bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Phylogenetic relationships of flesh flies in the subfamily Sarcophaginae based on three mtDNA fragments (Diptera: Sarcophagidae)
Authors: STAMPER TREVOR , DAHLEM GREGORY A. , COOKMAN CLIFFORD , DEBRY RONALD W.
Published: August 2012

In an effort to improve our knowledge of the phylogenetic relationships among species and genera of the subfamily Sarcophaginae, we analysed data from three mitochondrial gene fragments. Sequence data for portions of the genes cytochrome oxidase I (COI), cytochrome oxidase II (COII) and dehydrogenase subunit 4 (ND4) were obtained from 43 species of Sarcophagidae representing 15 genera. We used a Bayesian approach to simultaneously choose how best to partition the data and which substitution model to apply to each partition. Phylogenetic relationships were inferred using Bayesian Inference and Maximum Likelihood methods. Our results are consistent with monophyly of the subfamily Sarcophaginae (posterior probability 1; bootstrap support 93%), as well as with monophyly of several genera within the Sarcophaginae (including Sarcophaga s.l.; posterior probability 1; bootstrap support 97%). We found support for a sister‐group relationship between Ravinia Robineau‐Desvoidy and Oxysarcodexia Townsend, which has been hypothesised by past authors on the basis of morphological similarities, although this was supported only in the Bayesian analyses (posterior probability 0. 81–0. 98), and for some novel supra‐generic clades. Contrary to a recent morphological hypothesis, we do not find Helicobia Coquillett to be nested within Sarcophaga Meigen; our data suggest, but do not strongly support, a hypothesis that Peckia Robineau‐Desvoidy is the sister group to Sarcophaga.
Inhibitory effects of SA4503 on the rewarding effects of abused drugs
Authors: Mori Tomohisa , Rahmadi Mahardian , Yoshizawa Kazumi , Itoh Toshimasa , Shibasaki Masahiro , Suzuki Tsutomu
Published: August 2012

Previous findings have shown that sigma‐1 receptors (Sig‐1Rs) are upregulated by the self‐administration of methamphetamine, whereas Sig‐1R antisense can attenuate the behavioral effects of psychostimulants in rodents. Sig‐1R is an endoplasmic reticulum chaperone protein. However, the effects of Sig‐1R agonist on the rewarding effects of abused drugs are not fully understood. Therefore, we examined the effects of selective Sig‐1R agonists, such as SA4503 and (+)‐pentazocine, on the rewarding effects of abused drugs such as methamphetamine, cocaine and morphine in rats, as measured by the conditioned place preference. Methamphetamine, cocaine and morphine induced a significant place preference. SA4503, but not (+)‐pentazocine, significantly attenuated the abused drug‐induced place preference. We recently showed that (+)‐pentazocine exerts U50,488H‐like discriminative stimulus effects, which are related to its psychotomimetic/aversive effects. However, SA4503 did not generalize to the discriminative stimulus effects of U50,488H. These results suggest that SA4503 inhibits the rewarding effects of abused drugs, and that psychotomimetic/aversive effects may not play a role in the attenuating effects of SA4503 on the rewarding effects of abused drugs.
Nitrogen partitioning in oak leaves depends on species, provenance, climate conditions and soil type
Authors: Hu B. , Simon J. , Kuster T. M. , Arend M. , Siegwolf R. , Rennenberg H.
Published: August 2012

Climate‐tolerant tree species and/or provenances have to be selected to ensure the high productivity of managed forests in Central Europe under the prognosticated climate changes. For this purpose, we studied the responses of saplings from three oak species (i.e. Quercus robur,Q. petraeaandQ. pubescens) and provenances of different climatic origin (i.e.low or high rainfall, low or high temperature habitats) with regard to leaf nitrogen (N) composition as a measure of N nutrition. Saplings were grown in model ecosystems on either calcareous or acidic soil and subjected to one of four treatments (control, drought, air warming or a combination of drought and air warming). Across species, oak N metabolism responded to the influence of drought and/or air warming with an increase in leaf amino acid N concentration at the expense of structural N. Moreover, provenances or species from drier habitats were more tolerant to the climate conditions applied, as indicated by an increase in amino acid N (comparing species) or soluble protein N (comparing provenances within a species). Furthermore, amino acid N concentrations of oak leaves were significantly higher on calcareous compared to acidic soil. From these results, it can be concluded that seeds from provenances or species originating from drier habitats and – if available – from calcareous soil types may provide a superior seed source for future forest establishment.
Residents' experiences of encounters with relatives and significant persons: A hermeneutic study
Authors: Westin Lars , Öhrn Ingbritt , Danielson Ella
Published: August 2012

