Impact of relative size and language on the attitudes between nations and linguistic groups : The case of Switzerland

This study explores the impact of relative size on the intra- and intergroup attitudes of groups who either share a language or have a different language. For that purpose, we examined international attitudes, comparing a small nation, Switzerland, and two larger nations, Germany and France. We found support for the assumption that large neighbouring nations pose a threat to the smaller nation's identity, especially when they are linguistically similar. Consequently, in line with Tajfel's Social Identity Theory (1978), the smaller nation's inhabitants evaluate those of the larger nation less positively, liking them less and perceiving them to be more arrogant than vice versa. By investigating the special case of the French-speaking and the German-speaking Swiss as linguistic groups within their own nation we were able to demonstrate that these groups seek support with the larger-linguistically-similar nation to defend themselves against the more direct in-country threat to their identity. They acknowledge the similarity with the larger nation, yet keep defending their social identity by expressing a dislike for this perceived similarity.

Keeping the Vermin Out: Perceived Disease Threat and Ideological Orientations as Predictors of Exclusionary Immigration Attitudes

Integrating evolutionary and social representations theories, the current study examines the relationship between perceived disease threat and exclusionary immigration attitudes in the context of a potential avian influenza pandemic. This large-scale disease provides a realistic context for investigating the link between disease threat and immigration attitudes. The main aim of this cross-sectional study (N=412) was to explore mechanisms through which perceived chronic and contextual disease threats operate on immigration attitudes. Structural equation models show that the relationship between chronic disease threat (germ aversion) and exclusionary immigration attitudes (assimiliationist immigration criteria, health-based immigration criteria and desire to reduce the proportion of foreigners) was mediated by ideological and normative beliefs (social dominance orientation, belief in a dangerous world), but not by contextual disease threat (appraisal of avian influenza pandemic threat). Contextual disease threat only predicted support for health-based immigration criteria. The conditions under which real-life disease threats influence intergroup attitudes are scrutinized. Convergence and dissimilarity of evolutionary and social representational approaches in accounting for the link between disease threat and immigration attitudes are discussed.

THE USEFUL SIDE OF AMBIVALENCE: Ambivalent attitudes can be adaptive and socially valued

En s'inspirant de la littérature récente qui a dépeint l'ambivalence comme étant adaptative et en lien avec des comportements stratégiques, cette thèse examine le versant utile des attitudes ambivalentes. Elle met tout d'abord en évidence que son expression peut-être sciemment contrôlée et mise en avant pour des raisons d'auto-présentation. De plus, elle démontre que les individus peuvent présenter une attitude ambivalente afin de gagner l'approbation sociale sur un objet d'attitude controversé alors que l'inverse a été observé sur des objets consensuels (Première ligne de recherche). Cette thèse a également révélé que l'expression d'attitudes ambivalentes pouvait amener à être valorisé socialement. En effet, contrairement à des attitudes plus tranchées (pro-normatives ou contre-normatives), les attitudes ambivalentes ont été évaluées de façon plus importante sur la dimension de l'utilité sociale (une dimension qui indique la compétence d'autrui ou encore la propension à évoluer dans la hiérarchie sociale). La valorisation de l'ambivalence n'est apparue que sur la dimension de l'utilité sociale et non sur la dimension de la désirabilité sociale (une dimension qui indique la sympathie d'autrui ainsi que la propension à être apprécié socialement). De plus, ce résultat a été observé sur des thèmes controversés et non sur des thèmes consensuels (Seconde ligne de recherche). Dans l'ensemble cette thèse soutient une approche de l'ambivalence comme donnant lieu à des bénéfices. Elle peut également ouvrir la voie à l'étude de l'ambivalence en lien avec la pensée critique. - Drawing on the recent literature that portrayed ambivalence as being adaptive and linked with strategic behaviors, this thesis examines the useful side of ambivalent attitudes. It first revealed that the expression of ambivalent attitudes could be controlled and purposely displayed for self-presentational concerns. Furthermore, it demonstrated that people could put ambivalence forward to gain social approval when expressing it on controversial social issues, whereas the opposite was true on consensual social issues (First line of research). The thesis also revealed that the expression of ambivalent attitudes could lead to be socially valued. Indeed, contrary to clear-cut attitudes (either pro-normative or counter-normative attitudes), ambivalent attitudes have been evaluated the highest on the social utility dimension (a dimension indicating people's competence as well as the extent to which they are likely to climb in social hierarchy). The valorization of ambivalent attitudes only appeared on social utility and not on social desirability (a dimension indicating people's niceness as well as the extent to which they are likely to be socially appreciated). This effect was true on controversial social issues but not on consensual ones (Second line of research). Overall, this thesis provides support for an approach that conceives attitudinal ambivalence as leading to benefits. It also may open avenues for the study of ambivalence in relation with critical thinking.

