bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Seasonal cycles of species diversity and similarity in a tropical butterfly community
Authors: Grøtan Vidar , Lande Russell , Engen Steinar , Sæther Bernt‐Erik , DeVries Phil J.
Published: February 2012

1. Studies of seasonality in ecological diversity rarely extend over more than a few years, and few studies of seasonal diversity have explicitly investigated the influence of environmental factors on seasonal community composition, especially in tropical communities.

2. Our 10 years of monthly sampling in Amazonian Ecuador yielded 20 996 individuals of 137 fruit‐feeding butterfly species. Seasonal cycles of rainfall drive annual cycles in species diversity and community similarity. Undetermined processes operating most strongly during the dry season maintain species diversity and high community similarity across years.

3. Seasonal cycles in community diversity and similarity are superimposed on a gradual decline in similarity between community samples on a decadal time‐scale because of long‐term changes in species abundances.

4. Monitoring and analysis of changes in community composition over a range of time‐scales can be used to refine models of community dynamics by incorporating environmental factors necessary to predict the ecological impact of future climate change.
Urban–rural differences in the nature and prevalence of mental ill‐health in adults with intellectual disabilities
Authors: Kiani R. , Tyrer F. , Hodgson A. , Berkin N. , Bhaumik S.
Published: February 2012

Background  In the general population there are statistically significant urban–rural differences in the rate of common mental disorders. In people with intellectual disability (ID) no study has attempted to address this issue.

Aims  To compare the prevalence of mental illness, autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and behaviour disorder in people with ID living in urban areas with those living in rural areas.

Methods  Cross‐sectional study of 2713 individuals registered with an ID service. Participants were assigned to urban or rural groups using the Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs rural/urban local authority classification for their district. The main outcome variable was a clinical diagnosis of mental illness, ASD and behaviour disorder. Differences between diagnoses of mental illness in urban and rural areas were evaluated using the chi‐squared test for the difference in two independent proportions.

Results  No differences were observed between gender, age and level of ID of service users based on their place of residence. But more people from an ethnic minority background were living in urban areas than rural areas. No differences were observed in the overall prevalence of mental illness by place of residence. However, the results showed that ASD was more common in people living in rural areas.

Conclusions  We found these results surprising and at odds with the majority of studies carried out in the general population and propose several reasons for the differences found. We believe that the results and further studies in this area will help inform health service provision for those with ID who live in different geographical areas.
Service user involvement in pre‐registration mental health nurse education classroom settings: a review of the literature
Authors: TERRY J.
Published: February 2012

Accessible summary

Service user involvement is an important part of pre‐registration nursing programmes, as it can give students the opportunity to learn from users about their experiences of health and illness, but so far there have been limited studies in this area.

This literature review provides an opportunity to explore how service user involvement in classroom settings can impact on student learning, and describes methods of best practice.

Further research is needed to understand the influence of service user involvement on student nurses' clinical practice.

Service user involvement in pre‐registration nurse education is now a requirement, yet little is known about how students engage with users in the classroom, how such initiatives are being evaluated, how service users are prepared themselves to teach students, or the potential influence on clinical practice. The aim of this literature review was to bring together published articles on service user involvement in classroom settings in pre‐registration mental health nurse education programmes, including their evaluations. A comprehensive review of the literature was carried out via computer search engines and the Internet, as well as a hand search of pertinent journals and references. This produced eight papers that fitted the inclusion criteria, comprising four empirical studies and four review articles, which were then reviewed using a seven‐item checklist. The articles revealed a range of teaching and learning strategies had been employed, ranging from exposure to users' personal stories, to students being required to demonstrate awareness of user perspectives in case study presentations, with others involving eLearning and assessment skills initiatives. This review concludes that further longitudinal research is needed to establish the influence of user involvement in the classroom over time.
Factor analysis of the French version of the shorter 12‐item Perception of Aggression Scale (POAS) and of a new modified version of the Overt Aggression Scale (MOAS)
Authors: DE BENEDICTIS L. , DUMAIS A. , STAFFORD M.‐C. , CÔTÉ G. , LESAGE A.
Published: February 2012

Accessible summary

Staff attitudes to violence by psychiatric patients may have an impact on the therapeutic relationship.

The French versions of the Perception of Aggression Scale and of a new Modified version of the Overt Aggression Scale are two useful tools for evaluating the subjective experience of and attitudes towards inpatient violence.

Future study on the management of inpatient violence may use the French version of these scales to evaluate and monitor psychiatric staff attitudes towards violence and subjective experience of the frequency of inpatient violence.

Psychiatric staff perceptions of aggression by psychiatric patients may affect the therapeutic relationship between care providers and patients in institutions. Attitudes to and the subjective experience of violence may also differ substantially between members of a single care team. This study seeks to validate the French versions of scales of staff attitudes to and subjective experience of institutional violence: a new, modified version of the Overt Aggression Scale (MOAS) to measure the subjective perception of the frequency of aggression in the ward; and the Perception of Aggression Scale (POAS) to assess attitudes to the expression of violence by psychiatric patients. Frontline staff (n= 362) from eight French‐language psychiatric institutions in the province of Quebec were surveyed. Factor analyses were performed to determine the validity of the French‐language MOAS and POAS. As expected, a four‐factor structure emerged for the MOAS. For the 12‐item POAS, a three‐factor structure was found: (1) ‘Aggression as a dysfunctional/undesirable phenomenon’; (2) ‘Aggression as a positive expression’; and (3) ‘Aggression as a protective measure’. This study supports use of the French MOAS and POAS in assessing staff attitudes to and subjective experience of aggression in future projects to explore the perception and management of inpatient violence.
Life style in persons with functional gastrointestinal disorders – large‐scale internet survey of lifestyle in Japan
Authors: Miwa H.
Published: February 2012

Background  Care of patients with functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGIDs) commonly includes offering guidance on diet, exercise, and other lifestyle factors, but there is little information available on the actual lifestyles of FGID sufferers.

