bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Radical contingency in sharing behavior and its consequences
Authors: Davies Todd
Published: March 2008

The data of Henrich et al., when combined with other research, suggest that sharing behavior probably varies systematically across cultures, situations, and individuals. Economic policies founded on recognition of this “radical contingency” would, I argue, nurture economic pluralism rather than attempting to bring the world under one system.
Measuring fairness across cultural contexts
Authors: Fantino Edmund , Stolarz-Fantino Stephanie , Kennelly Arthur
Published: March 2008

Future economic game research should include: (1) within-culture comparisons between individuals exposed and not exposed to market integration; (2) use of a game (such as the “Sharing Game”) that enables subjects to maximize their earnings while also maximizing those of the other participant; and (3) assessment of performance in a repeated-trials format that might encourage sensitivity to the games' economic contingencies.
Cross-cultural differences in norm enforcement
Authors: Gächter Simon , Herrmann Benedikt , Thöni Christian
Published: March 2008

We argue that the lack of large cross-cultural differences in many games with student subjects from developed countries may be due to the nature of the games studied. These games tap primarily basic psychological reactions, like fairness and reciprocity. Once we look at norm-enforcement, in particular punishment, we find large differences even among culturally rather homogeneous student groups from developed countries.
The ecological rationality of strategic cognition
Authors: Heintz Christophe
Published: March 2008

I argue that altruistic behavior and its variation across cultures may be caused by mental cognitive mechanisms that induce cooperative behavior in contract-like situations and adapt that behavior to the kinds of contracts that exist in one's socio-cultural environment. I thus present a cognitive alternative to Henrich et al.'s motivation-based account. Rather than behaving in ways that reveal preferences, subjects interpret the experiment in ways that cue their social heuristics. In order to distinguish the respective roles of preferences and cognitive processes that determine economic behavior, we need more ethnography of strategies “in the wild.”
Monoamines in RCVH: Implications from sleep, neurophysiologic, and clinical research
Authors: Kirov Roumen
Published: March 2008

The role of brain monoamines may be important for the neurobiology of the alterations of visual alertness in recurrent complex visual hallucinations (RCVH). This is evidenced by sleep research, neurophysiologic, and clinical data. Hence, the mechanisms of RCVH may not be simply explained by acetylcholine underactivity only.
Market integration, cognitive awareness, and the expansion of moral empathy
Authors: Jankowiak William
Published: March 2008

The target article authors' study has highlighted the relationship between market integration and an increased willingness to enter into cooperative exchanges. Less developed, albeit implied, in their analysis are the theoretical implications of their findings for the theory of altruism first developed by Adam Smith and later expanded in the works of the American historian, Thomas Haskell.
Mental images: Always present, never there
Authors: Mast Fred W.
Published: March 2008

Recent research on visual mental imagery plays an important role for the study of visual hallucinations. Not only are mental images involved in various cognitive processes, but they also share many processes with visual perception. However, we rarely confuse mental images with percepts, and recent neuroimaging studies shed light on the mechanisms that are differently activated in imagery and perception.
Now you see it, now you don't: More data at the cognitive level needed before the PAD model can be accepted
Authors: Morrison Jason , David Anthony S.
Published: March 2008

Before a general cognitive model for recurrent complex visual hallucinations (RCVH) is accepted, there must be more research into the neuropsychological and cognitive characteristics of the various disorders in which they occur. Currently available data are insufficient to distinguish whether the similar phenomenology of RCVH across different disorders is in fact produced by a single or by multiple cognitive mechanisms.
Let's add some psychology (and maybe even some evolution) to the mix
Authors: Krupp Daniel Brian , Barclay Pat , Daly Martin , Kiyonari Toko , Dingle Greg , Wilson Margo
Published: March 2008

Henrich et al.'s nice cross-cultural experiments would benefit from models that specify the decision rules that humans use and the specific developmental pathways that allow cooperative norms to be internalized. Such models could help researchers to design further experiments to examine human social adaptations. We must also test whether the “same” experiments measure similar constructs in each culture, using additional methods and measures.
Hallucinating objects versus hallucinating subjects
Authors: Samsonovich Alexei V.
Published: March 2008

Collerton et al. propose that one and the same mechanism (PAD) underlies recurrent complex visual hallucinations (RCVH) in various disorders, including schizophrenia, dementia, and eye disease. The present commentary offers an alternative account of RCVH and other recurrent complex hallucinations specific to schizophrenia and related disorders only. The proposed account is consistent with the bias of schizophrenic RCVH contents toward animate, socially active entities.
The role of acetylcholine in hallucinatory perception
Authors: Smythies John Raymond
Published: March 2008

This commentary reviews and extends the target article's treatment of the topic of the role of acetylcholine in hallucinatory experience in health and disease. Particular attention is paid to differentiating muscarinic and nicotinic effects in modulating the use of virtual reality mechanisms by the brain. Then, attention is drawn to the similarities between these aspects of brain function and certain aspects of television digital compression technology.
Culture and individual differences
Authors: Markman Arthur B. , Blok Serge , Dennis John , Goldwater Micah , Kim Kyungil , Laux Jeff , Narvaez Lisa , Taylor Eric
Published: March 2008