Thymic stromal lymphopoietin plays divergent roles in murine models of atopic and nonatopic airway inflammation.

BACKGROUND: Thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP) is a cytokine primarily produced by epithelial cells, which has been shown to be a potent inducer of T-helper 2 (Th2)-type responses. However, TSLP has pleiotropic effects upon immune cells, and although extensively studied in the context of atopic asthma, its relevance as a therapeutic target and its role in the pathogenesis of nonatopic asthma remains unknown. We sought to investigate the role of TSLP in atopic, nonatopic and viral-induced exacerbations of pulmonary inflammation. METHODS: Using stringently defined murine models of atopic, nonatopic and virally exacerbated forms of pulmonary inflammation, we compared inflammatory responses of C57BL/6 wild-type (WT) and TSLP receptor-deficient (TSLPR KO) mice. RESULTS: Thymic stromal lymphopoietin receptor (TSLPR) signaling was crucial for the development of atopic asthma. Specifically, TSLPR signaling to lung recruited CD4+ T cells enhanced eosinophilia, goblet cell hyperplasia, and overall inflammation within the airways. In contrast, the absence of TSLPR signaling was associated with strikingly exaggerated pulmonary neutrophilic inflammation in a nonatopic model of airway inflammation. The inflammation was associated with excessive levels of interleukin (IL)-17A in the lungs, indicating that TSLP negatively regulates IL-17A. In addition, in a model of influenza-induced exacerbation of atopic airway inflammation, the absence of TSLPR signaling also led to exaggerated neutrophilic inflammation. CONCLUSION: Thymic stromal lymphopoietin plays divergent roles in the pathogenesis of atopic and nonatopic asthma phenotypes by either enhancing Th2 responses or curtailing T-helper 17 responses. These findings raise important caveats for the design of therapeutic interventions targeting TSLP in asthma.

Late Cretaceous to Eocene geology of the South Central American forearc area (southern Costa Rica and western Panama) : initiation and evolution of an intra-oceanic convergent margin

