bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Slow pace of dietary change in Scotland: 2001–9
Authors: Wrieden Wendy L. , Armstrong Julie , Sherriff Andrea , Anderson Annie S. , Barton Karen L.
Published: November 2012

Monitoring changes in the food and nutrient intake of a nation is important for informing the design and evaluation of policy. Surveys of household food consumption have been carried out annually in the UK since 1940 and, despite some changes over the years 1940–2000, the method used for the Expenditure and Food Survey (Living Costs and Food Survey from 2008) has been fundamentally the same since 2001. Using these surveys an analytical procedure was devised to compare food consumption and nutrient intake in Scotland with the Scottish dietary targets, and monitor change. This method takes into account contributions to composite foods and losses due to food preparation, as well as inedible and edible waste. There were few consistent improvements in consumption of foods or nutrients targeted for change over the period 2001–9. A significant but small increase was seen in mean fruit and vegetable consumption (259 g/d in 2001, 279 g/d in 2009, equating to an increase of less than 3 g/person per year). There was also a significant decrease in the percentage of food energy from SFA (15·5 % in 2001, 15·1 % in 2009) and from non-milk extrinsic sugars (15·5 % in 2001, 14·8 % in 2009), concurrent with a reduction in whole milk consumption and soft drink consumption, respectively. These small changes are encouraging, but highlight the time taken for even modest changes in diet to occur. To achieve a significant impact on the health of the present Scottish population, the improvements in diet will need to be greater and more rapid.
Beneficial effect of genistein on lowering blood pressure and kidney toxicity in fructose-fed hypertensive rats
Authors: Palanisamy Nallasamy , Venkataraman Anuradha C.
Published: November 2012

The study evaluates the effects of genistein on blood pressure (BP) and ultrastructural changes in kidney of fructose-fed hypertensive rats. Male Wistar rats were fed a diet containing 60 % starch or 60 % fructose as the source of carbohydrate. After 15 d, rats in each dietary group were divided into two groups and were treated with either genistein (1 mg/kg per d) in dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) or 30 % DMSO alone. BP, pressor mechanisms, protein kinase C-βII (PKC-βII) expression, endothelial NO synthase (eNOS) expression and renal ultrastructural changes were evaluated after 60 d. Fructose-fed rats displayed significant elevation in BP and heart rate. Significant increase in plasma angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) activity, alterations in renal lipid profile, nitrite and kallikrein activity, enhanced expression of membrane-associated PKC-βII and decreased expression of eNOS were observed in them. Histology and electron microscopic studies showed structural changes in the kidney. Genistein administration lowered BP, restored ACE, PKC-βII and eNOS expression and preserved renal ultrastructural integrity. These findings demonstrate that genistein has effects on eNOS activity in renal cells, leading to eNOS activation and NO synthesis. These effects could have been mediated by activation of PKC-βII. The observed benefits of genistein make it a promising candidate for therapy of diabetic kidney disease.
Net transfer of nutrients to the duodenum and disappearance ofn-alkanes in the reticulo-rumen and the hindgut of sheep fed grass/legume combinations
Authors: Keli Abdelhafid , Olmos Genaro , de Vega Antonio , Guada José A.
Published: November 2012

An experiment was carried out to examine the effect of increasing the proportion of Wimmera ryegrass hay in a lucerne hay-based diet on net transfer of nutrients to the intestine, and on the disappearance ofn-alkanes in the reticulo-rumen and the hindgut of sheep. Following a latin square design, four adult ewes were fed 1:0, 0·33:0·67, 0·67:0·33 and 0:1 proportions of legume and grass. Increasing the proportion of ryegrass in the diet linearly decreased the intake of DM (P= 0·017), organic matter (P= 0·021) and N (P= 0·001). However, neutral-detergent fibre intake was not affected (P= 0·148), nor was its digestibility coefficient (P>0·10). Diet had no effect on duodenal flows of nutrients (P>0·10), although the proportion of N intake (NI) recovered at the duodenum as non-NH3N (NAN) increased linearly withLolium rigidumin the diet (P= 0·002). Full recovery of NI as NAN was achieved at NH3concentrations in the rumen below 110 g/l. Microbial N contribution to NAN varied in a quadratic manner (P< 0·05) with the proportion of grass in the diet, although efficiency of microbial synthesis was not affected (P>0·10). Duodenal recovery of consumedn-alkanes was not affected by diet and was complete for those present in higher concentrations in the forages. Isolated rumen bacteria contained significant amounts ofn-alkanes, contributing to the duodenal flow of these hydrocarbons in variable proportions depending on the diet consumed.
Lower nutritional status and higher food insufficiency in frail older US adults
Authors: Smit Ellen , Winters-Stone Kerrie M. , Loprinzi Paul D. , Tang Alice M. , Crespo Carlos J.
Published: November 2012

