bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Lightness and weight: (re)reading urban potentialities through photographs
Authors: O'Callaghan Cian
Published: January 2012

Geographical fieldwork often involves using photography to document and illustrate theoretical and empirical concerns. Capturing images is deeply entwined in a complex web of associations, linking the epistemology of research practice with the perceived nature of evolving spatial processes. One example of this is the way urban geographers use images to document the transformation of urban landscapes. This is the outcome of not only material but also discursive forces that reshape the urban imaginary. The discourses of post‐industrial entrepreneurial urbanism that stimulated the development of Irish cities during the Celtic Tiger offer a clear case in point. However, when the set of relations and suppositions that underpin the way in which we formulate meaning through these landscape images shifts – such as the case with the current economic ‘crisis’– then the images themselves take on new resonances, identities and potentialities. Taking the Celtic Tiger crash as a starting point, this article explores one image taken during fieldwork researching urban change in Cork. Focusing on the way in which the image disrupts the linear (progress) vision of the city, the article examines how in the absence of a clear urban ‘idea’ we are left with an uncoordinated system of urban signs, but also perhaps a deterritorialised city of potentiality.
Pain Management for Ulcerated Infantile Hemangiomas
Authors: Strand Megan , Smidt Aimee C.
Published: January 2012

Abstract:  Perioral ulcerated hemangiomas in infants can present a therapeutic challenge to clinicians, especially when associated with severe pain and difficulty feeding. Topical and oral pain medications can be beneficial, but feeding difficulties may still occur while awaiting healing of the ulceration with the use of systemic or topical agents. We present a case of an infant with an ulcerated lip hemangioma treated with an over‐the‐counter topical sealant in combination with systemic corticosteroid therapy who showed dramatic improvement in pain and tolerance to feeding, resulting in healing of the ulceration.
Localized Xanthomas Associated with Primary Lymphedema
Authors: ROMANÍ JORGE , LUELMO JESÚS , SÁEZ AMPARO , YÉBENES MIREIA , SÁBAT MIREIA , FERNÁNDEZ‐CHICO NATALIA , PIFARRÉ MONTSERRAT , GARCÍA DANIEL , MUÑOZ CARLOS
Published: January 2012

Abstract:  Cutaneous xanthomas arising in chronic lymphedema are rare. We present a case of verruciform xanthoma involving the left foot and toes of a 10‐year‐old boy who had developed a primary lymphedema (lymphedema praecox) in the left lower extremity. Laboratory studies demonstrated a normal lipid profile.
Early‐Onset Alcohol Dependence Increases the Acoustic Startle Reflex
Authors: Schellekens Arnt F. A. , Mulders Peter C. R. , Ellenbroek Bart , de Jong Cor A. J. , Buitelaar Jan K. , Cools Alexander , Verkes Robbert‐Jan
Published: January 2012

Background:

Hyperreactivity and impaired sensory gating of the acoustic startle response in alcohol dependence has been suggested to reflect a residual effect of previous detoxifications, increasing the severity of subsequent withdrawal episodes. Previous studies on the acoustic startle only included early‐onset alcohol‐dependent patients. The observed abnormalities may therefore also be specific for this subtype of alcohol dependence. We investigated the acoustic startle response in alcohol‐dependent patients and healthy controls and hypothesized that (i) early‐onset alcohol‐dependent patients show increased acoustic startle responses compared with late‐onset alcohol‐dependent patients and healthy controls, and (ii) the duration of alcohol dependence or the number of prior detoxifications would not explain the differences in the acoustic startle between early‐ and late‐onset alcohol dependence.

Methods:

The acoustic startle reflex was assessed in detoxified, male alcohol‐dependent patients (N = 83) and age‐matched healthy male controls (N = 86). Reflex eye blink responses to an auditory startle stimulus were measured by means of electromyographic recordings over the right orbicularis oculi muscle. Reflex amplitudes and levels of prepulse inhibition (PPI) were analyzed.

Results:

There was no association between number of previous withdrawals and the startle response or PPI. Early‐onset alcohol‐dependent patients showed higher acoustic startle amplitudes compared with late‐onset alcohol‐dependent patients and healthy controls [75/105 dB: F(2, 166) = 9.2, p < 0.001; 85/105 dB: F(2, 166) = 12.1, p < 0.001; 95 dB: F(2, 166) = 8.2, p < 0.001; 105 dB: F(2, 166) = 9.7, p < 0.001], and there were no differences in PPI.

Conclusions:

Increased acoustic startle response in detoxified early‐onset alcohol‐dependent patients may reflect a trait marker specifically involved in early‐onset alcohol dependence. The findings of the current study do not support the hypothesis that the increased startle response is a residual state marker.
Subperfect Game: Profitable Biases of NBA Referees
Authors: Price Joseph , Remer Marc , Stone Daniel F.
Published: January 2012

This paper empirically investigates three hypotheses regarding biases of National Basketball Association referees. Identification of basketball referee bias is typically difficult as changes in observed statistics may be caused by either changes in referee bias or player behavior. We identify bias by exploiting the fact that referees have varying degrees of discretion over different types of a particular statistic‐turnovers. This allows us to conduct a treatment and control‐style analysis, using the less discretionary turnovers as the player behavior control. The results provide evidence that referees favor home teams, teams losing during games, and teams losing in playoff series. All three biases are likely to increase consumer demand.
From Energy to Environmental Analysis
Authors: Benders René M.J. , Moll Henri C. , Nijdam Durk S.
Published: January 2012

Unsustainable private consumption causes energy and environmental problems. This occurs directly (resource depletion and emissions through using cars for transport) or indirectly (purchase of consumer goods and services for which the production uses energy and emits damaging gases).