The aim of this study was to explore and interpret the meaning of residents' experiences of encounters with their relatives and other significant persons in nursing homes. Twelve residents in three different nursing homes in a western Sweden municipality were interviewed. The method used was hermeneutical text analysis. Three themes emerged in the interpretation of the text: being pleased, being someone, and being inconvenient. These themes were also described through seven subthemes: to be happy to have someone, to make someone else happy, going back in life, to be together in a community, not being alone, to be disconnected, and to be a burden. The study concludes that it is important for nurses in nursing homes to develop a deeper insight into what various social contacts can mean for residents. To develop this knowledge, it is important that nurses in nursing homes can be educated, and supported by clinical supervision, in relation to residents' experiences of encounters with relatives and other significant persons.
Effects of exercise and tea catechins on muscle mass, strength and walking ability in community‐dwelling elderly Japanese sarcopenic women: A randomized controlled trial
Authors: Kim Hunkyung , Suzuki Takao , Saito Kyoko , Yoshida Hideyo , Kojima Narumi , Kim Miji , Sudo Motoki , Yamashiro Yukari , Tokimitsu Ichiro
Published: August 2012

Aim:  To investigate the effects of exercise and/or tea catechin supplementation on muscle mass, strength and walking ability in elderly Japanese women with sarcopenia.

Methods:  A total of 128 women aged over 75 years were defined as sarcopenic and randomly assigned into four groups: exercise and tea catechin supplementation (n = 32), exercise (n = 32), tea catechin supplementation (n = 32) or health education (n = 32). The exercise group attended a 60‐min comprehensive training program twice a week and the tea catechin supplementation group ingested 350 mL of a tea beverage fortified with catechin daily for 3 months. Body composition was determined by bioelectrical impedance analysis. Interview data and functional fitness measurements, such as muscle strength, balance and walking ability, were collected at baseline and after the 3‐month intervention.

Results:  There were significant group × time interactions observed in timed up & go (P < 0.001), usual walking speed (P = 0.007) and maximum walking speed (P < 0.001). The exercise + catechin group showed a significant effect (odds ratio 3.61, 95% confidence interval 1.05–13.66) for changes in the combined variables of leg muscle mass and usual walking speed compared with the health education group.

Conclusions:  The combination of exercise and tea catechin supplementation had a beneficial effect on physical function measured by walking ability and muscle mass. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2013; 13: 458–465.
Is the mealtime experience in nursing homes understood? A qualitative study
Authors: Palacios‐Ceña Domingo , Losa‐Iglesias Marta Elena , Cachón‐Pérez José Miguel , Gómez‐Pérez Daniel , Gómez‐Calero Cristina , Fernández‐de‐las‐Peñas César
Published: August 2012

Aim:  The aim of the present study was to explore the significance of the mealtime experience among residents of nursing homes in Spain.

Methods:  A qualitative phenomenological approach was followed. An initial purposeful sampling of Spanish residents in for‐profit nursing homes in the southern area of Madrid was carried out. A theoretical sampling was also implemented in order to gain a more in‐depth understanding of dependence. Inclusion criteria for nursing home residents were: age (60 years or older) and lack of any cognitive impairment. Data were collected using unstructured and semistructured interviews. Data collection was concluded once theoretical saturation was reached, and the data were analysed using the Giorgi proposal.

Results:  A total of 26 residents with a mean age of 83 years were included. Three main themes that describe the significance of meals in nursing homes emerged from the data: (i) timing of the meals – mealtimes serve as a point of reference for organizing activities in the nursing home and orient the residents during the day; (ii) table allocation – table allocation depends on the judgment of the personnel, the behavior of each resident and on the input from the residents that use a table; and (iii) the meals themselves – food is experienced as a privilege, as a sign of autonomy and normality, and as an indicator of personal identity.

Conclusion:  Understanding the social significance of meals for residents in nursing homes would provide deeper insight into resident expectations. This will in turn help to improve service and quality of life for residents. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2013; 13: 482–489.
General and oral health‐related quality of life among caregivers of Parkinson's disease patients
Authors: Barbosa Camila Siqueira , Marchini Adriana MPS , Marchini Leonardo
Published: August 2012

Aim:  The aim of the present study was to evaluate the general and oral health‐related quality of life among caregivers of patients with Parkinson's disease.

Methods:  A representative sample (n = 80, 19 men and 61 women) of caregivers from São José dos Campos, Brazil, answered Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP‐14) and Medical Outcomes Study 36‐Item Short Form (SF‐36) questionnaires, as well as another questionnaire regarding caregivers' characteristics and caring activities.

Results:  The OHIP‐14 average score was 2.56. The SF‐36 average score for the domain of physical function was 87.4; for role‐physical function, 85.0; for bodily pain, 62.9; for general health, 76.6; for vitality, 80.0; for social function, 88.4; for role‐emotional function, 83.8; and for mental health, 85.3. All domains of the SF‐36 also showed negative correlations with OHIP‐14 in the entire sample, but this correlation could not be observed among lower educated caregivers. There were significant differences between formal and informal caregivers for OHIP‐14 and for the majority of SF‐36 domains.