Methods  An internet questionnaire survey of 15 000 adult members of the general public in Japan who were screened for functional dyspepsia (FD) and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) using the Rome III adult FGID questionnaire was conducted.

Key Results  The prevalence of FD and IBS was 6.5% and 14.0%, respectively, and 3.0% of the subjects met the criteria for both FD and IBS. The prevalence of both FD and IBS was higher in women than in men. The lifestyles of 2 547 subjects who met the Rome III criteria for FD, IBS, or both were compared with the lifestyles of 1 000 control subjects who did not meet the criteria for FD or the criteria for IBS. Compared to the control subjects, a significantly lower percentage of subjects with FD, IBS, or both exercised frequently, and a significantly higher percentage thought that their sleep was insufficient, ate meals irregularly, did not have an appetite, did not like meat, thought that their vegetable consumption was insufficient, felt stress in their daily lives, and regarded themselves as being highly susceptible to stress.

Conclusions & Inferences  Persons with FGIDs are affected by impairment of sleep, eating habits, diet, exercise and other lifestyle factors, and feel excessive stress. This suggests that offering lifestyle guidance to FGID patients may be useful.
Evolution of an organic‐rich lake basin – stratigraphy, climate and tectonics: Piceance Creek basin, Eocene Green River Formation
Authors: TÄNAVSUU‐MILKEVICIENE KATI , FREDERICK SARG J.
Published: February 2012

The Piceance Creek basin formed as a continental foreland basin ca 53 to 48 Ma in the early to middle Eocene. On a global basis, the basin contains one of the richest oil shale resources known, where the profundal oil shale deposits, kerogen‐rich mudstones (clay and carbonate), exist over most of the basin. Despite its economic importance, the evolution of the Piceance Creek basin is still somewhat unclear. Based on facies association analysis, depositional trends, and gamma ray and Fischer assay data, six evolutionary lake stages are recognized: (i) fresh lake; (ii) transitional lake; (iii) highly fluctuating lake; (iv) rising lake; (v) high lake; and (vi) closing lake. Lake stages are composed of depositional units and characterize large‐scale changes in sedimentological patterns, depositional trends and fluctuations in the oil shale richness related to changes in climate and tectonics. Lake stage evolution is also consistent with the global Eocene climate trend. Stage 1 formed prior to the Eocene climate optimum. At the beginning of the Eocene climate optimum, a saline‐restricted lake formed (Stage 2) and evolved into the highly fluctuating lake (Stage 3) indicating rapid climate changes during the peak of the Eocene climate optimum. This stage was followed by the rising and high lakes (Stages 4 and 5) after the climate optimum and during a change to a more humid climate. The closing of the lake (Stage 6) was caused by increased sand input from the north, indicating the influence of both tectonics and climate. Based on depositional trends and climate evolution, it is suggested that, during the arid climate, laterally heterogeneous highly cyclic depositional units dominate, whereas, during the humid climate, depositional units form laterally continuous sediments that can be traced over long distances.
Strategies for the management of intermittent allergic rhinitis: an Australian study
Authors: Smith Lorraine , Brown Lin , Saini Bandana , Seeto Celina
Published: February 2012

Objective  Allergic rhinitis is increasing globally despite treatment focussed on pharmacotherapy. This study aimed to (i) examine the range and proportion of symptoms and triggers experienced by patients with intermittent allergic rhinitis (IAR); (ii) conduct a qualitative analysis of strategies devised to control symptoms and triggers; and (iii) measure medication adherence.

Methods  A qualitative and observational study of data drawn from a randomized controlled trial on patients with IAR. Strategies collaboratively devised by participants and pharmacist staff to minimize symptoms and triggers were analysed thematically. In the 10‐day observational study, the participants recorded all symptoms and triggers of IAR along with use of medications and these were analysed descriptively.

Results  Number of 124 participants recorded 620 symptoms and identified 357 triggers of IAR. To minimize these, 579 strategies were devised in consultation with pharmacy staff. The frequency and type of strategy varied according to whether the goals were aimed at controlling symptoms or triggers. Adherence to a course of antihistamines over the 10‐day trial was self‐reported by participants with 36% indicating full adherence.

Conclusion  A large number and range of symptoms and triggers were identified, and individualized strategies were devised to minimize symptoms and triggers. Medication adherence was poor.