A hybrid energy analysis proved that indoor energy consumption, mobility, and vacations are the main consumer categories from an energy point of view. Although energy is often used as a proxy for environmental load from private consumption, there are other proxies like methane (CH4), sulfur oxides (SOx), and land use. This article describes the results of the extension of the hybrid energy analysis with energy and ten environmental stressors (CH4, nitrous oxide [N2O], nitrogen, phosphate, SOx, nitrogen oxides [NOx], ammonia [NH3], nonmethane volatile organic compounds [NMVOCs], particulate matter [PM10], and land use), combined in five impact categories (global warming potential [GWP], acidification, eutrophication, summer smog, and land use).

Household consumption was analyzed by dividing Dutch household expenditure into 368 consumer items in 11 categories. The results show that food impacts, in particular, are underestimated when only energy is taken into account. Food makes the highest contribution in three out of five impact categories when all ten stressors are taken into account. Within the food domain, meat and dairy consumer items have the highest environmental impact, about 45% of total food impact on average across all five impact categories. Looking in detail (368 consumer items), there are nine food items in the top ten most‐polluting items. Salad oil and cheese are the most polluting food items.
Directive Versus Supportive Approaches Used by Midwives When Providing Care During the Second Stage of Labor
Authors: Osborne Kathryn , Hanson Lisa
Published: January 2012

Introduction: Although the risks associated with using sustained and forceful maternal bearing‐down efforts during the second stage of labor have been well documented, most women who give birth in the United States bear down in response to direction from care providers about when and how to push rather than in response to their own physiologic urges. The purpose of this study was to describe the practices used by certified nurse‐midwives/certified midwives (CNMs/CMs) in response to maternal bearing‐down efforts when caring for women in second‐stage labor and to identify factors associated with the use of supportive approaches to second‐stage labor care.

Methods: A national survey of 705 CNMs/CMs was conducted using mailed questionnaires. The instrument was an 84‐item, fixed‐choice questionnaire using Likert type scales that had been validated. A 72.6% response rate was achieved, and 375 of the respondents cared for women during the second stage of labor.

Results: Most CNMs/CMs (82.4%) often or almost always supported women without epidural anesthesia to initiate bearing‐down efforts only when the woman felt an urge to do so. When caring for women without an epidural, most of the respondents (67%) reported that they often or almost always supported a woman's spontaneous bearing‐down efforts without providing direction. Most participants reported using more directive practices when caring for women with epidural anesthesia. Whether caring for women with or without an epidural, most respondents (77.1% and 79.6%, respectively) often or almost always provided more direction as the fetal head emerged and the final stretching of the perineum was taking place. A change in fetal heart tones that led the midwife to believe the birth needed to occur quickly was the circumstance that had the greatest degree of influence on the participant's (90.6%) decision to provide more direction during bearing‐down efforts. Many participants indicated that they also were influenced to provide more direction when women in labor asked for more direction (73.3%) or appeared to be fatigued (74.6%).

Discussion: The majority of CNMs/CMs use supportive approaches to bearing‐down efforts during second‐stage labor care and most used directive approaches as an intervention aimed at avoiding potential problems.
Context Effects in Multi‐Alternative Decision Making: Empirical Data and a Bayesian Model
Authors: Hawkins Guy , Brown Scott D. , Steyvers Mark , Wagenmakers Eric‐Jan
Published: January 2012

For decisions between many alternatives, the benchmark result is Hick's Law: that response time increases log‐linearly with the number of choice alternatives. Even when Hick's Law is observed for response times, divergent results have been observed for error rates—sometimes error rates increase with the number of choice alternatives, and sometimes they are constant. We provide evidence from two experiments that error rates are mostly independent of the number of choice alternatives, unless context effects induce participants to trade speed for accuracy across conditions. Error rate data have previously been used to discriminate between competing theoretical accounts of Hick's Law, and our results question the validity of those conclusions. We show that a previously dismissed optimal observer model might provide a parsimonious account of both response time and error rate data. The model suggests that people approximate Bayesian inference in multi‐alternative choice, except for some perceptual limitations.
Traumatic Subperiostial Emphysema Caused by Hyperpneumatization of the Temporal and Occipital Bone
Authors: Zhang Xiangtong , Jing Meng , Liang Hongsheng , Meng Xiangxi , Liu Enzhong , Zhao Shiguang
Published: January 2012

Hyperpneumatization of the temporal bone with extension into the occipital bone and even the parietal bones is a rare condition. We report a case in which the patient suffered periodically from a palpable mass in the parietal‐occipital region which originated from extensive occipital bone pneumatization. Computed tomography examination revealed extensive temporal and occipital pneumatization and subperiosteal pneumatoceles, which was corrected by surgery.
The Effect of Stylet Choice on the Success Rate of Intubation Using the GlideScope Video Laryngoscope in the Emergency Department
Authors: Sakles John C. , Kalin Leah
Published: January 2012

ACADEMIC EMERGENCY MEDICINE 2012; 1–4 © 2012 by the Society for Academic Emergency Medicine

Objectives:  The objective was to determine whether the using the GlideRite rigid stylet (GRS) compared with a standard malleable stylet (SMS) affects the success rate of intubation using the GlideScope in emergency intubations.