Conclusions:  Most caregivers were female, the mean scores for SF‐36 and OHIP‐14 were adequate, and formal caregivers had better results for the SF‐36 and OHIP‐14 when compared with informal caregivers. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2013; 13: 429–436.
Age‐related changes of dopamine, noradrenaline and adrenaline in adrenal glands of mice
Authors: Amano Akiko , Tsunoda Makoto , Aigaki Toshiro , Maruyama Naoki , Ishigami Akihito
Published: August 2012

Aim:  Catecholamines, which are physiologically important neurotransmitters and hormones, apparently decrease in the brain and plasma as some species age. Because this observation has engendered controversy, we used mice to investigate whether age‐related changes occur in adrenal catecholamine levels and in the expression of catecholamine synthetic enzymes.

Methods:  Adrenal glands were collected from male C57BL/6NCr mice at the ages of 6, 12 and 24 months. Catecholamines, such as dopamine (DA), noradrenaline (NA) and adrenaline (AD) from those glands, were measured by using a highly sensitive liquid chromatographic method with peroxyoxalate chemiluminescence reaction detection. Tyrosine hydroxylase (TH), dopa decarboxylase, dopamine beta hydroxylase (DBH) and phenylethanolamine N‐methyltransferase (PNMT) mRNA expression levels were measured by quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction.

Results:  Although DA levels in the adrenals of 24‐month‐old mice were higher than in 6‐ and 12‐month‐old mice, the AD content decreased with age. In such mice, the ratio of DA to NA at 24 months was lower than at 12 months, and the ratio of NA to AD content at 24 months was significantly lower than at 6 months. The mRNA expression ratios in TH, DBH and PNMT in 24‐month‐old mice were all lower than in 12‐month‐old mice.

Conclusions:  These results strongly suggest that catecholamine synthesis, in general, declines with aging in the adrenal glands of mice and that AD, in particular, undergoes a significant decrease with advancing age. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2013; 13: 490–496.
Localization of single‐cell current sources based on extracellular potential patterns: the spike CSD method
Authors: Somogyvári Zoltán , Cserpán Dorottya , Ulbert István , Érdi Péter
Published: August 2012

Traditional current source density (tCSD) calculation method calculates neural current source distribution of extracellular (EC) potential patterns, thus providing important neurophysiological information. While the tCSD method is based on physical principles, it adopts some assumptions, which can not hold for single‐cell activity. Consequently, tCSD method gives false results for single‐cell activity. A new, spike CSD (sCSD) method has been developed, specifically designed to reveal CSD distribution of single cells during action potential generation. This method is based on the inverse solution of the Poisson‐equation. The efficiency of the method is tested and demonstrated with simulations, and showed, that the sCSD method reconstructed the original CSD more precisely than the tCSD. The sCSD method is applied to EC spatial potential patterns of spikes, measured in cat primary auditory cortex with a 16‐channel chronically implanted linear probe in vivo. Using our method, the cell–electrode distances were estimated and the spatio‐temporal CSD distributions were reconstructed. The results suggested, that the new method is potentially useful in determining fine details of the spatio‐temporal dynamics of spikes.
Persistent decrease in multiple components of the perineuronal net following status epilepticus
Authors: McRae Paulette A. , Baranov Esther , Rogers Stephanie L. , Porter Brenda E.
Published: August 2012

In the rodent model of temporal lobe epilepsy, there is extensive synaptic reorganization within the hippocampus following a single prolonged seizure event, after which animals eventually develop epilepsy. The perineuronal net (PN), a component of the neural extracellular matrix (ECM), primarily surrounds inhibitory interneurons and, under normal conditions, restricts synaptic reorganization. The objective of the current study was to explore the effects of status epilepticus (SE) on PNs in the adult hippocampus. The aggrecan component of the PN was studied, acutely (48 h post‐SE), sub‐acutely (1 week post‐SE) and during the chronic period (2 months post‐SE). Aggrecan expressing PNs decreased by 1 week, likely contributing to a permissive environment for neuronal reorganization, and remained attenuated at 2 months. The SE‐exposed hippocampus showed many PNs with poor structural integrity, a condition rarely seen in controls. Additionally, the decrease in the aggrecan component of the PN was preceded by a decrease in hyaluronan and proteoglycan link protein 1 (HAPLN1) and hyaluronan synthase 3 (HAS3), which are components of the PN known to stabilize the connection between aggrecan and hyaluronan, a major constituent of the ECM. These results were replicated in vitro with the addition of excess KCl to hippocampal cultures. Enhanced neuronal activity caused a decrease in aggrecan, HAPLN1 and HAS3 around hippocampal cells in vivo and in vitro, leaving inhibitory interneurons susceptible to increased synaptic reorganization. These studies are the foundation for future experiments to explore how loss of the PN following SE contributes to the development of epilepsy.
The role of the dorsal thalamus in visual processing and object selection: a case of an attentional system in amphibians
Authors: Ruhl Tim , Dicke Ursula
Published: August 2012