Practice implications  Patients with IAR can be assisted to identify their symptoms and triggers and develop relevant strategies to manage these. This approach has the potential to facilitate patient self‐management of a chronic and incapacitating condition.
Segmental regeneration in right‐lobe liver grafts in adult living donor liver transplant
Authors: Chen Hsiu‐Ling , Tsang Leo Leung‐Chit , Concejero Allan M. , Huang Tung‐Liang , Chen Tai‐Yi , Ou Hsin‐You , Yu Chun‐Yen , Chen Chao‐Long , Cheng Yu‐Fan
Published: February 2012

Chen H‐L, Tsang LL‐C, Concejero AM, Huang T‐L, Chen T‐Y, Ou H‐Y, Yu C‐Y, Chen C‐L, Cheng Y‐F. Segmental regeneration in right‐lobe liver grafts in adult living donor liver transplant.

Abstract:  Our aim is to evaluate the relationship and impact of right‐lobe (RL) liver grafts procured with or without the middle hepatic vein (MHV) trunk and MHV tributary reconstruction on segmental regeneration of these grafts in adult living donor liver transplantation (ALDLT). Patients underwent primary ALDLT using a RL liver graft were divided into three groups according to graft type: with MHV tributary reconstruction (group I), without MHV tributary reconstruction (group II), and with inclusion of the MHV trunk (group III). The overall graft volume and the volumes of the anterior and posterior segments of the grafts six months post‐transplant, evaluated using computed tomography, were calculated as the regeneration indices. Optimal regeneration of the RL liver graft was achieved in the three groups of patients. There was no significant difference in the regeneration indices between groups I (149.4%) and III (143.6%). However, in group II (112.4%) without MHV or tributary reconstruction, the anterior regenerative index was lower than the other two groups and exhibited transient prolonged hyperbilirubinemia. Segmental graft regeneration is maximized by adequate venous drainage. Inclusion of the MHV trunk or MHV tributary reconstruction influences segmental liver regeneration and preclude transient hyperbilirubinemia in the early post‐liver transplant phase.
Alder rust, Melampsoridium hiratsukanum Ito, identified from Wales, UK and British Columbia, Canada
Authors: Hantula J. , Nigel Stringer R. , Lilja A. , Kurkela T.
Published: February 2012

An epidemic rust, Melampsoridium hiratsukanum, originating from East Asia has spread to Europe over the last two decades. We report the first observation of this rust in the British Isles on leaves of Alnus incana and A. glutinosa. In addition to M. hiratsukanum, a native M. betulinum–like rust co‐occurred on the same leaves as a mixed infection. We also confirm that a rust on A. rubra in Western Canada is identical to M. hiratsukanum present in East Asia and Europe.
The prevalence and predictors of airway hyperresponsiveness in sarcoidosis
Authors: YOUNG LISA M. , GOOD NICHOLA , MILNE DAVID , ZENG IRENE , KOLBE JOHN , WILSHER MARGARET L.
Published: February 2012

Background and objective:  Obstructive airflow limitation is the most common physiological impairment in sarcoidosis. This study determined the prevalence of airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR) in sarcoidosis, the correlation between responses to direct (using histamine) and indirect (using hypertonic saline) bronchial challenge, and the clinical, physiological and radiological predictors of AHR.

Methods:  Subjects with sarcoidosis and a baseline forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) >35% predicted underwent hypertonic and histamine challenge, lung function testing and high resolution computed tomography (HRCT) of the chest. AHR was defined as a 15% fall in FEV1 to hypertonic saline and a 20% fall in FEV1 to histamine.

Results:  The 52 subjects had well‐preserved lung function (FEV1 = 2.8 ± 0.7 L, 87% predicted). AHR was detected in 5/47 (11%) to hypertonic saline and 19/43 (44%) to histamine challenge. On univariate analysis, response to histamine challenge was predicted by conglomerate fibrosis (P = 0.02) and reticular pattern (P = 0.03) on HRCT. The baseline % predicted forced expiratory volume in 1 s was significantly inversely associated with AHR on univariate (P = 0.004) and multivariate analysis (P = 0.01) when adjusted by HRCT patterns.

Conclusions:  The higher prevalence of AHR using histamine challenge than hypertonic saline challenge and the association with baseline % predicted FEV1 suggest that the AHR in sarcoidosis may reflect the consequences of airway remodelling following inflammation.
Neonatal administration with dexmedetomidine does not impair the rat hippocampal synaptic plasticity later in adulthood
Authors: Tachibana Kaori , Hashimoto Toshikazu , Kato Rui , Uchida Yosuke , Ito Ryoko , Takita Koichi , Morimoto Yuji
Published: February 2012

Background and objective:  The use of dexmedetomidine (DEX), a selective alpha‐2 agonist, in pediatric practice is expanding as a result of its desirable properties. To clarify the long‐term neurological consequences of neonatal administration of DEX, we investigated the long‐term effects of neonatal administration of DEX on hippocampal synaptic activity.

Methods:  The rat pups received a bolus intraperitoneal injection of either 5 or 10 μg·kg−1 DEX, or an equivalent volume of vehicle on postnatal day 7 (P7). Nine weeks after administration, evoked potentials (population spike, PS) and long‐term potentiation (LTP) in the hippocampal CA1 region of rats were studied in vivo.

Results:  Dexmedetomidine had a considerable sedative effect at these doses with little respiratory depression on P7. Nine weeks after administration of DEX, the amplitude of PS in the two treated groups was similar to that in the control group. DEX‐treated rats showed no impairment in the induction of LTP. Furthermore, the response in PS to the paired stimuli was not impaired by neonatal administration of DEX.

