bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Adaptive landscapes and density‐dependent selection in declining salmonid populations: going beyond numerical responses to human disturbance
Authors: Einum Sigurd , Robertsen Grethe , Fleming Ian A. 
Published: March 2008

AbstractTheory suggests an important role for population density in shaping adaptive landscapes through density‐dependent selection. Here, we identify five methodological approaches for studying such selection, review the existing empirical evidence for it, and ask whether current declines in abundance can be expected to trigger evolutionary responses in salmonid fishes. Across taxa we find substantial amounts of evidence for population density influencing the location of adaptive peaks for a range of traits, and, in the presence of frequency dependence, changing the shape of selection (stabilizing versus disruptive). For salmonids, biological and theoretical considerations suggest that the optimal value of a number of traits associated with juvenile competitive ability (e.g. egg size, timing of emergence from nests, dominance ability), may depend on population density. For adults, more direct experimental and comparative evidence suggest that secondary sexual traits can be subject to density‐dependent selection. There is also evidence that density affects the frequency‐dependent selection likely responsible for the expression of alternative male reproductive phenotypes in salmon. Less is known however about the role of density in maintaining genetic variation among juveniles. Further efforts are required to elucidate the indirect evolutionary effects of declining population abundances, both in salmonids and in other anthropogenically challenged organisms.
Debating a whistle‐blower protection act for employees of the Government of Canada
Authors: Thomas Paul G. 
Published: March 2008

Abstract: Based on the premise that whistle‐blowing is most appropriately regarded as a morally ambiguous activity, this article examines how the Liberal government of Paul Martin came to propose a bill designed to encourage and to protect public servants who disclose serious wrongdoing. Written at the time when Bill C‐11 (the Public Servants Disclosure Protection Act) was still before Parliament, the article argues that the existing administrative policy on internal disclosure was judged prematurely to have failed. The complications of measuring the success of any whistle‐blowing regime are noted. The comparative experience of four countries where whistle‐blower protection laws exist demonstrates that the benefits of such laws in terms of promoting “right‐doing” and correcting wrongdoing have been oversold. The article challenges the predominant view that a new parliamentary agency is necessary to deal with whistle‐blowing. Ultimately, the success of any law will depend less on its detailed provisions and far more on a political and administrative culture in government that supports ethical awareness and responsible behavior.Sommaire: Fondé sur la prémisse selon laquelle la dénonciation est considérée à juste titre comme me activité moralement ambiguë, le présent article examine la manière dont le gouvernement libéral de Paul Martin en est arrivé a adopter un project de loi visant à encourager et à protéger les functionaries qui dénoncent les fautes sérieuses. Rédigé alors que le project de loi C‐11 (Project de loi sur la protection des fonctionnaires dénonciateurs) était encore divan le Parlement, l'article prétend que la politique administrative existante sur la dénonciation interne a été prématurément accusée d'avoir échoué. Les complications consistant à mesurer le succès de tout régime de dénonciation sont notées. L'expérience comparative de quatre pays où il existe des lois sur la protection des dénonciateurs démontre que les avantages de telles lois en ce qui concerne la promotion des bienfaits et la correction des méfaits ont été exagérés. L'article contest l'opinion prédominante selon laquelle il est nécessaire d'avoir un nouvel organisme parlementaire pour traiter de la dénonciation. En fin de compete, le succès de toute loi dépendra moins de ses dispositions détaillées et beaucoup plus d'une culture politique et administrative au sein du gouvernement qui favorise la prise de conscience éthique et les comportements responsables.
Les enjeux de la privatisation des établissements de détention
Authors: Pelletier Daniel , Robard Éric 
Published: March 2008

