function as a novel downstream effector of this β‐adrenoceptor/cAMP/Epac pathway.
Potential Risk Factors for Psychiatric Disorders in Patients With Headache
Authors: Nimnuan Chaichana , Asawavichienjinda Thanin , Srikiatkhachorn Anan
Published: November 2011

Background.— Psychiatric comorbidities are common among patients with headache. These can compromise the quality of life of patients and may affect the result of treatment. No available systematic study concerning this problem has been conducted in Thailand.

Objective.— The study aimed to determine the prevalence and risk factors of psychiatric disorders in patients with headache in tertiary care facility.

Methods.— The study was conducted at the Headache Clinic, King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital in Bangkok, Thailand. One hundred and thirteen patients were enrolled. Diagnosis of headache was made based on International Classification of Headache Disorders II system. Mental disorders were assessed using Primary Care Evaluation of Mental Disorders. Other possible risk factors were extracted using significant physical symptoms count and accumulated risk for mental disorder.

Results.— Of the 113 samples analyzed, the prevalence of depression, anxiety, and somatoform disorder was found to be 29.2%, 9.7%, and 27.4%, respectively. No definite relationship between headache types and mental disorders was observed. High number of significant physical complaints and health concerns significantly increased the risk for depression (OR = 4.6, 95% CI = 1.6 to 13.5) while the level of possible risk for mental disorder was associated with an increased risk for somatoform disorder (OR = 1.6, 95% CI = 1.2 to 2.2).

Conclusion.— The study confirmed high prevalence of psychiatric comorbidities in patients with headache. The results of this study will raise the awareness of physicians to possible underlying mental disorders in patients with headache and facilitate appropriate treatment or psychiatric referral.
Standing Laparoscopic Peritoneal Flap Hernioplasty Technique for Preventing Recurrence of Acquired Strangulating Inguinal Herniation in Stallions
Authors: Wilderjans Hans , Meulyzer Michael , Simon Olivier
Published: November 2011

Objective

To describe a standing laparoscopic peritoneal flap hernioplasty (PFH) technique for closure of the vaginal ring, and to evaluate its effect on prevention of recurrent herniation in stallions, previously treated for acquired strangulating inguinal hernia (SIH).

Study Design

Case series.

Animals

Stallions (n = 30) aged 3–15 that had previous acquired SIH.

Methods

Bilateral standing laparoscopic PFH was performed on 30 stallions that had previous acquired SIH treated without castration. The vaginal rings were approached from 3 portals, 2 in the paralumbar fossa and a 3rd between the 17th and 18th ribs on the ipsilateral side. A large inverted U‐shaped peritoneal flap was dissected from the abdominal wall proximal and cranial to the vaginal ring, reflected caudally over the vaginal ring, and secured to the abdominal wall with laparoscopic staples. In the first 11 stallions, only the cranial and mid third of the vaginal ring was covered. For the next 19 stallions, complete closure of the vaginal ring including the entire caudal aspect of the vaginal ring was achieved.

Results

SIH recurrence occurred in 4 of 11 stallions with incomplete ring closure whereas no SIH recurrence occurred when the entire vaginal ring was closed. No major complications occurred and cosmetic outcome was excellent. All breeding stallions were successfully used for breeding.

Conclusion

Standing laparoscopic closure of the vaginal ring using a PFH is an effective way to prevent recurrence of SIH provided the entire vaginal ring, including the caudal aspect is covered by the flap. There seems to be no effect on subsequent fertility.
Total Hip Replacement as a Treatment Option for Capital Physeal Fractures in Dogs and Cats
Authors: Kalis Russell H. , Liska William D. , Jankovits Daniel A.
Published: November 2011

Objectives

To evaluate outcome of capital physeal fractures (CPFs) treated by total hip replacement (THR) in dogs and cats.

Study Design

Retrospective phase II nonrandomized efficacy study.

Animals

Dogs (n= 21), cats (n= 4).

Methods

Medical records (1991–2009) and radiographs of dogs and cats withCPFtreated byTHRwere reviewed. Physical examination findings, radiographs, thigh circumference (TC), force plate gait analysis, and an owner questionnaire were reviewed.