Methods:  This was a retrospective analysis of prospectively collected continuous quality improvement (CQI) data based on intubations performed in an academic emergency department (ED) over a 4‐year period. Following each intubation the operator completed a data form regarding multiple aspects of the intubation, including the device used, type of stylet used, procedural complications, outcome of the intubation, difficult airway predictors (DAPs), and the operator’s postgraduate year (PGY). Intubation was considered successful if the GlideScope was used as the initial device and resulted in successful intubation of the trachea.

Results:  Over the 4‐year study period, the GlideScope video laryngoscope (GVL) was used for 473 intubations. Of these, 322 (68%) used the GRS, while 151 (32%) used the SMS. When the GRS was used, operators were ultimately successful in 93.5% of cases (301 of 322), whereas when the SMS was used, operators were successful in 78.1% of cases (118 of 151; p < 0.0001). The first‐attempt success rate for the GRS group was 82.9% (267 of 322) and for the SMS group was 67.5% (102 of 151; p < 0.001). The mean (± standard deviation [SD]) complication rate was 0.25 (±0.5) in the GRS group and was 0.47 (±0.7) in the SMS group (p = 0.0003). In the GRS group, 18% of patients (58 of 322) had oxygen desaturation, while in the SMS group, 31% of patients (46 of 151) had oxygen desaturation (p = 0.003). The mean number of DAPs was 2.0 (±1.5) in the GRS group and 2.0 (±1.5) in the SMS group (p = 0.65). The mean (±SD) PGY of the operator was 2.2 (±0.8) years in the GRS group and 2.2 (±0.8) years in the SMS group (p = 0.79).

Conclusions:  Both first‐attempt and ultimate success rates were higher with GlideScope intubations in the ED when the rigid stylet was used compared to the malleable stylet. The number of complications and, in particular, the incidence of oxygen desaturation were lower in the GRS group than in the SMS group. The two stylet groups were similar regarding difficulty of the airway and experience level of the operator.
Methyl isonicotinate induces increased walking and take‐off behaviour in western flower thrips, Frankliniella occidentalis
Authors: van Tol R. W. H. M. , de Bruin A. , Butler R. C. , Davidson M. M. , Teulon D. A. J. , de Kogel W. J.
Published: January 2012

Timely detection of western flower thrips (WFT), Frankliniella occidentalis (Pergande) (Thysanoptera: Thripidae), is important to help prevent economic damage to crops. Coloured traps are commonly used for thrips monitoring and their efficacy can be markedly improved with the addition of semiochemicals such as methyl isonicotinate (MI). However, the behavioural response of thrips to these compounds is poorly understood. In leaf/petal disc laboratory experiments the effect of MI on adult female WFT was examined with respect to walking and take‐off behaviour. Clean air or air with MI was blown over the leaf/petal discs at an angle of 30° via a glass pipette connected to a wash bottle containing a cotton dental roll with or without a defined amount of MI. At airspeeds of 0.6–1.2 m s−1 and at doses of 1, 10, 50, 100, and 1000 μl (equivalent to indicative concentrations of 1.7, 4.5, 7.3, 8.8, and 14.9 ng MI l−1 air blown over the leaf discs), WFT spent a greater proportion of time walking on chrysanthemum leaf discs in the presence of MI than the non‐attractive thrips compound β‐caryophyllene or clean air. Western flower thrips showed a dose‐dependent take‐off response to the thrips attractant MI, but not to β‐caryophyllene (virtually no take‐off). At 100 μl of MI (8.8 ng l−1 air), WFT spent a greater proportion of time walking on host plant tissue than in clean air, depending on plant disc substrates. Furthermore, WFT took off more often from plant discs exposed to an air current containing MI than from those exposed to clean air. Western flower thrips exposed to MI took off at a similar rate from chrysanthemum leaves, chrysanthemum flower petals, and sweet pepper leaves, but much less readily from bean leaves. The results show that MI stimulates walking and take‐off behaviour for adult female WFT under these experimental conditions and these responses are dose‐dependent and mediated by the host plant. These results are placed in the context of previous research on the behavioural response of thrips to semiochemicals and their implications for thrips pest management are discussed.
Facultative gregarious development in a solitary koinobiont parasitoid, Ephedrus californicus: implications of larval ecology and host constraints
Authors: Mackauer M. , Chow F. J.
Published: January 2012

In solitary parasitoids, the mandibulate first instars behave aggressively towards potential competitors so that generally only one larva survives per host. A ‘failure of competition’ may result in facultative gregarious development, however. We used Ephedrus californicus Baker (Hymenoptera: Braconidae: Aphidiinae), a solitary koinobiont parasitoid of aphids, to test two hypotheses in the laboratory that could explain facultative gregarious development. Gregarious development increased with the intensity of parasitism, with two (rarely three) parasitoids successfully developing in a single aphid. In heavily superparasitized hosts, interference between surviving larvae often caused abnormal pupation behaviour and inability to emerge from the mummy. The hypothesis that the survival of more than one larva per host is dependent on differences in larval age was not supported. The total body size in terms of dry mass of two males or two females developing together in the same host was higher than that of same‐sex counterparts developing singly. Females were larger than males with which they shared a host. Hypotheses about the evolutionary transition from a solitary to a gregarious lifestyle in parasitoid Hymenoptera have focused on lethal fighting between first instars but have ignored other constraints including immature mortality during later development and limiting host resources. Especially in species that pupate inside the dead host, specific requirements for pupation and emergence may determine whether one or several offspring per host can develop to adult.
The reliability of cone‐beam computed tomography to assess bone density at dental implant recipient sites: a histomorphometric analysis by micro‐CT
Authors: González‐García Raúl , Monje Florencio
Published: January 2012