Frailty is a state of decreased physical functioning and a significant complication of ageing. We examined frailty, energy and macronutrient intake, biomarkers of nutritional status and food insufficiency in US older adult (age ≥ 60 years) participants of the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (n4731). Frailty was defined as meeting ≥ 2 and pre-frailty as meeting one of the following four-item criteria: (1) slow walking; (2) muscular weakness; (3) exhaustion and (4) low physical activity. Intake was assessed by 24 h dietary recall. Food insufficiency was self-reported as ‘sometimes’ or ‘often’ not having enough food to eat. Analyses were adjusted for sex, race, age, smoking, education, income, BMI, other co-morbid conditions and complex survey design. Prevalence of frailty was highest among people who were obese (20·8 %), followed by overweight (18·4 %), normal weight (16·1 %) and lowest among people who were underweight (13·8 %). Independent of BMI, daily energy intake was lowest in people who were frail, followed by pre-frail and highest in people who were not frail (6648 (se130), 6966 (se79) and 7280 (se84) kJ, respectively,P< 0·01). Energy-adjusted macronutrient intakes were similar in people with and without frailty. Frail (adjusted OR (AOR) 4·7; 95 % CI 1·7, 12·7) and pre-frail (AOR 2·1; 95 % CI 0·8, 5·8) people were more likely to report being food insufficient than not frail people. Serum albumin, carotenoids and Se levels were lower in frail adults than not frail adults. Research is needed on targeted interventions to improve nutritional status and food insufficiency among frail older adults, while not necessarily increasing BMI.
Infection, growth and maintenance ofWolbachia pipientisin clonal and non-clonalAedes albopictuscell cultures
Authors: Khoo C.C.H. , Venard C.M.P. , Fu Y. , Mercer D.R. , Dobson S.L.
Published: November 2012

Insect cell lines provide usefulin vitromodels for studying biological systems, including interactions between mosquitoes and obligate intracellular endosymbionts such asWolbachia pipientis. TheAedes albopictusAa23 cell line was the first cell line developed to allow examination ofWolbachiainfections. However,Wolbachiastudies using Aa23 can be complicated by the presence of different cell types in the cell line and the substantial temporal variation in infection level. Two approaches were examined to ameliorate infection variability. In the first approach, multiple Aa23 passaging regimes were tested for an effect on infection variability. Fluorescencein situhybridization (FISH) staining was used to characterizeWolbachiainfection level over time. The results demonstrate an impact of passaging method onWolbachiainfection level, with some methods resulting in loss of infection. None of the passaging methods succeeded in effectively mitigating infection level variation. In a second approach, the clonal C7-10A. albopictuscell line was infected withWolbachiafrom Aa23 cells andDrosophila simulans(Riverside), resulting in cell lines designated C7-10B and C7-10R, respectively. Characterization via FISH staining showed greater stability and uniformity ofWolbachiainfection in C7-10R relative to the infection in C7-10B. Characterization of the Aa23, C7-10B and C7-10R lines is discussed as a tool for the study ofWolbachia-host cell interactions.
Efficiencies of nitrogen fertilizers for winter cereal production, with implications for greenhouse gas intensities of grain
Authors: SYLVESTER-BRADLEY R. , KINDRED D. R. , WYNN S. C. , THORMAN R. E. , SMITH K. E.
Published: November 2012

Fertilizer nitrogen (N) accounts for the majority of the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions associated with intensive wheat production, and the form of fertilizer N affects these emissions. Differences in manufacturing emissions (as represented in the current carbon accounting methodologies) tend to favour urea, even when using the best available manufacturing technologies (BAT), whereas differences in fertilizer N efficiency and emissions of ammonia tend to favour ammonium nitrate (AN). To resolve these differences, data from 47 experiments in two large UK studies conducted from 1982 to 1987 and from 2003 to 2005 were reanalysed, showing that on average urea efficiency was 0·9 of AN (although mean ammonia emissions in 10 subsidiary experiments indicated an efficiency difference of 0·2); treating urea with a urease inhibitor (TU; AGROTAIN®, active ingredient N-(n-butyl) thiophosphoric triamide (n-BTPT)) brought its efficiency almost in line with AN; however, a significantly greater mean optimum N amount for TU (+0·1 of AN) was not fully explained. A standard response function relating wheat yield to applied AN was modified for degrees of relative inefficiency, thus enabling yields and GHG intensities (kg CO2e/tonne (t) grain) to be calculated using a PAS2050 compatible model for GHG emissions for any N amount of any N form. With AN manufactured by average European technology (AET), the estimated GHG intensity of wheat producing 8 t/ha was 451 kg/t; whereas with urea or TU made by AET it was 0.87–0.99 or 0.84–0.86 of this respectively. Using BAT for fertilizer manufacture, the grain's GHG intensity with AN and TU was 368 kg/t, but was 1·03–1·17 of this with untreated urea. The range of effects on GHG intensities arose mainly from remaining uncertainties in the inefficiencies of the N forms. Generally, economic margins and GHG intensities were not much affected by adjustments in N use for relative inefficiencies or different prices of urea-based fertilizers compared with AN. Overall, TU appeared to provide the best combination of economic performance and GHG intensity, unless the price for N as TU exceeded that for N as AN.
Chymotrypsin selectively digests β-lactoglobulin in whey protein isolate away from enzyme optimal conditions: Potential for native α-lactalbumin purification
Authors: Lisak Katarina , Toro-Sierra Jose , Kulozik Ulrich , Božanić Rajka , Cheison Seronei Chelulei
Published: November 2012

