bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
How safe is Celecoxib for Asian–Indian patients with rheumatic diseases?
Authors: Danda Debashish , Iliyas Mohamed M. , Chandy Sujith J. , Chandra Cheemalapati , Mathew Ashish J.
Published: January 2013

Background

Cyclo‐oxygenase (COX)‐2 inhibitors have been the target of severe criticism, more so following the withdrawal of Rofecoxib. Post‐marketing surveillance of Celecoxib in Asian Indians, who are predisposed to premature athero‐thrombotic events, has not been studied.

Aims

To study the adverse effects of Celecoxib and compare them with those of other non‐steroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) in an Asian Indian cohort.

Materials and methods

This is a retrospective chart review with convenience sampling of patients on NSAIDs (at least five tablets a week, for at least 3 months prior to the study), attending the Rheumatology clinic of a tertiary care institution in south India between June 2004 and November 2004. Those with pre‐existing heart disease, hypertension, thrombo‐embolic disease, peptic ulcer and patients on corticosteroids were excluded. All the recorded adverse events were noted and compared between the Celecoxib and non‐selective NSAID users. Univariate analysis using Chi‐square test was performed.

Results

Of the 1387 patients included, 915 were on Celecoxib. In the NSAID group, 204 had used multiple NSAIDs in sequence. Of the Celecoxib users, 164 had switched over to an NSAID during the study period. New onset of hypertension was significantly higher in the Celecoxib users as compared to non‐selective NSAID users (3.06% vs. 1.27%, P = 0.04). However, those who had switched over to NSAIDs did not show this trend. NSAID users, on the other hand, had significant gastrointestinal (GI) toxicity (2.54% vs. 0.327%, P = 0.001). A significant number of Celecoxib users who switched over to NSAIDs also developed GI toxicity (6.1% vs. 1.21%, P = 0.018) over a shorter time span, as compared to the continuous NSAID users. Multiple NSAID users had higher adverse events (6.37% vs. 2.23%, P = 0.023) as compared to single NSAID users.

Conclusion

Celecoxib significantly increased the incidence of new onset hypertension in this cohort of Indian patients with rheumatic diseases. No thromboembolic events were documented.
Bleeding complications after central line insertions: relevance of pre‐procedure coagulation tests and institutional transfusion policy
Authors: KANDER T. , FRIGYESI A. , KJELDSEN‐KRAGH J. , KARLSSON H. , ROLANDER F. , SCHÖTT U.
Published: January 2013

Background

The aim of this study was to map pre‐procedural variables for insertion of a central venous catheter, prophylactic blood component use and to investigate whether any independent variable could be identified as an independent risk factor for associated bleeding complications in patients outside the intensive care unit.

Methods

In this retrospective study, we investigated 1737 consecutive insertions of central venous catheters in 1444 patients in a large university hospital during 2009–2010. Pre‐procedural coagulation status, blood component use, type of catheter, insertion site and complications during insertion were recorded and compared with bleeding complications documented on electronic charts.

Results

No serious bleeding complications were recorded in connection with the insertion of central venous catheters. Sixteen of 1769 (0.9%) insertions caused grade 2 bleeding, defined as bleeding requiring prolonged compression at the insertion site. Insertion of a large bore central dialysis catheter was found to be an independent risk factor for bleeding complications. Neither conventional coagulation tests nor accidental arterial puncture or the number of needle passes could predict bleeding complications in this study.

Conclusion

This retrospective study, in non‐ICU patients, shows that serious bleeding complications in association with central line insertions are uncommon and that insertion of a large bore catheter is likely to be an independent risk factor for mild‐bleeding complications in this population.
Investigating the performance of different estimation techniques for crop yield data analysis in crop insurance applications
Authors: Finger Robert
Published: January 2013

We investigate the performance of the ordinary least squares (OLS)‐, M‐, MM‐, and the Theil–Sen (TS)‐estimator for crop yield data analysis in crop insurance applications using Monte Carlo simulations. More specifically, the performance is assessed with respect to trend estimation, prediction of future yield levels, and the estimation of expected indemnity payments. In agreement with earlier findings, other estimators are found to be superior to OLS in simple regression problems if yield distributions are outlier contaminated and heteroscedastic. While this conclusion is also valid for subsequent applications such as yield prediction and the estimation of expected indemnity payments, the difference between the considered estimators becomes less distinct. For these applications, we find particularly the M‐estimator to be a good compromise between high‐breakdown (very robust) estimators and the very efficient OLS‐estimator. Because no regression technique dominates all others in all applications and scenarios for error term distributions, our results underline that the choice of the estimation technique should be dependent on the purpose of the crop yield data analysis. However, alternative estimators such as M‐, MM‐, and TS‐estimator can reduce (and bound) the risk of unreliable or inefficient crop yield data analysis in crop insurance applications.
Endovascular therapy for penetrating ulcers of the infrarenal aorta
Authors: Georgiadis George S. , Trellopoulos George , Antoniou George A. , Georgakarakos Efstratios I. , Nikolopoulos Evagelos S. , Pelekas Dimitrios , Pitta Xanthi , Lazarides Miltos K.
Published: January 2013

Background

We sought to investigate the short‐ and mid‐term results of the endovascular repair of infrarenal abdominal penetrating aortic ulcers (aPAUs).