Tests of economic theory often focus on choice outcomes and find significant individual differences in these outcomes. This variability may mask universal psychological processes that lead to different choices because of differences across cultures in the information people have available when making decisions. On this view, decision making research within and across cultures must focus on the processes underlying choice.
Believing is seeing in schizophrenia: The role of top-down processing
Authors: Tadin Duje , Wong Peiyan , Mebane Michael W. , Berkowitz Michael J. , Trott Hollister , Park Sohee
Published: March 2008

The etiology of visual hallucinations is largely undetermined in schizophrenia. Collerton et al.'s PAD model partly concurs with what we know about neurocognition in schizophrenia, but we need to specify the types of perceptual and attentional abnormalities that are implicated in recurrent complex visual hallucinations (RCVH). Available data suggest that abnormal attentional control and top-down processing play a larger role than the ventral stream deficits.
Still PADing along: Perception and attention remain key factors in understanding complex visual hallucinations
Authors: Collerton Daniel , Perry Elaine , McKeith Ian
Published: March 2008

Commentators agree that the Perception and Attention Deficit (PAD) model is a promising model for accounting for recurrent complex visual hallucinations (RCVH) across several disorders, though with varying detailed criticisms. Its central tenets are not modified, but further consideration of generative models of visual processing and the relationship of proto-objects and memory systems allows the PAD model to deal with variations in phenomenology. The commentaries suggest new ways to generate evidence that will test the model.
Economic models are not evolutionary models
Authors: Sullivan Roger J. , Lyle, III Henry F.
Published: March 2008

Henrich et al. reject the “selfishness axiom” within a narrowly-defined economic model, and are premature in claiming that they have demonstrated cross-cultural variability in “selfishness” as defined in broader evolutionary theory. We also question whether a key experimental condition, anonymity, can be maintained in the small, cohesive, social groupings employed in the study.
A NEW MODEL FOR SYMMETRIC AND SKEWED DATA
Authors: Nadarajah Saralees
Published: March 2008

The Normal and Gamma distributions are the most popular models for analyzing symmetric and skewed data, respectively. In this article, a new multimodal distribution is introduced that contains the Normal and Gamma distributions as particular cases and thus could be a better model for both symmetric and skewed data. Various structural properties of this distribution are derived, including its moment-generating function, characteristic function, moments, entropy, asymptotic distribution of the extreme order statistics, method of moment estimates, maximum likelihood estimates, Fisher information matrix, and simulation issues. The superiority of the new distribution is illustrated by means of two real datasets.
Evaluating the utility of ICD-10 diagnostic criteria for postconcussion syndrome following mild traumatic brain injury
Authors: KASHLUBA SHAUNA , CASEY JOSEPH E. , PANIAK CHRIS
Published: March 2008

The present study investigated the utility of the International Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems, 10th edition (ICD-10) diagnostic criteria for postconcussion syndrome (PCS) symptoms by comparing symptom endorsement rates in a group of patients with mild traumatic brain injury (MTBI) to those of a noninjured control group at one month and three months post-injury. The 110 MTBI patients and 118 control participants were group-matched on age, gender, and education level. Seven of the nine self-reported ICD-10 PCS symptoms differentiated the groups at one month post-injury and two symptoms differentiated the groups at three months post-injury: symptom endorsement rates were higher in the MTBI group at both time periods. Fatiguing quickly and dizziness/vertigo best differentiated the groups at both time periods, while depression and anxiety/tension failed to differentiate the groups at either time period. Collectively, the ICD-10 PCS symptoms accurately classified the MTBI patients at one month post-injury, with the optimal positive test threshold of endorsement of five symptoms coinciding with a sensitivity and specificity of 73% and 61%, respectively. The ICD-10 PCS symptoms were unable to accurately classify the MTBI patients at three months post-injury. (JINS, 2006,12, 111–118.)
A metacognitive contextual intervention to enhance error awareness and functional outcome following traumatic brain injury: A single-case experimental design
Authors: OWNSWORTH TAMARA , FLEMING JENNY , DESBOIS JENNY , STRONG JENNY , KUIPERS PIM
Published: March 2008

Very few empirically validated interventions for improving metacognitive skills (i.e., self-awareness and self-regulation) and functional outcomes have been reported. This single-case experimental study presents JM, a 36-year-old man with a very severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) who demonstrated long-term awareness deficits. Treatment at four years post-injury involved a metacognitive contextual intervention based on a conceptualization of neuro-cognitive, psychological, and socio-environmental factors contributing to his awareness deficits. The 16-week intervention targeted error awareness and self-correction in two real life settings: (a) cooking at home; and (b) volunteer work. Outcome measures included behavioral observation of error behavior and standardized awareness measures. Relative to baseline performance in the cooking setting, JM demonstrated a 44% reduction in error frequency and increased self-correction. Although no spontaneous generalization was evident in the volunteer work setting, specific training in this environment led to a 39% decrease in errors. JM later gained paid employment and received brief metacognitive training in his work environment. JM's global self-knowledge of deficits assessed by self-report was unchanged after the program. Overall, the study provides preliminary support for a metacognitive contextual approach to improve error awareness and functional outcome in real life settings. (JINS, 2006,12, 54–63.)
Humor processing, mentalizing, and executive function in normal
aging
Authors: UEKERMANN JENNIFER , CHANNON SHELLEY , DAUM IRENE
Published: March 2008