The present study examines the resistance of the α-lactalbumin to α-chymotrypsin (EC 3.4.21.1) digestion under various experimental conditions. Whey protein isolate (WPI) was hydrolysed using randomised hydrolysis conditions (5 and 10% of WPI; pH 7·0, 7·8 and 8·5; temperature 25, 37 and 50 °C; enzyme-to-substrate ratio, E/S, of 0·1%, 0·5 and 1%). Reversed-phase high performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC) was used to analyse residual proteins. Heat, pH adjustment and two inhibitors (Bowman–Birk inhibitor and trypsin inhibitor from chicken egg white) were used to stop the enzyme reaction. While operating outside of the enzyme optimum it was observed that at pH 8·5 selective hydrolysis of β-lactoglobulin was improved because of a dimer-to-monomer transition while α-la remained relatively resistant. The best conditions for the recovery of native and pure α-la were at 25 °C, pH 8·5, 1% E/S ratio, 5% WPI (w/v) while the enzyme was inhibited using Bowman–Birk inhibitor with around 81% of original α-la in WPI was recovered with no more β-lg. Operating conditions for hydrolysis away from the chymotrypsin optimum conditions offers a great potential for selective WPI hydrolysis, and removal, of β-lg with production of whey protein concentrates containing low or no β-lg and pure native α-la. This method also offers the possibility for production of β-lg-depleted milk products for sensitive populations.
Factors influencing spatial patterns of molluscs in a eutrophic tropical bay
Authors: Neves R.A.F. , Echeverria C.A. , Pessoa L.A. , Paiva P.C. , Paranhos R. , Valentin J.L.
Published: November 2012

Samples were collected from 10 stations distributed through three sectors in Guanabara Bay during two consecutive years, in order to determine factors that influence the spatial pattern of molluscs and to describe the structure and composition of this community in a eutrophic estuarine system on the Brazilian coast. Although only one species, the gastropodHeleobia australis, comprised 77% of mollusc abundance, 59 species were identified in the bay. In addition toH. australis, three other species were dominant: the gastropodAnachis isabelleiand the bivalvesAmericuna besnardiandErvilia concentrica. The mollusc communities were significantly influenced by the spatial gradient; the outermost sector has marine conditions, and the other sectors are typically estuarine, leading to differences in the composition and abundance of molluscs. The outermost sector showed the highest diversity, which gradually decreased towards the innermost sector where the dominance of a few opportunistic species is favoured by highly organic mud sediments. Sediment type was strongly correlated with mollusc occurrence in the bay. Guanabara Bay showed two indicator species: the bivalveE. concentricaof the outer sector, and the gastropodH. australisof the intermediate sector. Our results suggest that benthic molluscs in Guanabara Bay show characteristics related to levels of environmental impact. A monitoring programme based on this community is needed to evaluate the effects of human impacts on this community and to monitor changes in its biodiversity in Guanabara Bay.
First observations of operational interactions between bottom-trawling fisheries and South American sea lion, Otaria flavescens in south-central Chile
Authors: Reyes Pablo , Hucke-Gaete Rodrigo , Torres-Florez Juan Pablo
Published: November 2012

This paper presents results of a study conducted on the trawling industrial fishery fleet of Merluccius gayi in south-central Chile, and the resulting interactions with the South American sea lion (Otaria flavescens). This study is based on observations made during September 2004, when incidental sea lion catch in the trawls was 6.3 sea lions/working day (1.2 sea lions/trawl−1). A total of 82 animals were incidentally caught, of which 12 were found dead, and the 70 remaining suffered from internal bleeding and/or fractures as a result of their capture. 83.3% of the fatalities occurred during nocturnal trawls, which comprise 30% of all observed trawls. Possible mechanisms of sea lion take are discussed. This note presents the first records of sea lions incidental by-catch by the trawler fleet along the south-east Pacific coast of Chile.
Ultrastructural and molecular studies of Microgemma carolinus n. sp. (Microsporidia), a parasite of the fish Trachinotus carolinus (Carangidae) in Southern Brazil
Authors: CASAL G. , MATOS E. , GARCIA P. , AL-QURAISHY S. , AZEVEDO C.
Published: November 2012

A new species of Microsporidia Microgemma carolinus n. sp. found in the marine teleost Trachinotus carolinus collected in Florianópolis, Brazil was described based on light, ultrastructural and phylogenetic studies. This parasite developed in the liver forming whitish xenomas that contained different developmental stages with monokaryotic nuclei. The periphery of the xenoma presented some vacuolization and possessed several small projections in the membrane. The mature spores, measuring 3·8 ± 0·4 μm in length and 2·4 ± 0·4 μm in width, were slightly pyriform to ellipsoidal and had rounded ends. The polaroplast was bipartite and the isofilar polar filament was coiled with 8 – 9 turns in a single or double row at the posterior end of the spore. The nucleus was voluminous and in a central position, measuring ∼0·9 μm in diameter. A large posterior vacuole appeared as a pale area, occupying about a third of the spore length. The SSU rRNA gene was sequenced and analysed using maximum parsimony, maximum likelihood and neighbour-joining methods. This study allowed us to conclude that this was a new species of the genus Microgemma, being the first description of this genus from among South America fauna.
Creating Confusion in the Colonies: Jews, Citizenship, and the Dutch and British Atlantics
Authors: Roitman Jessica
Published: November 2012