Methods

Patients with infrarenal aPAUs treated by endovascular means between March 2004 and June 2012 were recruited. Pre‐interventional imaging included computed tomography (CT) or CT angiography. Endoprostheses were chosen and deployed according to standard elective endovascular aneurysm repair anatomical requirements. Endpoints included 30‐day survival, in‐hospital mortality, 1‐year PAU‐related mortality, 1‐year all‐cause mortality, freedom from death and freedom from cumulative complication and interventions. Statistically, the Kaplan–Meier method was applied.

Results

Nineteen patients (18 men, median age 70 years (interquartile range, IQR = 59–75)) suffering aPAUs (n = 29, infrarenal = 25) were detected. The median co‐morbid severity scoring was 1.0 (IQR = 0.4–1.4). The median follow‐up period was 33 months (IQR = 8–51.5). Furthermore, 94.7% of patients had hypertension. Fourteen patients (73.7%) had symptoms, including four of them admitted with shock from large‐contained PAU rupture. Endoluminal stent grafting was successfully delivered in all patients. In‐hospital mortality was 10.5%. Two patients required secondary interventions (10.5%). The 30‐day survival, 1‐year PAU‐related mortality and 1‐year all‐cause mortality were 94.7%, 89.5% and 89.5%, respectively. Freedom from death and freedom from cumulative complications and interventions was 86.4% and 86.4%, 78.9% and 78.9%, and 67.9% and 71.2% at 12, 24 and 36 months, respectively.

Conclusions

Urgent and elective endovascular repair of aPAUs can be achieved with high technical success. The significant co‐morbid status of the treated patients is illustrated in the considerable in‐hospital mortality and underlines the advantage of such treatment over open surgical repair.
The Box–Cox Transformation and Non‐Iterative Estimation Methods for Ordinal Log‐Linear Models
Authors: Beh Eric J. , Farver Thomas B.
Published: January 2013

Recently Beh and Farver investigated and evaluated three non‐iterative procedures for estimating the linear‐by‐linear parameter of an ordinal log‐linear model. The study demonstrated that these non‐iterative techniques provide estimates that are, for most types of contingency tables, statistically indistinguishable from estimates from Newton's unidimensional algorithm. Here we show how two of these techniques are related using the Box–Cox transformation. We also show that by using this transformation, accurate non‐iterative estimates are achievable even when a contingency table contains sampling zeros.
Cat admissions toRSPCAshelters in Queensland,Australia: description of cats and risk factors for euthanasia after entry
Authors: Alberthsen C , Rand JS , Bennett PC , Paterson M , Lawrie M , Morton JM
Published: January 2013

Objective

A lack of information limits understanding of the excess cat problem and development of effective management strategies. This study describes cats entering Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA) Queensland shelters and identifies risk factors for euthanasia.

Methods

Data for cats entering relevant shelters (July 2006–June 2008) were obtained from the RSPCA's electronic database. Univariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses were conducted to identify risk factors for euthanasia.

Results

Of 33,736 cats admitted, 46% were adult cats (≥3 months) and 54% were kittens (<3 months). The most common reason for admission was stray (54%), followed by owner surrender (44%). Euthanasia was the most common outcome (65%), followed by adoption (30%). The odds of euthanasia were lower for kittens and for cats that were desexed prior to admission. Of the strays, 8% had been desexed. For cats of similar age, sex, desexed and feral status, stray cats were more likely to be adopted than owner‐surrenders.

Conclusions

Strategies are needed to reduce numbers of cats admitted and euthanased. Given the high proportion of admissions that were kittens, reducing the incidence of delayed sterilisation of owned cats may be an important strategy for reducing the number of unwanted kittens. Many cats admitted as strays were rehomable, but given the high proportion of admissions that are strays, further research on stray populations is needed. Future studies of cats entering shelters would be enhanced if data collection definitions, categories and methods were standardised.
Have the CANMAT bipolar guidelines transmogrified from do matter to can matter?
Authors: Malhi Gin S
Published: January 2013

Malhi GS. Have the CANMAT bipolar guidelines transmogrified from do matter to can matter?  Bipolar Disord 2013: 15: 54–57. © 2013 John Wiley & Sons A/S.Published by Blackwell Publishing Ltd.
The evolution of CANMAT Bipolar Disorder Guidelines: past, present, and future
Authors: Yatham Lakshmi N , Kennedy Sidney H , Parikh Sagar V , Schaffer Ayal , Beaulieu Serge , Alda Martin , O’Donovan Claire , MacQueen Glenda , McIntyre Roger S , Sharma Verinder , Ravindran Arun , Young L Trevor , Milev Roumen , Bond David J , Frey Benicio N , Goldstein Benjamin I
Published: January 2013

Yatham LN, Kennedy SH, Parikh SV, Schaffer A, Beaulieu S, Alda M, O’Donovan C, MacQueen G, McIntyre RS, Sharma V, Ravindran A, Young LT, Milev R, Bond DJ, Frey BN, Goldstein BI. The evolution of CANMAT Bipolar Disorder Guidelines: past, present, and future.  Bipolar Disord 2013: 15: 58–60. © 2013 John Wiley & Sons A/S. Published by Blackwell Publishing Ltd.
Mothers, places and risk of hospitalization for childhood asthma: a nationwide study from Sweden
Authors: Li X. , Sundquist J. , Calling S. , Zöller B. , Sundquist K.
Published: January 2013

Objective

This study examines whether neighbourhood deprivation increases the risk of hospitalization for childhood asthma, after accounting for individual‐level maternal socio‐demographic characteristics.