Objectives

The aim of this study was to objectively assess the reliability of the cone‐beam computed tomography (CBCT) as a tool to pre‐operatively determine radiographic bone density (RBD) by the density values provided by the system, analyzing its relationship with histomorphometric bone density expressed as bone volumetric fraction (BV/TV) assessed by micro‐CT of bone biopsies at the site of insertion of dental implants in the maxillary bones.

Material and methods

Thirty‐nine bone biopsies of the maxillary bones at the sites of 39 dental implants from 31 edentulous healthy patients were analyzed. The NobelGuide™ software was used for implant planning, which also allowed fabrication of individual stereolithographic surgical guides. The analysis of CBCT images allowed pre‐operative determination of mean density values of implant recipient sites along the major axis of the planned implants (axial RBD). Stereolithographic surgical guides were used to guide implant insertion and also to extract cylindrical bone biopsies from the core of the exact implant site. Further analysis of several osseous micro‐structural variables including BV/TV was performed by micro‐CT of the extracted bone biopsies.

Results

Mean axial RBD was 478 ± 212 (range: 144–953). A statistically significant difference (P = 0.02) was observed among density values of the cortical bone of the upper maxilla and mandible. A high positive Pearson's correlation coefficient (r = 0.858, P < 0.001) was observed between RBD and BV/TV, with the regression equations: (1) Axial RBD = −19.974 + 10.238·BV/TV; (2) BV/TV = 14.258 + 0.72·Axial RBD. RBD was also positively correlated with the trabecular thickness (Tb.Th) and trabecular number (Tb.N), but negatively correlated with trabecular separation (Tb.Sp), structural model index, and inverse connectivity (Tb.Pf). Density values upper than 450 were associated with BV/TV upper than 50%, mean Tb.Th upper than 0.2 mm, mean Tb.Sp lower than 0.3 mm, and mean Tb.N upper than 2.

Conclusion

RBD assessed by CBCT has a strong positive correlation with BV/TV assessed by micro‐CT at the site of dental implants in the maxillary bones. Pre‐operative estimation of density values by CBCT is a reliable tool to objectively determine bone density.
Common genetic risk variants of TLR2 are not associated with periodontitis in large European case‐control populations
Authors: Richter Gesa M. , Graetz Christian , Pohler Pia , Nothnagel Michael , Dommisch Henrik , Laine Marja L. , Folwaczny Mathias , Noack Barbara , Eickholz Peter , Groessner‐Schreiber Birte , Jepsen Søren , Loos Bruno G. , Schreiber Stefan , Schaefer Arne S.
Published: January 2012

Aim

Involvement of TLR2 in the pathophysiology of periodontitis has widely been discussed, but hitherto, no validated genetic associations were reported. Previous association studies lacked sufficient statistical power and adequate haplotype information to draw unambiguous conclusions. The aim of this study was to comprehensively investigate TLR2 linkage disequilibrium (LD) regions for their potential associations with periodontitis in two large analysis populations of aggressive (AgP) and chronic periodontitis (CP) of North West European descent.

Materials and methods

The study population comprised 598 AgP patients, 914 CP patients and 1804 healthy controls. Analysis of TLR2 LD regions was performed with haplotype tagging SNPs (tagSNPs) using SNPlex and TaqMan genotyping assays. Genotypic, dominant, multiplicative, and recessive genetic models were tested. The genotypes were adjusted for the covariates smoking, diabetes, and gender. Resequencing was performed by Sanger technology.

Results

Upon covariate adjustment and correction for multiple testing, no tagSNPs showed significant associations with AgP or CP. Targeted resequencing of exon 3 in 47 AgP cases identified carriership of two common and three rare variants.

Conclusion

Common LD regions of TLR2 do not show genetic associations with periodontitis in the North West European population. Resequencing of exon 3 could not identify disease‐associated rare variants in TLR2.
Tooth mobility changes subsequent to root fractures: a longitudinal clinical study of 44 permanent teeth
Authors: Andreasen Jens Ove , Ahrensburg Søren Steno , Tsilingaridis Georgios
Published: January 2012

