bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The perceived health risks of cannabis use in an Australian household survey
Authors: CALABRIA BIANCA , SWIFT WENDY , SLADE TIM , HALL WAYNE , COPELAND JAN 
Published: March 2012

AbstractIntroduction and Aims. Perceived risks of cannabis use have rarely been researched in Australia. This paper reports on the beliefs about the adverse effects of cannabis use on health, social well‐being, driving, mental health and changes in cannabis over time.Design and Methods. Survey of 918 Australian adults was conducted as part of a quarterly omnibus self‐report survey of an established panel.Results. Respondents believed that cannabis use can cause health and social problems, can adversely affect a person's ability to drive a car, can be addictive, and can lead to use of other illicit drugs. They were uncertain as to whether cannabis can cause schizophrenia and depression, and whether cannabis had become more potent over time.Implications. Prevention efforts should focus on educating the Australian people about the nature of cannabis‐related harms.[Calabria B, Swift W, Slade T, Hall W, Copeland J. The perceived health risks of cannabis use in an Australian household survey. Drug Alcohol Rev 2012;31:809–812]
Leadership in fish shoals
Authors: Krause J , Hoare D , Krause S , Hemelrijk C K , Rubenstein D I 
Published: February 2012

AbstractLeadership is not an inherent quality of animal groups that show directional locomotion. However, there are other factors that may be responsible for the occurrence of leadership in fish shoals, such as individual differences in nutritional state between group members. It appears that front fish have a strong influence on directional shoal movements and that individuals that occupy such positions are often characterised by larger body lengths and lower nutritional state. Potential interactions between the two factors and their importance for positioning within shoals need further attention. Initiation of directional movement in stationary shoals and position preferences in mobile shoals need to be addressed separately because they are potentially subject to different constraints. Individuals that initiate a swimming direction may not necessarily be capable of the sustained high swimming performance required to keep the front position or have the motivation to do so, for that matter. More empirical and theoretical work is necessary to look at the factors controlling positioning behaviour within shoals, as well as overall shoal shape and structure. Tracking of marked individuals whose positioning behaviour is monitored over extended time periods of hours or days would be useful. There is an indication that shoal positions are rotated by individuals according to their nutritional needs, with hungry fish occupying front positions only for as long as necessary to regain their nutritional balance. This suggests that shoal members effectively take turns at being leaders. There is a need for three‐dimensional recordings of shoaling behaviour using high‐speed video systems that allow a detailed analysis of information transfer in shoals of different size. The relationship between leadership and shoal size might provide an interesting field for future research. Most studies to date have been restricted to shoals of small and medium size and more information on larger shoals would be useful.
A Sequential Point Process Model and Bayesian Inference for Spatial Point Patterns with Linear Structures
Authors: MØLLER JESPER , RASMUSSEN JAKOB GULDDAHL 
Published: March 2012

Abstract.  We introduce a flexible spatial point process model for spatial point patterns exhibiting linear structures, without incorporating a latent line process. The model is given by an underlying sequential point process model. Under this model, the points can be of one of three types: a ‘background point’ an ‘independent cluster point’ or a ‘dependent cluster point’. The background and independent cluster points are thought to exhibit ‘complete spatial randomness’, whereas the dependent cluster points are likely to occur close to previous cluster points. We demonstrate the flexibility of the model for producing point patterns with linear structures and propose to use the model as the likelihood in a Bayesian setting when analysing a spatial point pattern exhibiting linear structures. We illustrate this methodology by analysing two spatial point pattern datasets (locations of bronze age graves in Denmark and locations of mountain tops in Spain).
Processes of conservation and change in Arab society in Israel: Implications for the health and welfare of the Arab population
Authors: Azaiza Faisal 
Published: February 2012

Azaiza F. Processes of conservation and change in Arab society in Israel: Implications for the health and welfare of the Arab populationThis article reports on a study that examined how modernisation processes affect the Arab citizens of Israel on various levels and how the processes are reconciled with traditional ideals. Modernisation affects formal and informal support systems, affects family lifestyles, has resulted in changes in the treatment of elderly people and has seen modern ideas of health and wellness incorporated with traditional values and ideals. For the Arab citizens of Israel, the conflict of tradition versus modernisation is evident throughout society. Studying the processes of both modernisation and preservation and their implications allows us to better understand and address the needs of the Arab population in Israel. Based on the research presented in this review, processes of modernisation and conservation are conceptualised as a continuum along four dimensions: perceptions of self, sources of social support, health roles and gender roles. The implications of these changes are explored as they relate to various phenomena.
The Triple Helix Model as Inspiration for Local Development Policies: An Experience‐Based Perspective
Authors: Rodrigues Carlos , Melo Ana I. 
Published: March 2012