Résumé : L'arc volcanique du sud de l'Amérique Centrale se situe sur la marge SW de la Plaque Caraïbe, au-dessus des plaques subduites de Cocos et Nazca. Il s'agit de l'un des arcs intra-océaniques les plus étudiés au monde, qui est généralement considéré comme s'étant développé à la fin du Crétacé le long d'un plateau océanique (le Plateau Caraïbe ou CLIP) et se trouvant actuellement dans un régime de subduction érosive. Au cours des dernières décennies, des efforts particuliers ont été faits pour comprendre les processus liés à la subduction sur la base d'études géophysiques et géochimiques. Au sud du Costa Rica et à l'ouest du Panama, des complexes d'accrétions et structures à la base de l'arc volcanique ont été exposés grâce à la subduction de rides asismiques et de failles transformantes. Des affleurements, situés jusqu'à seulement 15 km de la fosse, offrent une possibilité unique de mieux comprendre quelques uns des processus ayant lieu le long de la zone de subduction. Nous présentons de nouvelles contraintes sur l'origine de ces affleurements en alliant une étude de terrain poussée, de nouvelles données géochimiques, sédimentaires et paléontologiques, ainsi que des observations structurales effectuées en télédétection. Une nouvelle stratigraphie tectonique entre le Campanien et l'Éocène est définie pour la région d'avant-arc située entre la Péninsule d'Osa (Costa Rica) et la Péninsule d'Azuero (Panama). Nos résultats montrent que la partie externe de la marge est composée d'un arrangement complexe de roches ignées et de séquences sédimentaires de recouvrement qui comprennent principalement le socle de l'arc, des roches d'arc primitif, des fragments de monts sous-marins accrétés et des mélanges d'accrétion. Des preuves sont données pour le développement de l'arc volcanique du sud de l'Amérique Centrale sur un plateau océanique. Le début de la subduction le long de la marge SW de la Plaque Caraïbe a eu lieu au Campanien et a généré des roches d'arc primitif caractérisées par des affinités géochimiques particulières, globalement intermédiaires entre des affinités de plateau et d'arc insulaire. L'arc était mature au Maastrichtien et formait un isthme essentiellement continu entre l'Amérique du Nord et l'Amérique du Sud. Ceci a permis la migration de faunes terrestres entre les Amériques et pourrait avoir contribué à la crise fin Crétacé -Tertiaire en réduisant les courants océaniques subéquatoriaux entre le Pacifique et l'Atlantique. Plusieurs unités composées de fragments de monts sous-marins accrétés sont définies. La nature et l'arrangement structural de ces unités définissent de nouvelles contraintes sur les modes d'accrétion des monts sous-marins/îles océaniques et sur l'évolution de la marge depuis la formation de la zone de subduction. Entre la fin du Crétacé et l'Éocène moyen, la marge a enregistré plusieurs épisodes ponctuels d'accrétion de monts sous-marins alternant avec de la subduction érosive. A l'Éocène moyen, un événement tectonique régional pourrait avoir causé un fort couplage entre les plaques supérieure et inférieure, menant à des taux plus important d'accrétion de monts sous-marins. Durant cette période, la situation le long de la marge était très semblable à la situation actuelle et caractérisée par la présence de monts sous-marins subductants et l'absence d'accrétion de sédiments. L'enregistrement géologique montre qu'il n'est pas possible d'attribuer une nature érosive ou accrétionnaire à la marge dans le passé ou -par analogie- aujourd'hui, parce que (1) les processus d'accrétion et érosifs varient fortement spatialement et temporellement et (2) il est impossible d'évaluer la quantité exacte de matériel tectoniquement enlevé à la marge depuis le début de la subduction. Au sud du Costa Rica, certains fragments de monts sous-marins accrétés sont représentatifs d'une interaction entre une ride et un point chaud dans le Pacifique au Crétacé terminal/Paléocène. L'existence de ces fragments de monts sous-marins et la morphologie du fond de l'Océan Pacifique indiquent que la formation de la ride de Cocos-Nazca s'est formée au moins ~40 Ma avant l'âge proposé par les modèles tectoniques actuels. Au Panama, nous avons identifié une île océanique d'âge début Éocène qui a été accrétée à l'Éocène moyen. L'accrétion a eu lieu à très faible profondeur par détachement de l'île dans la fosse, et a mené à une exceptionnelle préservation des structures volcaniques. Des affleurement comprenant aussi bien des parties basses et hautes de l'édifice volcanique on été étudiées, depuis la phase sous-marine bouclier jusqu'à la phase subaérienne post-bouclier. La stratigraphie nous a permis de différencier les laves de la phase sous-marine de celles de la phase subaérienne. La composition des laves indique une diminution progressive de l'intensité de la fusion partielle de la source et