Results

Signalment and median interval betweenCPFandTHRof all 25 animals had no clinical correlation with post‐THRoutcome. Force plate gait analysis andTCwere available for 12 dogs. No significant difference inTCor force plate analyses between theTHRlimb and the normal contralateral limb was identified. Owner questionnaires (13 dogs) revealed improvement afterTHRwith minimal (n= 2) or no lameness (n= 11).

Conclusion

Animals withCPFtreated byTHRdid not have statistically significant differences in any subjective (21 dogs, 4 cats) or objective (12 dogs) variable when compared with the normal contralateral limb.
Are lapsed donors willing to resume blood donation, and what determines their motivation to do so?
Authors: van Dongen Anne , Abraham Charles , Ruiter Robert A.C. , Schaalma Herman P. , de Kort Wim L.A.M. , Dijkstra J. Anneke , Veldhuizen Ingrid J.T.
Published: November 2011

BACKGROUND: This study investigated the possibility of rerecruiting lapsed blood donors. Reasons for donation cessation, motivation to restart donation, and modifiable components of donation motivation were examined. We distinguished between lapsed donors who had passively withdrawn by merely not responding to donation invitations and donors who had contacted the blood bank to actively withdraw.

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: A cross‐sectional survey was sent to 400 actively lapsed donors and to 400 passively lapsed donors, measuring intention to restart donation and psychological correlates of restart intention. The data were analyzed using multiple regression analyses.

RESULTS: The response rate among actively lapsed donors was higher than among passively lapsed donors (37% vs. 25%). Actively lapsed donors typically ceased donating because of physical reactions, while passively lapsed donors quit because of a busy lifestyle. Nonetheless, 51% of actively lapsed responders and 80% of passively lapsed responders were willing to restart donations. Multiple regression analysis showed that, for passively lapsed donors, cognitive attitude was the strongest correlate of intention to donate in the future (β = 0.605, p < 0.001), with affective attitude (β = 0.239, p < 0.05) and self‐efficacy (β = 0.266, p < 0.001) explaining useful proportions of the variance as well. For actively lapsed donors, cognitive attitude was also the strongest correlate of intention (β = 0.601, p < 0.001), with affective attitude (β = 0.345, p < 0.001) and moral norm (β = −0.118, p < 0.05) explaining smaller proportions of the variance.

CONCLUSION: The majority of lapsed donors indicated a moderate to high intention to restart donations. Interventions focusing on boosting cognitive and affective attitudes and self‐efficacy could further raise such intentions.
Amelioration of acute graft‐versus‐host disease by adoptive transfer of ex vivo expanded human cord blood CD4+CD25+ forkhead box protein 3+ regulatory T cells is associated with the polarization of Treg/Th17 balance in a mouse model
Authors: Yang Jie , Fan Huahua , Hao Jun , Ren Yana , Chen Liang , Li Guiping , Xie Rufeng , Yang Yiming , Qian Kaicheng , Liu Mingyao
Published: November 2011

BACKGROUND: Human cord blood (CB) is a superior source of regulatory T cells (Tregs) compared with peripheral blood. Initial studies have shown that CB‐derived Tregs can be effectively expanded ex vivo. However, in vitro suppressor activity of expanded CB‐Tregs and their efficacy in the prevention of acute graft‐versus‐host disease (aGVHD) in vivo are poorly understood.

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: In vitro, human CB CD4+CD25+ T cells expanded with anti‐CD3/CD28 beads plus interleukin (IL)‐2 and the phenotypes, expression of cytokines, and suppression of expanded cells were analyzed after two cycles of stimulation. In vivo, the addition of human CB‐Tregs was transferred in the major histocompatibility complex–mismatched aGVHD mouse model. Survival, body weight, GVHD scoring, histopathologic specimens, serum cytokines, and Th subsets were analyzed in CB‐Treg–treated mice and untreated controls.