Conclusion:  These findings demonstrate that a single administration of DEX to rats on P7 preserves hippocampal synaptic plasticity as well as synaptic transmission later in life. In view of the some evidence that have demonstrated the permanent detrimental impact of commonly used anesthetics on neurological outcomes after neonatal exposure, our findings may suggest the relative safety of DEX administered as a sedative agent to neonatal animals with regard to the development of hippocampal synaptic functions.
The life history of a gall‐inducing mite: summer phenology, predation and influence of gall morphology in a sugar maple canopy
Authors: Patankar Rajit , Beaulieu Frédéric , Smith Sandy M. , Thomas Sean C.
Published: February 2012

Eriophyoid mites are among the most ubiquitous gall‐inducing arthropods, and are adapted species‐specifically to a broad diversity of plants, although their life histories remain poorly studied outside agricultural systems.

We examined the seasonal phenology of a leaf‐galling eriophyid mite, the maple spindle gall mite Vasates aceriscrumena (MSGM), in naturally occurring stands of sugar maple Acer saccharum in south‐central Ontario in 2007 and 2008.

Galls were first induced in spring (mid‐May) and were devoid of mites by late August. In the study region, MSGM appears to have at least two generations, with overwintering, deutogyne females that initiate galls in spring (mid‐May) after leaf flush, giving rise to a generation of protogyne (primary) females and a few morphologically similar males (<1 for every 10 females) and, subsequently, to a new generation of deutogyne females in mid‐July to early August. In July, some galls can be highly crowded, with 50–200 individuals per gall.

In addition, a tarsonemid mite, Tarsonemus acerbilis, was found in approximately 40% of MSGM galls examined. As much as 95.4% of galls in 2007 and 97.4% in 2008 that contained tarsonemid larvae did not contain MSGM eggs (by contrast, only 2.3% of tarsonemid‐free galls contained no MSGM eggs), suggesting that these juveniles feed, at least opportunistically, on MSGM eggs.

Gall ostiole morphology appeared to influence both MSGM and Tarsonemus densities within galls, with ‘open’ ostioles (versus ‘closed’) being much more susceptible to invasion by the tarsonemid. The latter is likely to be an important regulator of MSGM populations. We hypothesize that the two ostiole types are the result of selection pressures on the gall inducer, favouring closed gall entrances for increased protection, and possibly also on the host tree, favouring open galls to increase predator access.
‘There will be burning and a‐looting tonight’: The Social and Political Correlates of Law‐breaking
Authors: BIRCH SARAH , ALLEN NICHOLAS
Published: February 2012

In the aftermath of the August 2011 riots, politicians and commentators offered a range of explanations for the social unrest and wanton violence. Drawing on survey and focus‐group data, this paper investigates those explanations by analysing how socio‐economic, normative and political factors shape contemporary attitudes towards law breaking in Britain. The paper finds that both economic deprivation and personal moral values help to explain attitudes toward illegal behaviour, but citizens’ mistrust of political leaders and their disengagement from public affairs are also an important factor. The findings suggest that politicians who want to provide moral leadership need to do so through their actions as well as their words.
‘Which model?’ is the wrong question
Authors: Longford Nicholas T.
Published: February 2012

A perspective is presented in which the search for a suitable model on which to base inferential statements related to the analysed dataset is not useful and leads, with the established practice, to invalid statements. Composition is proposed as an alternative, in which the candidate estimators are (linearly) combined. Three generic examples are discussed: the analysis of variance in which model selection is a direct cause of inefficiency, clinical trials (experiments) in which model selection is not practiced and small‐area estimation in which one aspect of model selection has been dismissed decisively a long time ago, and there are more effective criteria for the other aspects of the problem.
A Behavioral Model of Unemployment, Sociotropic Concerns, and the Political Economy of Trade Policy
Authors: Davidson Carl , Matusz Steven J. , Nelson Douglas
Published: February 2012

We present a behavioral model in which agents are concerned about the scarring effects from unemployment for themselves and others and explore the manner in which unemployment matters for trade policy. We derive three policy implications: the government has an incentive to increase employment in sectors characterized by “good jobs,” where the good job/bad job characterization depends on an industry's job creation and destruction rates; the government has an incentive to pursue this policy in a gradual fashion by channeling new and unemployed workers into the appropriate sector; and opposition to trade liberalization can be reduced by welfare state policies.
The moderating role of self‐efficacy in the organizational culture–training transfer relationship
Authors: Simosi Maria
Published: February 2012

This paper aims to examine the combined effects of self‐efficacy and organizational culture on employees' transfer of knowledge/skills acquired through training. The questionnaires were distributed to 252 newly hired employees working in a service organization in Greece. Each of the independent variables examined added incrementally to the prediction of training transfer. Moreover, self‐efficacy was found to act as a moderator in the organizational culture–training transfer relationship. High self‐efficacy was found to strengthen both achievement culture–training transfer as well as humanistic culture‐training transfer relationships, whereas low self‐efficacy weakened these relationships. The study has practical implications by providing insights into ways of engaging employees in transferring the skills acquired during training. This investigation extends previous research by demonstrating that self‐efficacy acts as an accentuating factor in the relationship between organizational culture orientations and new hires' transfer of training.
Credit Rating Migration Risk and Business Cycles
Authors: Fei Fei , Fuertes Ana‐Maria , Kalotychou Elena
Published: February 2012