Recent investigations have emphasized the importance of the prefrontal
cortex for humor processing. Although the prefrontal cortex is thought to
be affected by normal aging, relatively little work has been carried out
to investigate the effects of aging on humor processing. In the present
investigation participants in three age groups were assessed on a humor
comprehension task. They then answered mentalistic and nonmentalistic
questions. Executive tasks were also administered. The older group
selected significantly fewer correct punchlines from alternatives than the
other groups. They were also poorer at answering mentalistic questions,
but did not differ significantly for nonmentalistic questions. The
findings of the present investigation showed altered in humor processing
in normal aging, and this appeared to be related to mentalizing ability.
(JINS, 2006, 12, 184–191.)
Imaging Epilepsy
Authors: Hermann Bruce P.
Published: March 2008

Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Epilepsy: Neuroimaging
Techniques (2nd Edition). Rubin I. Kuzniecky and Graeme D. Jackson
(Eds.). 2005. New York: Elsevier. 431 pp., $149.95 (HB).

Readers of JINS are aware that the epilepsies are common,
costly, and complex. Among the more common comorbidities are cognitive and
neuropsychiatric disorders. The potential etiologies of these disorders
include factors related to the cause, course, and treatment of the
epilepsy, which may exert their effects, at least in part, through
alterations in brain structure, metabolism, blood flow, and other
dimensions of brain integrity. These effects can be captured and
quantified by various neuroimaging techniques and greater familiarity with
the diversity of neuroimaging approaches to epilepsy may open a variety of
avenues of investigation.
Impact of food advertising on food purchases by students in primary and secondary schools in south-eastern Poland
Authors: Mazur A , Telega G , Kotowicz A , Małek H , Jarochowicz S , Gierczak B , Mazurkiewicz M , Pop T , Zajkiewicz K , Dobrucki M , Mazur D
Published: March 2008

Aim

The aim of the present study was to determine the impact of food advertising in primary and secondary schools on the food purchasing habits of children.

Methods

All forty-four primary and secondary schools in Rzeszow, Poland were included in the investigation; 15 000 children attend primary and secondary schools in the region. Schools were visited by members of the research team, who filled in a questionnaire regarding the type of food products displayed or advertised in the school shop window and recorded the presence of direct corporate advertising in the proximity of the school shop. Shop owners were asked to fill in a form describing food purchases by students within the week preceding the visit. The school principal (or one of teachers) completed a form describing the school’s policy regarding food advertising and the sponsorship of school activities by food companies.

Results

Recommended foods like milk, yoghurts and fruit were offered by only 40·9 % of shops. There was a correlation between foods offered in the shop and foods purchased by students. In schools, 40·9 % (95 % CI 25·8, 56·0 %) of shop windows displayed or advertised ‘healthy’ foods while 9·1 % (95 % CI 0·0, 17·9 %) of shops displayed advertisements of food companies. The difference between display of ‘healthy’ food in shop windows and display of food on company advertisements was significant (likelihood ratio χ2 test, P < 0·04). Type of school (primary v. secondary) was not significant factor in advertising or purchasing pattern.

Conclusions

Educational programmes should be introduced in schools with the aim of improving the understanding of nutritional principles among pupils, teachers and parents.
Transmission dynamics and changing epidemiology of West Nile virus
Authors: Blitvich Bradley J.
Published: March 2008

West Nile virus (WNV) is a flavivirus that is maintained in a bird–mosquito transmission cycle. Humans, horses and other non-avian vertebrates are usually incidental hosts, but evidence is accumulating that this might not always be the case. Historically, WNV has been associated with asymptomatic infections and sporadic disease outbreaks in humans and horses in Africa, Europe, Asia and Australia. However, since 1994, the virus has caused frequent outbreaks of severe neuroinvasive disease in humans and horses in Europe and the Mediterranean Basin. In 1999, WNV underwent a dramatic expansion of its geographic range, and was reported for the first time in the Western Hemisphere during an outbreak of human and equine encephalitis in New York City. The outbreak was accompanied by extensive and unprecedented avian mortality. Since then, WNV has dispersed across the Western Hemisphere and is now found throughout the USA, Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean, and parts of Central and South America. WNV has been responsible for >27,000 human cases, >25,000 equine cases and hundreds of thousands of avian deaths in the USA but, surprisingly, there have been only sparse reports of WNV disease in vertebrates in the Caribbean and Latin America. This review summarizes our current understanding of WNV with particular emphasis on its transmission dynamics and changing epidemiology.
SWI-Prolog and the web
Authors: WIELEMAKER JAN , HUANG ZHISHENG , VAN DER MEIJ LOURENS
Published: March 2008