RESULTS: After being expanded ex vivo, human CB‐derived Tregs with potent suppressor function could meet clinical demands. Up to 85% of mice with CB‐Tregs treatment survived beyond Day 63 after bone marrow transplantation; however, all aGVHD mice died within 18 days. In the serum of the CB‐Treg–treated mice, the production of transforming growth factor‐β increased continuously, as opposed to IL‐17, which decreased quickly. Consistent with the changes of cytokines, the percentage of mouse CD4+ forkhead box protein 3+ Tregs increased while that of Th17 cells decreased.

CONCLUSION: Ex vivo expanded human CB‐Tregs significantly prevented allogeneic aGVHD in vivo by modulating various cytokine secretion and polarizing the Treg/Th17 balance toward Treg, which suggests the potential use of expanded CB‐Tregs as a therapeutic approach for GVHD.
Xenotropic murine leukemia virus–related virus does not pose a risk to blood recipient safety
Authors: Dodd Roger Y. , Hackett Jr John , Linnen Jeffrey M. , Dorsey Kerri , Wu Yanyun , Zou Shimian , Qiu Xiaoxing , Swanson Priscilla , Schochetman Gerald , Gao Kui , Carrick James M. , Krysztof David E. , Stramer Susan L.
Published: November 2011

BACKGROUND: When xenotropic murine leukemia virus–related virus (XMRV) was first reported in association with chronic fatigue syndrome, it was suggested that it might offer a risk to blood safety. Thus, the prevalence of the virus among blood donors and, if present, its transmissibility by transfusion need to be defined.

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: Two populations of routine blood donor samples (1435 and 13,399) were obtained for prevalence evaluations; samples from a linked donor‐recipient repository were also evaluated. Samples were tested for the presence of antibodies to XMRV‐related recombinant antigens and/or for XMRV RNA, using validated, high‐throughput systems.

RESULTS: The presence of antibodies to XMRV could not be confirmed among a total of 17,249 blood donors or recipients (0%; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0%‐0.017%); 1763 tested samples were nonreactive for XMRV RNA (0%; 95% CI, 0%‐0.17%). Evidence of infection was absent from 109 recipients and 830 evaluable blood samples tested after transfusion of a total of 3741 blood components.

CONCLUSIONS: XMRV and related murine leukemia virus (MLV) markers are not present among a large population of blood donors and evidence of transfusion transmission could not be detected. Thus, these viruses do not currently pose a threat to blood recipient safety and further actions relating to XMRV and MLV are not justified.
Separated Powers in the United States: The Ideology of Agencies, Presidents, and Congress
Authors: Clinton Joshua D. , Bertelli Anthony , Grose Christian R. , Lewis David E. , Nixon David C.
Published: November 2011

Government agencies service interest groups, advocate policies, provide advice to elected officials, and create and implement public policy. Scholars have advanced theories to explain the role of agencies in American politics, but efforts to test these theories are hampered by the inability to systematically measure agency preferences. We present a method for measuring agency ideology that yields ideal point estimates of individual bureaucrats and agencies that are directly comparable with those of other political actors. These estimates produce insights into the nature of the bureaucratic state and provide traction on a host of questions about American politics. We discuss what these estimates reveal about the political environment of bureaucracy and their potential for testing theories of political institutions. We demonstrate their utility by testing key propositions fromGailmard and Patty's (2007)influential model of political control and endogenous expertise development.
General Social Capital, Education‐Related Social Capital, and Choosing Charter Schools
Authors: Tedin Kent L. , Weiher Gregory R.
Published: November 2011

Proponents of charter schools credit them with many advantages over traditional schools. One claim is that school choice yields increased parental participation in voluntary school activities—which we shall call education‐related social capital. In this article we test for the independent effect of school choice on education‐related social capital, controlling for general social capital and other potentially confounding variables. Studies of school choice invariably show that choosing parents have a greater level of general social capital than non‐choosing parents. Consequently, any increase in education‐related social capital could be spurious—due to the fact that choice parents start with atypically high levels of general social capital. We find under controlled conditions that school choice has a small but statistically significant effect on education‐related social capital. However, its effect is considerably smaller than for general social capital, as well as for other traditional predictors such as parental education and the school‐related home resources that parents may provide.
Smart Growth Policy Choice: A Resource Dependency and Local Governance Explanation
Authors: Hawkins Christopher V.
Published: November 2011