Abstract –  The purpose of this study was to analyze tooth mobility changes in root‐fractured permanent teeth and relate this to type of interfragment healing (hard tissue healing (HT), interfragment healing with periodontal ligament (PDL) and nonhealing with interposition of granulation tissue (GT) because of pulp necrosis in the coronal fragment. Furthermore, the effect of age, location of the fracture on the root, and observation period on mobility values was analyzed. Mobility values were measured for 44 of 95 previous reported root‐fractured permanent incisors. Mobility changes were measured with a Mühlemanns periodontometer and noninjured incisors served as controls. The mobility values represented the labial‐lingual excursion of the root measured in μm when the tooth received a frontal and a palatal impact of 100 g force. In 18 cases of hard tissue healing (HT), a slightly increased mobility was seen after 3 months and 1 year, and a normalization of mobility value was usually found after 5 and 10 years. In 17 cases of PDL healing, generally a higher mobility was found in comparison with root fractures healing with hard tissue, and a consistent decrease in mobility value was found in the course of the 10 year observation period. A tendency for reduced mobility over time was found, a relation that could possibly be explained by the known general decrease in tooth mobility with increasing age. Finally, nine cases of nonhealing with initial interposition of granulation tissue (GT) because of pulp necrosis in the coronal fragment resulted in increasing mobility values possibly related to a lateral breakdown of the PDL in relation to the fracture line. In control teeth, a lowering of mobility was found over the course of a 10‐year observation period. In conclusion, mobility changes appeared to reflect the radiographic healing stages and known age effects upon tooth mobility.
Non‐exposed bisphosphonate‐related osteonecrosis of the jaw: a critical assessment of current definition, staging, and treatment guidelines
Authors: Patel S , Choyee S , Uyanne J , Nguyen AL , Lee P , Sedghizadeh PP , Kumar SKS , Lytle J , Shi S , Le AD
Published: January 2012

Oral Diseases (2012) 18, 625–632

Non‐exposed bisphosphonate‐related osteonecrosis of the jaw (BRONJ) is a newly reported complication arising from bisphosphonate therapy that presents with atypical symptoms and no apparent mucosal fenestration or exposure of necrotic bone. The clinical observation of the presence of necrotic bone underneath normal epithelial coverage was not conclusive for the diagnosis of BRONJ based on current guidelines established by the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons (AAOMS) and the American Society for Bone and Mineral Research (ASBMR), which specify the presence of clinically exposed necrotic bone for more than 8 weeks. Hence, the purpose of this review is to critically assess the current guidelines for diagnosis and management of BRONJ and propose a modified staging system and treatment guidelines to properly address the non‐exposed variant of BRONJ lesions.
Judiciarisation de l’action publique en Suisse: analyse du contentieux administratif au Tribunal fédéral
Authors: Byland Karin , Varone Frédéric
Published: January 2012

Résumé:  La judiciarisation de l’action publique demeure un champ de recherche peu exploré par les politologues suisses. Cette note de recherche étudie dès lors l’évolution des 79’752 affaires liquidées par le Tribunal fédéral, de 1990 à 2010, en matière administrative. Les résultats empiriques montrent que le contentieux administratif croît de 45% sur la période observée, principalement en matière d’assurances sociales. Nous observons toutefois des différences notables entre les domaines de politiques publiques et quant à la provenance cantonale des recours devant le Tribunal fédéral. Ces différences s’expliquent par l’influence conjointe de facteurs conjoncturels (par ex. la croissance économique), institutionnels (par ex. l’organisation judiciaire cantonale) et liés aux acteurs du système judiciaire (par ex. la densité d’avocats). En conclusion de cette analyse exploratoire, cinq pistes de recherche sont identifiées afin d’étudier plus finement l’ampleur du processus de judiciarisation et d’en évaluer les impacts sur les politiques publiques.
Der Gender Gap in Schweizer Stadtparlamenten
Authors: Plüss Larissa , Rusch Marisa
Published: January 2012

Zusammenfassung:  In der wissenschaftlichen Forschung zur politischen Repräsentation von Frauen in der Schweiz blieb die lokale Ebene bisher weitgehend ausgeklammert. Da die Karrieren der Schweizer Politikerinnen und Politiker ihren Anfang aber in den meisten Fällen auf tiefen staatlichen Ebenen nehmen und der Frauenanteil nach oben hin sinkt, verspricht eine eingehende Beschäftigung mit der Lokalpolitik Erkenntnisse zur politischen Repräsentation von Frauen, die über den lokalen Kontext hinausreichen. Der vorliegende Beitrag analysiert die Ursachen des Gender Gaps in den Schweizer Stadtparlamenten und stützt sich dabei auf eine flächendeckende Erhebung der städtischen Parlamentsmitglieder aus dem Jahre 2008. Die durchgeführten statistischen Analysen zeigen, dass neben strukturellen, städtischen Rahmenbedingungen der politische Rekrutierungsprozess einen signifikanten Einfluss auf die politische Vertretung von Frauen ausübt. Zudem sind bei den weiblichen Parlamentsmitgliedern häufiger externe Faktoren für einen geplanten vorzeitigen Rücktritt aus der Politik verantwortlich, was den sinkenden Frauenanteil auf höheren Staatsebenen teilweise erklären könnte. Insbesondere die häufigere Mitgliedschaft der Stadtparlamentarierinnen in rein lokalen Wählergruppen scheint ihre Aufstiegschancen auf der politischen Karriereleiter zu senken.
Negotiating Relationships in Single‐Mother Households: Perspectives of Children and Mothers
Authors: Nixon Elizabeth , Greene Sheila , Hogan Diane M.
Published: January 2012