une diminution de la température des laves produites durant les derniers stades de l'activité volcanique. Nous interprétons ces changements comme étant liés à l'éloignement progressif de l'île océanique de la zone de fusion ou point chaud. Abstract The southern Central American volcanic front lies on the SW edge of the Caribbean Plate, inboard of the subducting Cocos and Nazca Plates. It is one of the most studied intra-oceanic convergent margins around the world, which is generally interpreted to have developed in the late Cretaceous along an oceanic plateau (the Caribbean Large Igneous Province or CLIP) and to be currently undergoing a regime of subduction erosion. In the last decades a particular effort has been made to understand subduction-related processes on the basis of geophysical and geochemical studies. In southern Costa Rica and western Panama accretionary complexes and structures at the base of the volcanic front have been exposed in response to subduction of aseismic ridges and transforms. Onland exposures are located as close as to 15 km from the trench and provide a unique opportunity to better understand some of the processes occurring along the subduction zone. We provide new constraints on the origins of these exposures by integrating a comprehensive field work, new geochemical, sedimentary and paleontological data, as well as structural observations based on remote imaging. A new Campanian to Eocene tectonostratigraphy is defined for the forearc area located between the Osa Peninsula (Costa Rica) and the Azuero Peninsula (Panama). Our results show that the outer margin is composed of a complicated arrangement of igneous complexes and overlapping sedimentary sequences that essentially comprise an arc basement, primitive island-arc rocks, accreted seamount fragments and accretionary mélanges. Evidences are provided for the development of the southern Central American arc on the top an oceanic plateau. The subduction initiation along the SW edge of the Caribbean Plate occurred in the Campanian and led to formation of primitive island-arc rocks characterized by unusual geochemical affinities broadly intermediate between plateau and arc affinities. The arc was mature in the Maastrichtian and was forming a predominantly continuous landbridge between the North and South Americas. This allowed migration of terrestrial fauna between the Americas and may have contributed to the Cretaceous-Tertiary crisis by limiting trans-equatorial oceanic currents between the Pacific and the Atlantic. Several units composed of accreted seamount fragments are defined. The nature of the units and their structural arrangement provide new constraints on the modes of accretion of seamounts/oceanic islands and on the evolution of the margin since subduction initiation. Between the late Cretaceous and the middle Eocene, the margin recorded several local episodes of seamount accretion alternating with tectonic erosion. In the middle Eocene a regional tectonic event may have triggered strong coupling between the overriding and subducting plates, leading to higher rates of seamount accretion. During this period the situation along the margin was very similar to the present and characterized by subducting seamounts and absence of sediment accretion. The geological record shows that it is not possible to ascribe an overall erosive or accretionary nature to the margin in the past and, by analogy, today, because (1) accretionary and erosive processes exhibit significant lateral and temporal variations and (2) it is impossible to estimate the exact amount of material tectonically eroded from the margin since subduction initiation. In southern Costa Rica, accreted seamount fragments point toward a plume-ridge interaction in the Pacific in the late Cretaceous/Paleocene. This occurrence of accreted seamount fragments and morphology of the Pacific Ocean floor is indicative of the formation of the Cocos-Nazca spreading system at least ~40 Ma prior to the age proposed in current tectonic models. In Panama, we identified a remarkably-well preserved early Eocene oceanic island that accreted in the middle Eocene. The accretion probably occurred at very shallow depth by detachment of the island in the trench and led to an exceptional preservation of the volcanic structures. Exposures of both deep and superficial parts of the volcanic edifice have been studied, from the submarine-shield to subaerial-postshield stages. The stratigraphy allowed us to distinguish lavas produced during the submarine and subaerial stages. The lava compositions likely define a progressive diminution of source melting and a decrease in the temperature of erupted melts in the latest stages of volcanic activity. We interpret these changes to primarily reflect the progressive migration of the oceanic island out of the melting region or hotspot.