Smart growth is a planning and land use policy objective that generally focuses on where development should occur and how best to protect natural resources. What explains the adoption of smart growth policy by local government? This study focuses on a cooperative intergovernmental program that seeks to enhance local government abilities to work toward achieving state goals on sustainability. Extant research suggests that local interest group preferences shape policy decisions. However, much of the evidence on the influence of local interest groups on smart growth policy is presented within the coercive intergovernmental context. This article argues that resource dependency influences local decisions in pursuing a smart growth agenda when state incentives are provided. The findings suggest that fiscal capacity and the characteristics of local governing institutions are significant predictors in the decision to take part in an intergovernmental program. Business and neighborhood interest groups have a significant effect on policy adoption, as do local characteristics depending on the smart growth functional area.
The Policy Sciences of Social Media
Authors: Auer Matthew R.
Published: November 2011

Twitter, Facebook, and other social media are increasingly touted as platforms not merely for networks of friends and for private diversion, but as vehicles that allow ordinary people to enter and influence the many arenas of public life. On the surface, the disparate and shapeless population of “i‐reporters,” policy “tweeters,” and anonymous news web site “commentators” would appear to challenge the comparatively well‐defined cast of professional diplomats, journalists, and propagandists that Harold D. Lasswell identified as policy‐oriented communicators. However, to illuminate the roles and impacts of social media in politics and policymaking, insights from Lasswell's “science of communication” must be embedded in Lasswell's broader lessons on value assets and outcomes. A closer look at the so‐called democratizing functions of social media in politics reveals the influence of powerful intermediaries who filter and shape electronic communications. Lasswell's insights on the likelihood of increased collaboration among political elites and skilled, “modernizing intellectuals” anticipates contemporary instances of state actors who recruit skilled creators and users of social media—collaborations that may or may not advance experiments in democracy. Lasswell's decision process concept is deployed to discover social media's strengths and weaknesses for the practicing policy scientist.
Synthesis and Microwave Dielectric Properties of Sm2SiO5 Ceramics
Authors: Wu Songping , Jiang Chan , Mei Youxian , Tu Weiping
Published: November 2011

The Sm2SiO5 ceramics were synthesized and their microwave dielectric properties were investigated. The pure monoclinic Sm2SiO5 phase could be obtained when the molar ratio of Sm2O3/SiO2 was 1:1.05 at 1350°C. A small amount of hexagonal Sm4(SiO4)3 second phase occurred as temperature increased. The relative density of Sm2SiO5 ceramics increased with increasing temperature. The Sm2SiO5 ceramics sintered at 1500°C exhibited microwave dielectric properties: a dielectric constant (εr) of 8.44, a quality factor (Q × f) of 64 000 GHz, and a temperature coefficient of resonant frequency (τf) of −37 ppm/°C. The Sm2SiO5 ceramics have a wide sintering temperature region and small negative τf values. They are promising candidate materials for millimeter‐wave devices.
Sex Estimation from the Mastoid Process Among North Indians*
Authors: Saini Vineeta , Srivastava Rashmi , Rai Rajesh K. , Shamal Satya N. , Singh Tej B. , Tripathi Sunil K.
Published: November 2011

Abstract: Determination of sex from fragmentary crania is a critical problem in forensic anthropology. Osteometric analysis of mastoid can serve forensic anthropologists better in sex identification by virtue of the noticeable dimorphic characteristics. The present study aims to develop population‐specific, sex‐differentiating anthropometric standards for the mastoid process of North Indian skulls. Eight parameters of the mastoid region were measured on 138 adult crania (M/F 104:34, 22–65 years) and analyzed using SPSS 16.0. All parameters showed significant sexual dimorphism (p < 0.000). In stepwise analysis, asterion‐mastoidale and mastoid breadth have provided an accuracy of 87%. Receiver operating characteristic curves were obtained for each variable to observe their overall performance in sex determination. Posterior end of incisura mastoidea‐depression of suprameatal triangle was found to be the best variable with maximum area under curve and highest predictive accuracy (82.6%).
Fracture Patterns on the Infant Porcine Skull Following Severe Blunt Impact*
Authors: Powell Brian J. , Passalacqua Nicholas V. , Baumer Timothy G. , Fenton Todd W. , Haut Roger C.
Published: November 2011