AbstractThe triple helix model (THM) is being widely used as a source of inspiration for policies and programmes aimed at fostering innovation. This is evolving across the range of policymaking geographical scales, as well as independently of the geographies of context that determine different framework conditions for promoting innovation. This article questions the extent to which the THM provides a solid conceptual basis for development policies, particularly at the local level. It does this by exploring the experience of a Portuguese small municipality, in which the development policy effort is not only guided by the model itself, but is also targeted at the materialization of local ‘triple helices’. The authors take advantage of their direct involvement in the local policymaking exercise and confront their observations of the change dynamics evolving in the municipality with the ‘endless transitions’ that are at the very core of the THM.RésuméLe modèle de la triple hélice sert très souvent de source d'inspiration pour les actions publiques et programmes visant à encourager l'innovation. Ce phénomène se retrouve à tous les échelons territoriaux d'élaboration des politiques, tout en étant indépendant des géographies contextuelles qui déterminent différentes conditions générales à la promotion de l'innovation. On peut se demander dans quelle mesure le modèle de la triple hélice garantit un fondement conceptuel solide pour des politiques de développement, notamment au niveau local. Pour ce faire, l'expérience d'une petite municipalité portugaise est étudiée. Les politiques de développement qui y sont menées ne sont pas seulement orientées par le modèle lui‐même, elles ciblent également la concrétisation de ‘triples hélices’ locales. Forts de leur implication dans les décisions politiques locales, les auteurs confrontent leurs observations relatives à l'évolution des dynamiques de changement dans cette commune, compte tenu ‘passages sans fin’ qui sont au cœur du modèle de la triple hélice.
Complexity and Uncertainty: Problem or Asset in Decision Making of Mega Infrastructure Projects?
Authors: Salet Willem , Bertolini Luca , Giezen Mendel 
Published: March 2012

AbstractHow should one cope with complexity and uncertainty in mega infrastructure projects? While rational theories tend to eliminate or reduce these unruly conditions, the authors of this article are in search of a different approach to deal with the characteristics of complexity and uncertainty proactively. Three theoretical reflections are introduced to explore possible solutions: (1) the change of institutions to address the problem of excessively simple structures for making decisions on complex projects; (2) the shaping of a learning environment in order to deal with uncertainty and emergent properties; and (3) balancing the generation and the reduction of a variety of policy options in order to select a limited number of feasible options and to bridge the strategic exploration and the operational processes of decision making. Informed by this conceptual thought, concrete pathways are developed and discussed by means of a case study of the construction of a high‐speed railway line in the Netherlands.RésuméComment doit‐on gérer complexité et incertitude dans le cadre de mégaprojets d'infrastructure? Tandis que les théories rationnelles ont tendance àéliminer ou à minorer ces circonstances incontrôlées, cet article recherche une approche différente pour aborder les caractéristiques de la complexité et de l'incertitude de manière proactive. Trois axes de réflexion théorique sont présentés: la transformation des institutions, pour résoudre le problème des structures extrêmement simples confrontées à des décisions sur des projets complexes; la configuration d'un environnement d'apprentissage, pour faire face à l'incertitude et aux nouveaux éléments; l'équilibrage entre génération et réduction des diverses possibilités d'action publique, afin de sélectionner un nombre restreint d'options réalisables et d'harmoniser recherche de stratégies et processus décisionnels opérationnels. À partir de cette réflexion conceptuelle, des voies concrètes sont développées et analysées à travers une étude de cas sur la construction d'une ligne ferroviaire à grande vitesse aux Pays‐Bas.
Natural mixing of species: novel plant–animal communities onCaribbeanIslands
Authors: Lugo A. E. , Carlo T. A. , Wunderle J. M. 
Published: March 2012

AbstractGlobal anthropogenic activities are responsible for the modification of landscapes, creation of novel environments and movement of species across biogeographic regions. A consequence of this activity is the mixing of native and introduced species and the formation of novel biotic communities. We review the ecological consequences of the mixing of native and introduced species in theCaribbeanIslands especially inPuertoRico and theUS VirginIslands. Here we found documented examples indicating that novel communities of native and naturalized organisms are ubiquitous. The coexistence of species originating from different biogeographical regions raises research questions that demand attention for their ecological and conservation importance. For example: Is animal abundance in novel communities a measure of habitat quality? To what degree are populations in novel communities self‐sustaining? What are the consequences of species eradication? How does an introduced animal's trophic position affect its effects on novel and native communities? We suggest that novel communities that emerge in theCaribbean after deforestation and land abandonment could be harbingers of how the biota might respond elsewhere to rapidly changing environmental conditions, including global and climate change.
Connectivity of local amphibian populations: modelling the migratory capacity of radio‐tracked natterjack toads
Authors: Sinsch U. , Oromi N. , Miaud C. , Denton J. , Sanuy D. 
Published: March 2012