Jews in most of early modern Europe struggled to assert their rights within legal frameworks that presumed them to be intrinsically different—aliens—from the (Christian) population around them no matter where they had been born, how they dressed and behaved, or what language they spoke. This struggle played itself out on various fronts, not the least of which was in the Jewish assertion of the right to become more than aliens—to become citizens or subjects—of the territories in which they lived. Citizenship, in its various forms, was a structural representation of belonging. Moreover, citizenship conferred tangible rights. As such, being a recognised citizen (or subject) had not only great symbolic, but also great economic, importance.
The Colonial Flow of Trade, Credit, and Information: The Chinese-Arab Clientele System of Van Beek, Reineke and Co. / HVA (1870s–1880s)
Authors: Claver Alexander
Published: November 2012

Trade has been one of the determining features of Indonesian history. Attention has often focused on the monopolising efforts of the Verenigde Oostindische Compagnie (VOC), which came to be replaced in the nineteenth century by an equally monopolising government and its Cultuurstelsel or Cultivation System (1830-70). However, the economic sector was never devoid of private initiative as exemplified by the development of Batavia. The city offered access to major trade routes and soon after its foundation became a military, economic, and administrative centre. Feeding and housing its growing population required the import of food supplies, building materials, and other items. Private trade was of vital importance in this respect.
Pluralism in International Criminal Law
Authors: VAN SLIEDREGT ELIES
Published: November 2012

Fragmentation of international law is a phenomenon that has been discussed ever since the ILC in 2000 decided to add to its programme of work the topic ‘Risks ensuing from the fragmentation of international law’. Koskenniemi, in a paper published in this journal, was one of the first to address fragmentation in legal literature. In 2006, he finalized a voluminous report on ‘Fragmentation of International Law’, providing for means and ways to cope with fragmentation.
Genocide and Discrimination: Lessons to Be Learnt from Discrimination Law
Authors: AMBRUS MONIKA
Published: November 2012

A survey of the case law of the ICTY and ICTR reveals inconsistencies and conceptual discrepancies in the approach to genocide cases, in particular with respect to the cornerstones of such cases – the identification of the protected group and its members – resulting in different levels of protection against genocide. A review model might help to address these issues, which are, arguably, preconditions of the legitimacy of these courts and of the effective enforcement of the prohibition of genocide. Given the close relationship between genocide and discrimination, this review model might be built on the ‘building blocks’ of discrimination law. The purpose of this contribution is twofold: (1) by unfolding the relationship between direct discrimination and genocide to devise a model of review, and (2) to analyse the consequences of the consistent application of this model for the identification of the protected groups and their members.
The Ne Bis in Idem Principle in the Interpretation of European Courts: Towards Uniform Interpretation
Authors: NEAGU NOREL
Published: November 2012

As a result of the extension of the jurisdiction of the Court of Justice of the European Union over the former third pillar (Police and Judicial Cooperation in Criminal Matters), several cases were referred to the Court for interpretation, inter alia, of the dispositions of the Schengen Convention dealing with criminal matters, especially the ne bis in idem principle. This principle was also addressed in the case law of the European Court of Human Rights, the Inter-American Court of Human Rights, and the Supreme Court of the United States. While addressing the problem at international level, this article focuses principally on the case law of the Court of Justice of the European Union and the European Court of Human Rights in the field of the ne bis in idem principle, concisely presenting the legal framework, findings of the Courts, and some conclusions on the interpretation of the principle. The study also analyses the absence of uniformity in interpretation and the use of different criteria in addressing identical situations by different courts, or even by the same court, concluding on a (seemingly) fortunate approximation in interpretation at European level.
Identifying Conflicts of Norms: The ICJ Approach in the Case of the Jurisdictional Immunities of the State (Germany v. Italy: Greece Intervening)
Authors: BOUDREAULT FRANÇOIS
Published: November 2012

The potential for conflicts of norms is particularly great in modern international law. Yet until now, the International Court of Justice has said very little as to what it considers a conflict of norms. The opportunity to do so arose in the case of the Jurisdictional Immunities of the State (Germany v. Italy: Greece Intervening). There, it was argued that granting Germany sovereign immunity in proceedings before Italian courts involving civil claims for violations of international humanitarian law (IHL) committed by the German Reich between 1943 and 1945 would come in conflict with prevailing peremptory (jus cogens) norms of international law. In its 3 February 2012 Judgment, the ICJ rejected this argument. In the present article, the author argues that the conceptions of conflict of norms underlying the Court's judgment and the dissent of Judge Cançado Trindade both have weaknesses. The author suggests an alternative framework to ascertain conflicts of norms. He then applies this framework to the rules of state immunity and the IHL rules breached by Germany, agreeing in the end with the conclusion reached by the majority of the ICJ that these rules did not conflict.
Regulating the Private Military and Security Industry: A Quest to Maintain State Control and Preserve Public Values
Authors: LIIVOJA RAIN
Published: November 2012