Design

An open cohort of all singleton children aged 2–11 years was followed between January 1, 1995 and December 31, 2006. Childhood residential addresses were geocoded and classified according to the level of neighbourhood deprivation. Data were analysed by multilevel logistic regression, with individual‐level characteristics (sex, age, maternal marital status, family income, maternal educational attainment, maternal immigration status, maternal urban/rural status, mobility, maternal asthma history and maternal smoking) at the first level and level of neighbourhood deprivation at the second level.

Results

During the study period, among a total of 866 860 children, 17 682 (2.0%) were hospitalized with childhood asthma. Age‐adjusted hospital rates for childhood asthma increased with increasing level of neighbourhood deprivation. In the study population, 1.9% and 2.3% of children in the least and most deprived neighbourhoods, respectively, were affected by childhood asthma. Hospital rates of childhood asthma increased with increasing neighbourhood‐level deprivation across all individual‐level maternal socio‐demographic categories, including marital status, educational attainment, urban/rural status, maternal history of asthma and smoking. The odds ratio (OR) for those living in high‐deprivation neighbourhoods vs. those living in low‐deprivation neighbourhoods was 1.23 (95% confidence interval, 1.16–1.30). High neighbourhood deprivation remained significantly associated with childhood asthma risk after adjustment for maternal socio‐demographic characteristics (OR=1.08, p = 0.016).

Conclusions

This study is the largest so far on neighbourhood influences on childhood asthma. Our results suggest that neighbourhood characteristics affect the risk of hospitalization for childhood asthma independent of maternal socio‐demographic characteristics.
Fatty acids modulate cytokine and chemokine secretion of stimulated human whole blood cultures in diabetes
Authors: Simon M C , Bilan S , Nowotny B , Dickhaus T , Burkart V , Schloot N C
Published: January 2013

Fatty acids, uric acid and glucose are thought to contribute to subclinical inflammation associated with diabetes mellitus. We tested whether co-incubation of free fatty acids and uric acid or glucose influences the secretion of immune mediators from stimulated human whole blood in vitro. Fresh whole blood samples from 20 healthy subjects, 20 patients with type 1 diabetes and 23 patients with type 2 diabetes were incubated for 24 h with palmitic acid (PAL), linolenic acid (LIN) or eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) alone or together with elevated concentrations of uric acid or glucose. Concentrations of proinflammatory cytokines interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-2, IL-12(p70), IL-18, IFN-γ, of regulatory cytokines IL-4, IL-10, IL-17 and chemokine CCL2 (MCP-1) were measured by multiplex-bead technology from supernatants. Co-incubation of fatty acids with uric acid resulted in a significant reduction of IL-10, IL-12(p70), IFN-γ and CCL2 (MCP-1) concentrations in supernatants compared to incubation with uric acid alone (P < 0·0001). In contrast, IL-18 was up-regulated upon co-stimulation with fatty acids and uric acid. Similarly, co-incubation of fatty acids with glucose diminished secretion of IL-10, IFN-γ and CCL2 (monocyte chemotactic protein-1), while IL-8 was up-regulated (P < 0·001). Samples from healthy and diabetic subjects did not differ after adjustment for age, sex, body mass index and diabetes type. All three fatty acids similarly influenced whole blood cytokine release in vitro and modulated uric acid or glucose-stimulated cytokine secretion. Although the ω-3-fatty acid EPA showed slightly stronger effects, further studies are required to elaborate the differential effects of PAL, LIN and EPA on disease risk observed previously in epidemiological studies.
Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging in Turner syndrome
Authors: Gutmark‐Little Iris , Backeljauw Philippe F.
Published: January 2013

Girls and women with Turner syndrome (TS) have a highly increased morbidity as the result of cardiovascular disease, both congenital and acquired. Increased clinical use of cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMR) in patients with TS over recent years has allowed for characterization of disease not always possible with standard imaging modalities, such as echocardiography (echo). In this review, we discuss the current literature regarding CMR in patients with TS and guidelines for its use.
Two decades of occupational (meth)acrylate patch test results and focus on isobornyl acrylate
Authors: Christoffers Wietske A. , Coenraads Pieter‐Jan , Schuttelaar Marie‐Louise A.
Published: January 2013

Background

Acrylates constitute an important cause of occupational contact dermatitis. Isobornyl acrylate sensitization has been reported in only 2 cases. We encountered an industrial process operator with occupational contact dermatitis caused by isobornyl acrylate.

Objectives

(i) To investigate whether it is relevant to add isobornyl acrylate to the (meth)acrylate test series. (ii) To report patients with (meth)acrylate contact allergy at an occupational dermatology clinic.

Patients/materials/methods

Our patch test database was screened for positive reactions to (meth)acrylates between 1993 and 2012. A selected group of 14 patients was tested with an isobornyl acrylate dilution series: 0.3%, 0.1%, 0.033%, and 0.01%. Readings were performed on D2, D3, and D7.

