bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A holistic approach to bit preservation
Authors: Maj‐Britt Olmütz Zierau Eld
Published: August 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to point out the importance of taking a holistic approach to bit preservation when setting out to find an optimal bit preservation solution for specific digital materials. In the last decade there has been an increasing awareness that bit preservation, which is to keep bits intact and readable, is far more complex than first anticipated, even in this narrow definition. This paper takes a more holistic approach to bit preservation, and looks at how an optimal bit preservation strategy can be found, when requirements like confidentiality, availability and costs are taken into account.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper describes the various findings from previous research which have led to the holistic approach to bit preservation. This paper also includes an introduction to digital preservation with a focus on the role of bit preservation, which sets the scene for why bit preservation deserves attention in a holistic approach.

Findings

The paper presents different means to find an optimal bit preservation strategy. This consists of a model to delimit bit preservation activities, and will briefly discuss how specific material can require different bit preservation strategies as well as pointing to how such strategies can be evaluated.

Research limitations/implications

The operational results described here are still missing work to be fully operational. However, the holistic approach is in itself an important result. Furthermore, in spite of the shortcomings, the results can assist in analysis and evaluation of bit preservation strategies.

Originality/value

This paper is an extract of the findings presented in the doctoral thesis “A holistic approach to bit preservation”. The findings are relevant for any organisation that is required to do bit preservation of its digital material.
Preparing for the age of the digital palimpsest
Authors: Bengtson Jason
Published: August 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to define and stimulate interest in a potential new specialty within the information science field.

Design/methodology/approach

Sources on digital forensics and digital archeology are discussed, and the topic is examined critically from a librarian perspective. The author examines the possibility of an information science specialty pursuing the reconstruction of “digital palimpsests”, where data that later becomes historically significant has been deleted or partially overwritten on digital media.

Findings

The author identifies at least one key incident (the NASA moon landing tapes) where this potential field has already started to be defined. Examination of the literature indicates that emphasis in data recovery to this point has centered on the needs of law enforcement and disaster recovery rather than on the considerations of manuscript preservation, recovery, and curation. The author emphasizes the need for librarians to bring together the skills of multiple fields, especially that of information technology, in order to shape the tools needed to take the lead in “digital palimpsest” recovery.

Originality/value

The author asserts that the recovery of “digital palimpsests” will become important as digital archives age and society's position on what has historical value inevitably shifts. The author further asserts that members of the information science field must actively work to take ownership of the field before it is subsumed by information technology or another discipline less equipped to manage its nebulous considerations effectively.
Change management for Colombian entrepreneurs in displacement situation
Authors: Gámez Gutiérrez Jorge Alberto , Manuel Saiz Álvarez José
Published: August 2012

Purpose

The objective of this paper is to propose new management techniques applied to Colombian entrepreneurs in displacement situation (EDS) based on education, solidarity, financial aid and social inclusion programs.

Design/methodology/approach

The empirical study was conducted between March and September 2010 with a mixture of 92 direct interviews using Alfa Ti, and Delphi surveys to 92 entrepreneurs, of whom 46 were EDS. In order to distinguish between entrepreneurs and EDS, three methodologies were applied: classification into two phases; hierarchical classification (dendrograms); and K‐averages classification. Results were different for the three analyses, although they do have similarities (three clusters of outliers).

Findings

The main findings are: distinction among opportunity effect, need effect and survival effect; conceptualization, characterization and classification of EDS; distinction between entrepreneurs and EDS; design of the “five Cs” pentagon; elaboration of the pyramid of micro‐corporate success for EDS.

Originality/value

To date there is no theoretical model to develop administrative skills for EDS to carry out change management in third world countries with social conflicts.
Extending the efficient and responsive supply chains framework to the green context
Authors: Youn Sunhee , Yang Ma Ga (Mark) , Jungbae Roh James
Published: August 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to develop research frameworks for two types of green supply chains based on Fisher's seminal work. In spite of Fisher's contribution to the literature, his study has rarely been extended into green supply chain contexts, except in a few conceptual arguments. The current study explores how Fisher's perspective of efficient versus responsive supply chains can be a stepping stone to the development of two green supply chains: eco‐efficient and eco‐responsive supply chains.

Design/methodology/approach

Toward the above end, a case methodology is employed (Yin). Two Korean global companies, Pohang Iron and Steel Company (POSCO) and Samsung Electronics (SEC), are selected to explore eco‐efficient and eco‐responsive supply chains. POSCO (steel products) is selected to enable the understanding of how efficient and eco‐efficient supply chains work. SEC (mobile phone products) is chosen to understand responsive and eco‐responsive supply chains.

Findings

The findings suggest that POSCO tends to stress process technology innovation as a means to address green pressures, while SEC accentuates the green product strategy; while an eco‐efficient supply chain focuses on keeping to an environmental standard across the supply chains, an eco‐responsive supply chain centers on the collaboration of suppliers and distributors in greening the supply chain; and SEC takes more initiatives to educate and encourage consumers to engage in recycling activities than POSCO does.