Since the late 1980s, governments have increasingly relied on the services of private military and security companies (PMSCs) in attaining their defence and foreign-policy objectives. States with advanced armed forces (notably the US and UK but also many others) have seen the outsourcing of various support functions, such as logistics or communications, as a way of cutting costs. Conversely, states with weak militaries (for example, Croatia at the time of the break-up of Yugoslavia and Angola during the civil war) have used PMSCs to boost their actual war-fighting capabilities. More recently, international organizations and non-governmental organizations have also turned to PMSCs, largely to ensure the safety of their humanitarian operations in zones of conflict.
Persisting role of healthcare settings in hepatitis C transmission in Pakistan: cause for concern
Authors: VER HOEVE E. , CODLIN A. J. , JAWED F. , KHAN A. J. , SAMAD L. , VATCHEVA K. M. , FALLON M. B. , ALI M. , NIAZ S. K. , McCORMICK J. B. , FISHER-HOCH S. P.
Published: November 2012

Transmission of hepatitis C (HCV) in Pakistan is a continuing public health problem; 15 years ago it was linked to the practice of reusing therapeutic instruments in healthcare settings. We sought to examine current risk factors for HCV transmission in a hospital population in Karachi, Pakistan. We enrolled 300 laboratory-confirmed HCV-positive participants and 300 laboratory-confirmed HCV-negative participants from clinics at Indus Hospital. Independent and significant risk factors for both men and women were: receiving ⩾12 injections in the past year, blood transfusions, having had dental work performed, and delivery in hospital or transfusion for women. Interestingly, being of Mohajir origin or born in Sindh province were protective. Encouragingly, a strong protective effect was observed for those that reported bringing their own needle for injections (59%). The widespread reuse of therapeutic needles in healthcare settings in Karachi remains a major driver of the HCV epidemic.
A survey of rodent-borne pathogens carried by wildRattusspp. in Northern Vietnam
Authors: KOMA T. , YOSHIMATSU K. , YASUDA S. P. , LI T. , AMADA T. , SHIMIZU K. , ISOZUMI R. , MAI L. T. Q. , HOA N. T. , NGUYEN V. , YAMASHIRO T. , HASEBE F. , ARIKAWA J.
Published: November 2012

To examine the prevalence of human pathogens carried by rats in urban areas in Hanoi and Hai Phong, Vietnam, we live-trapped 100 rats in January 2011 and screened them for a panel of bacteria and viruses. Antibodies againstLeptospira interrogans(22·0%), Seoul virus (14·0%) and rat hepatitis E virus (23·0%) were detected in rats, but antibodies againstYersinia pestiswere not detected. Antibodies againstL. interrogansand Seoul virus were found only in adult rats. In contrast, antibodies to rat hepatitis E virus were also found in juvenile and sub-adult rats, indicating that the transmission mode of rat hepatitis E virus is different from that ofL. interrogansand Seoul virus. Moreover, phylogenetic analyses of the S and M segments of Seoul viruses found inRattus norvegicusshowed that Seoul viruses from Hai Phong and Hanoi formed different clades. Human exposure to these pathogens has become a significant public health concern.
Chronic hepatitis B and C co-infection increased all-cause mortality in HAART-naive HIV patients in northern Thailand
Authors: TSUCHIYA N. , PATHIPVANICH P. , ROJANAWIWAT A. , WICHUKCHINDA N. , KOGA I. , KOGA M. , AUWANIT W. , KILGORE P. E. , ARIYOSHI K. , SAWANPANYALERT P.
Published: November 2012

A total of 755 highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART)-naive HIV-infected patients were enrolled at a government hospital in Thailand from 1 June 2000 to 15 October 2002. Census date of survival was on 31 October 2004 or the date of HAART initiation. Of 700 (92·6%) patients with complete data, the prevalence of hepatitis B virus (HBV) surface antigen and anti-hepatitis C virus (HCV) antibody positivity was 11·9% and 3·3%, respectively. Eight (9·6%) HBV co-infected patients did not have anti-HBV core antibody (anti-HBcAb). During 1166·7 person-years of observation (pyo), 258 (36·9%) patients died [22·1/100 pyo, 95% confidence interval (CI) 16·7–27·8]. HBV and probably HCV co-infection was associated with a higher mortality with adjusted hazard ratios (aHRs) of 1·81 (95% CI 1·30–2·53) and 1·90 (95% CI 0·98–3·69), respectively. Interestingly, HBV co-infection without anti-HBc Ab was strongly associated with death (aHR 6·34, 95% CI 3·99–10·3). The influence of hepatitis co-infection on the natural history of HAART-naive HIV patients requires greater attention.
EDITORIAL
Authors: Robson Steve
Published: November 2012

After 12 years as Editor-in-Chief of Fetal and Maternal Medicine Review I have decided to step down, albeit I welcome the opportunity to stay on as an Associate Editor. The last 12 years have witnessed a lot of changes, not only in the field of Perinatal Medicine but also in medical publishing, with the near demise of the ‘paper-based’ journal. I have enjoyed working with Cambridge University Press who have embraced these changes and remained strong supporters of the ‘Review Journal’ concept. The quality of the papers published over this time has progressively improved and we have continued my initial vision of publishing not only clinical but scientific reviews in a range of topics related to Maternal and Fetal Medicine. I owe a huge debt of gratitude to all the Associate Editors who have contributed over the last 12 years; Karel Marsal (Lund, Sweden), Lucilla Poston (London, UK), Mark Kilby (Birmingham, UK), Tze Kin Lau (Hong Kong) and Jason Waugh (Newcastle, UK). However I would particularly like to thank John Kingdon (Toronto, Canada) and Carl Weiner (Kansas, USA) who have stayed the course and whose sage contributions have been outstanding. Most importantly I would like to acknowledge the assistance of Jean Birtles whose endless detective work and ‘polite reminders’ have made my job considerably easier. Jean is also stepping down as Editorial Assistant.
Chest pain with elevated troponin assay in adolescents
Authors: Schwartz Matthew C. , Wellen Shari , Rome Jonathan J. , Ravishankar Chitra , Natarajan Shobha
Published: November 2012

Objective

We sought to describe the evaluation, treatment, and follow-up of adolescents who presented to a single institution with chest pain and an elevated troponin I value in the absence of typical symptoms of pericarditis or myocarditis.

