Showing papers by "University of Stirling published in 2006"
United States Department of Agriculture1, La Trobe University2, Grand Valley State University3, University of British Columbia4, Florida International University5, University of Gothenburg6, University of Alaska Fairbanks7, Abisko Scientific Research Station8, University of Virginia9, University Centre in Svalbard10, Colorado State University11, Michigan State University12, Marine Biological Laboratory13, University of California, Irvine14, United States Geological Survey15, Finnish Forest Research Institute16, Norwegian University of Life Sciences17, University of Colorado Boulder18, University of Stirling19
TL;DR: Warming increased height and cover of deciduous shrubs and graminoids, decreased cover of mosses and lichens, and decreased species diversity and evenness, which predict that warming will cause a decline in biodiversity across a wide variety of tundra, at least in the short term.
Abstract: Recent observations of changes in some tundra ecosystems appear to be responses to a warming climate. Several experimental studies have shown that tundra plants and ecosystems can respond strongly to environmental change, including warming; however, most studies were limited to a single location and were of short duration and based on a variety of experimental designs. In addition, comparisons among studies are difficult because a variety of techniques have been used to achieve experimental warming and different measurements have been used to assess responses. We used metaanalysis on plant community measurements from standardized warming experiments at 11 locations across the tundra biome involved in the International Tundra Experiment. The passive warming treatment increased plant-level air temperature by 1-3°C, which is in the range of predicted and observed warming for tundra regions. Responses were rapid and detected in whole plant communities after only two growing seasons. Overall, warming increased height and cover of deciduous shrubs and graminoids, decreased cover of mosses and lichens, and decreased species diversity and evenness. These results predict that warming will cause a decline in biodiversity across a wide variety of tundra, at least in the short term. They also provide rigorous experimental evidence that recently observed increases in shrub cover in many tundra regions are in response to climate warming. These changes have important implications for processes and interactions within tundra ecosystems and between tundra and the atmosphere.
1,232 citations
Book•
01 Jan 2006TL;DR: The authors defines identity in its broadest sense, in terms of how people display who they are to each other, and examines a different discursive environment in which people do identity work: everyday conversation, institutional settings, narrative and stories, commodified contexts, spatial locations, and virtual environments.
Abstract: 'Identity' is a central organizing feature of our social world. Across the social sciences and humanities, it is increasingly treated as something that is actively and publicly accomplished in discourse. This book defines identity in its broadest sense, in terms of how people display who they are to each other. Each chapter examines a different discursive environment in which people do 'identity work': everyday conversation, institutional settings, narrative and stories, commodified contexts, spatial locations, and virtual environments. The authors describe and demonstrate a range of discourse and interaction analytic methods as they are put to use in the study of identity, including 'performative' analyses, conversation analysis, membership categorization analysis, critical discourse analysis, narrative analysis, positioning theory, discursive psychology and politeness theory. The book aims to give readers a clear sense of the coherence (or otherwise) of these different approaches, the practical steps taken in analysis, and their situation within broader critical debates. Through the use of detailed and original 'identity' case studies in a variety of spoken and written texts in order, the book offers a practical and accessible insight into what the discursive accomplishment of identity actually looks like, and how to go about analyzing it. Features:*Accessible introduction to the study of discourse and identity across a variety of contexts.*Interdisciplinary in scope, the book is relevant to a wide range of courses such as English language and linguistics, psychology, media, cultural studies, gender studies and sociology.*Each chapter includes a critical overview of work in the area, original case studies, practical instruction for analyses, points for further discussion and suggested reading.
1,126 citations
TL;DR: The notion of communities of practice is a core concept in situated learning theory as mentioned in this paper, but it is sometimes difficult to distinguish conceptually between the terms 'participation' and 'practice' because of occasional duplication of meaning.
Abstract: Situated learning theory offers a radical critique of cognitivist theories of learning, emphasizing the relational aspects of learning within communities of practice in contrast to the individualist assumptions of conventional theories. However, although many researchers have embraced the theoretical strength of situated learning theory, conceptual issues remain undeveloped in the literature. Roberts, for example, argues in this issue that the notion of 'communities of practice' - a core concept in situated learning theory - is itself problematic. To complement her discussion, this paper explores the communities of practice concept from several perspectives. Firstly, we consider the perspective of the individual learner, and examine the processes which constitute 'situated learning'. Secondly, we consider the broader socio-cultural context in which communities of practice are embedded. We argue that the cultural richness of this broader context generates a fluidity and heterogeneity within and beyond communities. Finally, we argue that it is sometimes difficult to distinguish conceptually between the terms 'participation' and 'practice' because of occasional duplication of meaning. We propose, instead, a refinement of the definition to allow for greater conceptual clarity.