Originality/value

Few studies have examined the green supply chain using the perspective of Fisher's framework (efficient vs responsive supply chains). By addressing the timely topic, this study fills a research gap in green supply chain literature.
Experiences in managing uncertainty and ignorance in a lightly instrumented smart home
Authors: Dominici Michele , Pietropaoli Bastien , Weis Frédéric
Published: August 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to report an inter‐disciplinary experience in building a context‐aware system that provides adapted functionalities to inhabitants of a smart home. The paper focuses on the management of uncertainty that is intrinsic to pervasive computing systems.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper presents the principles that characterize the context‐aware architecture: the acceptability‐driven design, where privacy and acceptability are favored; the awareness of the gap between the reality of human activity and the capabilities of the capture process; the step‐by‐step abstraction of contextual information; the management of uncertainty imprecision and ignorance at individual‐ and cross‐layer levels. The paper presents the principles and describes the system architecture, focusing on the management of uncertainty.

Findings

The authors built a layered architecture that manages and propagates uncertainty, imprecision and ignorance, allowing the recognition of ambiguous contexts and the provision of adapted functionalities. The paper illustrates this architecture and an application leveraging it.

Research limitations/implications

Future work will investigate the exploitation of feedback mechanisms and the recognition of context dynamics. These improvements will allow resolving inconsistencies and ambiguities in context information and improving the provision of functionalities in situations characterized by temporal developments.

Practical implications

The research aims at realizing the long‐term vision of smart homes that provide adapted functionalities to inhabitants: saving energy and improving comfort and quality of domestic life.

Originality/value

The paper introduces some principles that can be considered when designing a context‐aware system and presents an architecture that follows those principles. Researchers in the smart home and pervasive computing domains may consider this paper when designing their context‐aware architectures.
Staphylococcus aureus‐derived extracellular vesicles induce neutrophilic pulmonary inflammation via both Th1 and Th17 cell responses
Authors: Kim M.‐R. , Hong S.‐W. , Choi E.‐B. , Lee W.‐H. , Kim Y.‐S. , Jeon S. G. , Jang M. H. , Gho Y. S. , Kim Y.‐K.
Published: August 2012

Background

Recent evidence indicates that Staphylococcus aureus, one of the most important human pathogens, secretes vesicles into the extracellular milieu.

Objective

To evaluate whether inhalation of S. aureus‐derived extracellular vesicles (EV) is causally related to the pathogenesis of inflammatory pulmonary diseases.

Methods

Staphylococcus aureus EV were prepared by sequential ultrafiltration and ultracentrifugation. The innate immune response was evaluated in vitro after the application of EV to airway epithelial cells and alveolar macrophages. In vivo innate and adaptive immune responses were evaluated after airway exposure to EV. Adjuvant effects of EV on the development of hypersensitivity to inhaled allergens were also evaluated after airway sensitization with S. aureus EV and ovalbumin (OVA).

Results

Staphylococcus aureus and S. aureus EV were detected in house dust. Alveolar macrophages produced both tumor necrosis α (TNF‐α) and interleukin 6 (IL‐6) after in vitro stimulation with S. aureus EV, whereas airway epithelial cells produced only IL‐6. Repeated airway exposure to S. aureus EV induced both Th1 and Th17 cell responses and neutrophilic pulmonary inflammation, mainly via a Toll‐like receptor 2 (TLR2)‐dependent mechanism. In terms of adjuvant effects, airway sensitization with S. aureus EV and OVA resulted in neutrophilic pulmonary inflammation after OVA challenge alone. This phenotype was partly reversed by the absence of interferon γ (IFN‐γ) or IL‐17.

Conclusion

Staphylococcus aureus EV can induce Th1 and Th17 neutrophilic pulmonary inflammation, mainly in a TLR2‐dependent manner. Additionally, S. aureus EV enhance the development of airway hypersensitivity to inhaled allergens.
Development and construct validation of the angioedema quality of life questionnaire
Authors: Weller K. , Groffik A. , Magerl M. , Tohme N. , Martus P. , Krause K. , Metz M. , Staubach P. , Maurer M.
Published: August 2012

Background

Recurrent angioedema is a frequent clinical problem characterized by unpredictably and rapidly occurring cutaneous and mucosal swellings. These swellings may be painful and/or disfiguring. Upper airway involvement can also lead to dyspnea and suffocation. Although the disease burden is high, there is currently no specific instrument to measure health‐related quality of life (QoL) impairment.

Objective

To develop and validate the first symptom‐specific tool to assess QoL impairment in recurrent angioedema patients, adhering to established methodological recommendations.

Methods

During the development phase, 29 questions (items) were generated. Subsequently, item reduction was performed by means of impact analysis and factor analysis as well as by checking for content and face validity. As a result, 17 items were selected and included in the final instrument, the Angioedema QoL Questionnaire (AE‐QoL). AE‐QoL was then tested for its validity, reliability, and influence factors.

Results

One hundred and ten angioedema patients took part in the validation of AE‐QoL. AE‐QoL was found to have a four‐dimensional structure as well as a valid total score. All of its four domains (functioning, fatigue/mood, fears/shame, food) showed good levels of internal consistency with Cronbach's alpha > 0.8. Test–retesting revealed a good reliability of the instruments total score and domain scores. Gender as well as the patients' self‐rated disease activity was found to be predictors of the AE‐QoL total score.