Materials and methods

We performed a retrospective review of patients in the age group of 10–18 years of age with no history of significant heart disease admitted to our institution from 2000 to 2010 after presenting with chest pain and an elevated troponin I value.

Results

A total of 16 patients were identified with a median age of 16.5 years (range 11.2–17.8 years). Of these 13 (81%) were male and 10 (63%) showed evidence of localised ST elevations on electrocardiogram. The median peak troponin I level was 17.8 nanograms per millilitre (range 0.89–227, normal less than 0.4). There were eight patients (50%) with a diagnosis of coronary vasospasm, three patients (20%) with atypical myopericarditis, one patient with coronary anomaly, one patient with hypercoagulable disorder, and one patient with prolonged supraventricular tachycardia. In two patients, no definitive diagnosis was made. There was one patient who needed catheter-based intervention, which involved stenting of a coronary artery after a procedure-related complication.

Conclusions

In our cohort of adolescents without history of significant cardiac disease, chest pain and elevated troponin I levels were attributed to a variety of causes. Although coronary vasospasm and atypical myopericarditis were seen most commonly, coronary anomaly was identified in one case. Magnetic resonance imaging proved a useful diagnostic tool to assess coronary artery anatomy and myocardial changes suggestive of myocarditis. On the basis of these results and a review of the literature, a general evaluation algorithm is presented.
School food, politics and child health
Authors: Bundy Donald AP , Drake Lesley J , Burbano Carmen
Published: November 2012

Objective

An analysis undertaken jointly in 2009 by the UN World Food Programme, The Partnership for Child Development and the World Bank was published as Rethinking School Feeding to provide guidance on how to develop and implement effective school feeding programmes as a productive safety net and as part of the efforts to achieve Education for All. The present paper reflects on how understanding of school feeding has changed since that analysis.

Design

Data on school feeding programme outcomes were collected through a literature review. Regression models were used to analyse relationships between school feeding costs (from data that were collected), the per capita costs of primary education and Gross Domestic Product per capita. Data on the transition to national ownership, supply chains and country examples were collected through country case studies.

Results

School feeding programmes increase school attendance, cognition and educational achievement, as well as provide a transfer of resources to households with possible benefits to local agricultural production and local market development. Low-income countries exhibit large variations in school feeding costs, with concomitant opportunities for cost containment. Countries are increasingly looking to transition from externally supported projects to national programmes.

Conclusions

School feeding is now clearly evident as a major social programme in most countries with a global turnover in excess of $US 100 billion. This argues for a continuing focus on the evidence base with a view to helping countries ensure that their programmes are as cost-effective as possible. Clear policy advice has never been more important.
Is Globalization Undermining Civilizational Identities? A Test of Huntington's Core State Assumptions among the Publics of Greater Asia and the Pacific
Authors: COLLET CHRISTIAN , INOGUCHI TAKASHI
Published: November 2012

Samuel Huntington's influential clash of civilizations hypothesis (Huntington, 1993; Huntington, 1996) has been widely debated, but empirical tests of his ideas about core states remain limited at the micro-level. In this paper, we bring new evidence to bear, focusing on the ‘cauldron of civilizations’: Greater Asia and the Pacific. Using the AsiaBarometer, we examine the extent to which publics in the region identify with the core states of the supposedly most contentious civilizations in the region – the US, China, and Iran – and the factors that influence those perceptions. We give attention to the role of globalization and nationalism and whether both may be subsumed by religiosity as Huntington suggests. Our descriptive evidence affirms some of the tensions between the US, China, and Islamic-predominant Asia identified by Huntington as areas of potential conflict. At the same time, we find no evidence to suggest that attitudes toward core states are zero-sum; Asian publics often see rival powers as mutually good influences. Using multivariate analysis, we find that religiosity, as the clash paradigm surmises, boosts Iranian influence and undermines American influence in several predominantly Islamic states. We also find, contrary to Huntington, that overall exposure to foreign cultures leads to a more positive assessment of American influence among Chinese and Pakistanis, as well as American perceptions of China. When foreign exposure influences perceptions of Iran, the effect is modestly, but consistently, negative. Taken together, the findings raise questions about two key assumptions of the Huntington framework – civilizational identity formation and cultural resurgence – and suggest that alternative approaches in recent civilizations literature show greater empirical promise.
Bridging the Gap
Authors: Erdberg Philip
Published: November 2012