Prolog is an excellent tool for representing and manipulating data written in formal languages as well as natural language. Its safe semantics and automatic memory management make it a prime candidate for programming robust Web services. Although Prolog is commonly seen as a component in a Web application that is either embedded or communicates using a proprietary protocol, we propose an architecture where Prolog communicates to other components in a Web application using the standard HTTP protocol. By avoiding embedding in external Web servers, development and deployment become much easier. To support this architecture, in addition to the transfer protocol, we must also support parsing, representing and generating the key Web document types such as HTML, XML and RDF. This article motivates the design decisions in the libraries and extensions to Prolog for handling Web documents and protocols. The design has been guided by the requirement to handle large documents efficiently. The described libraries support a wide range of Web applications ranging from HTML and XML documents to Semantic Web RDF processing. The benefits of using Prolog for Web-related tasks are illustrated using three case studies.
Magnetic field line curvature induced pitch angle diffusion in the inner magnetosphere
Authors: Young S. L. , Denton R. E. , Anderson B. J. , Hudson M. K.
Published: March 2008

We study magnetic field line curvature (FLC) pitch angle scattering as a detrapping mechanism in the inner magnetosphere. In this region, changes in pitch angle from individual scattering events are usually small which allows us to use the diffusion approximation. Previous studies that have used the diffusion approximation simply calculated rough decay rates which were based either on inverse diffusion coefficients or the strong diffusion limit. Here we calculate FLC diffusion coefficients for a dipole field and use eigenfunction analysis to model the long‐term behavior of particle distributions in a quiet time inner magnetosphere. The resulting pitch angle distributions are given and their decay periods are used to explore energy thresholds. Our calculations predict that the long‐term pitch angle distributions are sharply peaked near 90° when the adiabaticity parameter ε ≲ 1/3, but they broaden as ε increases. This dependence is consistent with the expectation that at large ε the pitch angle distribution will become isotropic. Because the change in pitch angle for individual particles depends strongly on ε, a threshold in ε is often used to demarcate the onset of nonadiabatic single particle motion. Although the distribution decay rates calculated here are also strongly dependent on ε, we find that a realistic description of the division between static and diffusive regimes must account for the local bounce frequency.
Enhanced precision, accuracy, efficiency, and spatial resolution of U‐Pb ages by laser ablation–multicollector–inductively coupled plasma–mass spectrometry
Authors: Gehrels George E. , Valencia Victor A. , Ruiz Joaquin
Published: March 2008

U‐Th‐Pb geochronology by laser ablation–multicollector–inductively coupled plasma–mass spectrometry initiated during the mid to late 1990s as a reconnaissance tool, capable of generating ages of only moderate precision from relatively large volumes of zircon. New developments in instrumentation and experimental methodology, as described herein and by other researchers, now make it possible it to correct for common Pb accurately (using measured 204Pb), to acquire geochronologic information rapidly (30–40 unknowns/h), to generate U‐Pb ages with an accuracy of better than 1% for most zircon standards, and to conduct analyses on much smaller (e.g., 10 μm by 6 μm) volumes of material. These capabilities are driving important advances in many aspects of Earth science research.
Titan airglow spectra from the Cassini Ultraviolet Imaging Spectrograph: FUV disk analysis
Authors: Ajello Joseph M. , Gustin Jacques , Stewart Ian , Larsen Kristopher , Esposito Larry , Pryor Wayne , McClintock William , Stevens Michael H. , Malone Charles P. , Dziczek Dariusz
Published: March 2008

We present a spectral analysis of the far ultraviolet (FUV: 1150–1900 Å) disk airglow observations of Titan's atmosphere by the Cassini Ultraviolet Imaging Spectrograph (UVIS). The FUV spectrum consists of emissions from the Lyman‐Birge‐Hopfield (LBH) band system of N2 excited by photoelectrons (a 1Πg → X 1Σg+), N I multiplets from solar photodissociative excitation of N2, resonantly scattered solar H Ly‐α and sunlight reflected by N2 in the mesosphere‐stratosphere and modified by aerosols (e.g., tholins) and hydrocarbon absorption. Below 1450 Å, the strongest emissions arise from H Ly‐α with an intensity of 208 Rayleighs (R), LBH bands with an intensity of 43 R, and the N I multiplets with a combined intensity of 16 R. Above 1450 Å, most of the UVIS signal is due to reflected sunlight. Mixing ratios of tholins, C2H2, C2H4 and C4H2 have been derived from the reflected sunlight using a Rayleigh scattering model. The derived mixing ratios are in good agreement with Voyager infrared observations and with FUV photochemical models, assuming solar energy deposition above 1450 Å occurs near 250 km (Wilson and Atreya, 2004). We also present the first geometric albedo measurement of Titan from 1500–1900 Å.
Increasing rates of retrogressive thaw slump activity in the Mackenzie Delta region, N.W.T., Canada
Authors: Lantz Trevor C. , Kokelj Steven V.
Published: March 2008

Climate warming at high latitudes may be contributing to the increase in areal extent of terrain disturbance associated with thawing permafrost. To evaluate change over time we analyzed historical temperature records and mapped retrogressive thaw slumps in the Mackenzie delta region using 1950, 1973 and 2004 aerial photographs. Here we show that rates of retrogressive thaw slump activity from 1973–2004 were significantly greater than during the preceding period (1950–1973) and suggest that these changes have occurred in response to a significant warming of annual and summer air temperatures during the period of record. In rolling, ice‐rich terrain, the rate of thaw slump activity can be expected to increase with continued climate warming. The impacts of slumping on landscape evolution and soil and lake chemistry will likely magnify the direct effects of warming on terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems.
Middle UV to near‐IR spectrum of electron‐excited SO2
Authors: Ajello Joseph M. , Aguilar Alejandro , Mangina Rao S. , James Geoffrey K. , Geissler Paul , Trafton Laurence
Published: March 2008