Conclusions

Angioedema Quality of Life Questionnaire is the first angioedema‐specific QoL questionnaire. It is a short, valid and reliable instrument that may serve as a valuable tool in future clinical studies and in routine patient care.
Dipeptidyl peptidase‐4 inhibitors and cardiovascular risk: a meta‐analysis of randomized clinical trials
Authors: Monami M. , Ahrén B. , Dicembrini I. , Mannucci E.
Published: August 2012

Aims

Preliminary data from randomized trials with metabolic outcomes have shown that treatment with dipeptidyl peptidase‐4 inhibitors (DPP4i) could be associated with a reduced incidence of major cardiovascular events (MACE). The present meta‐analysis is aimed at verifying this protective effect, collecting all available data from randomized trials.

Methods

A comprehensive search for published and unpublished trials with a duration ≥24 weeks comparing DPP4i with placebo or other drugs was performed, retrieving all MACE reported as serious adverse events together with death from any cause. Mantel–Haenzel odds ratio (MH–OR) was calculated with random effect models for MACE, myocardial infarction, stroke and mortality. When available, effects on glycated haemoglobin, lipid profile and blood pressure were also assessed and used for the estimation of the modification of risk for myocardial infarction using the UKPDS risk engine.

Results

A total of 70 trials, enrolling 41 959 patients with a mean follow‐up of 44.1 weeks, was collected and included in the analysis. The MH–OR (95% Confidence Interval) was 0.71[0.59;0.86], 0.64[0.44;0.94], 0.77[0.48;1.24] and 0.60[0.41;0.88] for MACE, myocardial infarction, stroke and mortality, respectively.

Conclusions

Treatment with DPP4i reduces the risk of cardiovascular events (particularly myocardial infarction) and all‐cause mortality in patients with type 2 diabetes. The reduction in the incidence of myocardial infarction is greater than what predicted on the basis of conventional risk factors, suggesting a role for other mechanisms.
Productivity, grazing utilization, forage quality and primary production controls of species‐rich alpine grasslands with Nardus stricta in northern Spain
Authors: Bedia J. , Busqué J.
Published: August 2012

Species‐rich alpine grasslands with Nardus stricta are important communities for both animal production and environmental conservation in Europe. We selected two contrasting types of Nardus grasslands (mesic and wet) within a rangeland of northern Spain and measured annual above‐ground net primary productivity (ANPP), botanical components, forage utilization and their respective seasonal patterns, during a 5‐year period. We analysed their chemical properties and recorded soil moisture and temperature in order to construct models able to explain grassland productivity. Mean annual ANPP of mesic Nardus grassland was about half (216 g DM m−2 year−1; ±29·8 s.e.) that of the wet grassland (406 g DM m−2 year−1; ±54·3 s.e.), with significant intra‐ and interannual variability. Mesic grassland, with a more important contribution of forbs and legumes over graminoids in its botanical composition, was the preferred forage source of grazing livestock and showed better chemical properties in spring and early summer. In summer and autumn, wet grassland had a higher utilization owing to its ability to maintain high biomass production. This was partially explained by soil moisture, a limiting factor of mesic grassland productivity. Our results provide new and relevant information on key aspects of species‐rich alpine Nardus grasslands, potentially useful for the definition of management options for these habitats of priority conservation.
Genetic polymorphism of IL28B in hepatitis C‐infected haemophilia patients in Israel
Authors: Maor Y. , Morali G. , Bashari D. , Pénaranda G. , Schapiro J. M. , Martinowitz U. , Halfon P.
Published: August 2012

Single‐nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) near the IL28B gene were identified as major predictors of treatment response (sustained virologic response – SVR) and spontaneous clearance of HCV. Haemophilia patients have the highest prevalence of HCV, and are a unique target for genetic studies. The Israeli population is ethnically heterogeneous; therefore, genetic variability is anticipated. To determine the IL28B haplotypes in HCV‐infected haemophilia patients and association with SVR and spontaneous viral clearance. IL28B polymorphism at SNPs rs12979860 and rs8099917 was determined in sera obtained from 130 HCV‐infected haemophilia patients. The frequency of the various haplotypes was analysed according to treatment response, spontaneous HCV clearance, viral load and degree of fibrosis. The CC haplotype at SNP rs12979860 was found in 31% of patients, whereas the TT genotype at SNP rs8099917 was detected in 57% of cases. SVR was achieved in 70% of patients carrying the CC haplotype (P = 0.0196 vs. CT/TT), and 50% of the TT genotype at SNP rs8099917 (P = 0.0227 vs. TG/GG). Thirty‐five percent of patients carrying the CC haplotype and 26% with the TT genotype at SNP rs8099917 showed spontaneous clearance of HCV infection (P = 0.00262 vs. CT/TT; and P = 0.00371 vs. TG/GG respectively). The C‐allele frequency was exceptionally high (71%) in immigrants from the Asian republics of Russia. In HCV‐infected haemophilia patients, SVR was more commonly achieved among patients who had the CC (rs12979860) or TT (rs8099917) genotype. Likewise, patients who possess harbour the CC or TT genotypes were more likely to clear HCV infection spontaneously. A unique distribution of the CC genotype was observed in some ethnic groups.
Effects of traditional, blended and e‐learning on students' achievement in higher education
Authors: Al‐Qahtani Awadh A.Y. , Higgins S.E.
Published: August 2012

