Protestant identification and political change in Northern Ireland

This article demonstrates the responsiveness of national and religious identifications to political change among Protestants in Northern Ireland. It begins by theorizing identification as a process of working out our ideas of self, others and place. Subsequently, it proceeds to outline how the recent Good Friday Agreement (1998) changes the political landscape from the perspective of a variety of Protestants. Then, based on a narrative analysis of interview data collected in 2000, it maps the main directions of change. Three responses are highlighted, as people come to accept, reject or ignore political developments after the Agreement, and their differing relationships with British national and Protestant religious identifications are discussed. The article concludes by highlighting the underlying dynamics of identification with a view to maximizing the acceptance of political change in Northern Ireland.     

Ethnic minority status and attitudes towards police powers: A comparative study of Great Britain,Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland

It is one of the axioms of police research that the relationship between the police and ethnic minorities is, to say the least, problematic. There is now a growing body of empirical research which shows that the relationship is characterized by mutual antipathy. Using recent comparable data from Great Britain, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland, such conventional wisdom is tested in this article by means of ethnic responses to the power of the police in dealing with known criminals. Using multivariate regression analysis, the results suggest that not only is the relationship between ethnic minority status and attitudes towards the power of the police clearly different across these three countries, it also operated in unexpected ways which run directly counter to well‐accepted beliefs about the problematic relationship between the police and members of ethnic minority groups. In other words, for these three societies at least, occupying an ethnic minority group status does not automatically lead to a negative view of the powers that the police should be accorded in the pursuit of known criminals.     

Ethnic politics and labour market closure: Shipbuilding and industrial decline in Northern Ireland

This article examines the interplay of ethnic conflict and economic interests in Northern Ireland, specifically for the case of the shipbuilding industry, which received massive state aid despite its terminal decline. Parkin's theory of dual social closure by members of the subordinate class but dominant status group to monopolize resources and opportunities is employed to examine the interests and actions of Protestant workers. The contribution of local institutions including Extended Internal Labor Markets to the salience of Protestant group solidarity is examined from a political economy perspective. Political accommodation between Protestant labour and the Northern Ireland government, and later British government political fears of antagonizing Loyalist workers, facilitated huge aid to a failing industry.     

The Variation in the Acidity of Ground and Surface Waters in Northern Ireland

The distribution of surface and ground waters in Northern Ireland were mapped with respect to pH and total hardness and the distributions discussed in relation to the regional geology and pedology. These waters were grouped into 3 categories depending on their vulnerability to acidification. Three upland areas, the Mournes, the western Sperrins and the northern Glens of Antrim, were identified as being vulnerable to acidification. Concentrations of total and labile aluminium in these areas were high and, in the Mournes and Sperrin areas, exceeded the EC directive on total aluminium in drinking water. However, because of their differing geology and pedology, only the Mournes area had labile aluminium levels which gave cause for concern. A fish survey in a reservoir in the Mournes catchment showed that it supported a small but self-sustaining population of brown trout (Salmo trutta) which, although small in size, showed no signs of deformity.     

Observations on the distribution of leather jackets in Northern Ireland

A map of the geographic distribution of leather jackets across five counties of Northern Ireland was produced from annual survey data. Climatic data were used to develop a multiple regression model explaining variation in the mean annual survey population for the years 1970–1984. Predicted populations for 1985–1988 compared favourably with observed counts. Both negative binomial and Adès distributions were successfully fitted to the frequency distribution of leatherjacket field populations from 1969–1986. It is concluded that the distribution of populations in the Province is not random and factors influencing mean leatherjacket numbers differ from those reported for other regions. The multiple regression model is proposed as a substitute for an annual survey of leatherjacket populations in Northern Ireland and it is suggested that the Adès family of distributions may enable it to be extended to predict leatherjacket frequency distributions each year.     