746 citations
TL;DR: This paper focuses on welfare as the absence of suffering in fish, arguing that complex animals with sophisticated behaviour, such as fish, probably have the capacity for suffer ing, though this may be different in degree and kind from the human experience of this state.
Abstract: Human beings may affect the welfare of fish through fisheries, aquaculture and a number of other activities. There is no agreement on just how to we igh the concern for welfare of fish against the hum an interests involved, but ethical frameworks exist th at suggest how this might be approached. Different definitions of animal welfare focus on an animal's condition, on its subjective experience o f that condition and/or on whether it can lead a natu ral life. These provide different, legitimate, pers pectives, but the approach taken in this paper is to focus on welfare as the absence of suffering. An unresolved and controversial issue in discussion s about animal welfare is whether non-human animals exposed to adverse experiences such as physical injury or confinement experience what humans would call suffering. The neocortex, which in huma ns is an important part of the neural mechanism tha t generates the subjective experience of suffering, i s lacking in fish and non-mammalian animals, and it has been argued that its absence in fish indicates that fish cannot suffer. However, a strong alternative view is that complex animals with sophisticated behaviour, such as fish, probably have the capacity for suffer ing, though this may be different in degree and kind fro m the human experience of this state. Recent empirical studies support this view and show that painful stimuli are, at least, strongly avers ive to fish. Consequently, injury or experience of othe r harmful conditions is a cause for concern in term s of welfare of individual fish. There is also growing e vidence that fish can experience fear-like states a nd that they avoid situations in which they have experience d adverse conditions.
690 citations
TL;DR: Recommendations for the use of G-CSF in adult cancer patients at risk of chemotherapy-induced neutropenia are formulated and it is recommended that patient-related adverse risk factors such as elderly age, be evaluated in the overall assessment of FN risk prior to administering each cycle of chemotherapy.
522 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the authors adopt a multi-theoretic approach to investigate the differential impact of foreign institutional and foreign corporate shareholders on the performance of emerging market firms and find that the previously documented positive effect of foreign ownership on firm performance is substantially attributable to foreign corporations that have, on average, larger shareholding, higher commitment, and longer-term involvement.
Abstract: We adopt a multi-theoretic approach to investigate a previously unexplored phenomenon in extant literature, namely the differential impact of foreign institutional and foreign corporate shareholders on the performance of emerging market firms. We show that the previously documented positive effect of foreign ownership on firm performance is substantially attributable to foreign corporations that have, on average, larger shareholding, higher commitment, and longer-term involvement. We document the positive influence of corporations vis-a-vis financial institutions with respect to domestic shareholdings as well. We also find an interesting dichotomy in the impact of these shareholders depending on the business group affiliation of firms
513 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the authors estimate the magnitude of these external costs and benefits for the case of renewable technologies in Scotland, a country which has set particularly ambitious targets for expanding renewable energy.
481 citations
University of East Anglia1, The Lodge2, University of Sheffield3, Butterfly Conservation4, Macaulay Institute5, British Trust for Ornithology6, University of Wolverhampton7, Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science8, British Ecological Society9, Cardiff University10, Imperial College London11, United States Department of Energy Office of Science12, English Nature13, Temple University14, University of Leeds15, University of Oxford16, Environment Agency17, Countryside Agency18, University of Birmingham19, Wildlife Trusts20, Marine Conservation Society21, University of Stirling22, University of York23, University of Manchester24
TL;DR: To find out what those questions are in the UK, representatives from 28 organizations involved in policy, together with scientists from 10 academic institutions, were asked to generate a list of questions, with the most striking outcome the preference for general questions rather than narrow ones.
Abstract: 1. Evidence-based policy requires researchers to provide the answers to ecological questions that are of interest to policy makers. To find out what those questions are in the UK, representatives from 28 organizations involved in policy, together with scientists from 10 academic institutions, were asked to generate a list of questions from their organizations.