We investigated the electron impact–induced fluorescence spectrum of SO2 to provide excitation cross sections for modeling Io's emission spectrum and analyzing Cassini Imaging Science Subsystem observations. The electron‐excited middle‐ultraviolet visible optical near‐infrared (VOIR) emission spectrum of SO2 gas was generated in the laboratory and studied from 2000 to 11,000 Å at a resolution of Δλ ∼ 2.5 Å full width at half maximum (FWHM). The VOIR laboratory spectrum longward of 6000 Å consists entirely of S I, II and O I, II multiplets for electron impact energies above ∼15 eV. Between 2000 and 6000 Å, we find previously identified molecular bands from both SO and SO2. This work represents a significant improvement in spectral resolution over our earlier work done at 18 Å FWHM. From a measurement of the medium‐resolution spectrum, we provide detailed 25‐ and 100‐eV emission cross sections for spectral features from 2000 to 11,000 Å. On the basis of these data, we suggest future ground‐based and satellite telescopic observations in the VOIR that are of promise for understanding Io's atmosphere.
Optimum vegetation characteristics, assimilation, and transpiration during a dry season: 2. Model evaluation
Authors: van der Tol C. , Dolman A. J. , Waterloo M. J. , Meesters A. G. C. A.
Published: March 2008

In a companion paper, a conceptual model was presented to predict two important vegetation parameters from climatic constraints in water limited conditions, notably photosynthetic capacity and internal carbon dioxide concentration. In this study, the model is evaluated using data of four experimental forest plots in sub‐Mediterranean Slovenia which were selected for their topography induced differences in climate and contrasting vegetation characteristics. Data were collected during a regular (2004) and an exceptionally dry year (2003). Measurements showed that photosynthetic capacity decreases with vapor pressure deficit, and internal carbon dioxide concentration correlates positively with available water. Variations in soil water storage at the start of the dry season and vapor pressure deficit during the dry season are responsible for a large part of these differences. Winter precipitation has a large effect on the shape of the seasonal course of transpiration during the following season. The model explained observed differences among sites and years in photosynthetic capacity and the seasonal cycle of transpiration. Although the magnitude of calculated optimum internal carbon dioxide concentrations agreed with observations, the model could not explain observed differences in internal carbon dioxide concentration or the correlation between internal carbon dioxide concentration and water availability. The optimality hypothesis, despite its limitations, can be used to predict the seasonal cycle of transpiration.
A view toward the future of subsurface characterization: CAT scanning groundwater basins
Authors: Yeh Tian‐Chyi Jim , Lee Cheng‐Haw , Hsu Kuo‐Chin , Illman Walter A. , Barrash Warren , Cai Xing , Daniels Jeffrey , Sudicky Ed , Wan Li , Li Guomin , Winter C. L.
Published: March 2008

In this opinion paper we contend that high‐resolution characterization, monitoring, and prediction are the key elements to advancing and reducing uncertainty in our understanding and prediction of subsurface processes at basin scales. First, we advocate that recently developed tomographic surveying is an effective and high‐resolution approach for characterizing the field‐scale subsurface. Fusion of different types of tomographic surveys further enhances the characterization. A basin is an appropriate scale for many water resources management purposes. We thereby propose the expansion of the tomographic surveying and data fusion concept to basin‐scale characterization. In order to facilitate basin‐scale tomographic surveys, different types of passive, basin‐scale, CAT scan technologies are suggested that exploit recurrent natural stimuli (e.g., lightning, earthquakes, storm events, barometric variations, river‐stage variations, etc.) as sources of excitations, along with implementation of sensor networks that provide long‐term and spatially distributed monitoring of excitation as well as response signals on the land surface and in the subsurface. This vision for basin‐scale subsurface characterization faces many significant technological challenges and requires interdisciplinary collaborations (e.g., surface and subsurface hydrology, geophysics, geology, geochemistry, information and sensor technology, applied mathematics, atmospheric science, etc.). We nevertheless contend that this should be a future direction for subsurface science research.
Phylogenetic and functional gene analysis of the bacterial and archaeal communities associated with the surface microlayer of an estuary
Authors: Cunliffe Michael , Schäfer Hendrik , Harrison Emma , Cleave Simon , Upstill-Goddard Robert , Murrell J Colin
Published: March 2008

The surface microlayer (SML) is the thin biogenic film found at the surface of a water body. The SML is poorly understood but has been shown to be important in biogeochemical cycling and sea–air gas exchange. We sampled the SML of the Blyth estuary at two sites (salinities 21 and 31 psu) using 47 mm polycarbonate membranes. DNA was extracted from the SML and corresponding subsurface water (0.4 m depth) and microbial (bacteria and archaea) community analysis was performed using denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis of 16S rRNA gene PCR amplicons. The diversity of bacterial functional genes that encode enzyme subunits for methane monooxygenase (pmoA and mmoX) and carbon monoxide dehydrogenase (coxL) was assessed using PCR, clone library construction and restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis. Methanotroph genes were present only in low copy numbers and pmoA was detected only in subsurface samples. Diversity of mmoX genes was low and most of the clone sequences detected were similar to those of mmoX from Methylomonas spp. Interestingly, some sequences detected in the SML were different from those detected in the subsurface. RFLP analysis of coxL clone libraries indicated a high diversity of carbon monoxide (CO)-utilizing bacteria in the estuary. The habitats of the closely related coxL sequences suggest that CO-utilizing bacteria in the estuary are recruited from both marine and freshwater/terrestrial inputs. In contrast, methanotroph recruitment appears to occur solely from freshwater input into the estuary.
The immediate environment during postnatal development has long-term impact on gut community structure in pigs
Authors: Thompson Claire L , Wang Bing , Holmes Andrew J
Published: March 2008