In amphibians, the midbrain tectum is regarded as the visual centre for object recognition but the functional role of forebrain centres in visual information processing is less clear. In order to address this question, the dorsal thalamus was lesioned in the salamander Plethodon shermani, and the effects on orienting behaviour or on visual processing in the tectum were investigated. In a two‐alternative‐choice task, the average number of orienting responses toward one of two competing prey or simple configural stimuli was significantly decreased in lesioned animals compared to that of controls and sham‐lesioned animals. When stimuli were presented during recording from tectal neurons, the number of spikes on presentation of a stimulus in the excitatory receptive field and a second salient stimulus in the surround was significantly reduced in controls and sham‐lesioned salamanders compared to single presentation of the stimulus in the excitatory receptive field, while this inhibitory effect on the number of spikes of tectal neurons was absent in thalamus‐lesioned animals. In amphibians, the dorsal thalamus is part of the second visual pathway which extends from the tectum via the thalamus to the telencephalon. A feedback loop to the tectum is assumed to modulate visual processing in the tectum and to ensure orienting behaviour toward visual objects. It is concluded that the tectum–thalamus–telencephalon pathway contributes to the recognition and evaluation of objects and enables spatial attention in object selection. This attentional system in amphibians resembles that found in mammals and illustrates the essential role of attention for goal‐directed visuomotor action.
WHAT IT TAKES TO SOLVE THE U.S. GOVERNMENT DEFICIT PROBLEM
Authors: FAIR RAY C.
Published: August 2012

This paper uses a structural multi‐country macroeconometric model to estimate the size of the decrease in transfer payments (or tax expenditures) needed to stabilize the U.S. government debt/gross domestic product (GDP) ratio. It takes into account endogenous effects of changes in fiscal policy on the economy and in turn the effect of changes in the economy on the deficit. A base run is first obtained for the 2013:1–2022:4 period in which there are no major changes in U.S. fiscal policy. This results in an ever increasing debt/GDP ratio. Then transfer payments are decreased by an amount sufficient to stabilize the long‐run debt/GDP ratio. The results show that transfer payments need to be decreased by 2% of GDP from the base run, which over the 10 years is $3.2 trillion in 2005 dollars and $4.8 trillion in current dollars. The real output loss is 1.1% of baseline GDP. Monetary policy helps keep the loss down, but it is not powerful enough in the model to eliminate all of the loss. The estimates are robust to a base run with less inflation and to one with less expansion. (JEL E17)
Audit committee performance: ownership vs.independence – Did SOX get it wrong?
Authors: Bolton Brian
Published: August 2012

This study documents a positive relationship between audit committee stock ownership and firm performance in large US firms from 1998 to 2008. This study also finds a positive relationship between changes in ownership and performance. These results persist throughout the sample period, do not weaken after Sarbanes–Oxley and are robust to controlling for endogeneity between ownership and performance. After testing shows that there is no relationship between audit committee independence and firm performance, these findings suggest that audit committee stock ownership is an important corporate governance mechanism and potentially a more relevant variable than audit committee independence from a policy perspective.
The effects of analyst forecasts and earnings trends on perceptions of management forecast credibility
Authors: Gaynor Lisa M. , Kelton Andrea S.
Published: August 2012

We examine whether analyst forecasts influence investors’ perceptions of the credibility of a good news management earnings forecast. We hypothesize that the effect of analyst forecasts will depend on whether the analyst forecast confirms management’s forecast and the extent to which management’s forecast is consistent with the prior earnings trend. Findings indicate that the positive effect of a confirming analyst forecast is greater when the management forecast is trend inconsistent than when it is trend consistent. The negative effect of a disconfirming analyst forecast does not differ based on management forecast trend consistency.
Beyond the ticket and the brand: imagining an accounting research future
Authors: Parker Lee D.
Published: August 2012

This paper presents a reflective critique of the current university environment and the state of accounting research with a view to envisaging the latter’s forward trajectory, particularly in terms of emerging subject areas, theoretical perspectives and methodological traditions. It considers the contemporary fixation upon research performance indicators and warns of their associated impact on the role and orientation of academic researchers. The emergence of specialist interdisciplinary and qualitative research communities within the accounting discipline are presented as opportunities for the invigoration of the accounting project. Nonetheless, the pursuit of research esteem indicators is argued to risk disengaging researchers from policy and practice concerns. Future roles, responsibilities and intentions of scholars are visited in the light of these observations.
Helping the In‐Group Feels Better: Children’s Judgments and Emotion Attributions in Response to Prosocial Dilemmas
Authors: Weller Drika , Hansen Lagattuta Kristin
Published: August 2012

Five‐ to 13‐year‐old European American children (N = 76) predicted characters’ decisions, emotions, and obligations in prosocial moral dilemmas. Across age, children judged that characters would feel more positive emotions helping an unfamiliar child from the racial in‐group versus out‐group (African American), happier ignoring the needs of a child from the racial out‐group versus in‐group, and greater obligation to help a child from the racial in‐group versus out‐group. Situations varied by whether the race of the needy child matched versus mismatched that of the focal character. With increasing age, children attributed more positive emotions to people who sacrifice their own desires to help needy others as well as became more discriminating about the situations that call for altruistic action.
A Genome‐Wide Association Study of Autism Incorporating Autism Diagnostic Interview–Revised, Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule, and Social Responsiveness Scale
Authors: Connolly John J. , Glessner Joseph T. , Hakonarson Hakon
Published: August 2012