2. During a 2-day workshop the initial list of 1003 questions generated from consulting at least 654 policy makers and academics was used as a basis for generating a short list of 100 questions of significant policy relevance. Short-listing was decided on the basis of the preferences of the representatives from the policy-led organizations.
3. The areas covered included most major issues of environmental concern in the UK, including agriculture, marine fisheries, climate change, ecosystem function and land management.
4. The most striking outcome was the preference for general questions rather than narrow ones. The reason is that policy is driven by broad issues rather than specific ones. In contrast, scientists are frequently best equipped to answer specific questions. This means that it may be necessary to extract the underpinning specific question before researchers can proceed.
5. Synthesis and applications. Greater communication between policy makers and scientists is required in order to ensure that applied ecologists are dealing with issues in a way that can feed into policy. It is particularly important that applied ecologists emphasize the generic value of their work wherever possible.
469 citations
TL;DR: The results suggest that the legume-based 'pollen and nectar flower mix', as prescribed under Entry Level Stewardship in England, can quickly provide a highly attractive forage resource for bumble bees, but that issues of seasonal flowering phenology and longevity of the mixture need to be addressed.
Abstract: 1. Declines in abundance and diversity of bumble bees (Bombus spp.) in Europe have been linked to agricultural intensification and the resulting loss of suitable foraging and nesting habitats. Environmental Stewardship (ES) is a new scheme in England offering the opportunity to restore habitats of value for these important pollinators to agricultural land. Scientific evaluation of the options prescribed within the scheme is essential to ensure that their objectives are met and that the benefits can be realized by the full bumble bee species assemblage. 2. We compared the efficacy of different ES options for field margins on arable land in enhancing the abundance and diversity of flowering resources and foraging bumble bees. Our study was conducted over 3 years using a multisite experiment. 3. Overall, uncropped margins sown with mixtures containing nectar and pollen-producing plants were more effective in providing bumble bee forage than margins sown with a grass mix, allowed to regenerate naturally or managed as conservation headlands. 4. A mixture of agricultural legumes established quickly and attracted on average the highest total abundance and diversity of bumble bees, including the rare long-tongued species Bombus ruderatus and Bombus muscorum. However, marked differences were observed between species and sexes in their responses to field margin management over time. 5. A diverse mixture of native wildflowers attracted more of the shorter-tongued Bombus spp. and provided greater continuity of forage resources, especially early in the season. Allowing Cirsium spp. to flower on such margins also increased their attractiveness to male bumble bees. 6. Synthesis and applications. Our results suggest that the legume-based 'pollen and nectar flower mix', as prescribed under Entry Level Stewardship in England, can quickly provide a highly attractive forage resource for bumble bees, but that issues of seasonal flowering phenology and longevity of the mixture need to be addressed. Establishment of 'floristically enhanced margins' under Higher Level Stewardship will be important to provide diverse perennial communities of forage plants and to support a greater range of Bombus spp. and other pollinators. The population-level responses of bumble bees to introduced seed mixtures and other agri-environment options require further study in order to maximize the benefits of such schemes in intensively farmed landscapes. © 2006 The Authors.
429 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the effectiveness of social marketing interventions to improve diet, increase physical activity, and tackle substance misuse is reviewed, and three reviews of systematic reviews and primary studies that evaluate social marketing effectiveness are presented.
416 citations
TL;DR: This paper uses the choice experiment method to estimate the value of improvements in three components of ecological status and test the ability of choice experiments for benefits transfer across two very similar rivers in the UK.
TL;DR: This article applied the choice experiment and contingent valuation methods to value the diversity of biological diversity. But the results showed that the public had positive valuation preferences for most, but not all, aspects of biodiversity, but they appeared to be largely indifferent to how biodiversity protection was achieved.
TL;DR: Forage plants of bumblebees in Britain declined in both large-scale range and local-scale frequency between the two survey periods, reflecting serious reductions in quality of foraging habitats for bees as well as a general decline in insect-pollinated plants.
TL;DR: In this paper, a middle path between conventional and radical approaches to pedagogy is proposed to identify examples of "older" values in higher education pedagogical cultures, which make it difficult or even impossible for some students to learn.