Abstract:  Basel III seeks to improve the financial sector’s resilience to stress scenarios which calls for a reassessment of banks’ credit risk models and, particularly, of their dependence on business cycles. This paper advocates a Mixture of Markov Chains (MMC) model to account for stochastic business cycle effects in credit rating migration risk. The MMC approach is more efficient and provides superior out‐of‐sample credit rating migration risk predictions at long horizons than a naïve approach that conditions deterministically on the business cycle phase. Banks using the MMC estimator would counter‐cyclically increase capital by 6% during economic expansion and free up to 17% capital for lending during downturns relative to the naïve estimator. Thus, the MMC estimator is well aligned with the Basel III macroprudential initiative to dampen procyclicality by reducing the recession‐versus‐expansion gap in capital buffers.
Milk fat globule membrane – a source of polar lipids for colon health? A review
Authors: KUCHTA ANNA M , KELLY PHILIP M , STANTON CATHERINE , DEVERY ROSALEEN A
Published: February 2012

The milk fat globule membrane (MFGM) surrounds fat globules, protects them against lipolysis and disperses the milk fat in the milk plasma. Besides their structural and emulsifying roles, in vivo and in vitro studies have demonstrated that phospholipids and sphingolipids of MFGM possess cancer risk‐reducing properties. Several reports attribute its chemopreventive activity to products of sphingomyelin hydrolysis, which affect multiple cellular targets that control cell growth, differentiation and apoptosis. With knowledge on the potential health benefits of MFGM lipids and proteins, dairy industries could in the future address their research in developing new functional dairy products enriched in beneficial MFGM components.
SELECTION AND HEATING OF COLOURING MATERIALS IN THE MOUSTERIAN LEVEL OF ES‐SKHUL (c. 100 000 YEARS BP, MOUNT CARMEL, ISRAEL)
Authors: SALOMON H. , VIGNAUD C. , COQUINOT Y. , BECK L. , STRINGER C. , STRIVAY D. , D'ERRICO F.
Published: February 2012

The transformation of yellow goethite into red hematite by heating has long been assumed for Palaeolithic red artefacts excavated close to fireplaces. However, this transformation is extremely rare. Using SEM–FEG–EDX, PIXE–PIGE, TEM and μXRD, we characterized the mineralogical and chemical compositions of four microsamples of colouring materials from the Mousterian layer B in the es‐Skhul rock‐shelter, from about 100 kya ago. For some colouring materials, the Mousterian people of es‐Skhul chose to gather remote yellow lumps for heating. Their significant transport distance provides evidence of the possible high cultural value of these colouring materials for transformation into red pigments.
Early growth response‐1 transcription factor promotes hepatic fibrosis and steatosis in long‐term ethanol‐fed Long‐Evans rats
Authors: Derdak Zoltan , Villegas Kristine A. , Wands Jack R.
Published: February 2012

Background

Previous studies demonstrated that the Long‐Evans (LE) rats exhibited liver injury and lipid metabolic abnormalities after 8 weeks of ethanol feeding.

Aims

The goal of this study was to investigate if the LE rats develop more advanced hepatic abnormalities (e.g., fibrosis) after long‐term feeding with an ethanol‐containing Lieber–DeCarli diet. In addition, the contribution of early growth response‐1 (EGR1) transcription factor to these pathological changes was assessed.

Methods

Long‐Evans rats were fed an ethanol‐containing or isocaloric control liquid diet for 18 months. Livers were processed for histological analyses, studies of fibrosis‐related gene expression, cell fractionation and triglyceride measurement. Serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels were assessed. DNA binding activities of p53 and the sterol regulatory element‐binding protein‐1c (SREBP1c) were analysed. The abundance of EGR1 and enzymes involved in fatty acid synthesis were determined. Chromatin immunoprecipitation was employed to study EGR1 binding to the SREBP1c promoter region.

Results

Ethanol feeding generated steatosis, chicken wire fibrosis and ALT elevations in the LE rats. Fibrosis was associated with the upregulation of EGR1 and its downstream target genes. EGR1 upregulation was associated with enhanced p53 activity and an increase in the cellular p66shc abundance. Steatosis was linked to the activation of SREBP1c. Importantly, EGR1 upregulation paralleled the expression and transcriptional activity of SREBP1c. Finally, EGR1 was shown to bind to the SREBP1c promoter region.

Conclusions

Long‐term ethanol feeding promoted steatosis and fibrosis in LE rats via EGR1 activation. The highly abundant EGR1 bound to the SREBP1c promoter and contributed to the steatosis observed in the LE rat model.
Internal jugular vein thrombosis following ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome
Authors: FLEMING Tina , SACKS Gavin , NASSER Justin
Published: February 2012

Two cases of women who developed internal jugular vein (IJV) thrombosis associated with ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) are reported in this article. There are 27 cases of IJV thrombosis associated with in vitro fertilisation (IVF) reported in the literature, and in 78% of cases, this outcome was following OHSS. The hypercoagulable state of OHSS increases the risk of venous thromboembolism, and the IJV appears to have a preponderance in uncommon‐site thrombosis.
Estimated prevalence of dengue viremia in Puerto Rican blood donations, 1995 through 2010
Authors: Petersen Lyle R. , Tomashek Kay M. , Biggerstaff Brad J.
Published: February 2012

BACKGROUND: Dengue virus (DENV) nucleic acid amplification testing of blood donations during epidemics in endemic locations, including Puerto Rico, has suggested possible sizable transfusion transmission risk. Estimates of the long‐term prevalence of DENV viremic donations will help evaluate the potential magnitude of this risk in Puerto Rico.