AbstractThe delimitation of the spatial equivalent of isolated populations or interacting sets of local populations is crucial for conservation management. In Amphibia, spatial organization in metapopulations requires knowledge on the individual variation of annual migratory capacity within local populations to delimit core habitats around the breeding site and to estimate the connectivity among neighbouring populations. The migratory behaviour of 143 adult Bufo calamita was monitored using radio‐telemetry at eight localities covering a latitudinal range from 41° to 54°N. Aims of the study were to assess the geographic variation of migratory distance moved by males and females and to model their capacity for dispersal assuming exclusively unidirectional movements. Migratory range was not sex‐biased, but was three times lower in population inhabiting sandy areas than in those on clay soils, probably because of the scarcity of moist shelters causing more frequent and more distant movements. For conservation management of local natterjack populations, we propose to use the migratory capacity of the 50% most sedentary individuals to delimit the core area around a given breeding site. To estimate the potential genetic connectivity between neighbouring local population, we propose to use the minimum migratory capacity of the 5% of individuals that moved most. Estimates obtained for populations in central Europe and the UK indicate a core area of 600 m around the breeding site and a maximum distance of 2250 m between the breeding ponds to maintain connectivity. Thus, the principal conservation problem in the UK is that most populations are isolated by distance and prone to local extinction. In contrast, core areas of populations in Spain extend to distances of about 5 km and connectivity is maintained up to a distance 12 km between neighbouring breeding ponds.
Elevation of GM2 ganglioside during ethanol‐induced apoptotic neurodegeneration in the developing mouse brain
Authors: Saito Mitsuo , Chakraborty Goutam , Shah Relish , Mao Rui‐Fen , Kumar Asok , Yang Dun‐Sheng , Dobrenis Kostantin , Saito Mariko 
Published: February 2012

J. Neurochem. (2012) 121, 649–661.AbstractGM2 ganglioside in the brain increased during ethanol‐induced acute apoptotic neurodegeneration in 7‐day‐old mice. A small but a significant increase observed 2 h after ethanol exposure was followed by a marked increase around 24 h. Subcellular fractionation of the brain 24 h after ethanol treatment indicated that GM2 increased in synaptic and non‐synaptic mitochondrial fractions as well as in a lysosome‐enriched fraction characteristic to the ethanol‐exposed brain. Immunohistochemical staining of GM2 in the ethanol‐treated brain showed strong punctate staining mainly in activated microglia, in which it partially overlapped with staining for LAMP1, a late endosomal/lysosomal marker. Also, there was weaker neuronal staining, which partially co‐localized with complex IV, a mitochondrial marker, and was augmented in cleaved caspase 3‐positive neurons. In contrast, the control brain showed only faint and diffuse GM2 staining in neurons. Incubation of isolated brain mitochondria with GM2 in vitro induced cytochrome c release in a manner similar to that of GD3 ganglioside. Because ethanol is known to trigger mitochondria‐mediated apoptosis with cytochrome c release and caspase 3 activation in the 7‐day‐old mouse brain, the GM2 elevation in mitochondria may be relevant to neuroapoptosis. Subsequently, activated microglia accumulated GM2, indicating a close relationship between GM2 and ethanol‐induced neurodegeneration.
Effects of sedative and non‐sedative antihistamine drugs on prefrontal cortex activities: towards pharmacological near‐infrared spectroscopy studies
Authors: Tsujii Takeo , Sakatani Kaoru , Masuda Sayako , Watanabe Shigeru 
Published: March 2012

SummaryHistamine H1‐receptor antagonists (antihistamines) are widely used for the treatment of allergic disorders in young children. It is well known that the newer antihistamine drugs elicit better performances of working memory and selective attention than the first‐generation drugs in this class. However, the neural correlates of the poorer performances associated with the first‐generation antihistamines remain relatively unknown. In this article, we review recent studies in our laboratory that examined the effects of antihistamine drugs on prefrontal cortex activities in adults and young children using near‐infrared spectroscopy (NIRS), an emerging brain imaging method that is suitable for psychological experiments. In the first study, we examined the prefrontal cortex activities while adult subjects performed a working memory task at 3 hours after taking a first‐generation antihistamine (ketotifen), a second‐generation antihistamine (epinastine), or a placebo. We found that cortical activation at the lateral prefrontal region increased during the performance of the working memory task in subjects administered epinastine or the placebo but not in those administered ketotifen. In the second study conducted in 15 healthy pre‐school children (mean age: 5.5 years), ketotifen significantly impaired the behavioural performance and cortical activation at the lateral prefrontal cortex in a working memory task compared with epinastine and the placebo. In the third study conducted in school‐aged children (mean age: 7.7 years), ketotifen significantly impaired the behavioural performance and cortical activation at the lateral prefrontal cortex compared with the placebo. There were no sedative effects on the neural responses or behavioural performance after epinastine administration. These studies demonstrate for the first time the differential sedation effects of first‐ and second‐generation antihistamines on brain haemodynamic responses in young children. We also discuss the utility of the NIRS technique in psychopharmacological studies of children.
Voluntary Disclosures, Corporate Control, and Investment
Authors: KUMAR PRAVEEN , LANGBERG NISAN , SIVARAMAKRISHNAN K. 
Published: March 2012