Abstract: Growing concerns about retention and attrition rates in a mass and increasingly marketised higher education system have encouraged the idea that ‘meeting learner needs’ should be a key focus for institutional attention. It is suggested that this approach is unrealistic, however, because of the extent of the diversity which it attempts to respond to. An alternative response is to move away from the individualised focus on needs, deficits and ‘support’, towards a consideration of ‘activities, patterns of interaction and communication failures’, in relation to higher education pedagogical cultures. This move reconceptualises the idea of ‘barriers to learning’, attempting to understand how more subtle aspects of higher education pedagogical cultures may themselves be creating conditions which make it difficult, or even impossible, for some students to learn. Deliberately forging a middle path between conventional and radical approaches to pedagogy, the article attempts to identify examples of ‘older’ values a...
TL;DR: Application of rigorous research methods enables this survey to be a rich data resource, not only to evaluate policies, but also to gain new insights into the natural history of smoking cessation, through longitudinal analyses of smoker behaviour.
Abstract: This paper outlines the design features, data collection methods and analytic strategies of the International Tobacco Control (ITC) Four Country Survey, a prospective study of more than 2000 longitudinal respondents per country with yearly replenishments. This survey possesses unique features that sets it apart among surveys on tobacco use and cessation. One of these features is the use of theory-driven conceptual models. In this paper, however, the focus is on the two key statistical features of the survey: longitudinal and "quasi-experimental" designs. Although it is often possible to address the same scientific questions with a cross-sectional or a longitudinal study, the latter has the major advantage of being able to distinguish changes over time within individuals from differences among people at baseline (that is, differences between age and cohort effects). Furthermore, quasi-experiments, where countries not implementing a given new tobacco control policy act as the control group to which the country implementing such a policy will be compared, provide much stronger evidence than observational studies on the effects of national-level tobacco control policies. In summary, application of rigorous research methods enables this survey to be a rich data resource, not only to evaluate policies, but also to gain new insights into the natural history of smoking cessation, through longitudinal analyses of smoker behaviour.
TL;DR: The evidence for stronger dominance hierarchies in the 10 kg m − 3 treatment, indicate that low as well as high stocking densities have the potential to adversely affect trout welfare.
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors argue that artists in the creative industries have to bridge the gap between artistic work and the economic need for self-management, and that a bohemian lifestyle essentially supports them in doing so.
Abstract: By linking lifestyle studies with creative industries research, this article opens a new perspective on creativity and innovation management. We argue that artists in the creative industries have to bridge the gap between artistic work and the economic need for self-management, and that a bohemian lifestyle essentially supports them in doing so. The bohemian lifestyle, which is characterized by a devotion to art for art’s sake, is an essential source for work motivation of artists and an increasing number of other creative workers. The article draws upon an empirical study into artistic work and employment in German theatres. Enacting a bohemian lifestyle enables actors as ‘bohemian entrepreneurs’ to integrate intensive selfmanagement and self-marketing as well as subordination of private life to work into their artistic work life. Analysing the link between lifestyle and creative work is crucial for understanding the way in which creative workers become artists and, at the same time, entrepreneurs of their creative talent.
TL;DR: Evidence is provided that probing for the location of spatial attention at 500 ms is not necessarily indicative of the initial allocation of attention between competing emotional facial stimuli, as suggested by comparisons of reaction time (RT) scores with an appropriate baseline.
TL;DR: In this article, the efficacy, tolerability, and cosmetic outcome of photodynamic therapy (PDT) using topical methyl aminolevulinate with cryotherapy or topical fluorouracil for treatment of squamous cell carcinoma in situ was compared.