Results

One hundred and fifty‐one patients were tested with our (meth)acrylate series; 24 had positive reactions. Most positive reactions were to 2‐hydroxypropyl acrylate, 2‐hydroxyethyl acrylate, 2‐hydroxypropyl methacrylate, and diethyleneglycol diacrylate. Hypothetical screening with 2‐hydroxypropyl acrylate, ethyleneglycol dimethacrylate, ethoxylated bisphenol A glycol dimethacrylate and trimethylolpropane triacrylate identified 91.7% of the 24 patients. No positive reactions were observed in 14 acrylate‐positive patients tested with the isobornyl acrylate dilution series. The 0.3% isobornyl acrylate concentration induced irritant reactions in 3 patients.

Conclusions

We report a rare case of allergic contact dermatitis caused by isobornyl acrylate. However, this study provides insufficient support for isobornyl acrylate to be added to a (meth)acrylate series.
Neonatal arterial ischemic stroke: it's not just about motor and cognitive outcome
Authors: Moharir Mahendranath
Published: January 2013

This commentary is on the original article by van der Aa et al. on pages 283–290 of this issue.
Plastic Money Diffusion and Usage: An Empirical Analysis on Italian Households
Authors: Di Giulio Daniele , Milani Carlo
Published: January 2013

This paper tries to contribute to the empirical literature on the European consumers’ plastic money payment habits, using the Bank of Italy data over the 1993–2008 period. In line with other evidence on this topic, mainly focused on the US economy, we find that age, education, non‐durable consumptions, regional variation and income are strong predictors of plastic money possession and use in Italy. We also find that households with a higher indebtedness level have a higher propensity to hold credit cards. Furthermore, we find that technological improvements, observed in the last 15 years, do not significantly affect the marginal probabilities to hold and use plastic money conditioned to the main socio‐demographic factors.
Undergraduate degree projects in the Swedish dental schools: a documentary analysis
Authors: Franzén C. , Brown G.
Published: January 2013

Background

Undergraduate degree projects have currently been introduced into courses in the four Swedish dental schools. The rationale for research projects is that they enable students to develop research expertise skills and to show their ability to apply and develop knowledge relevant to professional practice. This paper reports a qualitative analysis of the curriculum documents and handbooks including the criteria used to assess the students' research reports. The aim was to investigate commonalities and differences in the design of degree projects between the four Swedish dental schools and to explore any inconsistencies within the documents.

Methods

The documentary analysis was based on the constant comparison method.

Results

Four overarching themes emerged from the analysis: (i) developing scientific expertise, (ii) developing professional expertise, (iii) following rules and (iv) fostering creativity.

Conclusions

The documents from the four dental schools revealed similar views on the purposes of the projects and provided similar assessment criteria. The students were requested to formulate an odontological problem, apply a relevant scientific method, analyse texts and empirical data, express critical reflections and write a short thesis. The students were free to choose topics. There were differences between the dental schools on the emphasis placed on practical uses of the projects and theoretical background of the projects. Two of the schools insisted on rigid rules of completing and writing the project yet paradoxically emphasised creativity. There were wide variations in the required length of the project report. The report may prove useful to dental schools in other countries who are about to design undergraduate research projects.
The regenerative potential of fibroblasts in a new diabetes‐induced delayed humanised wound healing model
Authors: Martínez‐Santamaría Lucía , Conti Claudio J. , Llames Sara , García Eva , Retamosa Luisa , Holguín Almudena , Illera Nuria , Duarte Blanca , Camblor Lino , Llaneza José M. , Jorcano José L. , Larcher Fernando , Meana Álvaro , Escámez María J. , Del Río Marcela
Published: January 2013

Cutaneous diabetic wounds greatly affect the quality of life of patients, causing a substantial economic impact on the healthcare system. The limited clinical success of conventional treatments is mainly attributed to the lack of knowledge of the pathogenic mechanisms related to chronic ulceration. Therefore, management of diabetic ulcers remains a challenging clinical issue. Within this context, reliable animal models that recapitulate situations of impaired wound healing have become essential. In this study, we established a new in vivo humanised model of delayed wound healing in a diabetic context that reproduces the main features of the human disease. Diabetes was induced by multiple low doses of streptozotocin in bioengineered human‐skin‐engrafted immunodeficient mice. The significant delay in wound closure exhibited in diabetic wounds was mainly attributed to alterations in the granulation tissue formation and resolution, involving defects in wound bed maturation, vascularisation, inflammatory response and collagen deposition. In the new model, a cell‐based wound therapy consisting of the application of plasma‐derived fibrin dermal scaffolds containing fibroblasts consistently improved the healing response by triggering granulation tissue maturation and further providing a suitable matrix for migrating keratinocytes during wound re‐epithelialisation. The present preclinical wound healing model was able to shed light on the biological processes responsible for the improvement achieved, and these findings can be extended for designing new therapeutic approaches with clinical relevance.
Abiotic and biotic factors affecting recruitment variability of walleye pollock (Theragra chalcogramma) off thePacific coast ofHokkaido,Japan
Authors: Funamoto Tetsuichiro , Yamamura Orio , Kono Tokihiro , Hamatsu Tomonori , Nishimura Akira
Published: January 2013