In recent years, a number of researchers have developed Rorschach coding approaches that attempt to quantify psychodynamic constructs. This article describes four such approaches: the Rorschach Defense Scales, Primitive Interpersonal Modes, the Mutuality of Autonomy Scale, and the Rorschach Reality-Fantasy Scale. These four seemingly different approaches have a common goal: creating quantitative Rorschach systems for describing psychodynamic constructs (defense mechanisms, primitive interpersonal modes, self- and object-representations) and the use of potential space.
An Epistemological and Methodological Approach to Drives and Diffusion of Instincts Through the Clinical Assessment of Suicidal Adolescents
Authors: Laimou Dimitra
Published: November 2012

This article discusses the results of a current research that explores the psychic function of 17 suicidal adolescents aged from 13 to 17 years through projective tests and a clinical interview. The paper focuses on the tendency of these adolescents to respond to the activation of drives in two extreme ways: the compulsion toward the diffusion of instincts, as a result of excessive excitation; and a state of inhibition, resulting from being cut off from the sources of these drives, in an effort to protect from the severe consequences of the diffusion effect. This paper contributes to the comprehension of internal factors that can lead teenagers to commit suicide. In addition, the paper aims to aid in the development of an epistemological and methodological approach within the field of projective assessment through Rorschach concerning what are perhaps the most central and controversial concepts in the theoretical framework of psychoanalysis: aggressive drives, diffusion, and death drives.
Using Rorschach CS Narrative Responses of the MOA Scale to Construct and Share Patient’s Model Scenes
Authors: Salcuni Silvia , Marogna Cristina , Di Riso Daniela , Caccamo Floriana
Published: November 2012

The Mutuality of Autonomy Scale (MOAS; Urist, 1977 ; Urist & Shill, 1982 ) provides a summary measure of a patient’s repertoire of previous interpersonal interactions. It lends empirical support for the hypothesized salience of object representations, including the patient’s subjective relational experience being an integral facet of personality. It also enhances the therapist’s capacity to access the patient’s inner relational world during the consulting sessions by activating the capacity to think metaphorically. Rorschach narrative responses included in the MOAS are useful in detecting initial representations of a patient’s relational modalities, in sharing the same verbalization, and in helping to construct the initial model scene. This entails significant communication from the patient about his or her life. These scenes can be used by the therapist and the patient to “depict something previously unknown, starting from what is known.” The purpose of using MOAS responses is to give the patient some initial cognitive and emotional representations to configurations of relational experiences, very similar to model scenes ( Lachmann & Lichtenberg, 1992 ). A clinical example is used to illustrate the relationship between MOAS responses and model scenes used in the psychoanalytical framework.
Learning From the Inkblot
Authors: Yazigi Latife , Nashat Sadegh
Published: November 2012

The contributions of Wilfred Bion to psychoanalysis and Hermann Rorschach to personality assessment have had considerable influence on psychotherapy. Both authors developed their own systems in attempts to establish a more scientific approach to the study of the mind. This article introduces some key concepts from the work of Bion and shows their applications to the Rorschach Test.
Holocene linkages between char, soot, biomass burning and climate from Lake Daihai, China
Authors: Han Y. M. , Marlon J. R. , Cao J. J. , Jin Z. D. , An Z. S.
Published: November 2012

Black or elemental carbon (EC), including soot and char, are byproducts of anthropogenic fossil‐fuel and biomass burning, and also of wildfires. EC, and particularly soot, strongly affects atmospheric chemistry and physics and thus radiative forcing; it can also alter regional climate and precipitation. Pre‐industrial variations in EC as well as its source areas and controls however, are poorly known. Here we use a lake‐sediment EC record from China to reconstruct Holocene variations in soot (combustion emissions formed via gas‐to‐particle conversion processes) and char (combustion residues from pyrolysis) measured with a thermal/optical method. Comparisons with sedimentary charcoal records (i.e., particles measured microscopically), climate and population data are used to infer variations in biomass burning and its controls. During the Holocene, positive correlations are observed between EC and an independent index of regional biomass burning. Negative correlations are observed between EC and monsoon intensity, and tree cover inferred from arboreal pollen percentages. Abrupt declines in temperature are also linked with widespread declines in fire. Our results 1) confirm the robustness of a relatively new method for reconstructing variations in EC; 2) document variations in regional biomass burning; 3) support a strong climatic control of biomass burning throughout the Holocene; and 4) indicate that char levels are higher today than at any time during the Holocene.
New lakes in the Taklamakan Desert
Authors: Chen Jiansheng , Wang Chi‐Yuen , Tan Hongbing , Rao Wenbo , Liu Xiaoyan , Sun Xiaoxu
Published: November 2012

At the beginning of this century, some new lakes unexpectedly appeared in the Taklamakan Desert – one of the largest and driest deserts in the world. The origin of the water in the new lakes, however, has been a matter of debate. We test the hypotheses by analyzing water samples collected from the new lakes, the Bosten Lake and the foothills of the mountains that surround the desert. Using the isotopic composition of these waters as tracers, together with data from remote sensing, local weather stations and stream gauges, we infer that the new lakes may originate from increased recharge of groundwater from meltwater in the nearby mountains. We further speculate, supported by first‐order simulation of earthquake‐induced discharge of groundwater from mountains, that the source of this increased recharge may be related to earthquake‐induced discharge of groundwater from nearby Altyn and Kunlun Mountains.
Cosmic‐ray yield and response functions in the atmosphere
Authors: Caballero‐Lopez R. A. , Moraal H.
Published: November 2012