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: Estimates of the prevalence of DENV viremia in the Puerto Rican population at large from 1995 through 2010 were derived from dengue case reports and their onset dates obtained from islandwide surveillance, estimates of case underreporting, and extant data on the duration of DENV viremia and the unapparent‐to‐apparent dengue infection ratio. Under the assumptions that viremia prevalence in blood donors was similar to that of the population at large and that symptomatic persons do not donate, statistical resampling methods were used to estimate the prevalence of dengue viremia in blood donations.

RESULTS: Over the 16‐year period, the maximum and mean daily prevalences of dengue viremia (per 10,000) in blood donations in Puerto Rico were estimated at 45.0 (95% confidence interval [CI], 36.5‐55.4) and 7.0 (95% CI, 3.9‐10.1), respectively. Prevalence varied considerably by season and year.

CONCLUSION: These data suggest a substantial prevalence of DENV viremia in Puerto Rican blood donations, particularly during outbreaks.
The Impact of Intra‐Aortic Balloon Pump Weaning Protocols on In‐Hospital Clinical Outcomes
Authors: MANOHAR VINAYAK A. , LEVIN ROBERT N. , KARADOLIAN SEVAN S. , USMANI AIMEN , TIMMIS RYAN M. , DERY MEGAN E. , DIXON SIMON R.
Published: February 2012

Background:

Current literature recommends weaning intra‐aortic balloon pump (IABP) support prior to discontinuation. To date, no studies have compared various weaning strategies for safety or efficacy. This study was designed to evaluate the impact of weaning on in‐hospital clinical outcomes.

Methods:

From 5/1/07 through 5/1/09 429 patients receiving IABP therapy were retrospectively identified using CPT1 billing codes. The study population and clinical outcomes analysis were stratified by use of weaning protocols versus immediate discontinuation of the IABP. In a subset analysis the patients receiving weaning protocols prior to IABP discontinuation were stratified for further analysis of clinical outcomes by whether they had received 1:3 ratio counterpulsation during their wean or whether they only received 1:2 counterpulsation prior to IABP discontinuation. These groups were analyzed for differences in primary and secondary end‐points.

Results:

Of the 429 patients identified, 344 (80.2%) were weaned prior to IABP discontinuation and 85 (19.8%) of the patients had their IABP abruptly discontinued. Patients not weaned had a lower heart rate after IABP discontinuation than those weaned, but no difference in systolic and mean blood pressure or urine output. There was no significant difference in mortality. Weaning was associated with a nonsignificant trend toward increased length of stay.

Conclusions:

This study suggests that weaning protocols offer no hemodynamic benefits or improvement in in‐hospital mortality rates. Weaning is associated with trend toward increased length of stay. We conclude that weaning offers no advantage over direct device removal and would advocate that balloon pumps be directly withdrawn when counterpulsation is terminated. (J Interven Cardiol 2012;25:140–146)
Social Identification and Sense of Community Among Members of a Cooperative Company: The Role of Perceived Organizational Values1
Authors: CICOGNANI ELVIRA , PALESTINI LUIGI , ALBANESI CINZIA , ZANI BRUNA
Published: February 2012

The aim of this study was to investigate, among members of a large cooperative company, the role of worker status (partner vs. employee), length of service, and cooperative values in influencing organizational identification (OI) and organizational sense of community (OSC). The study involved the totality of members of the cooperative (N = 805; 67.7% partners, 32.3% employees), who completed a self‐administered questionnaire, measuring perceived cooperative values, OI, OSC, and, among partners, identification as a partner. The results indicate that partners, more than employees, perceived the cooperative as living up to its core values and scored higher on OI and OSC. The impact of worker status on OI and OSC was mediated by perceived cooperative values.
Educational needs in the field of detection of domestic violence and neglect: the opinion of a population of French dentists
Authors: Drigeard C. , Nicolas E. , Hansjacob A. , Roger‐Leroi V.
Published: February 2012

Objectives:  The attitude of French dentists concerning domestic abuse has hardly ever been documented upon so far. The purpose of this study is to investigate the attitudes, knowledge and practices of a population of French general dental practitioners towards the prevention and detection of signs of neglect and abuse in order to determine the educational needs both during undergraduate curriculum and continuing education sessions.

Methods:  A total of 418 general dental practitioners all practising in the French area of Puy de Dôme were invited to participate in the study. The survey was conducted with questionnaires including multiple‐choice or open questions and VAS scales.

Results:  The response rate was 54% (228/418). Only 5.7% of the practitioners systematically look for signs of neglect or abuse when treating their patients. 36% declare having already come across one or several cases of abuse and 48% having suspected at least one. The patients concerned were mainly women (54%). Only 28% would adopt an attitude in compliance with the French legislation if confronted with a case of abuse or domestic violence. 75.9% of the practitioners would like more training and assistance in the detection and care of abused patients and particularly as regards signs of abuse and the legal framework.