Abiotic and biotic factors affecting the recruitment variability of the Japanese Pacific stock (JPS) of walleye pollock (Theragra chalcogramma) were examined using a bivariate regression and multivariate combined model. Of the abiotic variables aroundFunkaBay (spawning ground), February sea surface temperature (SST) and wind direction index showed significant bivariate relationships with recruitment. FebruarySSTwas positively related to recruitment, suggesting that warmer water temperature inFebruary favorsJPSrecruitment. On the other hand, the relationship betweenFebruary wind direction index and recruitment predicts highJPSrecruitment under predominant northwest winds in February. For the biotic variables in theDoto area (nursery ground), significant and negative bivariate relationships with recruitment were observed for catch per unit effort ofKamchatka flounder (Atheresthes evermanni),Pacific cod (Gadus macrocephalus), and walleye pollock, implying an important impact of predation by these groundfishes onJPSrecruitment. The overall model incorporating these abiotic and biotic factors successfully reproduced the variability inJPSrecruitment. Temperature and wind conditions around the spawning ground along with predator condition in the nursery ground appear to play a dominant role in the recruitment dynamics ofJPS. Based on these results and prior knowledge, we propose a new hypothesis to explain the processes controllingJPSrecruitment.
Determination of seven preservatives in cosmetic products by micellar electrokinetic chromatography
Authors: Huang Jun‐Qiang , Hu Cho‐Chun , Chiu Tai‐Chia
Published: January 2013

Synopsis

A micellar electrokinetic chromatography method using cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) as a cationic surfactant, coupled with UV–Vis detection, was developed for the simultaneous determination of seven preservatives, including methyl‐, ethyl‐, propyl‐ and butyl‐paraben and phenol, phenoxyethanol and resorcinol. The method involved optimizing the pH of the phosphate buffer and concentrations of CTAB, ethanol and 2‐hydroxypropyl‐β‐cyclodextrin (HP‐β‐CD). The preservatives were well separated using optimum conditions and separated within 10 min at a separation voltage of −12.5 kV with the 1.0 mM phosphate buffer (pH 7.0) containing 90 mM CTAB, 25 mM HP‐β‐CD and 10% (v/v) ethanol. Satisfactory recoveries (84.1–103.0%), migration time (RSD < 3.1%) and peak area (RSD < 4.5%) repeatabilities were achieved. Detection limits of the preservatives were between 0.31 and 1.52 μg mL−1 (S/N = 3, n = 5). The optimized method was successfully applied to the simultaneous determination of these preservatives in 10 commercial cosmetic products.
Influences of two life‐history stages of the weevil, Larinus minutus, on its host plant Centaurea diffusa
Authors: STEPHENS ANDREA E. A. , MYERS JUDITH H.
Published: January 2013

1. We hypothesised that, for weed biological control, using species that feed as both adults and larvae would be advantageous. Here, we test the impacts of adult and larval feeding of Larinus minutus (Col.: Curculionidae), a successful biological control agent of diffuse knapweed, Centaurea diffusa (Asteraceae), in British Columbia, Canada.

2. At one site, the observations of the present study showed that the intensity of adult weevil feeding did not predict the level of larval attack. Experiments found no evidence for plant‐mediated competition between the life‐history stages.

3. At two sites and in two years, experimental manipulations of adult and/or larval feeding damage were conducted and plant performance measured. Neither antagonistic nor synergistic interactions occurred, but at each of the two sites a different life‐history stage was responsible for reduction in the number of seeds produced by the plants.

4. Although one of the two different feeding modes was redundant at each site, the ability of adults and larvae to reduce plant performance in different areas makes the species effective in a wider range of environments.
Experimental evidence for weak effects of fire ants in a naturally invaded pine‐savanna ecosystem in north Florida
Authors: KING JOSHUA R. , TSCHINKEL WALTER R.
Published: January 2013

1. Fire ants naturally invade some undisturbed ecosystems of high conservation value and may negatively impact co‐occurring ants.

2. Over 3 years, fire ants were added and removed from a longleaf pine savanna ecosystem that naturally supports a low density of fire ants. Impacts on co‐occurring ants were monitored using pitfall traps.

3. Treatments resulted in significant differences in average fire ant abundance across all plots only in the first year of the experiment. Fire ants had little discernible impact. The abundance and species richness of co‐occurring ants in removal plots never differed from unmanipulated control plots. The abundance of co‐occurring ants was very slightly lower and ant species richness was slightly higher where Solenopsis invicta Buren colonies were added, but neither contrast was significant.

4. The poor conditions in this habitat for many native ants may explain this outcome. More broadly, the impact of fire ants on ant assemblages still appears to be secondary and largely a consequence of human impacts on the environment.
Chinese mantids gut toxic monarch caterpillars: avoidance of prey defence?
Authors: RAFTER JAMIE L. , AGRAWAL ANURAG A. , PREISSER EVAN L.
Published: January 2013

1. Monarch caterpillars,Danaus plexippus(Linnaeus), feed on milkweed plants in the genusAsclepiasand sequester cardenolides as an anti–predator defence. However, some predators are able to consume this otherwise unpalatable prey.

2. Chinese mantids,Tenodera sinensis(Saussure), were observed consuming monarch caterpillars by ‘gutting’ them (i.e. removing the gut and associated internal organs). They then feed on the body of this herbivore without any apparent ill effects.

3. How adultT. sinensishandle and consume toxic (D. plexippus) and non–toxic [Ostrinia nubilalis(Hübner) andGalleria mellonella(Linnaeus)] caterpillars was explored. The differences in the carbon/nitrogen (C:N) ratio and cardenolide content of monarch tissue consumed or discarded by mantids were analysed.

4. Mantids gutted monarchs while wholly consuming non–toxic species. Monarch gut tissue had a higher C:N ratio than non–gut tissue, confirming the presence of plant material. Although there were more cardenolide peaks in the monarch body compared with gut tissue, the total cardenolide concentration and polarity index did not differ.