Since the middle 1950s, neutron monitors have provided a continuous record of the intensity of secondary atmospheric particles produced by the primary cosmic radiation above the atmosphere. The number of counts due to these secondary particles is related to the primary spectrum above the atmosphere through the so‐called atmospheric yield function. This yield function includes the secondary particles produced in the atmosphere, as well as inside the particular detector. In this paper the primary focus is to recalculate the yield function for neutron monitors. The motivation for this study is that the quality of the experimental observations has increased to such an extent that it has become possible to reduce uncertainties in the yield function down to approximately 10%. It thus becomes possible to refine our knowledge of the atmospheric cascade process considerably. We parameterize the yield functions in a simple way; we also make reference to the yield and response functions of muon, Cherenkov and stratospheric balloon detectors, and we compare their response to that of the neutron monitors.
An empirical model of the drift velocity of equatorial plasma depletions
Authors: England S. L. , Immel T. J.
Published: November 2012

The Far‐Ultraviolet Imager on the IMAGE spacecraft (IMAGE‐FUV) has been used to observe O+plasma depletions in the post‐sunset equatorial ionosphere. Small‐scale density irregularities associated with such depletions are believed to adversely affect trans‐ionospheric radio signals such as GPS. Prediction of the motion of these plasma depletions is a necessary component of the ability to forecast the occurrence of such radio signal interference. An automated method has recently been developed to identify and track the position and zonal drift velocity of these depletions. Here we use this method to create a large database of the zonal drift velocities of these depletions. We present an empirical model based on these observations that describes the observed drift velocities as a function of both local time and magnetic latitude, which is essential to represent their behavior. A comparison of the observed drift velocities with zonal winds from both an empirical model (Horizontal Wind Model; HWM07) and a first‐principles model (the TIEGCM) reveals that the plasma depletions' drift velocities have a latitudinal gradient that cannot be explained solely by the F‐region dynamo in the post‐sunset period, at least by these climatological models. This suggests that these plasma depletions may not simply drift with the background F‐region plasma. It has previously been suggested that vertical polarization electric fields associated with the plasma depletions are responsible for their zonal drifts exceeding the background flow, which may explain the previously‐observed discrepancy in the drift velocities and the discrepancy in their gradients reported here.
Sq current system during stratospheric sudden warming events in 2006 and 2009
Authors: Yamazaki Yosuke , Richmond Arthur D. , Liu Huixin , Yumoto Kiyohumi , Tanaka Yoshimasa
Published: November 2012

Ionospheric Sq current systems during unusually strong and prolonged stratospheric sudden warming (SSW) events in January 2006 and January 2009 are examined by analyzing ground‐magnetometer data for the American and Asian longitude sectors. During these SSW events, a significant decrease and increase of the Sq equivalent current intensity are observed in the Northern and Southern Hemispheres, respectively, along with a reduction in the longitudinal separation between the northern and southern current vortices. Numerical experiments using the National Center for Atmospheric Research Thermosphere‐Ionosphere‐Electrodynamics General‐Circulation Model show that changes in the solar anti‐symmetric (2,3) semidiurnal tide can bring about similar changes in the Sq current system.
Pitch angle distribution of suprathermal electrons behind dipolarization fronts: A statistical overview
Authors: Fu H. S. , Khotyaintsev Y. V. , Vaivads A. , André M. , Sergeev V. A. , Huang S. Y. , Kronberg E. A. , Daly P. W.
Published: November 2012

We examine the pitch angle distribution (PAD) of suprathermal electrons (>40 keV) inside the flux pileup regions (FPRs) that are located behind the dipolarization fronts (DFs), in order to better understand the particle energization mechanisms operating therein. The 303 earthward‐propagating DFs observed during 9 years (2001–2009) by Cluster 1 have been analyzed and divided into two groups according to the differential fluxes of the >40 keV electrons inside the FPR. One group, characterized by the low flux (F < 500/cm2 · s · sr · keV), consists of 153 events and corresponds to a broad distribution of IMF Bz components. The other group, characterized by the high flux (F ≥ 500/cm2 · s · sr · keV), consists of 150 events and corresponds to southward IMF Bzcomponents. Only the high‐flux group is considered to investigate the PAD of the >40 keV electrons as the low‐flux situation may lead to large uncertainties in computing the anisotropy factor that is defined asA = F⊥/F∥ − 1 for F⊥ > F∥, and A = −F∥/F⊥ + 1 for F⊥ < F∥. We find that, among the 150 events, 46 events have isotropic distribution (|A| ≤ 0.5); 60 events have perpendicular distribution (A > 0.5), and 44 events have field‐aligned distribution inside the FPR (A < −0.5). The perpendicular distribution appears mainly inside the growing FPR, where the flow velocity is increasing and the local flux tube is compressed. The field‐aligned distribution occurs mainly inside the decaying FPR, where the flow velocity is decreasing and the local flux tube is expanding. Inside the steady FPR, we observed primarily the isotropic distribution of suprathermal electrons. This statistical result confirms the previous case study and gives an overview of the PAD of suprathermal electrons behind DFs.