Abstract:  The objective of this study was to document patterns of fracture on infant porcine skulls aged 2–28 days (n = 57) because of a single, high energy blunt impact to the parietal bone with rigid (nondeformable) and compliant (deformable) interfaces. Fracture patterns were mapped using Geographic Information System software. For the same generated impact force, the rigid interface produced more fractures than the compliant interface for all ages. This study also showed that this increased level of impact energy versus an earlier study using a lower energy resulted in new sites of fracture initiation and also caused previously defined fractures that propagate into an adjacent bone. Several unique characteristics of bone and diastatic fracture were documented as a function of specimen age, impact energy, and interface. These data describe some baseline characteristics of skull fracture using an animal model that may help guide future studies from forensic case files.
Differentiating Fragmented Human and Nonhuman Long Bone Using Osteon Circularity
Authors: Crescimanno Annamaria , Stout Sam D.
Published: November 2011

Abstract: Distinguishing between human and nonhuman bone is important in forensic anthropology and archeology when remains are fragmentary and DNA cannot be obtained. Histological examination of bone is affordable and practical in such situations. This study suggests using osteon circularity to distinguish human bone fragments and hypothesizes that osteons will more closely resemble a perfect circle in nonhumans than in humans. Standard histological methods were used, and circularity was determined using an image analysis program, where circularity was controlled for by Haversian canal measurements. Homogeneity was first tested for multiple variables within human and nonhuman samples. No significant differences were found between human sexes (p = 0.657) or among nonhuman species (p = 0.553). Significant differences were found among intraskeletal elements of both humans (p = 0.016) and nonhumans (p = 0.013) and between pooled samples of humans and nonhumans (p < 0.001). Results of this study indicate that osteon circularity can be used to distinguish between fragmented human and nonhuman long bone.
Current Practices by Forensic Anthropologists in Adult Skeletal Age Estimation*
Authors: Garvin Heather M. , Passalacqua Nicholas V.
Published: November 2011

Abstract: When determining an age estimate from adult skeletal remains, forensic anthropologists face a series of methodological choices. These decisions, such as which skeletal region to evaluate, which methods to apply, what statistical information to use, and how to combine information from multiple methods, ultimately impacts the final reported age estimate. In this study, a questionnaire was administered to 145 forensic anthropologists, documenting current trends in adult age at death estimation procedures used throughout the field. Results indicate that the Suchey‐Brooks pubic symphysis method (1990) remains the most highly favored aging technique, with cranial sutures and dental wear being the least preferred, regardless of experience. The majority of respondents stated that they vary their skeletal age estimate process case‐by‐case and ultimately present to officials both a narrow and broad possible age range. Overall, respondents displayed a very high degree of variation in how they generate their age estimates, and indicated that experience and expertise play a large role in skeletal age estimates.
Island, archipelago and taxon effects: mixed models as a means of dealing with the imperfect design of nature's experiments
Authors: Bunnefeld Nils , Phillimore Albert B.
Published: November 2011