5. AlthoughT. sinensistreated toxic prey differently than non–toxic prey, gutting did not decrease the mantid's total cardenolide intake. As other predators consume monarch caterpillars whole, this behaviour may be rooted in species–specific vulnerability to particular cardenolides or simply reflect a preference for high–N tissues.
Body size variation among invertebrates inhabiting different canopy microhabitat: flower visitors are smaller
Authors: WARDHAUGH CARL W. , EDWARDS WILL , STORK NIGEL E.
Published: January 2013

1. Factors such as reproductive fitness, climatic tolerance, predation pressure, energetic requirements and the quality and quantity of food sources all correlate with invertebrate body sizes.

2. This study examines body size variation between an invertebrate community inhabiting five different microhabitats (mature leaves, new leaves, flowers, fruit and suspended dead wood) that differ in quality, quantity, and availability in an Australian tropical rainforest canopy.

3. Mean body size varied significantly between invertebrate and beetle feeding guilds across microhabitats. Phylogenetically independent contrasts revealed that invertebrate taxonomic groups were significantly smaller on flowers than on mature and new leaves. Size differences between microhabitats were most pronounced among herbivorous taxa (Hemiptera, Lepidoptera). In particular, the immature stages or those groups that develop on flowers were significantly smaller on flowers and larger on leaves than expected. Taxonomic groups with many strong flying species, especially those that complete larval development on resources other than flowers, typically showed no differences in body size across microhabitats.

4. There are a number of potential hypotheses for the smaller body sizes of flower visitors, including: (i) differences in the physical sizes of the microhabitats; (ii) variation in time–dependent mortality risks that influence development times; and (iii) differences in the nutritional quality of the microhabitats, which can influence body size via metabolic pathways.

5. The findings of this study do not support hypothesis (i) (with the possible exception of one or two predatory groups). It is suggested that hypotheses (ii (time–dependent mortality factors) and particularly (iii) (nutritional variation) may be the best avenues for future study as the main drivers of body size differences between microhabitats.
Phylogenetic classification of the Drosophilidae Rondani (Diptera): the role of morphology in the postgenomic era
Authors: YASSIN AMIR
Published: January 2013

Molecular sequences now overwhelm morphology in phylogenetic inference. Nonetheless, most molecular studies are conducted on a limited number of taxa, as DNA rarely can be analysed from old museum types or fossils. During the last 20 years, more than 150 molecular studies have challenged the current phylogenetic classification of the family Drosophilidae Rondani based on morphological characters. Most studies concerned a single genus, Drosophila Fallén, and included only few representative species from 17 out of the 78 genera of the family. Therefore, these molecular studies were unable to provide an alternative classification scheme. A supermatrix analysis of seven nuclear and one mitochondrial genes (8248 bp) for 33 genera was conducted using outgroups from one calyptrate and four ephydroid families. The Bayesian phylogeny was consistent with previous molecular studies including whole genome sequences and divided the Drosophilidae into four monophyletic clades. Morphological characters, mostly male genitalia, then were compared thoroughly between the four clades and homologous character states were identified. These states were then checked for 70 genera and a revised phylogenetic, family‐group classification for the Drosophilidae is proposed. Two genera –Cladochaeta Coquillett and Diathoneura Duda – of the tribe Cladochaetini Grimaldi are transferred to the family Ephydridae. The Drosophilidae is divided into two subfamilies: Steganinae Hendel (30 genera) and Drosophilinae Rondani (43 genera). A further two genera, Apacrochaeta Duda and Sphyrnoceps de Meijere, are incertae sedis, and Palmophila Grimaldi, is synonymized with Drosophilasyn.n. The Drosophilinae is subdivided into two tribes: the re‐elevated Colocasiomyini Okada (nine genera) and Drosophilini Okada. The paraphyly of the genus Drosophila was not resolved to avoid affecting the binomina of important laboratory model species; however, its subgeneric classification was revised in light of molecular and morphological data. Three subgenera, namely Chusqueophila Brncic, Phloridosa Sturtevant and Psilodorha Okada, were synonymized with the subgenus Drosophila (Drosophila) Fallén syns.n. Among the 45 species groups and 5 species complexes of Drosophila (Drosophila), 22 groups and 1 complex were transferred to the subgenus Drosophila (Siphlodora) Patterson & Mainland and 6 groups, 2 species subgroups and 3 complexes are considered incertae sedis within the genus Drosophila. Different morphological characters provide different signals at different phylogenetic scales: thoracic characters (wing venation and presternal shape) discriminate families; grasping and erection‐related characters discriminate subfamilies to tribes; whereas phallic paraphyses, i.e. auxiliary intromittent organs, discriminate genera and Drosophila subgenera. The study shows the necessity of analysing morphological characters within a molecular phylogenetic framework to translate molecular phylogenies into taxonomically‐comprehensive classifications.
Is it too late to stabilise the global climate?
Authors: Quiggin John
Published: January 2013

Assessment of the feasibility of stabilising the global climate requires consideration of trajectories for emissions of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases. This study presents a simple and robust analysis of feasible emissions trajectories. Consideration of feasible trajectories suggests that if the current pace of mitigation efforts is sustained, the likely outcome will be stabilisation at concentrations close to 500 parts per million. Such an outcome will imply a higher than 50 per cent probability of substantial damage from climate change and an enhanced risk of a catastrophic outcome.
Why Is Canada's Price Level So Predictable?
Authors: KAMENIK ONDRA , KIEM HEESUN , KLYUEV VLADIMIR , LAXTON DOUGLAS
Published: January 2013