Little research has considered the nature of parent‐child relationships in stable single‐parent households that have not undergone transitions such as divorce and repartnering. This study explored how single mothers and their children negotiated their relationships in a context where the mother has been parenting alone continuously from early in the child's life. Thirty‐eight children and adolescents and their mothers participated in qualitative semistructured interviews. Both mothers and children characterized their relationship as highly intense and exclusive. Perceived limitations in mothers' resources yielded opportunities for shifting dynamics of power and dependence where children adopted an ethic of care in their relationships with their mothers. In response to this, mothers worked to reaffirm clear distinctions between parent and child roles and protect against role boundaries becoming blurred by exercising their authority and managing children's exposure to household responsibilities. These findings provide insight into how mothers and children negotiated interdependence as they moved functionally between vertical and horizontal interactions in their relationship.
The Role of Participant‐Facilitator Demographic Match in Couple and Relationship Education
Authors: Bradford Angela B. , Adler‐Baeder Francesca , Ketring Scott A. , Smith Thomas A.
Published: January 2012

Offerings of couple and relationship education in recent years have included more diverse populations of participants, as well as more diverse facilitators in community‐based program delivery. As a result, the opportunity has emerged to examine contextual factors that may impact program effects. This study examined the relationship between participant‐facilitator demographic match of ethnicity, sex, education, and relationship status on reported facilitator quality and program outcomes, as well as the relationship between facilitator quality and program outcomes. Results indicated that sex match was related to facilitator quality. Relationship status match was related to change in couple functioning, and education match was related to change in individual functioning. Additionally, facilitator quality was related to program outcomes. Findings suggest the value of adopting an additive approach to program implementation, in which facilitation quality and skillsandsimilarity between participant and facilitator are considered.
Predicting Relationship Help Seeking Prior to a Marriage Checkup
Authors: Eubanks Fleming C. J. , Córdova James V.
Published: January 2012

Although the barriers to couples' help seeking can be daunting, to date there is only a small body of literature addressing the factors that motivate couples to seek help. This study examined the association between attitudes toward relationship help seeking and relationship help seeking behaviors, as well as the association between marital quality and help seeking. This study was completed in the context of the Marriage Checkup, a brief intervention designed to reduce the barriers to help seeking. Results indicated that help seeking attitudes and behaviors were not related in couples, and that wives' marital quality was negatively associated with both wives' and husbands' help seeking. Husbands' marital quality was not associated with husbands' help seeking. Overall, this suggests that the process of couples' help seeking is distinct from that of individuals and seems to be driven primarily by the female partner. Further implications for theory and treatment are discussed.
Numerical Investigation of the Impact of Ethanol on Flow in the Vadose Zone
Authors: Antonella Sciortino , Leij Feike J.
Published: January 2012

There is a need to elucidate the impact of ethanol on the subsurface environment because of the application of ethanol as automotive fuel. This study quantifies the effects of changes in surface tension, viscosity, and density induced by ethanol on the transmission and retention of water in the vadose zone. The HYDRUS‐1D model was modified to simulate two different scenarios of flow in a sandy loam involving ponding (constant head) or spillage with a subsequent rainfall event (constant flux). Solutions containing different amounts of the highly miscible ethanol (10, 50, and 100% by weight) as well as pristine water were considered. During ponding, ethanol reduced the amount of fluid entering the soil and slowed down the advancement of the wetting front. Viscosity effects were predominant for this scenario, reducing the average depth of the infiltrating liquid up to 44%. The total amount of pure ethanol that entered the soil was 11.38 vs. 17.64 cm for pure water. For the spillage scenario, the results suggest that density has little impact on the liquid movement. Surface tension effects are predominant in the upper portion of the soil. The changes in hydraulic conductivity due to ethanol‐induced modifications of solution viscosity are responsible for the slower advancement of the moisture front. The 10% ethanol solution moved 43.1% faster than pure ethanol during the first 2 d because of viscosity and surface tension effects.
Research in African zoos: stepping up to the plate?
Authors: Kotze A. , Morgan D.
Published: January 2012

Following a membership‐generated requirement, in 2009, the African Association of Zoos and Aquaria (PAAZAB) initiated a Research Committee to coordinate and guide research activities at African member zoos. The first step was to conduct a survey of research activities in PAAZAB member institutions. An analysis of such research activities is provided. While the total response was disappointingly low (20·8%), the survey was nonetheless able to demonstrate that respondent zoos in the region actively contribute to and participate in relevant research.
Gene cloning, bacterial expression, and purification of calreticulin from Anopheles stephensi (AsCRT)
Authors: BORHANI Nahid , HEIDARI Mansour , BASSERI Hamid R.
Published: January 2012

During the invasion of Plasmodium ookinetes to the mosquito midgut epithelium, several proteins or glycoproteins are involved. Recent study has shown that the calreticulin (CRT) of the midgut from Anopheles albimanus can bind to the protein receptor Pvs25 on surface of Plasmodium vivax ookinetes. Thus, in order to get more insight into the potential roles of Anopheles stephensi calreticulin (AsCRT) in the midgut, we amplified and cloned the full‐length of calreticulin coding sequence from Anopheles stephensi. The AsCRT consists of 1221 bp nucleic acids with one open reading frame (ORF) encoding 406 amino acids and an apparent molecular weight around 46 KDa. Subsequently, the recombinant calreticulin as Glutathione S‐transferase (GST) fusion in pGEX −6p‐1 expression vector (GST‐AsCRT) was produced in the prokaryotic system under optimum conditions. GST‐AsCRT fusion protein has a molecular weight around 73 KDa. The recombinant protein was detected by Western blotting using a rabbit anti‐GST polyclonal antibody. Here, we report via single protein purification procedure using MagneGST beads, 25 mg of the recombinant protein was obtained per liter of bacterial culture. This is the first report describing the heterologous expression of Anopheles stephensi calreticulin in the prokaryotic system. The production of this recombinant protein will now allow us to further investigate AsCRT molecular protein analyses, characterization of physiochemical properties, as well as interaction between calreticulin and plasmodium protein surface.
Paraventricular Nucleus Neuropeptide Expression in Huntington's Disease Patients
Authors: van Wamelen Daniel J. , Aziz N. Ahmad , Anink Jasper J. , Roos Raymund A. C. , Swaab Dick F.
Published: January 2012