Genetic variation in populations of the terrestrial planarian Artioposthia triangulata (Dendy), and evidence for passive dispersal in Northern Ireland

Genetic variation in 12 populations of the terrestrial planarian Artioposthia triangulata from Northern Ireland and one in the Republic of Ireland were assessed using starch-gel electrophoresis. Seven enzymes - adenylate kinase, aspartate aminotransferase, enolase, malate dehydrogenase, phosphoglucose isomerase, phosphomannose isomerase and superoxide dismutase - provided consistent, resolved stains. Coefficients of genetic identity were similar for all comparisons suggesting that the populations did not belong to distinct taxa. There was no relationship between genetic distance and geographic distance for populations, thus confirming the role of passive dispersal in the spread of A. triangulata. Average percentage polymorphic loci and mean heterozygosities were higher in the east of the Province (41.4% and 0.240), than the west (37.5% and 0.185) suggesting that the planarian had spread westwards after an initial colonisation in the east.     

A Long Term Study of the Phosphorus Cycle in Lough Neagh,Northern Ireland

Eleven years of weekly observations on the phosphorus cycle in Lough Neagh are analysed. The data comprised inputs, outputs and lake concentrations of the soluble and particulate phosphorus fractions. It is shown that the particulate phosphorus input quickly sediments to the bottom and the particulate phosphorus in the lake is largely made up of phytoplankton. The average phosphorus retention in the lake was 34 %, similar to the particulate phosphorus input. Climate has a big influence on the phosphorus input and sediment release, both of which varied two-fold. A simulation model suggested that suppression of sediment P release would reduce lake winter phosphorus concentrations by an average of 29 %.     

Trends in aquatic macrophyte species turnover in Northern Ireland — which factors determine the spatial distribution of local species turnover?

Aim The study examined qualitative predictions of ecological theories in relation to the spatial distribution of species turnover of aquatic macrophytes, through the following parameters: (1) distance between lakes (2) chemical conditions of the lakes (3) chemical differences between the lakes, and (4) the lake size. Location 562 lakes dispersed throughout Northern Ireland were analysed. Methods To obtain species turnover estimates independent of richness, the average distance between focal lakes and their five nearest neighbours in ordination space (DCA) was standardized by the species richness in a Generalized Additive Model (GAM). The relationships between species turnover and ecological (chemical condition, chemical difference, distance between lakes, and lake‐size) and geographical parameters (latitude, longitude, and altitude) were analysed using GAM. Results The results indicate that the pattern in species turnover is a combination of the chemical conditions and the distance between the lakes, including the interaction term. The effects of chemical heterogeneity and lake size parameters were both positive but weak. In general, increased distance and decreased ionic concentration contribute to increased turnover. The influence of distance on species turnover is strongest at low and high altitude, and at mid‐elevation the species turnover is mainly driven by the chemical conditions. Towards the north there is an increasing influence of distance, whereas in the south the chemical conditions have their strongest influence. Conclusions There is a need for components from several established ecological theories to explain the spatial trends in species turnover within Northern Ireland. Central theories in this particular study are the population/metapopulation dynamics, the continuum concept, and the species‐pool concept.     

The Importance of Stakeholder Engagement in Invasive Species Management: A Cross-jurisdictional Perspective in Ireland

The management of invasive non-native species is a frequent cause of conflict in the field of biodiversity conservation because perceptions of their costs and benefits differ among stakeholder groups. A lack of cohesion between scientific researchers, the commercial sector and policy makers lies at the root of a widespread failure to develop and implement sustainable management practices for invasive species. The crisis of this situation is intensified by drivers stemming from international conventions and directives to address invasive species issues. There are further direct conflicts between legislative instruments promoting biodiversity conservation on the one hand while liberalizing trade at the national, European and global level on the other. The island of Ireland provides graphic illustration of the importance of cross-jurisdictional approaches to biological invasions. Using primarily Irish examples in this review, we emphasize the importance of approaching risk assessment, risk reduction and control or eradication policies from a cost-efficient, highly flexible perspective, incorporating linkages between environmental, economic and social objectives. The need for consolidated policies between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland is particularly acute, though few model cross-border mechanisms for such consolidation are available. The importance of engaging affected stakeholders through positive interactions is discussed with regard to reducing the currently fragmented nature of invasive species management between the two jurisdictions.     