Abstract: Objective To compare the efficacy, tolerability, and cosmetic outcome of photodynamic therapy (PDT) using topical methyl aminolevulinate with cryotherapy or topical fluorouracil for treatment of squamous cell carcinoma in situ. Design Randomized, placebo-controlled study, with follow-up at 3 and 12 months after last treatment. Setting Forty outpatient dermatology centers in 11 European countries. Patients Random sample of 225 patients with histologically confirmed squamous cell carcinoma in situ (lesion size, 6-40 mm) and no evidence of progression. Interventions Treatment with PDT with methyl aminolevulinate (160 mg/g; n = 96) or matching placebo cream (n = 17), cryotherapy (n = 82), or topical fluorouracil (5% cream; n = 30). Methyl aminolevulinate or placebo cream was applied for 3 hours before illumination with broadband red light (75 J/cm 2 , 570-670 nm). Treatment was repeated 1 week later. Cryotherapy was performed with liquid nitrogen spray. Fluorouracil was applied for 4 weeks. Lesions with a partial response at 3 months were re-treated. Main Outcome Measures Clinically verified complete response of lesions; blinded and on-site assessment of cosmetic outcome (4-point rating scale). Results At 12 months, the estimated sustained lesion complete response rate with methyl aminolevulinate PDT was superior to that with cryotherapy (80% vs 67%; odds ratio, 1.77; 95% confidence interval, 1.01-3.12; P = .047), and better than that with fluorouracil (80% vs 69%; odds ratio, 1.64; 95% confidence interval, 0.78-3.45; P = .19). Cosmetic outcome at 3 months was good or excellent in 94% of patients treated with methyl aminolevulinate PDT vs 66% with cryotherapy and 76% with fluorouracil, and was maintained at 12 months. Conclusion Methyl aminolevulinate PDT is an effective treatment option for squamous cell carcinoma in situ, with excellent cosmesis.
TL;DR: Quantitative real-time PCR assay of gene expression in cod showed that the Δ6 desaturase gene was expressed highly in brain, to a slightly lesser extent in liver, kidney, intestine, red muscle, and gill, and at much lower levels in white muscle, spleen, and heart.
Abstract: This study reports the cloning, functional characterization, tissue expression, and nutritional regulation of a Δ6 fatty acyl desaturase of Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua). PCR primers were designed based on the sequences of conserved motifs in available fish desaturases and used to isolate a cDNA fragment from cod liver, with full-length cDNA obtained by rapid amplification of cDNA ends. The cDNA for the putative desaturase was shown to comprise 1980 bp, including a 261-bp 5′-UTR, a 375-bp 3′-UTR, and an ORF of 1344 bp that specified a protein of 447 amino acids. The protein sequence included three histidine boxes, two transmembrane regions, and an N-terminal cytochrome b5 domain containing the heme-binding motif HPGG, all characteristic of microsomal fatty acyl desaturases. The cDNA displayed Δ6 desaturase activity in a yeast expression system. Quantitative real-time PCR assay of gene expression in cod showed that the Δ6 desaturase gene was expressed highly in brain, to a slightly lesser extent in liver, kidney, intestine, red muscle, and gill, and at much lower levels in white muscle, spleen, and heart. The expression of the Δ6 desaturase gene did not appear to be under significant nutritional regulation, with levels in liver and intestine being barely altered in fish fed a vegetable oil blend, in comparison with levels in fish fed fish oil. This was reflected in enzyme activity, as hepatocytes or enterocytes showed very little highly unsaturated FA biosynthesis activity irrespective of diet. Further studies are required to determine why the Δ6 desaturase appears to be barely functional in cod under the conditions tested.
TL;DR: Self-management policies, programmes and healthcare practitioners need to recognize the tensions that people experience as they negotiate symptoms, valued social roles, positive identities, and daily life, to improve opportunities to support patients in particular contexts, and enhance self-management.
Abstract: Background: Patient education self-management programmes draw on sociological understanding of experiencing single chronic illnesses, but health practitioners do not always recognize the tensions and ambiguities permeating individuals' management experiences, particularly for those with multiple morbidity. The aim of this study was to illuminate how people negotiate multiple chronic illness, and everyday life.Methods: A sample of 23 people in their early 50s was recruited from a community health survey in Scotland. The participants had four or more chronic illnesses and were interviewed twice. The qualitative data that were generated highlighted the impact of illness and associated management strategies, as people attempted to continue familiar lives. Analysis was based on constant comparison and informed by a narrative approach.Results: People used multiple techniques to manage symptoms and conveyed a moral obligation to manage `well'. However, maintaining valued social roles, coherent identities and a `...
TL;DR: In this article, a linear mixture modeling approach is presented to derive accurate estimates of chlorophyll a from Landsat Thematic Mapper (TM) imagery in Lake Balaton, Europe's largest shallows.