ABSTRACTWe examine the valuation and capital allocation roles of voluntary disclosure when managers have private information regarding the firm’s investment opportunities, but an efficient market for corporate control influences their investment decisions. For managers with long‐term stakes in the firm, the equilibrium disclosure region is two‐tailed: only extreme good news and extreme bad news is disclosed in equilibrium. Moreover, the market’s stock price and investment responses to bad news disclosures are stronger than the responses to good news disclosures, which is consistent with the empirical evidence. We also find that myopic managers are more likely to withhold bad news in good economic times when markets can independently assess expected investment returns.
Roflumilast N‐oxide, a PDE4 inhibitor, improves cilia motility and ciliated human bronchial epithelial cells compromised by cigarette smoke in vitro
Authors: Milara J , Armengot M , Bañuls P , Tenor H , Beume Rolf , Artigues E , Cortijo J 
Published: March 2012

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Mucociliary malfunction occurs in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and compromised functions of ciliated bronchial epithelial cells may contribute to this. Cigarette smoke, a major risk factor for COPD, impairs ciliary beat frequency (CBF). cAMP augments CBF. This in vitro study addressed, in differentiated, primary human bronchial epithelial cells, whether roflumilast N‐oxide, a PDE4 inhibitor, (i) augments CBF; (ii) prevents the reduction in CBF induced by cigarette smoke extract (CSE); and (iii) protects against the loss of the ciliated phenotype following long‐term CSE exposure.EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH Air‐liquid interface cultured human bronchial epithelial cells were incubated with roflumilast N‐oxide and exposed to CSE. CBF was assessed by digital high speed video microscopy (DHSV). Ciliated cells were characterized by β‐tubulin IV staining and analyses of Foxj1 and Dnai2 mRNA and protein (real‐time quantitative PCR, Western blotting).KEY RESULTS Roflumilast N‐oxide concentration‐dependently triggered a rapid and persistent increase in CBF and reversed the decrease in CBF following CSE. Long‐term incubation of bronchial epithelial cells with CSE resulted in a loss in ciliated cells associated with reduced expression of the ciliated cell markers Foxj1 and Dnai2. The PDE4 inhibitor prevented this loss in the ciliated cell phenotype and the compromised Foxj1 and Dnai2 expression. The enhanced release of IL‐13 following CSE, a cytokine that diminishes the proportion of ciliated cells and in parallel, reduces Foxj1 and Dnai2, was reversed by roflumilast N‐oxide.CONCLUSION AND IMPLICATIONS Roflumilast N‐oxide protected differentiated human bronchial epithelial cells from reduced CBF and loss of ciliated cells following CSE.
Heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein A2/B1 in association with hTERT is a potential biomarker for hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Mizuno Hideki , Honda Masao , Shirasaki Takayoshi , Yamashita Taro , Yamashita Tatsuya , Mizukoshi Eishiro , Kaneko Shuichi 
Published: February 2012

AbstractBackgroundThe heterogeneous nature of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and the lack of appropriate biomarkers have hampered patient prognosis and treatment stratification. To identify a new prognostic biomarker that is related to human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT) in HCC, we employed a unique proteomics approach using liquid chromatograph‐mass spectrometry/mass spectrometry (LC‐MS/MS) after gel filtration purification of liver tissue.MethodsProtein lysates from HCC and cirrhotic liver tissue were subjected to gel filtration using high performance liquid chromatography. The telomerase complex was identified at a molecular mass of 350 kDa in parallel with telomerase activity. These fractionated lysates of 350 kDa were analyzed by LC‐MS/MS. The relation of the identified marker and prognosis was statistically examined in surgically resected HCC patients.ResultsWe identified 24 differentially expressed proteins in HCC. One of these proteins, heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein A2/B1 (hnRNP A2/B1), was further analyzed by immunoprecipitation assay using tissue and cell line samples and found to interact with hTERT. Moreover small interfering RNA against hnRNP A2/B1 suppressed telomerase activity, and immunohistochemical examination showed that the enhanced nuclear and cytoplasmic hnRNP A2/B1 expression in HCC was significantly associated with histological grade of tumor differentiation and microvascular invasion of HCC. Furthermore, survival analysis of 74 HCC patients who received curative surgical treatment showed that hnRNP A2/B1 expression is an independent prognostic factor for patient survival.ConclusionsHeterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein A2/B1, an hTERT‐associated protein, is a potential prognostic biomarker for HCC patients and might be a therapeutic target of HCC.