This paper draws attention to the fact that the price level in Canada—which is an inflation targeter—has strayed little from the path it would have taken had inflation never wandered off the 2% target since its introduction and has tended to revert to that path after temporary deviations. Econometric analysis using Bayesian estimation suggests that a low probability can be assigned to explaining this behavior by mutually offsetting shocks. More plausible is the assumption that inflation expectations and interest rates are determined in a way that is consistent with an element of price‐level‐path targeting.
Deposit Insurance, Banking Crises, and Market Discipline: Evidence from a Natural Experiment on Deposit Flows and Rates
Authors: KARAS ALEXEI , PYLE WILLIAM , SCHOORS KOEN
Published: January 2013

Using evidence from Russia, we carry out what we believe to be the literature's cleanest test of the direct impact of deposit insurance on market discipline and study the combined effect of a banking crisis and deposit insurance on market discipline. We employ a difference‐in‐difference estimator to isolate the change in the behavior of a newly insured group (i.e., households) relative to an uninsured “control” group (i.e., firms). The sensitivity of households to bank capitalization diminishes markedly after the introduction of deposit insurance. The traditional wake‐up call effect of a crisis is muted by this numbing effect of deposit insurance.
Inventory Investment and the Empirical Phillips Curve
Authors: JUNG YONGSEUNG , YUN TACK
Published: January 2013

In this paper, we study the Calvo pricing models with finished goods inventory investment to demonstrate that the current inflation can be expressed as a function of the marginal cost of sales, not the marginal production cost, and expected future inflation. Under the assumption that the true aggregate marginal costs are not observable in actual data, we make use of equilibrium conditions for aggregate finished goods inventories to measure the time series of marginal costs, thereby leading to the construction of inflation series on the basis of the Phillips curve. Our results indicate the possibility of a successful fit of the empirical New Keynesian Phillips curve without relying on unit labor cost—a conventional measure of marginal production cost in the literature.
Exploration of Lagged Associations using Longitudinal Data
Authors: Heagerty Patrick J. , Comstock Bryan A.
Published: January 2013

Several statistical approaches for the analysis of longitudinal data require that models be correctly specified for the association between a current outcome and the full history of past outcomes and time‐dependent exposures. It is empirically challenging to determine the specific aspects of the outcome and/or exposure history that are predictive of a current outcome because the potential number of variables representing the history can be quite large. The purpose of this article is to outline statistical methods that can characterize lagged effects and to provide a structured approach for data analysis with the goal of appropriate model development. One of the main contributions of the article is to emphasize the possibility that in practice transition models may frequently require more than simple additive and linear models for the predictors representing the history of the outcome and covariate processes. We illustrate the concepts using an example from anemia treatment for dialysis patients and show how linear models can be specified with flexible dependence on exposure and/or outcome histories.
I'm free but I'll comply with your request: generalization and multidimensional effects of the “evoking freedom” technique
Authors: Guéguen Nicolas , Joule Robert‐Vincent , Halimi‐Falkowicz Séverine , Pascual Alexandre , Fischer‐Lokou Jacques , Dufourcq‐Brana Maya
Published: January 2013

The “evoking freedom” technique is a verbal compliance procedure that solicits someone to comply with a request by simply telling them they are free to accept or to refuse the request. The measure of the efficiency of this technique on compliance with large samples and the evaluation of its influence on various requests was tested in the first set of experiments. This technique was found to be efficient in increasing the number of people who agreed to give money to a requester, the number of smokers who agreed to give a cigarette, passersby who agreed to respond to a survey, and homeowners who agreed to buy pancakes. In the second set of experiments in which the mode of interaction between the requester and the person solicited was tested, the “evoking freedom” technique was found to be associated with greater compliance with a request addressed by mail and through face‐to‐face, phone‐to‐phone, or computer‐mediated interaction. The third set of experiments tested the effect of semantic variations of the “evoking freedom” technique and the weight of the repetition of the semantic evocation of freedom. These later experiments that used various phrases evoking the freedom to comply were found to be associated with greater compliance. Moreover, a double evocation of freedom was associated with even greater compliance than a single evocation. The importance of this technique for commitment communication is discussed.
Selective exposure among advisors: the impact of impression motivation
Authors: Kastenmüller Andreas , Jonas Eva , Fischer Peter , Frey Dieter , Fischer Julia
Published: January 2013

Audience confirmation bias (ACB) refers to the extent to which people prefer information supporting (vs. conflicting with) their audience's views. In two studies, we showed that advisors shifted their ACB toward the needs of their advisees (i.e., audience): When advisors were led to believe that their advisees wanted to defend their views, the ACB was higher compared with when advisees were open minded for critique. Study 2 indicated that this pattern occurred because advisors wanted to have a pleasant interaction with their advisees (impression motivation): Whereas impression‐motivated advisors exhibited a stronger ACB when they were asked to give advice to a defensive (vs. open‐minded) advisee, accuracy‐motivated advisors showed a balanced ACB, regardless of their advisee's needs.
Sometimes it's easier to forgive my transgressor than your transgressor: effects of subjective temporal distance on forgiveness for harm to self or close other
Authors: Cheung Irene , Olson James M.
Published: January 2013