A major aim of island biogeography has been to describe general patterns of species richness across islands and to identify the processes responsible. Data are often collected across many islands; with larger datasets providing increased statistical power and more accurate parameter estimates. However, there is often structure in observational data, violating an assumption of linear models that each datum is independent. In island biogeography this structure may take the form of an island, archipelago or taxon being represented by multiple data points. We survey recent papers in this field and find that these forms of non‐independence are a common feature. Most authors addressed this problem by conducting separate analyses for each archipelago, taxon or combination of the two, but a better tool for dealing with non‐independence and structure in data, the mixed model, already exists. We demonstrate the advantages of a mixed model approach by applying it to a well‐known dataset that spans 134 observations of single island endemic (SIE) richness across 39 islands, four archipelagos and four taxa. Taking island area and age into account, SIE richness varies substantially more among archipelagos than it does among islands or taxa. We find that SIE richness rises with island age on the Azores and Galapagos, while on the Canaries and Hawaii SIE richness initially rises with age but later declines on older islands. Our analyses demonstrate three advantages to island biogeography of applying a mixed modelling approach: 1) structure in the data is controlled for; 2) the variance among islands, archipelagos and taxa is estimated; 3) all the data can be included in a single model, making it possible to test whether trends are general across all archipelagos and taxa or are idiosyncratic.
The dynamics of forest tent caterpillar outbreaks across east‐central Canada
Authors: Cooke Barry J. , MacQuarrie Chris J. K. , Lorenzetti François
Published: November 2011

An analysis of forest tent caterpillar Malacosoma disstria defoliation records from Ontario and Quebec over the period 1938–2002 indicates that outbreaks recur periodically and somewhat synchronously among regions of the two provinces. Cluster analysis revealed that the most strongly periodic, large‐scale, synchronized fluctuations occurred within three regions: northwestern Ontario, eastern Ontario/western Quebec and southeastern Quebec. Defoliation in the vast surrounding hinterlands tended to be infrequent and sporadic, loosely tracking defoliation in the core outbreak regions. One small cluster in northeastern Ontario stood out as anomalous, as a result of an increasing trend in the duration of periodic defoliation episodes, marked by an unprecedented double‐wave of defoliation that persisted from 1992 to 1999. This is the precise area where, in the early 2000s, trembling aspen Populus tremuloides stems were mapped as being in a state of decline of unprecedented severity and extent. Our results suggest forest tent caterpillar has the potential to cause significant impacts on forest health and, hence, carbon budgets in east‐central Canada and that the forest tent caterpillar deserves more attention as a model system of forest insect disturbance ecology.
Conservation implications of the refugee species concept and the European bison: king of the forest or refugee in a marginal habitat?
Authors: Kerley G. I. H. , Kowalczyk R. , Cromsigt J. P. G. M.
Published: November 2011

The concept of refugee species provides a theoretical framework towards increasing the predictive power of the ‘declining population paradigm’ through identifying species which are expected to suffer from a declining population syndrome. Using a simple habitat model as a framework, refugee species are defined as those that can no longer access optimal habitat, but are confined to suboptimal habitats, with consequences of decreased fitness and density, and attendant conservation risks. Refugee species may be difficult to detect in the absence of information on prior habitat use and fitness and their observed ecology will be constrained by the habitat limits forced on them. Identification of refugee species, characterisation of pre‐refugee ecology and the restoration of such species to optimal habitat is critical to their successful conservation. The concept is showcased by addressing the conundrum of a large grazing bovid, the European bison Bison bonasus, being managed as a forest specialist, despite its evolutionary background, dental morphology, neonatal behaviour, diet and microhabitat selection being characteristic of a grazing species inhabiting open, grass‐rich habitats. It is hypothesized that a combination of increasing replacement of open steppe by forest cover after the last postglacial period and increasing human pressure forced bison into forests as a refuge habitat. This process was then reinforced through active management of bison in forests as managers committed themselves to the ‘bison as forest species’ paradigm. A research agenda to test this hypothesis using an experimental approach in the conservation management of European bison by introducing populations into diverse habitat types is suggested.
Climate induced changes in matrix suitability explain gene flow in a fragmented landscape – the effect of interannual rainfall variability
Authors: Blaum Niels , Schwager Monika , Wichmann Matthias C. , Rossmanith Eva
Published: November 2011