Efforts to understand the causes of autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) have been hampered by genetic complexity and heterogeneity among individuals. One strategy for reducing complexity is to target endophenotypes, simpler biologically based measures that may involve fewer genes and constitute a more homogenous sample. A genome‐wide association study of 2,165 participants (mean age = 8.95 years) examined associations between genomic loci and individual assessment items from the Autism Diagnostic Interview–Revised, Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule, and Social Responsiveness Scale. Significant associations with a number of loci were identified, includingKCND2(overly serious facial expressions),NOS2A(loss of motor skills), andNELL1(faints, fits, or blackouts). These findings may help prioritize directions for future genomic efforts.
On Sampling with Prescribed Second‐order Inclusion Probabilities
Authors: BONDESSON LENNART
Published: August 2012

Abstract. Methods to perform fixed size sampling with prescribed second‐order inclusion probabilities are presented. The focus is on a conditional Poisson design of order 2, a CP(2) design. It is an exponential design of quadratic type and it is carefully studied. In particular, methods to find the suitable values of the parameters and methods to sample are described. Small examples illustrate.
Reusing knowledge in embedded systems modelling
Authors: Marincic Jelena , Mader Angelika , Wieringa Roel , Lucas Yan
Published: August 2012

Model‐based design is a promising technique to improve the quality of software and the efficiency of the software development process. We are investigating how to efficiently model embedded software and its environment to verify the requirements for the system controlled by the software. The software environment consists of mechanical, electrical and other parts; modelling it involves learning how these parts work, deciding what is relevant to model and how to model it. It is not possible to fully automate these steps. There are general guidelines, but given that every modelling problem differs, much is left to the modeller's own preference, background and experience. Still, when the next generation of a system is designed, the new system will have common elements with its previous version. Therefore, lessons learned from the current model could inform future models. We propose a framework for identifying the non‐formal elements of knowledge, insights and a model itself, which can support modelling of the next system generation. We will present the application of our framework on an action research case – modelling mechanical parts of a paper‐inserting machine.
Fuzzy machine vision based clip detection
Authors: Mehran Pejman , Demirli Kudret , Surgenor Brian
Published: August 2012

This paper describes the use of an objective fuzzy approach for fast and accurate vision‐based inspection. An inspection problem faced by a Canadian automotive parts manufacturer is being used as a case study. The problem is related to a vision system that is being operated to confirm the placement of metal fastening clips on a structural member that supports a truck dash panel. The manufacturer was interested in identifying the presence or absence of metal clips inserted by a robot arm. It took the manufacturer over 8 months to tune its commercial machine vision system to detect missing clips and yet the accuracy and efficiency of the system are being questioned. Five different universities across Canada have been working in parallel on this problem over a time span of 2 years. To this end, we developed an efficient fuzzy model after trying various statistical approaches. The proposed model properly identifies all the images in a database containing 1910 images. The robustness of the fuzzy model is confirmed by its strong performance on the entire database.
Forecasting business failure using two‐stage ensemble of multivariate discriminant analysis and logistic regression
Authors: Li Hui , Sun Jie , Li Ji‐Cai , Yan Xiu‐Ying
Published: August 2012

A major drawback associated with the use of classical statistical methods for business failure prediction on top of financial distress is their lack of high accuracy rate. This work analyses the use of the two‐stage ensemble of multivariate discriminant analysis (MDA) and logit to improve predictive performance of classical statistical methods. All possible ratios are firstly built from the quantities involved and then the three common filters, that is stepwise MDA, stepwise logit, and t‐test, are used to choose another three convenient subsets of ratios. Four principal components spaces (PCSs) are, respectively, produced on the four different feature spaces by using principal components analysis. MDA and logit are used to produce predictions on the four PCSs. After that, two levels of ensemble are implemented: one based on predictions inside each of the same type of model (i.e. MDA or logit) and another based on the former two ensembles and one best model. Each of the eight models is weighted on the base of ranking order information of its predictive accuracy in ensemble by majority voting. MDA and logit and the new challenge model of support vector machine respectively in their best standalone modes are used for comparisons. Empirical results indicate that the two‐stage ensemble of MDA and logit compares favourably with the three comparative models and all its component models.
Has testing been normalized? An analysis of changes in barriers to HIV testing among men who have sex with men between 2000 and 2010 in Scotland, UK
Authors: Flowers P , Knussen C , Li J , McDaid L
Published: August 2012

Objectives

This paper examines changes in barriers to HIV testing amongst gay men. We compared data collected in 2000 and 2010 to assess changes in HIV testing behaviours, in community‐level perceptions of barriers to HIV testing, and in the relative contributions of barrier measures.

Methods

Cross‐sectional surveys were conducted within the commercial gay scene in Glasgow with good response rates (78% and 62%) using a form of time and location sampling.