The study investigates the effect of e‐learning, blended learning and classroom learning on students’ achievement. Two experimental groups together with a control group from Umm Al‐Qura University in Saudi Arabia were identified randomly. To assess students’ achievement in the different groups, pre‐ and post‐achievement tests were used. The results of the study (N = 148) show that there was a statistically significant difference between the three methods in terms of students’ achievement favouring the blended learning method (n = 55) with a substantial effect size of 1.34 (Hedges’ g). No significant difference was found between the e‐learning (n = 43) and traditional learning groups (n = 50) in terms of students’ achievement and with a negligible effect size of 0.02.
Harnessing collective knowledge inherent in tag clouds
Authors: Cress U. , Held C.
Published: August 2012

Tagging systems represent the conceptual knowledge of a community. We experimentally tested whether people harness this collective knowledge when navigating through the Web. As a within‐factor we manipulated people's prior knowledge (no knowledge vs. prior knowledge that was congruent/incongruent to the collective knowledge inherent in the tags). As between‐factor we manipulated whether people had tag clouds available or not. In line with the Information Foraging Theory and with the Co‐Evolution Model of individual learning and collective knowledge building, we found that people's prior knowledge and tag clouds influenced their navigation. Tags which were congruent with people's prior knowledge had a higher probability of being selected. A knowledge test showed that participants adapted their individual conceptual knowledge to the collective knowledge. This incidental learning shows that people harness collective knowledge just by navigation with tag clouds.
Argument graph as a tool for promoting collaborative online reading
Authors: Kiili Carita
Published: August 2012

This study explored how the construction of an argument graph promotes students' collaborative online reading compared to note‐taking. Upper secondary school students (n = 76) worked in pairs. The pairs were asked to search for and read source material on the Web for a joint essay and either construct an argument graph or take notes during online reading. The data consist of transcription protocols of student pairs' discussions and joint essays. The study indicated that argument graphs may be useful tools when teachers want students to pay attention to the argumentative content of online sources and to consider relations between arguments. Additionally, with argument graphs, teachers can support students' post‐reading activities, such as source‐based argumentative writing.
Ultrastructural morphogenesis of salmonid alphavirus 1
Authors: Herath T K , Ferguson H W , Thompson K D , Adams A , Richards R H
Published: August 2012

Studies on the ultrastructural morphogenesis of viruses give an insight into how the host cell mechanisms are utilized for new virion synthesis. A time course examining salmonid alphavirus 1 (SAV 1) assembly was performed by culturing the virus on Chinook salmon embryo cells (CHSE‐214). Different stages of viral replication were observed under electron microscopy. Virus‐like particles were observed inside membrane‐bound vesicles as early as 1 h following contact of the virus with the cells. Membrane‐dependent replication complexes were observed in the cytoplasm of the cells, with spherules found at the periphery of late endosome‐like vacuoles. The use of intracellular membranes for RNA replication is similar to other positive‐sense single‐stranded RNA (+ssRNA) viruses. The number of Golgi apparatus and associated vacuoles characterized by ‘fuzzy’‐coated membranes was greater in virus‐infected cells. The mature enveloped virions started to bud out from the cells at approximately 24 h post‐infection. These observations suggest that the pathway used by SAV 1 for the generation of new virus particles in vitro is comparable to viral replication observed with mammalian alphaviruses but with some interesting differences.
Isolation of bacterial probiotic candidates from the gastrointestinal tract of rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss (Walbaum), and screening for inhibitory activity against Flavobacterium psychrophilum
Authors: Burbank D R , LaPatra S E , Fornshell G , Cain K D
Published: August 2012

In this study, 318 bacterial strains were isolated from the gastrointestinal (GI) tracts of 29 rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss (Walbaum). These bacteria were screened in vitro for their ability to inhibit growth of Flavobacterium psychrophilum, the causative agent of coldwater disease. Bacteria observed to inhibit F. psychrophilum growth were further screened against rainbow trout bile, as an indicator of their ability to survive in the GI tract. This screening resulted in narrowing the pool to 24 bacterial isolates. Those 24 isolates were then tested for pathogenicity in rainbow trout by intraperitoneal injection. Following a 28‐day challenge, eight isolates were shown to cause direct mortality and were eliminated from further study. As a result, 16 bacterial isolates were identified as probiotic candidates with the potential to control or reduce disease caused by F. psychrophilum.
Susceptibility of three strains of blue catfish, Ictalurus furcatus (Valenciennes), to Ichthyophthirius multifiliis
Authors: Xu D‐H , Klesius P H , Bosworth B G , Chatakondi N
Published: August 2012