In fragmented landscapes, the survival of species and the maintenance of populations with healthy genetic structures will largely depend on movement/dispersal of organisms across matrix areas. In this article, we highlight that effects of fragmentation and climate change occur simultaneously and may enhance or mitigate each other. We systematically analyzed the effect of increasing interannual variation in rainfall on the genetic structure of two neighbouring small mammal subpopulations in a fragmented savanna landscape. The effect of interannual rainfall variation is analyzed for two contrasting scenarios that differ in mean annual rainfall and are both close to a dispersal threshold. Scenario 1 (low mean annual rainfall) lies slightly below this threshold and scenario 2 (high mean annual rainfall) slightly above, i.e. the amount of rainfall in an average rainfall year prevents dispersal in scenario 1, but promotes gene flow in scenario 2. We show that the temporal dynamics of the matrix was crucial for gene flow and the genetic structure of the neighbouring small mammal subpopulations. The most important result is that the increase in rainfall variability could both increase and decrease the genetic difference between the subpopulations in a complex pattern, depending on the scenario and on the amount of variation in rainfall. Finally, we discuss that the relevance of the matrix as temporarily suitable habitat may become a key aspect for biodiversity conservation. We conclude to incorporate temporal changes in matrix suitability in metapopulation theory since local extinctions, gene flow and re‐colonization are likely to be affected in fragmented landscapes with such dynamic matrix areas.
Patterns of bird invasion are consistent with environmental filtering
Authors: Maitner Brian S. , Rudgers Jennifer A. , Dunham Amy E. , Whitney Kenneth D.
Published: November 2011

Predicting invasion potential has global significance for managing ecosystems as well as important theoretical implications for understanding community assembly. Phylogenetic relationships of introduced species to the extant community may be predictive of establishment success because of the opposing forces of competition/shared enemies (which should limit invasions by close relatives) versus environmental filtering (which should allow invasions by close relatives). We examine here the association between establishment success of introduced birds and their phylogenetic relatedness to the extant avifauna within three highly invaded regions (Florida, New Zealand, and Hawaii). Published information on both successful and failed introductions, as well as native species, was compiled for all three regions. We created a phylogeny for each avifauna including all native and introduced bird species. From the estimated branch lengths on these phylogenies, we calculated multiple measurements of relatedness between each introduced species and the extant avifauna. We used generalized linear models to test for an association between relatedness and establishment success. We found that close relatedness to the extant avifauna was significantly associated with increased establishment success for exotic birds both at the regional (Florida, Hawaii, New Zealand) and sub‐regional (islands within Hawaii) levels. Our results suggest that habitat filtering may be more important than interspecific competition in avian communities assembled under high rates of anthropogenic species introductions. This work also supports the utility of community phylogenetic methods in the study of vertebrate invasions.
The chemoadjuvant potential of grape seed procyanidins on p53‐related cell death in oral cancer cells
Authors: Lin Yaoh‐Shiang , Chen Su‐Feng , Liu Chia‐Lin , Nieh Shin
Published: November 2011

J Oral Pathol Med (2012) 41: 322–331

Background:  To clarify the efficacy of grape seed procyanidin (GSP) on antiproliferative effects related to p53 functional status of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) for its chemoadjuvant potential.

Methods:  We used GSP to investigate SCC‐25 cells with wild‐type p53 gene and OEC‐M1 cells with mutant p53 gene for the assessment of antiproliferative effects including cell viability, cell cycle, apoptosis, migration and invasion potential, and alterations of associated oncoproteins involved in cellular and molecular events.

Results:  The findings suggest that GSP on OEC‐M1 cells leads to cell cycle arrest by increasing the expression of p21Cip1/p27Kip1 protein without functioning mitochondria‐mediated apoptosis, whereas GSP on SCC‐25 cells inhibits cell proliferation via both G1‐phase arrest and mitochondria‐mediated apoptosis in a dose‐dependent manner as a result of alterations of Bcl‐2. GSP also inhibits the migration and invasion of both cells, which are associated with the suppression of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), MMP‐2 and MMP‐9.

Conclusion:  Antiproliferative effectiveness of GSP is closely associated with the p53 status of OSCC cells. GSP displays chemoadjuvant potential via cell cycle blockage and apoptotic induction. Our findings clearly suggest that GSP may play a role as a novel chemopreventive or therapeutic agent for OSCC.