Results

Major changes in HIV testing behaviours were observed between 2000 and 2010 (30.6% increase in testing within previous year). At the community level, the perceived benefits of testing [t (1284) = –8.46; P < 0.001] and the norm for HIV testing [t (1236) = –11.62; P < 0.001] increased; however, other perceived barriers did not change (fear of a positive result, clinic‐related barriers and attitudes to sex with HIV‐positive men). Multinomial logistic regression showed that fear of a positive test result remained a key barrier to HIV testing; however, a significant fear × year of survey interaction indicated that fear played a lesser role in differentiating those who had never been tested from those who had been tested in 2010 than it had in 2000.

Conclusions

These findings suggest the partial normalization of HIV testing. While some barriers have reduced, other key barriers remain important. Interventions should be designed and evaluated that attend to both the biomedical and the psychosocial aspects of HIV testing (e.g. the meaning of positive test results, the sexual exclusion of positive men, and HIV‐related stigma).
Abnormal cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) dynamics in Alzheimer's disease and normal pressure hydrocephalus: CSF‐amyloid β precursor protein metabolites as possible biomarkers
Authors: Lahiri D. K. , Ray B.
Published: August 2012

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Smoking and socio‐economic status may affect myasthenia gravis
Authors: Maniaol A. H. , Boldingh M. , Brunborg C. , Harbo H. F. , Tallaksen C. M. E.
Published: August 2012

Background and purpose

The influence of environmental factors in myasthenia gravis (MG) is unknown. The aim of this cross‐sectional population‐based study was to investigate if smoking and socio‐economic status (SES) were associated with MG in the Norwegian population.

Methods

Subjects were 491 MG patients identified in Norway at the time of the study (point prevalence 12.7/100 000). A questionnaire covering smoking habits and markers of SES (education and occupation) was mailed to all patients. Population data were obtained from Statistics Norway.

Results

A total of 375 (76.6%) patients completed the questionnaire (236 women, mean age 59 ± 18 years), of which 193 reported to be early onset MG (EOMG, onset ≤40 years, 155 women). Compared with the general population, current smoking was more prevalent amongst MG patients [risk ratio (RR) 1.5; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.1–1.9], most of whom had EOMG. Female MG patients had higher education compared with the general population (RR 4.5; 95% CI 3.2–6.2). Male MG patients were similar to the general population regarding both education and occupation, except for a subset of late onset MG who had shorter education (RR 1.9; 95% CI 1.1–3.2) and had worked in crafts and related trades. About half of working age MG patients received disability pension, a finding significantly related to low educational level and a more severe disease course (P < 0.001).

Conclusion

This is the first report indicating that smoking and SES may affect MG. Further studies investigating their role as potential risk factors are warranted.
Cognitive deficits after subcortical infarction are comparable with deficits after cortical infarction
Authors: Turunen K. E. A. , Kauranen T. V. , Laari S. P. K. , Mustanoja S. M. , Tatlisumak T. , Poutiainen E. T.
Published: August 2012

Background and purpose

Cerebral cortical infarctions are often considered to be associated with more severe cognitive deficits than subcortical infarctions, but the evidence is conflicting. We compared early and late cognitive deficits between cortical and subcortical lesions.

Methods

Consecutive patients with first‐ever cortical (n = 61) or subcortical (n = 71) cerebral infarctions were assessed neuropsychologically after a mean of 8 days and again at 6 months after infarction. Examinations included evaluation of verbal memory, executive functions, psychomotor speed and visuospatial function as well as orientation, insight and mood state. At 6 months, verbal and non‐verbal reasoning were also evaluated. Neurological examinations included National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale and Barthel Index at both time‐points and the modified Rankin Scale at 6 months.

Results

In the acute phase, memory (P = 0.007), especially delayed verbal recall (P = 0.005), was more severely affected in patients with subcortical infarctions than in those with cortical infarctions, and this trend persisted at 6 months post‐infarction. Psychomotor speed (P = 0.040) was lower in the subcortical group in the acute phase than in the cortical group. Neurological scores did not differ between the two groups either in the acute phase or at 6 months.

Conclusions

Patients with subcortical cerebral infarctions may have even worse cognitive profiles than patients with cortical infarctions.
Auswirkungen der Globalisierung auf die Struktur der Besteuerung
Authors: Becker Johannes , Elsayyad May , Fuest Clemens
Published: August 2012

This paper reviews theoretical predictions on the likely effect of globalization on tax revenues and tax structures in developed countries. The predictions are then confronted with data from OECD countries. The evidence suggests that, in contrast to wide-held views, globalization only marginally affects tax revenues and structures. Most importantly, while it is often assumed that globalization would undermine national governments’ ability to tax mobile businesses, corporate tax revenue has increased over time. Overall, the tax systems in developed countries are highly stable in terms of both revenues and tax structure.
Steuerpolitik nach der Krise: Welche Maßnahmen sind für die Unternehmensbesteuerung in Deutschland zu ergreifen?
Authors: Spengel Christoph , Zinn Benedikt
Published: August 2012