Biodiversity and pollen analysis: modern pollen studies and the recent history of a floodplain woodland in S. W. Ireland

One of the problems with biodiversity for palynologists is that their samples come from an unbounded area and source area varies with both pollen/spore type and vegetation type. There have been two broad approaches to the problem of inferring diversity from pollen/spore samples; firstly the use of pollen type richness as a proxy for species richness, and secondly the ‘identification’ of past vegetation communities aided by ecological inference and historical or modern data concerning species affinities and typical diversity. The estimation of biodiversity from pollen analysis depends upon the pollen count, taxonomic precision, source strength for individual types and dispersal/transport of pollen from source areas to the site. A transect of surface pollen samples is used here to test the effect of a vegetation boundary on pollen/spore diversity and compare the pollen/spore diversity with the species richness of the woodland. Palynological richness (at a constant count sum) does, to some extent, reflect changing local vegetation along the transect. Type count curves also reflect the changes in vegetation type along the transect due to the partial influence of species richness on pollen/spore richness. This study suggests that depending upon the woodland composition, the woodland may not entirely drown-out the pollen signal of the surrounding vegetation, and that a small woodland may be more representative (as a sampling site) of the valley floor diversity than a raised mire. The surface transect is also used in the interpretation of Medieval pollen levels from The Gearagh.     

Population structure and anthropometric variation in rural western Ireland: Isolation by distance and analysis of the residuals

The study of human population structure allows the assessment of cultural and historical influences on mating probabilities, and, hence, genetic variation. A commonly used model is isolation by distance, which predicts a negative exponential relationship between genetic similarity and geographic distance. Anthropometric data collected during the 1930's for 261 adult women in 12 towns of rural western Ireland were used to test the isolation by distance model and to assess the influence of cultural factors upon the fit of the model. The effects of recent migration were tested by using two additional data subsets, one excluding known intercounty migrants and the other consisting of unmarried women, only in an attempt to control partially for local migration upon marriage. Deviations from the expected isolation by distance model were analyzed using rotational fitting and regression analysis. Estimates of the isolation by distance parameters agree closely with independent estimates from isonymy and with estimates obtained in other studies of rural European population structure. Analysis of the residuals indicates three major factors which contribute to deviations from the expected model: recent migration upon marriage, age variation among groups, and variation in population size and/or transportation opportunities. Variation in population size was tested using the gravity model of economic geography by regressing the residuals from the isolation by distance model for each pair of towns on the product of their population sizes. The best fit occurred for the unmarried sample, as expected from ethnographic evidence, since rural–urban migration was most common among unmarried women.     

Floristic diversity and vegetation analysis of Wadi Arar: A typical desert Wadi of the Northern Border region of Saudi Arabia

Wadi Arar in the Northern border region of Saudi Arabia is one of the most important Wadis of the Kingdom. The present study provides an analysis of vegetation types, life forms, as well as floristic categories and species distribution. A total of 196 species representing 31 families of vascular plants were recorded. Compositae, Gramineae and Leguminosae were the most common families. Therophytes and chamaephytes are the most frequent life forms, indicating typical desert spectrum vegetation. The distribution of these species in the different sectors of the Wadi as well as the phytochoria for the recorded species is provided. Ninety-one species (46.5%) are typical bi-regional. Furthermore, about 105 species (53.5%) are mono- or pluriregional taxa. The highest number of species (136 or 69.5%) was recorded for annual plants, while the lowest number of species (60% or 30.5%) was recorded for perennial, short perennial or annual to biennial species.     