Neuroendocrine, metabolic and autonomic nervous system dysfunctions are prevalent among patients with Huntington's disease (HD) and may underlie symptoms such as depression, weight loss and autonomic failure. Using post‐mortem paraffin‐embedded tissue, we assessed the integrity of the major neuropeptide populations in the paraventricular nucleus (PVN)—the hypothalamic neuroendocrine and autonomic integration center—in HD patients. The number corticotropin‐releasing hormone, cocaine‐ and amphetamine‐regulated transcript, arginine vasopressin and oxytocin immunoreactive (ir) neurons did not differ between HD patients and control subjects. However, the significant positive correlation between arginine vasopressin and oxytocin ir neurons in control subjects (P = 0.036) was absent in patients. Corticotropin‐releasing hormone mRNA levels were 68% higher in HD patients (P = 0.046). Thyrotropin‐releasing hormone mRNA levels did not differ between HD patients and control subjects, although a negative correlation with disease duration was present in the former (P = 0.036). These findings indicate that the PVN is largely unaffected in HD patients. However, our findings suggest that hypothalamic‐pituitary‐thyroid axis activity may alter during the course of the disease and that autonomic nervous system dysfunction might partly arise from an imbalance between arginine vasopressin and oxytocin neurons in the PVN.
Excitation Energy Transfer in Isolated Chlorosomes from Chlorobaculum tepidum and Prosthecochloris aestuarii
Authors: Martiskainen Jari , Linnanto Juha , Aumanen Viivi , Myllyperkiö Pasi , Korppi‐Tommola Jouko
Published: January 2012

Excitation energy transfer in chlorosomes from photosynthetic green sulfur bacteria, Chlorobaculum (Cba.) tepidum and Prosthecochloris (Pst.) aestuarii, have been studied at room temperature by time‐resolved femtosecond transient absorption spectroscopy. Bleach rise times from 117 to 270 fs resolved for both chlorosomes reflect extremely efficient intrachlorosomal energy transfer. Bleach relaxation times, from 1 to 3 ps and 25 to 35 ps, probed at 758 nm were tentatively assigned to intrachlorosomal energy transfer based on amplitude changes of the global fits and model calculations. The anisotropy decay constant of about 1 ps resolved at 807 nm probe wavelength for the chlorosomes from Chloroflexus aurantiacus, Pst. aestuarii and Cba. tepidum was related to energy transfer between bacteriochlorophyll a molecules of the baseplate and partly to intrachlorosomal energy transfer. The longer anisotropy components 6.6, 8.8 and 12.1 ps resolved for the three chlorosomes, respectively, were assigned to chlorosome to baseplate energy transfer. Global fits of magic‐angle data also revealed longer chlorosome to baseplate energy transfer components from 95 to 135 ps, in accord with results from simulations.
Removing external DNA contamination from arthropod predators destined for molecular gut‐content analysis
Authors: GREENSTONE MATTHEW H. , WEBER DONALD C. , COUDRON THOMAS A. , PAYTON MARK E. , HU JING S.
Published: January 2012

Ecological research requires large samples for statistical validity, typically hundreds or thousands of individuals, which are most efficiently gathered by mass‐collecting techniques. For the study of interspecific interactions, molecular gut‐content analysis enables detection of arthropod predation with minimal disruption of community interactions. Field experiments have demonstrated that standard mass‐collection methods, such as sweep netting, vacuum sampling and foliage beating, sometimes lead to contamination of predators with nontarget DNA, thereby compromising resultant gut‐content data. We deliberately contaminated immature Coleomegilla maculata and Podisus maculiventris that had been fed larvae of Leptinotarsa decemlineata by topically applying homogenate of the alternate prey Leptinotarsa juncta. We then attempted to remove contaminating DNA by washing in ethanol or bleach. A 40‐min wash with end‐over‐end rotation in 80% EtOH did not reliably reduce external DNA contamination. Identical treatment with 2.5% commercial bleach removed most externally contaminating DNA without affecting the detectability of the target prey DNA in the gut. Use of this bleaching protocol, perhaps with minor modifications tailored to different predator–prey systems, should reliably eliminate external DNA contamination, thereby alleviating concerns about this possible source of cross‐contamination for mass‐collected arthropod predators destined for molecular gut‐content analysis.
The association between polymorphisms in the DNA nucleotide excision repair genes and RRM1 gene and lung cancer risk
Authors: Li Xuefei , Zhang Jie , Su Chunxia , Zhao Xinping , Tang Liang , Zhou Caicun
Published: January 2012

Background  Although numerous studies have investigated the association between DNA repair gene variants and lung cancer risk, the results remain inconclusive and incomplete.

Methods  We examined variants in seven nucleotide excision repair (NER) and RRM1 genes in association with primary lung cancer risk among 385 patients with newly diagnosed primary non‐small cell lung cancer and 208 cancer‐free controls collected from 2007 to 2009 in east China. The relationship between single nucleotide polymorphisms and risk of lung cancer was assessed by logistic regression and stratification analysis.