Conclusions:  More information and training concerning abuse and domestic violence is required in the French undergraduate dental curriculum in order to help practitioners deal with such patients.
Alpha‐2 adrenergic stimulation triggers Achilles tenocyte hypercellularity: Comparison between two model systems
Authors: Backman L. J. , Andersson G. , Fong G. , Alfredson H. , Scott A. , Danielson P.
Published: February 2012

The histopathology of tendons with painful tendinopathy is often tendinosis, a fibrosis‐like condition of unclear pathogenesis characterized by tissue changes including hypercellularity. The primary tendon cells (tenocytes) have been shown to express adrenoreceptors (mainly alpha‐2A) as well as markers of catecholamine production, particularly in tendinosis. It is known that adrenergic stimulation can induce proliferation in other cells. The present study investigated the effects of an exogenously administered alpha‐2 adrenergic agonist in an established in vivo Achilles tendinosis model (rabbit) and also in an in vitro human tendon cell culture model. The catecholamine producing enzyme tyrosine hydroxylase and the alpha‐2A‐adrenoreceptor (α2A AR) were expressed by tenocytes, and alpha‐2 adrenergic stimulation had a proliferative effect on these cells, in both models. The proliferation was inhibited by administration of an α2A AR antagonist, and the in vitro model further showed that the proliferative alpha‐2A effect was mediated via a mitogenic cell signaling pathway involving phosphorylation of extracellular‐signal‐regulated kinases 1 and 2. The results indicate that catecholamines produced by tenocytes in tendinosis might contribute to the proliferative nature of the pathology through stimulation of the α2A AR, pointing to a novel target for future therapies. The study furthermore shows that animal models are not necessarily required for all aspects of this research.
CONTROL OF LISTERIA MONOCYTOGENES IN RECYCLED CHILL BRINE USING ULTRAVIOLET LIGHT AND ANTIMICROBIAL AGENTS
Authors: PARIKH PRITI P. , WILLIAMS ROBERT C. , MALLIKARJUNAN PARAMESWARAKUMAR , EIFERT JOSEPH D. , MARCY JOSEPH E.
Published: February 2012

Postprocessing contamination of the products in a processing plant has been identified as one of the major reasons for food contamination with Listeria; brining is one such postprocessing area. Our previous study has shown that the combinations of UV and antimicrobials reduces the number of this organism significantly in fresh brine, but brine is usually recycled from days to weeks depending on its use. Therefore, this study is focused on the reduction of L. monocytogenes in recycled chill brine (obtained from a frankfurter processor) using the combinations of UV and antimicrobial agents, such as citric acid (CA), hydrogen peroxide (HP) and dimethyl dicarbonate (DMDC). Results show that the combinations of UV and 2000 ppm and 4000 ppm HP were the most effective treatments in reducing the Listeria population with the total processing time of 120 min. Both of these treatments were found to be more effective than UV or HP alone. Additionally, all other treatments, such as the combinations of UV and CA (0.2 and 0.5%) and UV and DMDC (250 and 500 ppm) were comparatively less effective. This may be due to the presence of organic matter in spent brine, which may have reduced the penetration of UV and availability of antimicrobials for microbial interaction.

PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS

The brine solutions are generally recycled in industries for up to 4 weeks as per United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) guide. Thus, it is very important to study various treatments to process recycled brine that was used to process ready‐to‐eat (RTE) meat products to prevent foodborne diseases or outbreaks. The use of UV light and antimicrobial agents to control L. monocytogenes in recycled brines to product cooling in the RTE meat industry is described. The study provides information on exposure time to UV light and level of antimicrobial agent that result in inactivation of the pathogen. Industry may benefit from our research in their validation efforts to control L. monocytogenes for recycled brine in recirculating chill brine systems through the use of UV light and antimicrobial agents.
DETERRENCE AND MORAL PERSUASION EFFECTS ON CORPORATE TAX COMPLIANCE: FINDINGS FROM A RANDOMIZED CONTROLLED TRIAL*
Authors: ARIEL BARAK
Published: February 2012

Previous studies on tax compliance have focused primarily on the tax‐reporting behavior of individuals. This study reports results from a randomized field test of the effects of deterrence and moral persuasion on the tax‐reporting behavior of 4,395 corporations in Israel. Two experimental groups received tax letters, one conveying a deterrent message and the other a moral persuasion message. Three types of measures are used to evaluate compliance based on the magnitude of the difference‐in‐differences of means in 1) gross sales values reported to the authority, 2) tax dollars paid to the authority, and 3) tax deductions. Overall, both deterrence and moral persuasion approaches do not produce statistically significant greater compliance compared with control conditions. These results do not support the ability of a policy of sending tax letters to increase substantively the reporting of true tax liability or tax payments by corporations. However, these results also show that moral persuasion can be counterproductive: Corporations in this experimental group show an increase rather than a decrease in tax deductions, which translates into loss of state revenues. The implications for theory, research, and tax policy are discussed.
MORALITY, MARKETS, AND THE ASC: 2011 PRESIDENTIAL ADDRESS TO THE AMERICAN SOCIETY OF CRIMINOLOGY*
Authors: MESSNER STEVEN F.
Published: February 2012