Irreproducibility in searches of scientific literature: A comparative analysis

1. Repeatability is the cornerstone of science, and it is particularly important for systematic reviews. However, little is known on how researchers’ choice of database, and search platform influence the repeatability of systematic reviews. Here, we aim to unveil how the computer environment and the location where the search was initiated from influence hit results.
2. We present a comparative analysis of time‐synchronized searches at different institutional locations in the world and evaluate the consistency of hits obtained within each of the search terms using different search platforms.
3. We revealed a large variation among search platforms and showed that PubMed and Scopus returned consistent results to identical search strings from different locations. Google Scholar and Web of Science''s Core Collection varied substantially both in the number of returned hits and in the list of individual articles depending on the search location and computing environment. Inconsistency in Web of Science results has most likely emerged from the different licensing packages at different institutions.
4. To maintain scientific integrity and consistency, especially in systematic reviews, action is needed from both the scientific community and scientific search platforms to increase search consistency. Researchers are encouraged to report the search location and the databases used for systematic reviews, and database providers should make search algorithms transparent and revise access rules to titles behind paywalls. Additional options for increasing the repeatability and transparency of systematic reviews are storing both search metadata and hit results in open repositories and using Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) to retrieve standardized, machine‐readable search metadata.

     

Mass-balanced trophic and loop models of complex benthic systems in northern Chile (SE Pacific) to improve sustainable interventions: a comparative analysis

The capacity to withstand perturbations and the propagation of direct and indirect effects of harvesting were explored in seagrass and sand–gravel subtidal subsystems of northern Chile using Ecopath II, Ecosim and Loop Analysis theoretical frameworks. The relative Ascendancy and Redundancy from Ecopath II and Ecosim models and the holistic stability measure (F _n ) given by Loop Analysis, all suggest that the sand–gravel subsystem is the more resistant and its fishery more sustainable. This outcome is relevant since the theoretical frameworks used are based on different assumptions but arrive at similar conclusions. If the fishery is included in the qualitative ecological models, which were found locally stable only when the fishery is self-controlled. While this conclusion is not new, its relevance here is that it emerges from qualitative multispecies modelling (Loop Analysis). Based on our model predictions, the biomass removal of the sea star Meyenaster gelatinosus would increase the standing stock of the commercial scallop Argopecten purpuratus only in the seagrass habitat, whereas the same man-made intervention may have an opposite effect in the sand–gravel habitat. We recommend to enunciate holistic models based on the theoretical framework used in the current work, which explore the reality from different perspectives assuming different givens. Based on these holistic explorations alternative and complementary management scenarios could be designed. Handling editor: T. P. Crowe     

农业区游牧民族饮食文化的滞后性——基于大同东信广场北魏墓群人骨的稳定同位素研究

不同地域的人群具有不同的饮食传统和饮食文化。然而,当人们持续不断的直接或间接接触时,一方或双方原有的饮食文化将会产生变化,如拓跋鲜卑的饮食文化就经历了从游牧向农业的转变。本文对山西大同东信广场北魏墓群26例人骨进行了C、N稳定同位素分析,结果 (δ~(13)C值为-11.5±2.7‰,n=26;δ~(15)N值为9.8±1.2‰,n=26)显示,先民的食物类型差异较大,并包含大量的肉食资源。研究表明,以C_3类食物为主的先民主要放牧或狩猎,以C_4类食物为主的先民主要以种植粟、黍等C_4型农作物喂养家畜。大同东信广场北魏墓群人群中两种不同饮食传统的存在,显示游牧民族新的饮食习惯(以粟作农业产品为食)的形成滞后性于北魏政权的建立,这可能与气候变冷及他们的排斥有关。     

Allozymic variation in four Indian species of genusMus: A comparative analysis

The present study focusses on allozyme variation in the commensal house mouseMus musculus, the pygmy field miceM. booduga andM. terricolor, and the spiny mouseM. platythrix. Genetic heterozygosity was estimated using a set of 24 polymorphic biochemical genetic markers. The extent of variability present inM. booduga, M. terricolor andM. platythrix has been compared with that in theM. musculus complex. Levels of allozyme variation at species level indicate thatM. musculus has the maximum heterogeneity, followed byM. booduga andM. terricolor, whileM. platythrix shows comparatively homogeneous genetic make-up. Gene frequency data have been used to trace phylogenetic relationships among these four species.     