Results  The rs17655GG (ERCC5) and rs5744751CT (POLE) were associated with increased risk of lung cancer (adjusted odds ratio [OR], 2.32, 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.41–3.83; adjusted OR, 2.84, 95% CI, 1.70–4.74]. In stratification analysis, we found the increased effect of rs17655GG on the risk of lung cancer was observed among female, older subjects, or non‐smokers. The heterozygote computed tomography (CT) of rs5744751 had a stronger unprotective effect on lung cancer among male, older subjects, or heavy smokers.

Conclusion  These results suggest that rs17655GG and rs5744751CT may be associated with lung cancer susceptibility in the Chinese population. However, these findings still need to be verified in larger confirmatory studies.
Validation of a portable hand‐held whole‐blood ketone meter for use in cats
Authors: Weingart Christiane , Lotz Fabian , Kohn Barbara
Published: January 2012

Background

Urinary dipsticks are the most frequent method used for screening of ketones in animals, but this method has many drawbacks. In human medicine, portable meters that measure ketones in whole blood have largely replaced urinary dipsticks.

Objective

The aim of this prospective study was to validate a portable whole‐blood ketone meter for use in cats.

Methods

Sixty‐two cats (11 clinically healthy, 51 with diabetes mellitus) were included in the study. The concentration of β‐hydroxybuyrate (β‐HB) was measured in venous and capillary blood with a hand‐held ketone meter (PrecisionXceed; assay range 0–8 mmol/L) and compared with a spectrophotometric method. Precision, accuracy, and the effects of hematocrit and anticoagulants were evaluated.

Results

Between‐run precision using low‐ and high‐concentration control solutions was 8.1% and 2.6%, respectively; within‐run coefficient of variation determined using 12 feline blood samples was 2.8%. In the 62 cats, β‐HBconcentrations measured with the portable ketone meter ranged from 0–7.4 mmol/L (median 0.9 mmol/L). When β‐HBconcentrations measured by the portable meter were < 4.0 mmol/L there was good agreement with the reference method, but concentrations > 4.0 mmol/L were lower than those obtained by the reference method in 20 of 24 cats (83%). There was good correlation between capillary and venous measurements. Results were not affected by hematocrits from 0.17 to 0.50 L/L, butEDTAwas not a suitable anticoagulant.

Conclusion

Measurement of β‐HBconcentration in peripheral or capillary blood by an easy‐to‐use portable ketone meter was suitable for detecting ketonemia in cats. Underestimation of β‐HBconcentration was observed at higher values, but results were sufficiently high to aid in diagnosing diabetic ketoacidosis.
A mechanism for the production of crater rays
Authors: SHUVALOV Valery
Published: January 2012

Abstract– A mechanism for the production of crater rays is proposed that is based on the interaction of impact‐induced shock waves with existing (old) craters. Numerical simulations are used to test this idea, and to study the influence of inherited craters’ size and location on the rays’ parameters. The results of the simulations show that crater rays (at least, some of them) could be produced through this mechanism.
Imaging diagnosis and clinical presentation of a Chiari malformation in a Thoroughbred foal
Authors: Lempe A. , Heine M. , Bosch B. , Mueller K. , Brehm W.
Published: January 2012

A newborn Thoroughbred foal was presented to the clinic with ambiguous neurological deficits, spinal anomalies and a soft tissue swelling dorsal to the lumbar vertebral column. The foal was alert but unable to rise and stand. With radiography, ultrasonography, computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) a lumbar dysraphic anomaly, cerebellar herniation and coincidental skeletal abnormalities were documented. Finally, a meningomyelocele was defined and, in context with the cerebellar herniation through theforamen magnum, the foal was diagnosed to have a Chiari malformation. The MRI examination corresponded best with thepost mortemfindings. Although 3‐dimensional imaging methods have been considered superior regarding full and detailed assessment of the congenital malformation, radiography and ultrasonography also provide essential information to diagnose dysraphic lesions at reduced costs and efforts. A Chiari malformation should be considered as a differential diagnosis in foals with neurological deficits.
Complications associated with transurethral endoscopic‐assisted electrohydraulic lithotripsy for treatment of a bladder calculus in a gelding
Authors: Reichelt U. , Lischer C.
Published: January 2012

A cystic calculus approximately 6 cm in diameter was diagnosed by ultrasonography and endoscopy in a 12‐year‐old Trakehner gelding with a history of haematuria and dysuria. Transurethral endoscopic lithotripsy with electrohydraulic shock waves was performed as a minimally invasive treatment option. Fragmentation of the calculus was achieved, the fragments of the calculus left in the bladder and excretion assisted by infusion of Ringer's solution. Twenty‐four hours after the third lithotripsy, the horse suffered a recurrence of dysuria and pollakiuria due to partial obstruction of the urethra by the calculus fragments. The treatment was repeated within the urethra until clearance of the fragments was achieved. The sharp fragments had produced a zone of urethral mucosal trauma, approximately 10 cm in length. At the follow‐up visit 4 weeks later, the patient had developed inflammation and swelling of the urethral mucosa, which was successfully treated with a 14 day course of anti‐inflammatory drugs. This resulted in normal urination. At the last follow‐up, the horse had been recurrence‐free for 12 months.