This study compared the susceptibility of three blue catfish strains (D&B, USDA 101 and USDA 102) to the parasite Ichthyophthirius multifiliis (Ich). In Trial I, a cohabitation study (all strains stocked communally) was conducted and fish were exposed to theronts at 0, 200, 1000, 5000 or 25 000 theronts fish−1, respectively. All fish died when exposed to theronts at 5000 or 25 000 theronts fish−1. When exposed to 1000 theronts fish−1, USDA 102 strain of blue catfish showed significantly lower mortality (78.5%) compared to USDA 101 and D&B strains (92.7% and 100%). In Trial II, the same three strains of blue fish were evaluated for their susceptibility to Ich with strains challenged in separate tanks by adding Ich theronts at 0, 200 and 1000 theronts fish−1, respectively. All D&B and USDA 101 blue catfish died; however, 42.3% of USDA 102 strain survived the infection when exposed to 1000 theronts per fish. The results indicate that there are differences among strains of blue catfish for susceptibility to Ich, and these differences will be useful in the development of improved catfish germplasm for commercial aquaculture.
Telangiectasia macularis multiplex acquisita: a new entity in Chinese populations and an analysis of associated factors
Authors: Chang Chih‐Hsiang , Lu Pei‐Hsuan , Kuo Chia‐Jung , Yang Chih‐Hsun
Published: August 2012

Background  Telangiectasia macularis multiplex acquisita (TMMA) is a rarely documented entity with distinctive clinical manifestation. Most patients are middle‐aged adults. It may be associated with other diseases such as hepatitis, diabetes, or cardiovascular diseases.

Objectives  To assess the clinical presentation of TMMA and its association to other systemic diseases, especially the correlation to liver disease, in Taiwan.

Methods  We identified and retrospectively analyzed clinical criteria‐matched and skin biopsy‐proven patients from 2002 to 2010 at a single medical center. The clinical criteria for diagnosis of TMMA included: (i) crops of telangiectasia superimposed on erythematous macules symmetrically on bilateral upper arms, possibly extending to the forearms, shoulders, V‐shaped area of the anterior chest, back or thighs; (ii) no mucosal or systemic involvement; (iii) not associated with autoimmune diseases, such as lupus erythematosus, dermatomyositis or systemic scleroderma that may induce cutaneous telangiectasia; and (iv) no ataxia or unsteady gait.

Results  Twenty‐five patients were enrolled in this study. The male‐to‐female ratio was 19:6. The age of onset was variable, mostly between the third to sixth decades. The V‐shaped area of the anterior chest was commonly involved (68%), in addition to the arms (100%). Viral hepatitis was diagnosed in 56.5% of the patients (13/23); 38.9% (7/18) and 50% (9/18) of the patients had diabetes and hypertension, respectively. In addition, 64.7% of the patients (11/17) had dyslipidemia. The pathological reports of most cases showed only mild perivascular lymphocytic infiltration with or without telangiectasia.

Conclusions  TMMA should be assigned to a distinct entity with unique clinical manifestation. It has not been well recognized and mostly misdiagnosed as other diseases with telangiectasia. It is important to evaluate the complete liver function tests when TMMA is suspected.
Reference values of hematology, chemistry, electrolytes, blood gas, coagulation time, and urinalysis in the Chinese rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta)
Authors: Lee Jae‐IL , Shin Jun‐Seop , Lee Ji‐Eun , Jung Won‐Young , Lee Gaeul , Kim Min‐Sun , Park Chung‐Gyu , Kim Sang‐Joon
Published: August 2012

Lee J‐I, Shin J‐S, Lee J‐E, Jung W‐Y, Lee G, Kim M‐S, Park C‐G, Kim S‐J. Reference values of hematology, chemistry, electrolytes, blood gas, coagulation time, and urinalysis in the Chinese rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta). Xenotransplantation 2012; 19: 244–248.. © 2012 John Wiley & Sons A/S.

Abstract: Background:  Due to increasing preclinical study using the rhesus monkeys, the physiological data of these monkeys are very important for the objective evaluation of experimental results. Here, we report the physiological values of the Chinese rhesus monkeys acclimated under a well‐controlled laboratory environment.

Methods: Seventy healthy rhesus monkeys of both genders (29 males and 41 females) were used in this study. Available data on hematology, serum biochemistry, electrolytes, blood gas, coagulation time, urinalysis, water consumption, urine volume, and body weight were examined.

Results: The lymphocyte values were 1.5–2.5 times higher than the neutrophil values in both genders. In serum biochemistry, there was no significant difference between the two genders. Interestingly, the values of alkaline phosphatase from the monkeys were very high. According to isoenzyme analysis, the percentage of alkaline phosphatase that originated from the bone was 60%, and this value was significantly higher than that from the liver (39%, P = 0.020).