Sommaire: Le mouvement de privatisation des prisons et des pénitenciers a connu un développement fdgurant dans les pays anglo‐saxons de 1990 à 2000. Depuis, plu‐sieurs administrations publiques, en particulier aux États‐Unis, ont réalisé que les avantages escomptés et annoncés par les grandes corporations du secteur privé n'étaient pas vraiment au rendez‐vous, au point ou on parle actuellement de l'éclate‐ment de la bulle de la privatisation. Le débat est aujourd'hui dominé par les positions extrêmes de l'entreprise privée ‐ qui continue à vanter ses établissements ‐ et des associations de défense de droits civiques et des syndicats, qui adoptent la position opposée. L'examen des recherches empiriques ayant été faites à ce sujet révèle que la majorité des études comparatives présentent des failles méthodologiques importantes qui ne permitting pas d'asseoir la prise de décision sur des bases solides. Il importe donc d'agir avec prudence dans ce secteur fortement influencé par des enjeux politiques, sociaux et communicationnels dont l'ampleur reste encore insoupconnée.Abstract: From 1990 to 2000, the trend towards the privatization of jails and penitentiaries in Anglo‐Saxon countries grew very rapidly. Since then, several public administrations, particularly in the United States, have come to realize that the benefits anticipated by the big corporations in the sector never actually materialized; in fact, we now talk of the bursting of the privatization bubble. Today, the debate is dominated by the extreme positions taken by private enterprise, which continues to boast about its institutions, and by human and trade‐union rights advocacy associations, which are adopting the opposite position. The review of empirical research on this topic indicates that most comparative studies have significant methodological flaws that undermine the foundations of the decision‐making process. It is therefore important to act with caution in this sector, which is highly influenced by political, social and communicational issues, the magnitude of which is yet unknown.
Pressman/Wildavsky and Bardach: Implementation in the public sector, past, present and future
Authors: Graham Andrew 
Published: March 2008

Implementation: How Great Expectations in Washington are Dashed in Oakland: or, why it's amazing that federal programs work at all, this being the saga of the Economic Development Administration as told by two sympathetic observers who seek to build morals on a foundation of ruined hopes. By JEFFREY L. PRESSMAN and AARON WILDAVSKY. Berkeley: University of California Press. 1973, and subsequent editions. Pp. 182.The Implementation Game: What Happens after a Bill becomes a Law. By EUGENE BARDACH. Cambridge, Mass.: MIT Press. 1977. Pp. x, 323.
La Prise de décision: de l'acteur rationnel à la politique bureaucratique
Authors: Kubina Camille 
Published: March 2008

This study identifies the basic frame of reference used by most people when thinking about foreign affairs. It also outlines two alternative frameworks. Each frame of reference is, in effect, a ‘conceptual lens’. By comparing and contrasting the three frameworks, we see what each magnifies, highlights, and reveals as well as what each blurs or neglects.Essence of Decision: Explaining the Cuban Missile Crisis. (2e‐ édition) Par GRAHAM ALLISON et PHILIP ZELIKOW. New York: Longman. 1999. Pp. 416.
Les facteurs contributifs au leadership du Greffier dans la fonction publique du Canada1
Authors: Bourgault Jacques 
Published: March 2008

Sommaire: Le titre de Greffier du Conseil privé s'accompagne maintenant d'aurres titres et responsabilités. Plusieurs personnalités différentes ont rempli ces responsabilités. Le leadership du Greffier s'exerce sur une variété de personnages politiques et administratifs de premier plan et dans des circonstances souvent paradoxales: il faut savoir implanter les changements tout en protégeant les conventions constitutionnelles. Cet article veut démontrer que la pratique de ce leadership ne peut être ramenée à la seule maîtrise des techniques relationnelles fournies par l'évolution des approches en leadership. Celles‐ci ne sont pas muruellement exclusives mais se complètent. Le dosage des approches dépend d'abord de l'évolution de la fonction et de ses défis, ce qui renvoie à l'approche des compétences. Enfin, l'article montrera que trois autres facteurs ont influencé la.pratique du leadership: le style de gestion du titulaire, sa reputation et le contexte specifique de l'exercice du leadership (soit la dualité des fonctions, les titulaires au sommet et la concurrence des autres acteurs politiques: chef de cabinet, autres ministres et conseillers spéciaux). L'article comporte quatre parties: le concept de leadership appliqué au secteur public; l'évolution du Bureau du Conseil privé et des fonctions du Greffier; les fondements et instruments du leadership et les facteurs de contexte; et la performance en matière de leadership.Abstract: The title of clerk of the Privy Council now includes several other roles and responsibilities. These responsibilities are fulfilled by several different individuals. Included within the clerk's leadership, sometimes in circumstances that are paradoxical, are a variety of leading political and administrative figures; it is, therefore, essential for the clerk to implement the needed changes while also protecting the conventions of the Constitution. This article seeks to demonstrate that the practice of this type of leadership goes beyond the simple mastery of relational techniques provided by the evolution of leadership approaches. These are complementary rather than mutually exclusive. The particular blend of leadership approaches depends first on the evolution of duty and its challenges, which relates back to the skills approach. Finally, the article will demonstrate that three other factors influence the practice of leadership: the management style of the incumbent; his or her reputation; and the specific context in which the leadership is practised (i.e., the duality of functions and incumbents at the highest level and the competition from the other political actors—chief of staff, other ministers and special advisers). The article has four parts: the concept of leadership as applied to the public sector; the evolution of the PCO and the duties of the clerk; the fundamentals and instruments of leadership and the contextual factors; and the performance of leadership.
Profiling of the public‐service élite: A demographic and career trajectory survey of deputy and assistant deputy ministers in Canada
Authors: Evans Bryan , Lum Janet , Shields John 
Published: March 2008