This Presidential Address explores the possibilities for fruitful multilevel theorizing in criminology by proposing an integration of insights from situational action theory (SAT), a distinctively micro‐level perspective, with insights from institutional anomie theory (IAT), a distinctively macro‐level perspective. These perspectives are strategic candidates for integration because morality plays a central role in both. IAT can enrich SAT by identifying indirect causes of crime that operate at the institutional level and by highlighting the impact of the institutional context on the perception‐choice process that underlies crime. Such multilevel theorizing can also promote the development of IAT by revealing the “micro‐instantiations” of macro‐level processes and by simulating further inquiry into the social preconditions for institutional configurations that are conducive to low levels of crime. Finally, drawing on Durkheim's classic work on occupational associations, I point to the potential role of professional associations such as the American Society of Criminology in promoting and sustaining a viable moral order in the advanced capitalist societies.
Stent Design Lowers Angiographic but Not Clinical Adverse Events in Stenting of Symptomatic Intracranial Stenosis – Results of a Single Center Study with 100 Consecutive Patients
Authors: Rohde S. , Seckinger J. , Hähnel S. , Ringleb P. A. , Bendszus M. , Hartmann M.
Published: February 2012

Background and aims

Comparing safety and technical success of balloon-expandable stents and self-expanding stents for intracranial angioplasty and stenting in medically refractory intracranial atherosclerotic disease in a single center series.

Methods

Fifty-four self-expanding stents and 46 balloon-expandable stents were implanted in 100 consecutive patients (mean age 64 years, 74% male) from April 2000 to September 2009. All patients had symptomatic intracranial stenosis (anterior circulation, n = 40; posterior circulation, n = 60), presenting with recurrent transient ischemic attack or stroke under antithrombotic treatment. Mean degree of stenosis before treatment was 83 ± 13%. We assessed safety, defined as any stroke or death during the procedure and at 30 days follow-up, and technical success, defined as accurate delivery of the stent at the site of the target lesion.

Results Safety

– periprocedural stroke or hemorrhage occurred in 11 patients treated with balloon-expandable stent, and in 14 of the patients treated with a self-expanding stent. One patient with a balloon-expandable stent died because of acute vessel rupture during treatment. One balloon-expandable stent and one self-expanding stent patient developed a severe reperfusion hemorrhage that resulted in death. Overall, the combined stroke and death rate at 30-day follow-up was 250% (23·9% for balloon-expandable stent group and 25·9% for the self-expanding stent group, P = 0·84). Technical success – intracranial angioplasty and stenting was technically successful in 96·3% of the self-expanding stent and 89·1% of the balloon-expandable stent patients ( P = 0·31). Vascular complications were significantly less frequent in patients treated with a self-expanding stent (11·1%) than with a balloon-expandable stent (36·9%, P = 0002).

Conclusion

Despite a high technical success, the rate of clinical adverse events at 30 days after intracranial angioplasty and stenting is high independently of the stent design. Thus, further development of intracranial stent systems and careful patient selection are mandatory.
Potential therapeutic effects of oral bisphosphonates on the intestine
Authors: Pazianas Michael , Russell R. Graham G.
Published: February 2012

Bisphosphonates are the principal drugs prescribed for the prevention of osteoporotic fractures. They are bone specific but poorly absorbed. In oral formulations, almost 99% of the administered dose remains within the intestinal tract and reaches the small and large bowel. Although the nitrogen‐containing bisphosphonates can irritate the distal esophageal/gastric mucosa, they improve drug‐induced colitis in animal models and exhibit antitumor properties on intestinal cells in vitro. Several recent epidemiological studies provide evidence of a reduced risk of colorectal cancer in osteoporotic patients treated with oral bisphosphonates, notably alendronate. In this review, we will explore the possible mechanisms of action underlying these effects and raise the question of whether these agents might be used in the chemoprophylaxis against colorectal cancer.
The Effect of Vitamins on Weight Gain and Organ Production in the Sea Urchin, Lytechinus variegatus (Echinodermata: Echinoidea)
Authors: Jones Warren T. , Hammer Hugh S. , Powell Mickie L. , Gibbs Victoria K. , Lawrence John M. , Lawrence Addison L. , Watts Stephen A.
Published: February 2012

We investigated the requirements for a commercial vitamin premix in diets of Lytechinus variegatus. Small L. variegatus (ca. 28 mm diameter) were collected from Saint Joseph Bay, Florida, and acclimated to laboratory conditions (32 ppt salinity, 22 C, 12:12 photoperiod) for 3 wk, then placed individually into plastic mesh cages (n = 16 per treatment). Sixteen urchins were dissected to obtain initial weights of organs (gut, gonad, test). Each treatment was fed one of five semipurified diets supplemented with levels of a commercial shrimp vitamin premix ranging from 0 to 0.9% dry weight. At 4‐wk intervals, wet weights and test diameters were measured. At 16 wk, urchins were dissected and organs weighed. Significant weight gain and 100% survival was observed with all diets. At 16 wk, urchins fed 0% vitamin premix exhibited no noticeable pathology but had significantly less weight gain than those fed the 0.6% vitamin premix. Those fed the 0.6% vitamin premix had significantly greater weight gain than all other diets (P < 0.0001). Gonad weights increased in all treatments, but did not vary significantly. Under the conditions of this study, L. variegatusexhibited a satisfactory nutritional response. Experiments are planned to determine specific dietary vitamin requirements for L. variegatus.