Conclusion: Physiological data are very important parameters that can be directly and indirectly related to organ function (e.g. islet, kidney, liver, heart, etc.) in the transplantation model. In this respect, our data constitute valuable references for preclinical study using the Chinese rhesus monkeys.
Investigating the molecular systematic relationships amongst selected Plesionika (Decapoda: Pandalidae) from the Northeast Atlantic and Mediterranean Sea
Authors: da Silva Joana M , dos Santos Antonina , Cunha Marina R , Costa Filipe O , Creer Simon , Carvalho Gary R
Published: August 2012

Despite the high number of species and ecological diversity of pandalid shrimps, there has been no previous attempt to resolve evolutionary relationships of several genera using molecular tools. Although mitochondrial DNA cytochrome oxidase I (COI) is widely used in barcoding studies to delimit species boundaries, additional insights into phylogenetic affinities can be obtained, especially when used in combination with data from additional genes. The knowledge of molecular diversity is essential to understand phylogenetic relationships and will help systematic clarifications. Based on partial fragments of the 16S and COI genes, we have focused specifically on addressing the systematic relationships of the economically and ecologically important shrimp genus Plesionika within a framework of five genera from within the Pandalidae. Our results showed that species within Plesionika are substantially divergent when compared with other genera, exhibiting the highest average nucleotide divergence, with 0.1123 and 0.0846 in COI and 16S genes, respectively. In addition, sequence divergence was found to vary greatly within the genus Plesionika (COI/16S): 0.0247/0.0016 between Plesionika antigai and Plesionika heterocarpus and 0.1616/0.098 between Plesionika heterocarpus and Plesionika edwardsii. We did not find amino acid sequence divergence between P. heterocarpus and P. antigai compared with P. heterocarpus and P. edwardsii (8.10%, K2P distance). Three species of Plesionika (P. antigai, P. heterocarpus and Plesionika scopifera) appear well separated from other Plesionika species in both maximum likelihood and Bayesian analyses. The present study confirms the utility of COI over 16S as a genetic marker to resolve relationships between different species of Plesionika from the Northeast Atlantic and Mediterranean Sea, in addition to species delimitation. The findings highlight the need to further review paraphyly within Plesionika in an attempt to recognize a concordance in the evolutionary history of Plesionika with major ecological and geological events.
Somatic Cell Nuclear Transfer Cloning: Practical Applications and Current Legislation
Authors: Niemann H , Lucas‐Hahn A
Published: August 2012

Contents

Somatic cloning is emerging as a new biotechnology by which the opportunities arising from the advances in molecular genetics and genome analysis can be implemented in animal breeding. Significant improvements have been made in SCNT protocols in the past years which now allow to embarking on practical applications. The main areas of application of SCNT are: Reproductive cloning, therapeutic cloning and basic research. A great application potential of SCNT based cloning is the production of genetically modified (transgenic) animals. Somatic cell nuclear transfer based transgenic animal production has significant advances over the previously employed microinjection of foreign DNA into pronuclei of zygotes. This cell based transgenesis is compatible with gene targeting and allows both, the addition of a specific gene and the deletion of an endogenous gene. Efficient transgenic animal production provides numerous opportunities for agriculture and biomedicine. Regulatory agencies around the world have agreed that food derived from cloned animals and their offspring is safe and there is no scientific basis for questioning this. Commercial application of somatic cloning within the EU is via the Novel Food regulation EC No. 258/97. Somatic cloning raises novel questions regarding the ethical and moral status of animals and their welfare which has prompted a controversial discussion in Europe which has not yet been resolved.
Severe intergenerational reproductive conflict and the evolution of menopause
Authors: Lahdenperä Mirkka , Gillespie Duncan O. S. , Lummaa Virpi , Russell Andrew F.
Published: August 2012

Human menopause is ubiquitous among women and is uninfluenced by modernity. In addition, it remains an evolutionary puzzle: studies have largely failed to account for diminishing selection on reproduction beyond 50 years. Using a 200‐year dataset on pre‐industrial Finns, we show that an important component is between‐generation reproductive conflict among unrelated women. Simultaneous reproduction by successive generations of in‐laws was associated with declines in offspring survivorship of up to 66%. An inclusive fitness model revealed that incorporation of the fitness consequences of simultaneous intergenerational reproduction between in‐laws, with those of grandmothering and risks of dying in childbirth, were sufficient to generate selection against continued reproduction beyond 51 years. Decomposition of model estimates suggested that the former two were most influential in generating selection against continued reproduction. We propose that menopause evolved, in part, because of age‐specific increases in opportunities for intergenerational cooperation and reproductive competition under ecological scarcity.
How to assemble a beneficial microbiome in three easy steps
Authors: Scheuring István , Yu Douglas W.
Published: August 2012

There is great interest in explaining how beneficial microbiomes are assembled. Antibiotic‐producing microbiomes are arguably the most abundant class of beneficial microbiome in nature, having been found on corals, arthropods, molluscs, vertebrates and plant rhizospheres. An exemplar is the attine ants, which cultivate a fungus for food and host a cuticular microbiome that releases antibiotics to defend the fungus from parasites. One explanation posits long‐term vertical transmission of Pseudonocardia bacteria, which (somehow) evolve new compounds in arms‐race fashion against parasites. Alternatively, attines (somehow) selectively recruit multiple, non‐coevolved actinobacterial genera from the soil, enabling a ‘multi‐drug’ strategy against parasites. We reconcile the models by showing that when hosts fuel interference competition by providing abundant resources, the interference competition favours the recruitment of antibiotic‐producing (and ‐resistant) bacteria. This partner‐choice mechanism is more effective when at least one actinobacterial symbiont is vertically transmitted or has a high immigration rate, as in disease‐suppressive soils.
Diversity of plant evolutionary lineages promotes arthropod diversity
Authors: Dinnage Russell , Cadotte Marc W. , Haddad Nick M. , Crutsinger Gregory M. , Tilman David
Published: August 2012