The gastrointestinal tract of mammals contains a complex microbial community that influences numerous aspects of health and development. It is postulated that establishment of this community during early life has long-term consequences on the health status of adults. Potential influences on colonization are expected to include environmental microbes, diet and the developmental changes of the host. Denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis was used to follow the individual community dynamics of 24 piglets over the period of 3–36 days after birth. The community of piglets older than 31 days was inferred to show high stability relative to the first 28 days post birth. The stable day 36 community showed significant correlation between cohabiting piglets, but not between siblings. This cohabitation effect was not observable in 1- or 2-week-old piglets but was strongest at either 3 or 4 weeks post birth. The onset of this change after 2 weeks is predicted to be after the development of key induction elements of the immune system and before significant levels of piglet sIgA were observable (4 weeks). The outcome is altered community dynamics that result in significant similarity between the stable communities that develop in cohabiting pigs. We conclude that for a finite period in their development, the outcome of gut colonization in piglets is greatly influenced by the immediate environment. The implication is that mammals have a developmental window, in which the developing host–gut microbiota interaction will be simultaneously more amenable to engineering and more susceptible to disturbance.
Visceral Adiposity and Subclinical Coronary Artery Disease in Elderly Adults: Rancho Bernardo Study
Authors: Kim Dong‐Jun , Bergstrom Jaclyn , Barrett‐Connor Elizabeth , Laughlin Gail A.
Published: March 2008

Objective: Despite growing attention to central obesity as a predictor of clinical coronary heart disease (CHD), there are few reports about the association between directly measured visceral obesity and subclinical coronary atherosclerosis in elderly adults. We examined this association in elderly, community‐dwelling adults without clinically recognized CHD.

Methods and Procedures: Elderly adults (190 men, BMI 27.2 ± 3.6 kg/m2; 220 women, BMI 25.8 ± 4.6) aged 55–88 years (median 69 years) with no history of CHD or coronary revascularization had an electron beam computed tomography (EBCT) to measure coronary artery calcification score (CACS), an estimate of coronary plaque burden. Visceral and subcutaneous adiposity were assessed by a triple‐slice EBCT scan at the lumbar 4–5 disc level and height, weight, and waist and hip circumferences were measured.

Results: In sex‐specific ordinal logistic regression analyses, no measure of obesity or body fat distribution, including BMI, waist‐to‐hip ratio, waist girth, and visceral and subcutaneous fat by EBCT, was significantly associated with CACS before or after adjusting for multiple covariates of CACS (age, smoking, alcohol intake, exercise, pulse pressure, low‐density lipoprotein (LDL)/high‐density lipoprotein (HDL)‐cholesterol ratio, and fasting plasma glucose).

Discussion: In elderly adults without clinically recognized CHD, body weight and fat distribution do not predict coronary artery plaque burden. These results raise questions about the value of weight reduction diets for preventing heart disease in elderly survivors without clinical heart disease.
Common Variations in Perilipin Gene, Central Obesity, and Risk of Type 2 Diabetes in US Women
Authors: Qi Lu , Zhang Cuilin , Greenberg Andrew , Hu Frank B.
Published: March 2008

Objective: The variations in perilipin gene (PLIN) were previously associated with obesity and insulin sensitivity. We examined whether PLIN variability was associated with diabetes risk and obesity status modified such associations.

Methods and Procedures: We conducted a nested case–control study of 431 incident cases of type 2 diabetes and 791 healthy control women from the Nurses' Health Study. Obesity was defined by BMI or waist circumference (central obesity).

Results: In the sample of all participants, PLIN variations were not significantly associated with the incidence of diabetes. The central obesity status (by National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III definition of waist circumference >35 inches) significantly interacted with PLIN polymorphisms in relation to diabetes risk (P for interaction = 0.027, 0.009, and 0.02 for rs2289487, rs8179043, and rs894160, respectively). In nonobese (central) women, carriers of rs2289487, rs8179043, and rs894160 had significantly greater risk of type 2 diabetes, adjusting for diabetes risk factors (odds ratio (OR) = 1.52, 1.03–2.25; 1.54, 1.07–2.23; and 1.57, 1.09–2.27, respectively). Haplotypes possessing the three polymorphisms were also significantly associated with diabetes risk (global test, P = 0.01). As compared with the most common haplotype 111, haplotype 222 and 211 (1 codes the common and 2 codes the minor alleles) were associated with 44% (OR = 1.44, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.09–1.91; P = 0.01) and 70% (OR = 1.70, 95% CI 1.04–2.77; P = 0.03) greater risk, respectively. The PLIN variations were not significantly associated with the disease risk among women with central obesity.