In this article we numerically explore the development of corporate tax burdens for the case of Germany during the time period between 1990 and 2010. We set up a model-firm approach, which allows us to account separately for many complicated tax provisions, such as earning stripping rules or loss-carryovers, in great detail and hence provide a comprehensive analysis of the tax systems in Germany, which extends the scope of existing literature. Furthermore, we present an analysis of the impact of the global economic and financial crisis on the effective tax burden of companies and evaluate the short-term measures introduced by the German government to support economic activity. Although the global economic crisis has posed hard new questions, it also offers an opportunity to accelerate structural tax reforms and restart the discussion on the design of corporate taxation in Germany beyond short-term policy responses. Therefore, we finally outline proposals to reform corporate taxation in Germany.
Besteuerung des Humanvermögens
Authors: Richter Wolfram F. , Wigger Berthold U.
Published: August 2012

The present article discusses the question of how to share the cost of higher education between the benefitting individual and the public optimally when labour income is taxed. Building on some previous work on the efficiency effects that income taxation has on human capital investment, the article demonstrates that in the presence of progressive income taxation a strong case can be made for the public to assume a fair share in the cost of higher education. The mix of private and public financing is shown to be efficient when the public share just neutralizes the negative effect that income taxation has upon the willingness to invest in higher education. The article then examines the efficient pattern of cost sharing in more detail. The article argues in favour of a two-part cost sharing scheme. The first part requires that the public subsidizes the cost of higher education to such an extent that the disincentive effect of progressive income taxation is neutralized. The second part requires that all remaining private expenditures are granted tax deduction against the income earned after studying. A particular virtue of the proposed two-part cost sharing scheme is that it gives individuals proper incentives to deploy effectively the stock of human capital acquired by studying.
Steuern, Wettbewerb und Wettbewerbsneutralität
Authors: Haucap Justus
Published: August 2012

The taxation of goods and services that are either non-tradable (such as local postal services) or only tradable to a limited extent is not subject to international tax competition. Hence, tax induced distortions of competition between different domestic firms can easily continue to exist even in an otherwise globalised economy. This article discusses two recent examples from Germany that illustrate the problem and demonstrate how consumption taxes can distort product market competition. First, the value-added tax privilege of Deutsche Post AG is discussed, and secondly, the air travel tax that has recently been introduced in Germany.
The intermediate‐term effects of PZP immunocontraception: behavioural monitoring of the treated elephant females and associated family groups
Authors: Druce H. C. , Mackey R. L. , Pretorius K. , Slotow R.
Published: August 2012

Rapidly increasing elephant populations are raising concerns, especially within enclosed conservation areas in southern Africa. Elephant immunocontraception is an effective management tool, enabling conservation managers to control elephant population growth rates, but the behavioural consequences of this intervention needs to be studied more intensively and over longer periods of time. This is especially important as the potential risk of disturbance, and the ethical concerns over the welfare of wildlife, can compromise the success of management interventions. We determined the influence of immunocontraception application on behaviour of family groups. The disruption effect of immunocontraception darting on the family groups within the population was minimal, with no significant changes found in the mobility of family groups. Analysis of family group fission and fusion indicated that family groups spent more time alone during the second year of contraception application; this could be a consequence of maturation of the relatively young population. There was no significant relationship between bulls' association with family groups and the number of oestrous females present in the group. With negligible short‐term effects on the behaviour of family groups, immunocontraception may be an effective, flexible management tool. Furthermore, this study showed that monitoring and assessment of behavioural assays during active adaptive management is important to determine conservation outcomes and to ensure future management success.
The relationship between large cavum septum pellucidum and antisocial behavior, callous‐unemotional traits and psychopathy in adolescents
Authors: White Stuart F. , Brislin Sarah , Sinclair Stephen , Fowler Katherine A. , Pope Kayla , Blair R. James R.
Published: August 2012

Background:  The presence of a large cavum septum pellucidum (CSP) has been previously associated with antisocial behavior/psychopathic traits in an adult community sample.

Aims:  The current study investigated the relationship between a large CSP and symptom severity in disruptive behavior disorders (DBD; conduct disorder and oppositional defiant disorder).

Method:  Structural MRI scans of youth with DBDs (N = 32) and healthy comparison youth (N = 27) were examined for the presence of a large CSP and if this was related to symptom severity.

Results:  Replicating previous results, a large CSP was associated with DBD diagnosis, proactive aggression, and level of psychopathic traits in youth. However, the presence of a large CSP was unrelated to aggression or psychopathic traits within the DBD sample.

Conclusions:  Early brain mal‐development may increase the risk of a DBD diagnosis, but does not mark a particularly severe form of DBD within patients receiving these diagnoses.
The persistence and stability of psychiatric problems in adolescents with autism spectrum disorders
Authors: Simonoff Emily , Jones Catherine R. G. , Baird Gillian , Pickles Andrew , Happé Francesca , Charman Tony
Published: August 2012

Background:  Psychiatric problems are common in autism spectrum disorders (ASDs), but the reasons are poorly understood. We use a longitudinal population‐representative cohort to examine for the first time the persistence of psychiatric problems and to identify risk factors for their occurrence and stability.

Methods:  Eighty‐one 16‐year olds (75 male, six female), initially seen at 12 years, were re‐assessed using the parent‐report Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ). Child, family and contextual characteristics from age 12 were tested as risk factors for psychopathology.