Abstract: Remote sensing has the potential to provide truly synoptic views of water quality, in particular, the spatial distributions of phytoplankton. Whilst the spectral capabilities of satellites used in ocean colour work have improved significantly over recent years, the application of satellite remote sensing to lake water is constrained by the need for high spatial resolution image data and thus remains limited by spectral resolution capabilities. This becomes a significant problem when attempting to quantify chlorophyll a (Chl a) in waters characterized by high and heterogeneous suspended sediment concentrations (SSC). The SSC dominates the spectral reflectance, masking the spectral influence from other components in broad spectral band systems, making Chl a determination from remote sensing imagery difficult. This paper presents a linear mixture modelling approach to derive accurate estimates of Chl a from Landsat Thematic Mapper (TM) imagery. This approach was tested in Lake Balaton, Europe's largest shall...
TL;DR: In this article, European sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax L), of initial mass 5 g, were fed one of three practical type diets for 64 weeks, i.e., 100% fish oil (FO), 40% FO/60% vegetable oil blend (VO), and 60% VO diet (VO; diet B).
Abstract: Triplicate groups of European sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax L.), of initial mass 5 g, were fed one of three practical type diets for 64 weeks. The three diets differed only in the added oil and were 100% fish oil (FO; diet A), 40% FO/60% vegetable oil blend (VO; diet B) where the VO blend was rapeseed oil, linseed oil and palm oil in the ratio 10/35/15 by weight and 40% FO/60% VO blend (diet C) where the ratio was 24/24/12 by weight. After final sample collection the remaining fish were switched to a 100% FO finishing diet for a further 20 weeks. After 64 weeks fish fed 60% VO diet B had significantly lower live mass and liver mass than fish fed diets A and C although SGR, FCR and length were not different between groups. There were no differences in any of the above parameters after either 14 or 20 weeks on the FO finishing diet. Fatty acid compositions of flesh were correlated to dietary fatty acids although there was selective retention of docosahexaenoic acid (22:6n-3; DHA) regardless of dietary input. Inclusion of dietary VO resulted in significantly reduced flesh levels of DHA and eicosapentaenoic acid (20:5n-3; EPA) while 18:1n-9, 18:2n-6 and 18:3n-3 were all significantly increased in fish fed the 60% VO diets. Fatty acid compositions of liver showed broadly similar changes, as a result of dietary fatty acid composition, as was seen in flesh. However, the response of flesh and liver to feeding a FO finishing diet was different. In flesh, DHA and EPA values were not restored after 14 or 20 weeks of feeding a FO finishing diet with the values in fish fed the two 60% VO diets being around 70% of the values seen in fish fed FO throughout. Conversely, and despite liver DHA and EPA levels being reduced to only 40% of the value seen in fish fed 100% FO after 64 weeks, the levels of liver DHA and EPA were not significantly different between treatments after feeding the FO finishing diet for 14 weeks. However, a 200 g portion of sea bass flesh, after feeding the experimental diets for 64 weeks followed by a FO diet for 14 weeks, contained 1.22 and 0.95 g of EPA+DHA for fish fed FO or 60% VO, respectively. Therefore, sea bass grown for most of the production cycle using diets containing 60% VO can still contribute a significant quantity of healthy n-3 HUFA to the human consumer.
TL;DR: A case study of best practice in planning for a flu pandemic and sharing this knowledge with NTOs and tourism organisations globally via the World Tourism Organisation and other communication channels is presented in this paper.
TL;DR: Map alignments with orthologous regions in Atlantic salmon, rainbow trout, and Arctic char revealed extensive conservation of syntenic blocks across species, which was generally consistent with chromosome divergence through Robertsonian translocations.
Abstract: We report on the construction of a linkage map for brown trout (Salmo trutta) and its comparison with those of other tetraploid-derivative fish in the family Salmonidae, including Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar), rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss), and Arctic char (Salvelinus alpinus). Overall, we identified 37 linkage groups (2n = 80) from the analysis of 288 microsatellite polymorphisms, 13 allozyme markers, and phenotypic sex in four backcross families. Additionally, we used gene–centromere analysis to approximate the position of the centromere for 20 linkage groups and thus relate linkage arrangements to the physical morphology of chromosomes. Sex-specific maps derived from multiple parents were estimated to cover 346.4 and 912.5 cM of the male and female genomes, respectively. As previously observed in other salmonids, recombination rates showed large sex differences (average female-to-male ratio was 6.4), with male crossovers generally localized toward the distal end of linkage groups. Putative homeologous regions inherited from the salmonid tetraploid ancestor were identified for 10 pairs of linkage groups, including five chromosomes showing evidence of residual tetrasomy (pseudolinkage). Map alignments with orthologous regions in Atlantic salmon, rainbow trout, and Arctic char also revealed extensive conservation of syntenic blocks across species, which was generally consistent with chromosome divergence through Robertsonian translocations.