Discussion: Our data indicate that central obesity may modify the associations between PLIN variations and diabetes risk in women.
Resistance Training Conserves Fat‐free Mass and Resting Energy Expenditure Following Weight Loss
Authors: Hunter Gary R. , Byrne Nuala M. , Sirikul Bovorn , Fernández José R. , Zuckerman Paul A. , Darnell Betty E. , Gower Barbara A.
Published: March 2008

Objective: To determine what effect diet‐induced ∼12 kg weight loss in combination with exercise training has on body composition and resting energy expenditure (REE) in premenopausal African‐American (AA) and European‐American (EA) women.

Methods and Procedures: This study was a longitudinal, randomized weight loss clinical intervention, with either aerobic (AT), resistance (RT), or no exercise training (NT). Forty‐eight AA and forty‐six EA premenopausal overweight (BMI between 27 and 30) women underwent weight loss to a BMI <25. Body composition (densitometry), REE (indirect calorimetry), maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max), and muscular strength (isometric elbow flexion) were evaluated when subjects were in energy balance.

Results: AA women lost less fat‐free mass (FFM, P ≤ 0.05) (47.0 ± 4.6 to 46.9 ± 5.0 kg) than EA women (46.4 ± 4.9 to 45.2 ± 4.6 kg). Regardless of race, RT maintained FFM (P ≤ 0.05) following weight loss (46.9 ± 5.2 to 47.2 ± 5.0 kg) whereas AT (45.4 ± 4.2 to 44.4 ± 4.1 kg) and NT (47.9 ± 4.7 to 46.4 ± 5.1 kg) decreased FFM (P ≤ 0.05). Both AT and NT decreased in REE with weight loss but RT did not. Significant time by group interactions (all P ≤ 0.05) for strength indicated that RT maintained strength and AT did not.

Discussion: AA women lost less FFM than EA women during equivalent weight losses. However, following weight loss in both AA and EA, RT conserved FFM, REE, and strength fitness when compared to women who AT or did not train.
Childbearing May Increase Visceral Adipose Tissue Independent of Overall Increase in Body Fat
Authors: Gunderson Erica P. , Sternfeld Barbara , Wellons Melissa F. , Whitmer Rachel A. , Chiang Vicky , Quesenberry Charles P. , Lewis Cora E. , Sidney Stephen
Published: March 2008

Objective: To examine whether childbearing is associated with increased visceral adiposity and whether the increase is proportionally larger than other depots.

Methods and Procedures: This prospective study examined changes in adiposity assessed via computed tomography (CT) and dual‐energy X‐ray absorptiometry among 122 premenopausal women (50 black, 72 white) examined in 1995–1996 and again in 2000–2001. During the 5‐year interval, 14 women had one interim birth and 108 had no interim births. Multiple linear regression models estimated mean (95% confidence interval (CI)) 5‐year changes in anthropometric and adiposity measures by interim births adjusted for age, race, and changes in total and subcutaneous adiposity.

Results: We found no significant differences between one interim birth and no interim births for 5‐year changes in weight, BMI, total body fat, subcutaneous adipose tissue, or total abdominal adipose tissue. Visceral adipose tissue increased by 40 and 14% above initial levels for 1 birth and 0 birth groups, respectively. Having 1 birth vs. 0 births was associated with a greater increase in visceral adipose tissue of 18.0 cm2 (4.8, 31.2), P < 0.01; gain of 27.1 cm2 (14.5, 39.7) vs. 9.2 cm2 (4.8, 13.6), and a borderline greater increase in waist girth of 2.3 cm (0, 4.5), P = 0.05; gain of 6.3 cm (4.1, 8.5) vs. 4.0 cm (3.2, 4.8), controlling for gain in total body fat and covariates.

Discussion: Pregnancy may be associated with preferential accumulation of adipose tissue in the visceral compartment for similar gains in total body fat. Further investigation is needed to confirm these findings and determine whether excess visceral fat deposition with pregnancy adversely affects metabolic risk profiles among women.
Ten‐year Changes in Central Obesity and BMI in Rural and Urban Cameroon
Authors: Fezeu Leopold K. , Assah Felix K. , Balkau Beverley , Mbanya Dora S. , Kengne André‐Pascal , Awah Paschal K. , Mbanya Jean‐Claude N.
Published: March 2008

Objective: To compare the 10‐year changes in the distribution of adiposity in rural and urban Cameroonian populations.

Methods and Procedures: Two cross‐sectional surveys of populations in the same rural and urban areas of Cameroon, aged ≥24 years, were carried out in 1994 (1,762 subjects) and 2003 (1,398 subjects) using similar methodology. All eligible subjects answered a structured questionnaire on their educational level, alcohol consumption, and tobacco smoking and weight, height, and waist circumference (WC) were measured.

Results: Between 1994 and 2003, the age‐standardized prevalence of BMI ≥25 kg/m2 increased significantly only in the rural area (+54% for women and +82% for men), while the age‐standardized prevalence of central obesity (WC ≥80 cm (women), ≥94 cm (men)) increased significantly only in the urban population (+32% for women and +190% for men). These differences persisted after adjustments for age group, alcohol consumption, tobacco smoking, and level of education, and within almost all the strata of the studied risk factors.