Abstract: In the summer of 2006, a survey was sent to the 941 senior public administration executives who held the rank and title of deputy minister or assistant deputy minister in the federal, ten provincial and three territorial jurisdictions in Canada. The survey explored, among other variables, age, education, gender, ethno‐racial status, aboriginal background and career trajectory. The response rate to this survey was 43.61 per cent. Obviously those in the deputy/assistant deputy cadre (referred to in this article as the “public‐service élite,” or pse) are important actors in the life of the Canadian state, but relatively little is known about them. The authors report on and analyse the meaning and significance of their findings not only for a Canadian perspective but also, on the value of such research in the broader comparative sense. Their data also allow the examination of various dimensions of representative bureaucracy at the most senior levels in Canada.Sommaire: Au cours de l'été 2006, un sondage sous forme de questionnaire a été envoyé aux 941 cadres supérieurs de la fonction publique qui occupaient des postes de sous‐ministres ou de sous‐ministres adjoints au gouvernement fédéral, au gouvernement des dix provinces et des trois territoires du Canada. Le sondage portait, entre autres variables, sur l'âge, l'éducation, le sexe, le statut ethno‐racial, les origines autochtones et la trajectoire de carrière. Le taux de réponse à ce sondage a été de 43,61 pour cent. Évidemment, les personnes qui occupent les postes de sous‐ministres et de sous‐ministres adjoints (désignés dans le présent article sous le nom d' «élite de la fonction publique» ou «éfp») sont des acteurs importants dans la vie de l'État canadien, mais on les connaît assez peu. Les auteurs donnent un compte rendu et font une analyse de la signification et de 1'importance des résultats, non seulement pour avoir une perspective canadienne, mais aussi pour voir la valeur d'une telle recherche à des fins de comparaison plus vaste. Leurs données permettent également d'examiner diverses dimensions de la bureaucratie représentative aux niveaux les plus élevés du Canada.
Bovicin HC5, a Lantibiotic Produced by
Streptococcus bovis
HC5, Catalyzes the Efflux of Intracellular Potassium but Not ATP
Authors: Mantovani Hilário C. , Russell James B. 
Published: March 2008

ABSTRACT

Bovicin HC5, a broad-spectrum lantibiotic produced by
Streptococcus bovis
HC5, catalyzed the efflux of intracellular potassium from
Streptococcus bovis
JB1, a sensitive strain. The level of ATP also decreased, but this decline appeared to be caused by the activity of the F
1
F
0
ATPase rather than efflux per se.
Comparison of the Efficacies of Oral β-Lactams in Selection of
Haemophilus influenzae
Transformants with Mutated
ftsI
Genes
Authors: Takahata Sho , Kato Yoshihisa , Sanbongi Yumiko , Maebashi Kazunori , Ida Takashi 
Published: March 2008

ABSTRACT

Horizontal transfer of the mutated
ftsI
gene from β-lactamase-nonproducing ampicillin-resistant (BLNAR)
Haemophilus influenzae
to a susceptible strain was examined in vitro under selection with nine oral β-lactams (ampicillin, amoxicillin, cefprozil, cefuroxime, cefpodoxime, cefdinir, cefcapene, cefditoren, and tebipenem). Compared to the penicillins and the carbapenem, the cephalosporins showed a wide selection window for the genetic transfer.
Chlamydia pneumoniae
Growth Inhibition in Cells by the Steroid Receptor Antagonist RU486 (Mifepristone)
Authors: Yamaguchi Hiroyuki , Kamiya Shigeru , Uruma Tomonori , Osaki Takako , Taguchi Haruhiko , Hanawa Tomoko , Fukuda Minoru , Kawakami Hayato , Goto Hajime , Friedman Herman , Yamamoto Yoshimasa 
Published: March 2008