Large‐scale habitat destruction and climate change result in the non‐random loss of evolutionary lineages, reducing the amount of evolutionary history represented in ecological communities. Yet, we have limited understanding of the consequences of evolutionary history on the structure of food webs and the services provided by biological communities. Drawing on 11 years of data from a long‐term plant diversity experiment, we show that evolutionary history of plant communities – measured as phylogenetic diversity – strongly predicts diversity and abundance of herbivorous and predatory arthropods. Effects of plant species richness on arthropods become stronger when phylogenetic diversity is high. Plant phylogenetic diversity explains predator and parasitoid richness as strongly as it does herbivore richness. Our findings indicate that accounting for evolutionary relationships is critical to understanding the severity of species loss for food webs and ecosystems, and for developing conservation and restoration policies.
Are there long‐term effects of extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy in paediatric patients?
Authors: El‐Nahas Ahmed R. , Awad Bassam A. , El‐Assmy Ahmed M. , Abou El‐Ghar Mohamed E. , Eraky Ibrahim , El‐Kenawy Mahmoud R. , Sheir Khaled Z.
Published: August 2012

What's known on the subject? and What does the study add?

Extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy is effective for the treatment of paediatric renal stones with favourable short‐term safety.

Extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy for treatment of paediatric renal stones is also safe for the kidney and the child on long‐term follow‐up.

Objective

To evaluate the long‐term effects of extracoporeal shockwave lithotripsy (SWL) for treatment of renal stones in paediatric patients.

Patients and Methods

A database of paediatric patients who underwent SWL monotherapy for treatment of renal stones from September 1990 through to January 2009 was compiled. This study included only patients with follow‐up for more than 2 years. The long‐term effects of SWL were evaluated at the last follow‐up with measurement of patients' arterial blood pressure, estimation of random blood sugar and urine analysis. The results of diastolic blood pressure were plotted against a standardized age reference curve. The treated kidney was examined by ultrasonography for measurement of renal length and detection of stones. The measured renal lengths were plotted against age‐calculated normal renal lengths in healthy individuals.

Results

The study included 70 patients (44 boys (63%) and 26 girls) with mean age at the time of SWL 6.5 ± 3.6 years (range 1–14). The mean follow‐up period was 5.2 ± 3.6 years (range 2.1–17.5). The mean age at last follow‐up was 11.7 ± 5.3 years (range 4.4–27.5). No patients developed hypertension or diabetes. Only one treated kidney was smaller than one standard deviation of the calculated length. The cause of this was obstruction by a stone in the pelvic ureter 3 years after SWL.

Conclusion

The long‐term follow‐up after SWL for treatment of renal stones in paediatric patients showed no effect on renal growth and no development of hypertension or diabetes.
Tracing the Cascade of Children’s Insecurity in the Interparental Relationship: The Role of Stage‐Salient Tasks
Authors: Davies Patrick T. , Manning Liviah G. , Cicchetti Dante
Published: August 2012

This study examined whether children’s difficulties with stage‐salient tasks served as an explanatory mechanism in the pathway between their insecurity in the interparental relationship and their disruptive behavior problems. Using a multimethod, multi‐informant design, 201 two‐year‐old children and their mothers participated in 3 annual measurement occasions. Structural equation modeling analyses indicated that coder ratings of children’s insecure responses to interparental conflict from a maternal interview predicted observer ratings of their difficulties with stage‐salient tasks (i.e., emotion regulation, autonomy, resourceful problem solving) 1 year later after controlling for initial stage‐salient task performance. Stage‐salient task difficulties, in turn, predicted experimenter reports of children’s behavior problems 1 year later. Associations remained robust in the broader context of other pathways hypothesized in prevailing developmental cascade models.
International Productivity Differences, Trade and the Distributions of Factor Endowments
Authors: Sly Nicholas
Published: August 2012

This paper presents a model of task assignment and worker matching to explore how the distributions of labor endowments within countries influence aggregate productivity and international trade patterns. Higher moments of the skill distribution have complex relationships with the organization of the labor force. First, labor endowments skewed toward high abilities exhibit positive assortment of workers across tasks, while countries with distributions of ability skewed towards low abilities exhibit underemployment. Second, greater dispersion improves aggregate productivity in countries that experience underemployment, but worsens productivity where there is assortative assignment. Furthermore, the shape and size of factor endowments are shown to jointly determine a global pattern of comparative advantage. Countries are more likely to export their abundant factors when labor markets organize heterogenous workers effectively. These predictions receive empirical support from Organization for Economic Co‐operation and Development (OECD) countries using measures of diversity constructed from educational attainment.
Import Variety and Welfare Gain in China
Authors: Chen Bo , Ma Hong
Published: August 2012