Discussion: Changes in adiposity over time in Cameroon were characterized by an increase of BMI in the rural area and of WC in the urban area.
Catechin Safely Improved Higher Levels of Fatness, Blood Pressure, and Cholesterol in Children
Authors: Matsuyama Takeshi , Tanaka Yuriko , Kamimaki Isamu , Nagao Tomonori , Tokimitsu Ichiro
Published: March 2008

Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of a catechin‐rich beverage on body fat and cardiovascular disease risk factors in obese children and to verify the safety of its use.

Methods and Procedures: Obese or near‐obese Japanese children were recruited for this study. A double‐blind, randomized, controlled study was performed with a 4‐week lead‐in, a 24‐week beverage ingestion period and a 12‐week follow‐up. Subjects ingested green tea containing 576 mg catechins (catechin group) or 75 mg catechins (control group) once per day for 24 weeks. Randomization was stratified by gender, age, and BMI. Subjects were instructed to maintain their usual lifestyles during the study period.

Results: Data were analyzed using samples from 40 subjects (catechin group; n = 21, control group; n = 19). There were no significant differences in major outcome variables, such as body fat mass, between the catechin and the control groups. When, however, the analysis was stratified using the median of the week‐0 values, the decrease at week 24 in waist circumference, systolic blood pressure, and low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol in the catechin group was significantly greater than that in the control group for the above‐median category. Ingestion of the catechin‐rich beverage was not associated with any adverse effects.

Discussion: These findings suggest that ingestion of a catechin‐rich beverage ameliorates serious obesity and cardiovascular disease risk factors without raising any safety concerns in Japanese children.
Micromagnetic calculation of spin wave propagation for magnetologic devices
Authors: Bance Simon , Schrefl Thomas , Hrkac Gino , Goncharov Alexander , Allwood Dan A. , Dean Julian
Published: March 2008

The propagation of magnetic wave packets in magnetic nanowires was calculated as a function of wire width, field strength, field ramp time, field area size, and geometry of a magnetic nanowire. Spin waves are excited locally by applying a small perturbation in the magnetization in a 20nm wide region. A wave packet is emitted from the input region and travels along the wire with a velocity of 740m∕s. The finite element micromagnetic simulations show that wave packets can be guided along a bent nanostructure without losses due to geometry; amplitude and frequency are exactly the same as in a straight wire with equal distance between excitation point and probe. The wave amplitude was found to decrease with increasing rise time of the excitation field with an upper limit of 100ps. For a Permalloy wire with a thickness of 10nm, the frequency peak changes from 10GHz in a wire with 60nm width to 6GHz in a wire with 140nm width.
Application of flux reversal principle for axial flux permanent magnet machines
Authors: Topor Marcel , Chun Yon-Do , Koo Dae-Hyun , Han Pil-Wan , Woo Byung-Chul , Boldea Ion
Published: March 2008

Applications of flux reversal machine can be found both for linear and radial flux machines. For axial flux machines, only one application is reported considering a two phase machine. In general, flux reversal effect can produce higher back electromotive forces than other topologies for the less amount of permanent magnets and thus can increase the performance of the machine. Combining the axial structure with the flux reversal effect feature allows higher power density machines suitable for high speed or low speed direct drive applications. Proposed model has a 12-slot stator and a 16-pole variable reluctance rotor. Nd–Fe–B magnets are fixed on the surface of the pole of the stator. The objective of this article is to present an effective method for the design and performance prediction for the axial flux reversal configuration. Basic dimension equations are presented and a two-dimensional equivalent model based on finite element analysis is used for the reduction of the simulation time.
Comprehensive three dimensional hysteretic magnetomechanical model and its validation with experimental ⟨110⟩ single-crystal iron-gallium behavior
Authors: Atulasimha Jayasimha , Akhras George , Flatau Alison B.
Published: March 2008

A unique modeling approach is introduced, which can track the hysteretic evolution of volume fractions of magnetic moments in several directions and has the potential to predict the magnetomechanical behavior accurately along several important crystallographic directions. The model is benchmarked against the [110] oriented single-crystal Fe82Ga18 experimental magnetomechanical behavior. The different physical effects such as flipping of moments between easy directions versus gradual rotation of moments from easy toward the noneasy directions can be captured by this model. The ability of this model to capture these effects along with hysteresis, some of which are lacking in the previous models, are explained.
Ab initio calculations of structural properties of ScxGa1−xN
Authors: Zerroug S. , Ali Sahraoui F. , Bouarissa N.
Published: March 2008

We present first-principles total energy calculations within the full-potential linearized augmented plane wave method in the gradient-generalized approximation so as to study the structural properties of ScxGa1−xN in zinc blende, NaCl and CsCl-like structures at normal, and under hydrostatic pressure. Our results showed generally reasonable agreement with the available experimental and theoretical findings. It is found that with scandium concentrations of 0%, 25%, and 50%, zinc blende is the most stable configuration among those considered here, whereas for scandium concentrations of 75% and 100%, rocksalt is the most stable one. Deviation of the lattice constants from Vegard’s law is shown to be alloy composition dependent. We provide analytical expressions for the scandium concentration dependence of the lattice constant, bulk modulus, and its pressure derivative.