The present research extended previous work on the third‐party (un)forgiveness effect—the tendency to be more forgiving for transgressions committed against the self than a close other—by testing how subjective temporal distance of first‐ and third‐party transgressions might influence the forgiveness process. Participants recalled a time in which they or a close other was harmed by another person, and was then made to feel either distant from or close to the transgression. As predicted, third‐party (un)forgiveness was observed when transgressions felt distant, but not when transgressions felt recent. Implications for restoring and maintaining positive relationships are discussed.
Evaluating multiple causes of amphibian declines of Ecuador using geographical quantitative analyses
Authors: Menéndez‐Guerrero Pablo A. , Graham Catherine H.
Published: January 2013

Amphibians are declining at alarming rates worldwide; however, the causes of these declines remain somewhat elusive. Here we evaluated three major threats implicated in declines of populations and disappearance of Ecuadorian amphibians: chytridiomicosis, climate change, and habitat loss. We assessed spatial patterns of these key threats to Ecuadorian amphibians using a multi‐species database of endemic frogs along with information on the pathogen's distribution and environmental requirements, species sensitivity to climate change (indirectly based on species geographical distribution and ecological properties) and habitat loss. Our results show that amphibians display a non‐random pattern of extinction risk, both geographically and taxonomically. Further, climate change, chytridiomicosis, and their synergetic effects, are likely currently exerting the greatest impact on amphibians in Ecuador, while habitat loss does not seem to be causing precipitous declines. The most threatened species under the IUCN extinction risk categories are exactly those that appear to be the most affected by these threats. By examining multiple potential causes of amphibian threat level in a spatially explicit framework our study provides new insights about what combination of factors are most important in amphibian declines in a tropical diversity hotspot. Further, our approach and conclusions are useful for studying declines in other regions of the world.
Du décentrement au désenchantement. Xavier Marmier et les origines du comparatisme français
Authors: Walecka‐Garbalinska Maria
Published: January 2013

Xavier Marmier, un des pionniers du comparatisme français au dix‐neuvième siècle, loin de se cantonner dans les frontières d’une discipline perçue parfois comme désuète, annonce une reconfiguration du champ d’étude de la littérature comparée. Référence nordique, qui met à mal l’hégémonie culturelle française, conjonction de l’historicisme philologique et du voyage « d’identification » ethnographique, renversements de perspective dans la rencontre de l’Autre, mises en parallèle transversales, autant de stratégies qui pointent vers un comparatisme qui se ressource dans les études culturalistes et anthropologiques. Toutefois, sa démarche, ancrée dans l’idée de l’inépuisable diversité du monde, voit sa raison d’être menacée par une culture globale entrevue1.
Kreative Mimesis. E. T. A. Hoffmanns Die Jesuiterkirche in G.
Authors: Geiger Marion
Published: January 2013

Dieser Artikel behandelt Aspekte der Kunsttheorie in E. T. A. Hoffmanns Erzählung Die Jesuiterkirche in G. und zeigt, wie Hoffmann Elemente klassischer und romantischer Kunstdiskurse in die Lebensgeschichte seines Künstlers integriert. Hoffmann erkennt das narrative und dramatische Potential dieser theoretischen Diskurse und aktualisiert es in einer Künstlerbiographie, die einen spannungsreichen Gegensatz zwischen Bildungsroman und Offenbarungserzählung inszeniert. Wenn Hoffmann eine Kunst‐Problematik wie die platonische Mimesis im Rahmen einer ästhetischen Theorie wie die Wackenroders diskutiert, geht es ihm nicht nur darum, erzählerische Modelle zu erneuern; vielmehr benützt er die Narration dazu, die ästhetischen Anliegen seiner Zeit zu erforschen, indem er den Abstand untersucht, der klassische Nachahmungstheorien von romantischen Kunsttheorien (welche den Ausdruck der Subjektivität privilegieren) trennt.
Centrifugal Fires. Consuming Desires and the Performative Female Subject in Karin Michaelis’s The Dangerous Age
Authors: Wood Madeleine
Published: January 2013

Despite the ‘sensational’ status of Karin Michaelis’s The Dangerous Age at the time of its original publication in 1910, English‐language criticism of the novel is still problematically scarce, and the radicalism of Michaelis’s psychological vision remains unexplored. This essay will create a dialogue between The Dangerous Age, Freudian and post‐Freudian psychoanalysis, and Judith Butler’s seminal work, Bodies That Matter, arguing through this dialogue that Michaelis self‐consciously negotiates constructivist and essentialist concepts of gender. The essay will examine the narratological, psychological and physical modalities of performance, concluding with an analysis of desire, creativity and sublimation. The image of widow sacrifice recurs throughout the novel as the social and psychological symbol of women’s gendered subordination; however, by refiguring the theme of ‘sacrifice’ through Jeanne, Michaelis simultaneously uses the idea of sacrifice to reassert the potency of female desire and speech.

The Dangerous Age plays with the possibilities of subjective dissolution by presenting us with a heroine and narrator at the brink of a bodily crisis: the menopause. Looked at through a patriarchal lens, the menopause is the point at which the female body stops performing its ‘proper’ reproductive function. Exploiting this view, Michaelis uses the ‘crisis’ of the menopause to reflect upon patriarchy as a whole.