TL;DR: Findings suggested that a high proportion of breast cancer patients used CAM, which may have implications for the clinical management of these patients.
Abstract: Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) has gained popularity among cancer patients in the past years. For this study, CAM includes any group of health care systems, practices or products that are not considered to be part of conventional medicine at present (National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine). The present study assessed patterns of CAM use in breast cancer patients in Europe. The study used a descriptive cross-sectional design, and data were collected through a 27-item questionnaire. The sample, which was part of a larger study, consisted of 282 breast cancer patients from 11 countries in Europe. Among participants, 44.7% used CAM since their diagnosis of cancer. The most common therapies used included herbal medicine (46.4%) and medicinal teas, relaxation techniques, spiritual therapies, homeopathy and vitamins/minerals. Younger patients with higher education and who had received combination treatments for their cancer in the past were more likely to use CAM. High levels of satisfaction were reported, with only 6.5% of the women reporting no benefits from the CAM used. Main sources of information about CAM were mostly friends/family and the media. Findings suggested that a high proportion of breast cancer patients used CAM, which may have implications for the clinical management of these patients.
TL;DR: This paper investigated how and why WTP is influenced by time to think, differing information levels and the opportunity to deliberate in a group setting for an unfamiliar good (red kite reintroduction) and a familiar good (green energy from wind power).
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors report on a comprehensive survey of corporate financing decision-making in UK listed companies and find that firms are heterogeneous in their capital structure policies, about half of the firms seek to maintain a target debt level, consistent with trade-off theory, but 60% claim to follow a financing hierarchy.
Abstract: Despite theoretical developments in recent years, our understanding of corporate capital structure remains incomplete. Prior empirical research has been dominated by archival regression studies which are limited in their ability to fully reflect the diversity found in practice. The present paper reports on a comprehensive survey of corporate financing decision-making in UK listed companies. A key finding is that firms are heterogeneous in their capital structure policies. About half of the firms seek to maintain a target debt level, consistent with trade-off theory, but 60% claim to follow a financing hierarchy, consistent with pecking order theory. These two theories are not viewed by respondents as either mutually exclusive or exhaustive. Many of the theoretical determinants of debt levels are widely accepted by respondents, in particular the importance of interest tax shield, financial distress, agency costs and also, at least implicitly, information asymmetry. Results also indicate that cross-country institutional differences have a significant impact on financial decisions.
TL;DR: In this paper, two studies examined Carver and White's Behavioural Activation System (BAS) scales in terms of factor structure, and convergent/divergent validity when predicting proxies of Impulsivity and reward-reactivity.
TL;DR: The results highlight the fact that the mechanisms that underlie variation in the avian physiological system can be modified to respond to differences between environments through selection, which adds an additional level of flexibility to the bird physiological system, which will allow it to responded to environmental circumstances.
Abstract: Vertebrates respond to environmental stressors through the neuro-endocrine stress response, which involves the production of glucocorticoids. We have selected independent, duplicate divergent lines of zebra finches for high, low and control corticosterone responses to a mild stressor. This experiment has shown that over the first four generations, the high lines have demonstrated a significant realized heritability of about 20%. However, the low lines have apparently not changed significantly from controls. This asymmetry in response is potentially because of the fact that all birds appear to be showing increased adaptation to the environment in which they are housed, with significant declines in corticosterone response in control lines as well as low lines. Despite the existence of two- to threefold difference in mean corticosterone titre between high and low lines, there were no observed differences in testosterone titre in adult male birds from the different groups. In addition, there were no consistent, significant differences between the lines in any of the life history variables measured – number of eggs laid per clutch, number of clutches or broods produced per pair, number of fledglings produced per breeding attempt, nor in any of egg, nestling and fledgling mortality. These results highlight the fact that the mechanisms that underlie variation in the avian physiological system can be modified to respond to differences between environments through selection. This adds an additional level of flexibility to the avian physiological system, which will allow it to respond to environmental circumstances.