Intergroup distinctiveness and discriminatory immigration attitudes: The role of national identification

We examined the moderating role of national identification in understanding when a focus on intergroup similarity versus difference on ingroup stereotypical traits-manipulated with scale anchors-leads to support for discriminatory immigration policies. In line with intergroup distinctiveness research, national identification moderated the similarity-difference manipulation effect. Low national identifiers supported discriminatory immigration policies more when intergroup difference rather than similarity was made salient, whereas the opposite pattern was found for high national identifiers: They trended toward being more discriminatory when similarity was made salient. The impact of assimilation expectations and national identity content on the findings is discussed.

Cross-Cultural Adaptation and Validation of the Spinal Function Sort (SFS) for French- and German-Speaking Patients with Back Complaints

Aim: Functional subjective evaluation through questionnaire is fundamental, but not often realized in patients with back complaints, notably because of lack of validated tools, in accordance with recognized psychometric criteria. The Spinal Function Sort (SFS), developed according to actual standards, was only validated in English. The aim of this study is to translate, adapt and validate the French and German version of the SFS.Method and material: The translation and cross-cultural adaptation were performed following the methodology proposed by the American Association of Orthopedist Surgeon. A total of 344 patients, presenting varied back complaints (especially degenerative and traumatic), took part in this study in a tertiary French- (n=87; mean age 44y; 17 women) and German-speaking (n=257; mean age 41y; 53 women) center. Test-retest reliability was quantified using the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) and construct validity was assessed by estimating the Pearson's correlation with the SF-36 physical and mental scales, the Visual Analogue Scale for Pain Intensity (VAS), and subscales of the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS).Results: Respectively for the French and German version, ICC were 0.98 and 0.94. Correlations 0.63 and 0.67 with the SF-36 Physical Functioning subscale; 0.60 and 0.52 with the SF-36 Physical Summary Scale ; -0.33 and -0.51 with the VAS ; -0.08 and 0.25 with the SF-36 Mental Health scale; 0.01 and 0.28 with the SF-36 Mental Summary Scale; -0.26 and -0.42 with the HADS depression; -0.17 and -0.45 with the HADS anxiety.Discussion: For both the French and German version of the SFS, the reliability was excellent. Convergent construct validity with SF-36 physical scales is good, moderated with the VAS. We find out a low correlation with SF-36 mental scales (divergent construct validity). We find out a low correlation with HADS subscales in the French version, and a moderate one in the German version. Selection bias, chronicity of the complaints, as well as cultural differences could explain these results. In conclusion, both the French and German version of the SFS are valid and reliable for evaluation of perceived functional capacity for patients with back complaints.

Nationalism and patriotism as predictors of immigration attitudes in Switzerland: A municipality-level analysis

Using Swiss data from the 2003 International Social Survey Programme (N = 902), this multilevel study combined individual and municipality levels of analysis in the explanation of nationalism, patriotism and exclusionary immigration attitudes. On the individual level, the results show that in line with previous research nationalism (uncritical and blind attachment to the nation) increased exclusionary immigration attitudes, while patriotism (pride in national democratic institutions) was related to greater tolerance towards immigration. On the municipality level, urbanization, socioeconomic status and immigrant proportion (and their interaction effects) were found to affect nationalism, patriotism and immigration attitudes. Nationalist and patriotic forms of national attachment were stronger in German-speaking municipalities than in the French-speaking municipalities. Path analyses further revealed that living in a Swiss-German municipality indirectly led to more negative immigration attitudes through an increase in nationalism. The research is discussed in light of social psychological and political science literature on political attitudes.

Employers' attitudes towards long-term unemployed people and the role of activation in Switzerland

Over the last few years, most OECD countries have extended their activation policy to new groups of non-working people, including the long-term unemployed (LTU). However, it is widely known that employers tend to regard LTU people as potentially problematic persons. This is likely to constitute a major obstacle for long-term unemployed jobseekers. On the basis of a survey among employers in a Swiss canton (N = 722), this article aims to shed light on the perception employers have of the long-term unemployed and whether this may matter for their recruitment practices. It also asks what, from the employer point of view, may facilitate access to employment for an LTU person. A key finding is that large companies have a worse image of the long-term unemployed and are less likely to hire them. Furthermore, independent of company size, a test period or the recommendation of a trustworthy person is seen as the factors most likely to facilitate access to jobs for LTU people.

Odorant binding proteins of the red imported fire ant, Solenopsis invicta: an example of the problems facing the analysis of widely divergent proteins.

We describe the odorant binding proteins (OBPs) of the red imported fire ant, Solenopsis invicta, obtained from analyses of an EST library and separate 454 sequencing runs of two normalized cDNA libraries. We identified a total of 18 putative functional OBPs in this ant. A third of the fire ant OBPs are orthologs to honey bee OBPs. Another third of the OBPs belong to a lineage-specific expansion, which is a common feature of insect OBP evolution. Like other OBPs, the different fire ant OBPs share little sequence similarity (∼ 20%), rendering evolutionary analyses difficult. We discuss the resulting problems with sequence alignment, phylogenetic analysis, and tests of selection. As previously suggested, our results underscore the importance for careful exploration of the sensitivity to the effects of alignment methods for data comprising widely divergent sequences.