Geographic and temporal genetic structure in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Lepeophtheirus salmonis</Emphasis> from four salmon farms along the northwest and west coasts of Ireland: results from a microsatellite analysis

The marine ectoparasitic copepod of salmonids, Lepeophtheirus salmonis (Krøyer), is a major pest of farmed Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar L.) causing great economic impact. The spatial scales over which L. salmonis populations in different salmon farms are typically connected, and the temporal scales over which L. salmonis from the same farm typically undergo genetic change are largely unknown. These questions were posed in a small-scale geographic study of population structure in L. salmonis from four salmon farms, along the northwest and west coasts of Ireland, using two outgroups from Norway and Canada. The temporal stability of genetic composition was also studied in samples collected quarterly during one year from one salmon farm in Ireland. Genetic composition in L. salmonis was characterised using four nuclear microsatellites. Significant but low genetic differentiation was observed between all sites (F _ST = 0.08), with no evidence that differentiation was correlated with geographic distance. Temporal genetic differentiation was also evident (F _ST = 0.07). An analysis of all L. salmonis samples except the ones from Norway detected two separate clusters. Each cluster contained both geographical and temporal samples. These results are consistent with a population model in which L. salmonis in salmon farms along the northwest and west coasts of Ireland are not isolated, but are potentially subject to (i) localised ecological factors at the particular farm sites or (ii) selection post-settlement or a combination thereof.     

Covariation of sexual dichromatism and plumage colours in lekking and non-lekking birds: A comparative analysis

The extreme polygyny expressed by male lekking birds leads to the expectation that sexual dimorphism should be greater in lekkers than related non-lekkers. However, evidence for this association is weak, and many lekkers are actually monomorphic in size and plumage. To better understand the kinds of plumages associated with lekking, I characterized plumage variation for combinations of sexual dichromatism and colourfulness-and-conspicuousness (COCO) among lekking and related non-lekking birds. Compared in this way, the plumages of lekkers and non-lekkers differ dramatically for both sexes. Correlations between sexual dichromatism and COCO for phylogenetically independent contrasts are significant for male lekkers (positive) and female non-lekkers (negative), but not for female lekkers or male non-lekkers. Moreover, the total number of character–state combinations, and multivariate measures of variability, are greater in non-lekkers than lekkers.The characteristic plumages of lekkers (duller monochromatic, brighter dichromatic and intermediate between these extremes) comprise just a subset of those observed among non-lekkers, and exclude extremely dull dichromatic and extremely bright monochromatic plumages. I suggest that predation, and foraging behaviours compatible with lekking, may restrict plumage variation among lekkers. Thus ecological rather than overt sexual characteristics may explain monomorphism in birds under intense mate competition, as well as the paradox of strong female mate preferences on leks, where males appear to contribute only sperm to female reproductive efforts.     

Clinicopathological features and prognosis of triple negative breast cancer in Kuwait: A comparative/perspective analysis

Aim

The aim of this study was to determine the incidence of TNBC in Kuwait, to analyze the clinicopathologic features and prognosis of this type of breast cancer, and compare it with reports from other regions of the world.

Background

Triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) is defined as a subtype that is negative for estrogen receptor, progesterone receptor, and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2). There is a growing evidence of the heterogeneity of such entity on the molecular level that may cause discrete outcomes.

Methods

We analyzed the clinicopathologic features of 363 TNBC cases which were diagnosed in Kuwait from July 1999 to June 2009. The disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS) were analyzed by Kaplan–Meier method. Comparison was done with reports from USA, Europe, Middle and Far East.

Results

Among 2986 patients diagnosed with breast cancer in Kuwait, 363 patients (12.2%) were TNBC. The median age was 48 years, 57.2% had lymph nodes (LN) metastasis, 56.9% were of grade III tumor and 41.9% had stage II disease. 81% developed recurrences and 75% of deaths occurred by 2.5 years after treatment. There is marked variation of clinicopathologic features according to country of patients’ cohort.

Conclusion

The incidence of TNBC in our study is similar to other studies. TNBC patients showed an early major recurrence surge peaking at approximately year 2.5. Regional variation of clinicopathologic features indicates a need for molecular studies to define underlying molecular features and its impact on survival.