ABSTRACT

Since steroids are powerful anti-inflammatory agents and increase susceptibility to a variety of infections, including
Chlamydia
(
Chlamydophila
)
pneumoniae
respiratory tract infections, the effect of the steroid receptor antagonist RU486 (mifepristone) on
C. pneumoniae
growth in epithelial HEp-2 cells was examined. Treatment of HEp-2 cells with RU486 significantly inhibited the growth of
C. pneumoniae
in a dose-dependent manner. Electron microscopic studies also revealed that the treatment of infected cells with RU486 resulted in a marked destruction of infecting organisms. The addition of the host cell protein synthesis inhibitor cycloheximide to the infected cells did not alter the inhibition of
C. pneumoniae
growth by RU486. Pretreatment of
C. pneumoniae
organisms with RU486 before addition to culture also did not result in any modulation of bacterial growth in the cells. However, the binding of RU486 to
C. pneumoniae
organisms in cells at 24 h after infection was demonstrated by immune electron microscopy with anti-RU486 antibody. Incubation of cells with anti-RU486 antibody completely diminished the inhibition of
C. pneumoniae
growth by RU486. These results indicate that RU486 may directly bind to the bacteria within cells and cause the destruction of
C. pneumoniae
. This novel mode of regulation of
C. pneumoniae
growth in cells by RU486 might provide a new approach to understanding complicated aspects of
C. pneumoniae
infection.
Role for Nitric Oxide in Hookworm-Associated Immune Suppression
Authors: Dondji Blaise , Bungiro Richard D. , Harrison Lisa M. , Vermeire Jon J. , Bifulco Carlo , McMahon-Pratt Diane , Cappello Michael 
Published: March 2008

ABSTRACTHookworm infection is a major cause of anemia and malnutrition in resource-poor countries. Human and animal studies suggest that infection with these intestinal nematodes is associated with impaired cellular immunity, characterized by reduced lymphocyte proliferation in response to both parasite and heterologous antigens. We report here data from studies aimed at defining mechanisms through which hookworms modulate the host cellular immune response. Splenocytes and mesenteric lymph node (MLN) cells from hamsters infected withAncylostoma ceylanicumshowed minimal proliferation in response to mitogen at days 20 and 30 postinfection (p.i.), with partial recovery noted at day 70 p.i. The proliferative capacity of enriched splenocyte T-cell preparations from infected animals following stimulation with hookworm antigens was partially restored in the presence of antigen-presenting cells from uninfected hamsters. Analysis by fluorescence-activated cell sorting revealed that hookworm infection is associated with reduced percentages of both CD4+and surface immunoglobulin G-positive lymphocytes in the spleen and MLN cells. Splenocytes from infected hamsters also secreted more nitric oxide (NO) in culture than did those from naïve animals. Inhibition of NO secretion was associated with partial restoration of the proliferative capacity of splenocytes from infected animals in response to concanavalin A, suggesting a role for NO in mediating this effect. Together, these data demonstrate that hookworm infection is associated with impaired function of antigen-presenting cells and depletion of important lymphocyte subpopulations and also suggests a role for NO in parasite-induced immunosuppression.
Entamoeba histolytica
Encodes Unique Formins, a Subset of Which Regulates DNA Content and Cell Division
Authors: Majumder Shubhra , Lohia Anuradha 
Published: March 2008