Results:  Prevalence rates varied depending on whether general population or ASD‐specific SDQ cut‐offs were used. While the former suggested a decrease in psychiatric problems over time, the ASD‐specific cut‐offs showed no significant differences. With the exception of ADHD, the ASD‐specific cut‐offs identified a smaller proportion of individuals as ‘affected’ than did the general population cut‐offs. There was longitudinal domain specificity, with parent correlations ranging from 0.50 to 0.58 and teacher SDQ reports at age 12 correlating 0.33–0.53 with parent reports at 16 years. In examining the role of risk factors, lower IQ and adaptive functioning predicted higher hyperactivity and total difficulties scores. Greater emotional problems at 16 were predicted by poorer maternal mental health, family‐based deprivation and lower social class. Improvement from 12 to 16 years in conduct problems was predicted by greater neighbourhood deprivation and special school attendance.

Conclusions:  This is the first longitudinal study of other psychiatric symptoms in ASD. Additional psychiatric problems in ASD are persistent and domain‐specific from childhood to adolescence. The finding that age‐related reduction in SDQ symptoms does not apply when ASD‐specific cut‐offs are used requires further evaluation using diagnostic measures. Only a few of the expected risk factor‐psychopathology predictions expected from general population studies were found, raising the possibility that the causes of psychopathology in ASD differ from those in the general population.
Motor coordination and executive functions
Authors: MICHEL EVA
Published: August 2012

This commentary is on the original article by Rigoli et al. on pages 1025‐1031 of this issue.
An evaluation of the use of Lexia Reading software with children in Year 3, Northern Ireland (6‐ to 7‐year olds)
Authors: McMurray Sharon
Published: August 2012

This paper evaluates the impact of Lexia Reading software on the progress of children experiencing reading difficulties in four Northern Ireland Schools. The program is designed to raise reading standards through a phonics‐based approach to learning to read. A key feature of the software is the use of an ‘assessment without testing’ tool, to accurately place children on the program and to adapt the program to meet the individual needs of each child.
Validation of the patients’ perceived involvement in care scale among patients with chronic pain
Authors: Jonsdottir Thorbjorg , Jonsdottir Helga , Gunnarsdottir Sigridur
Published: August 2012

Aim:  The aim of this study was to evaluate the psychometric properties of the Icelandic version of the Modified Patients’ Perceived Involvement in Care Scale (M‐PICS), I‐PICS, an instrument measuring patients’ perceptions of pain‐related communication with health care providers (HCP).

Methods:  The M‐PICS was translated into Icelandic according to standard procedures for forward and backward translation. The questionnaire consisted of 20 items measuring four constructs: (i) the degree to which the HCP was perceived as controlling the information‐exchange process; (ii) to what extent patients sought or shared information with their HCP; (iii) patients’ perceived encouragement to raise questions and discuss their symptoms with their health care provider and (iv) patients’ perceived participation in decision‐making during the health care visit. The response options for each item ranged from one to five on a 5‐point Likert scale, where higher scores indicated higher endorsement.

Results:  One hundred and forty‐nine participants with pain lasting longer than three months (77.2% women; mean age, 49.9 years) completed the questionnaire. To examine the construct validity of the I‐PICS, a confirmatory factor analysis was performed, specifying four factors in congruence with the theoretical underpinnings of the original modified scale (M‐PICS). Of the 20 items, 19 were retained, and the I‐PICS factor structure was for the most part identical to the M‐PICS, with the exception of three items that moved between factors and one item that did not fall decisively on one specific factor. Internal consistency (alpha) for the four factors ranged from 0.74 to 0.86 and was 0.86 for the total scale. The mean score on the total I‐PICS was 2.67 on a one to five scale, ranging from 1.21 to 4.28 (possible range, 1–5).

Conclusion:  This study supports the four‐factor structure of the M‐PICS and that the I‐PICS is a valid and reliable instrument for assessing patient–HCP communication.
The necessary distinction between methodology and philosophical assumptions in healthcare research
Authors: Mesel Terje
Published: August 2012

Methodological discussions within healthcare research have traditionally described a methodological dichotomy between qualitative and quantitative methods. The aim of this article is to demonstrate that such a dichotomy presents unnecessary obstacles for good research design and is methodologically and philosophically unsustainable. The issue of incommensurability is not a question of method but rather a question of the philosophical premises underpinning a given method. Thus, transparency on the philosophical level is important for validity and consistency as well as for attempts to integrate or establish an interface to other research. I argue that it is necessary to make a distinction between methodology and philosophical assumptions and to ensure consistency in these correlations. Furthermore, I argue that the question of incommensurability is best answered at this basic philosophical level. The complexity of health care calls for methodological pluralism and creativity that utilises the strength of both qualitative and quantitative approaches. Transparency and consistency on the philosophical level can facilitate new mixed methods research designs that may be promising methodological assets for healthcare research. I believe we are ill served by fortified positions that continue to uphold old battle lines. Empirical research begins in the field of practice and requires a certain amount of pragmatism. However, this pragmatism must be philosophically informed.