This paper provides the first comprehensive measure of how much China has gained from import variety from 1997 to 2008, by adopting a simplified trade restrictiveness index. Utilizing the most disaggregated product‐level import data available for China, the paper finds that the welfare gain as a result of new import variety amounts to 4.9% of gross domestic product (GDP), or 0.4% annually, after controlling for the prevalent imported intermediate inputs for processing. Furthermore, the empirical strategy is extended to investigate specific contributions of different countries, and finds that China gains the most from Japan, followed by Canada and Germany. Countries with abundant natural resources, such as Indonesia, Russia, Iran, and Australia, also contribute significantly to China's welfare.
Cost‐reducing R&D Investment, Labor Market and Trade
Authors: Morita Tadashi
Published: August 2012

This paper constructs a two‐country model in which oligopolistic firms export goods and undertake cost‐reducing R&D investment. Each country imposes tariffs. A decrease in the tariff rates in both countries decreases cost‐reducing R&D investment.
Personality profiles and health: Longitudinal evidence among Finnish adults
Authors: KINNUNEN MARJA‐LIISA , METSÄPELTO RIITTA‐LEENA , FELDT TARU , KOKKO KATJA , TOLVANEN ASKO , KINNUNEN ULLA , LEPPÄNEN ESA , PULKKINEN LEA
Published: August 2012

Kinnunen, M.‐L., Metsäpelto, R. L., Feldt, T., Kokko, K., Tolvanen, A., Kinnunen, U., Leppänen, E. & Pulkkinen, L. (2012). Personality profiles and health: Longitudinal evidence among Finnish adults. Scandinavian Journal of Psychology 53, 512–522.

This study investigates the associations of longitudinal Big Five personality profiles with long‐term health in 304 adults (53% males). Personality traits (Neuroticism, Extraversion, Openness, Conscientiousness, Agreeableness) were assessed at ages 33, 42, and 50. Subjective (self‐rated health, symptoms, psychological distress) and objective (body mass index, waist‐to‐hip ratio, blood pressure, cholesterol, triglycerides) indicators of health were measured at ages 42 and 50. Five longitudinally stable personality profiles were extracted over 17 years by latent profile analysis. The levels of traits were the same in each profile at each age. Resilient individuals (N = 65; Neuroticism low, other traits high) had the best subjective health and Overcontrolled individuals (N = 40; Neuroticism high, other traits low) the poorest health over eight years. Reserved individuals (N = 25; high Conscientiousness, other traits low), Undercontrolled (N = 41; high Openness and Extraversion, low Conscientiousness), and Ordinary (N = 133; all traits scored medium) individuals were in the middle of these extremes in subjective health. No differences between the profiles were found in the objective indicators of health. Thus, overcontrol and resilience were most discriminative in terms of good health. Moreover, personality profiles revealed associations with health to be more nuanced than simply being composed of single traits. High Extraversion needed to be combined with high Conscientiousness (Resilients) in order to be associated with the best health; high Extraversion with low Conscientiousness (Undercontrolled) was associated with average health; and low Extraversion with high Neuroticism (Overcontrolled) was associated with the poorest health.
A Limited Repertoire of Emotion Regulation Strategies is Associated with Internalizing Problems in Adolescence
Authors: Lougheed Jessica P. , Hollenstein Tom
Published: August 2012

The present study was designed to test whether the beneficial effects of emotion regulation (ER) have less to do with the use of singular, ‘adaptive’ strategies and more to do with using a range of strategies. Using a community sample of adolescents (N = 177, M = 13.6 years), groups based on five measures of ER (reappraisal, suppression, concealing, emotional engagement, and adjusting) were created through latent profile analysis. A six‐group model was the best fit. As hypothesized, ER profiles with high scores on one or two indicators were associated with higher levels of internalizing problems, whereas profiles with average to high scores on several indicators and high scores on adjusting were associated with lower levels of internalizing problems (depression, general anxiety, and social anxiety). Results highlight the importance of having different ER strategies to use and that a limited ER repertoire in adolescence may be associated with internalizing problems.
A Conceptual Regulatory Framework for the Design and Evaluation of Complex, Participative Cultural Planning Strategies
Authors: Sacco Pier Luigi , Crociata Alessandro
Published: August 2012

The current hype about culture‐led local development models is causing an increasing interest in cultural policies in the broader context of urban policy. This is not necessarily a transitory situation bound to fade once the hype is over. Under certain conditions, there is room to believe that culture may indeed become a main development driver of urban systems. For this to happen, however, it is necessary to abandon simple mono‐causal developmental schemes (such as the ‘creative class’ model) and look for more articulated approaches. This calls in turn for a complex systems‐based conceptual framework that is at the same time rich enough to capture the complexity of the interdependences among policy and state variables, and manageable enough to be of practical use, not only for policy design professionals but also for local stakeholders who want to take part in collective decision‐making processes. Inclusiveness and collective decision making are almost unavoidable in the case of cultural planning strategies, as the social sustainability of culture‐based value creation processes crucially depends on boosting the level of access to cultural opportunities by local residents. In this article we present an approach that may be a tentative first step in this direction.