ABSTRACT

The formin family of proteins mediates dynamic changes in actin assembly in eukaryotes, and therefore it is important to understand the function of these proteins in
Entamoeba histolytica
, where actin forms the major cytoskeletal network. In this study we have identified the formin homologs encoded in the
E. histolytica
genome based on sequence analysis. Using multiple tools, we have analyzed the primary sequences of the eight
E. histolytica
formins and discovered three subsets: (i)
E. histolytica
formin-1 to -3 (Ehformin-1 to -3), (ii) Ehformin-4, and (iii) Ehformin-5 to -8. Two of these subsets (Ehformin-1 to -3 and Ehformin-4) showed significant sequence differences from their closest homologs, while Ehformin-5 to -8 were unique among all known formins. Since Ehformin-1 to -3 showed important sequence differences from Diaphanous-related formins (DRFs), we have studied the functions of Ehformin-1 and -2 in
E. histolytica
transformants. Like other DRFs, Ehformin-1 and -2 associated with F-actin in response to serum factors, in pseudopodia, in pinocytic and phagocytic vesicles, and at cell division sites. Ehformin-1 and -2 also localized with the microtubular assembly in the nucleus, indicating their involvement in genome segregation. While increased expression of Ehformin-1 and -2 did not affect phagocytosis or motility, it clearly showed an increase in the number of binucleated cells, the number of nuclei in multinucleated cells, and the average DNA content of each nucleus, suggesting that these proteins regulate both mitosis and cytokinesis in
E. histolytica
.
Tuberculous Granulomas Are Hypoxic in Guinea Pigs, Rabbits, and Nonhuman Primates
Authors: Via Laura E. , Lin P. Ling , Ray Sonja M. , Carrillo Jose , Allen Shannon Sedberry , Eum Seok Yong , Taylor Kimberly , Klein Edwin , Manjunatha Ujjini , Gonzales Jacqueline , Lee Eun Gae , Park Seung Kyu , Raleigh James A. , Cho Sang Nae , McMurray David N. , Flynn JoAnne L. , Barry Clifton E. 
Published: March 2008

ABSTRACT

Understanding the physical characteristics of the local microenvironment in which
Mycobacterium tuberculosis
resides is an important goal that may allow the targeting of metabolic processes to shorten drug regimens. Pimonidazole hydrochloride (Hypoxyprobe) is an imaging agent that is bioreductively activated only under hypoxic conditions in mammalian tissue. We employed this probe to evaluate the oxygen tension in tuberculous granulomas in four animal models of disease: mouse, guinea pig, rabbit, and nonhuman primate. Following infusion of pimonidazole into animals with established infections, lung tissues from the guinea pig, rabbit, and nonhuman primate showed discrete areas of pimonidazole adduct formation surrounding necrotic and caseous regions of pulmonary granulomas by immunohistochemical staining. This labeling could be substantially reduced by housing the animal under an atmosphere of 95% O
2
. Direct measurement of tissue oxygen partial pressure by surgical insertion of a fiber optic oxygen probe into granulomas in the lungs of living infected rabbits demonstrated that even small (3-mm) pulmonary lesions were severely hypoxic (1.6 ± 0.7 mm Hg). Finally, metronidazole, which has potent bactericidal activity in vitro only under low-oxygen culture conditions, was highly effective at reducing total-lung bacterial burdens in infected rabbits. Thus, three independent lines of evidence support the hypothesis that hypoxic microenvironments are an important feature of some lesions in these animal models of tuberculosis.
T Cells Help To Amplify Inflammatory Responses Induced bySalmonella entericaSerotype Typhimurium in the Intestinal Mucosa
Authors: Godinez Ivan , Haneda Takeshi , Raffatellu Manuela , George Michael D. , Paixão Tatiane A. , Rolán Hortensia G. , Santos Renato L. , Dandekar Satya , Tsolis Renée M. , Bäumler Andreas J. 
Published: March 2008

ABSTRACTSalmonella entericaserotype Typhimurium causes an acute inflammatory reaction in the ceca of streptomycin-pretreated mice. We determined global changes in gene expression elicited by serotype Typhimurium in the cecal mucosa. The gene expression profile was dominated by T-cell-derived cytokines and genes whose expression is known to be induced by these cytokines. Markedly increased mRNA levels of genes encoding gamma interferon (IFN-γ), interleukin-22 (IL-22), and IL-17 were detected by quantitative real-time PCR. Furthermore, the mRNA levels of genes whose expression is induced by IFN-γ, IL-22, or IL-17, including genes encoding macrophage inflammatory protein 2 (MIP-2), inducible nitric oxide synthase (Nos2), lipocalin-2 (Lcn2), MIP-1α, MIP-1β, and keratinocyte-derived cytokine (KC), were also markedly increased. To assess the importance of T cells in orchestrating this proinflammatory gene expression profile, we depleted T cells by using a monoclonal antibody prior to investigating cecal inflammation caused by serotype Typhimurium in streptomycin-pretreated mice. Depletion of CD3+T cells resulted in a dramatic reduction in gross pathology, a significantly reduced recruitment of neutrophils, and a marked reduction in mRNA levels ofIfn-γ,Il-22, Il-17, Nos2, Lcn2, andKc. Our results suggest that T cells play an important role in amplifying inflammatory responses induced by serotype Typhimurium in the cecal mucosa.