bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Jurisdiction of the European Court of Justice in Respect of the Common Foreign and Security Policy
Authors: Ketvel Maria-Gisella Garbagnati
Published: January 2006

The purpose of this article is to consider the scope of the jurisdiction of the European Court of Justice in the field of the Common Foreign and Security Policy, as set out in the Treaty on European Union. Pursuant to Article 46 TEU, the ECJ has virtually no competence over foreign policy and security matters—although some limited scope for judicial supervision may be derived from the combined effect of this provision with Article 47 TEU, which prevents encroachment by EU law on Community competence, with respect both to reviewing the choice of legal basis and to determining any violations of EC policy-making procedures. It is submitted that the absence of judicial control over the exercise of powers by the Union and its Member States in this area of potentially sensitive action does not guarantee the preservation of the institutional balance established by the EU Treaty. It may also prove incompatible for individuals to have a legal remedy in the event of a breach of directly effective CFSP provisions.
Scrutiny and Approval: The Role for Westminster-Style Parliaments in Treaty-Making
Authors: Harrington Joanna
Published: January 2006

In December 2004, Parliament's Joint Committee on Human Rights added its voice to the call for a greater parliamentary role in the making of treaties. In its report on Protocol No. 14 to the European Convention on Human Rights, the Joint Committee included a one-page chapter on ‘Increasing Parliament's involvement in the adoption of human rights treaties’, expressing the view that it was desirable for Parliament to become more involved prior to ratification on the grounds that effective parliamentary scrutiny would serve to ‘enhance the democratic legitimacy of human rights obligations incurred… by the Executive pursuant to the prerogative power.’1Motivated by this concern, the Committee has undertaken, on its own initiative, an extensive review of the UK's treaty commitments in the human rights field with a view to securing greater parliamentary support for these obligations through the mechanism of public scrutiny.2
II. Darfur, the Security Council, and the International Criminal Court
Authors: Happold Matthew
Published: January 2006

On 31 March 2005 the Security Council made its first referral to the International Criminal Council (‘the ICC’). The Council referred the situation in Darfur to the Prosecutor of the ICC. Given the USA's stated opposition to the ICC, that there was a referral at all could be seen as a triumph for the Court.s supporters. However, Security Council Resolution 1593 has a number of problematic features. Its genesis was long and convoluted, and it has been seen by some as a substitute for effective action by the United Nations to end the humanitarian crisis and systematic atrocities being committed in Darfur.
Spontaneous processing of abstract categorical information in the ventrolateral prefrontal cortex
Authors: Cohen Yale E , Hauser Marc D , Russ Brian E
Published: January 2006

In various aspects of linguistic analysis and human cognition, some forms of observed variation are ignored in the service of handling more abstract categories. In the absence of training, rhesus discriminate between different types of vocalizations based on the information conveyed as opposed to their acoustic morphologies. We hypothesized that neurons in the ventrolateral prefrontal cortex (vPFC), an area involved in auditory-object processing, might be involved in this spontaneous categorization. To test this hypothesis, we recorded vPFC activity while rhesus listened to vocalizations conveying information about food and non-food events. Results showed between, but not within category discrimination. That is, vPFC neurons discriminated between vocalizations associated with food versus non-food events but not within the class of food calls associated with differences in quality. These results indicate that the vPFC plays a significant role in spontaneously processing abstract categorical information.
Properties of liquid marbles
Authors: Aussillous Pascale , Quéré David
Published: January 2006

Liquid marbles are liquid drops made non-wetting by the use of a powder which coats them. Because of the absence of a contact line, quick motions without leakage of small amounts of liquid are allowed, which can be of interest in microfluidic applications. After characterizing the static liquid marble, we focus on its properties and study experimentally the viscous motion of liquid marbles. Then, we describe qualitatively possible ways for putting marbles into motion and quantify the robustness of this object.
An approximate analytic solution method for the biharmonic problem
Authors: Bloor M.I.G , Wilson M.J
Published: January 2006

A method is presented for the solution of the biharmonic equation through the use of a combination of polynomial and eigenfunction solutions. Results are presented comparing the method with an exact solution. Excellent agreement is obtained for economical solution representations. Calculations, and comparison with established results, of the displacement of an elastic plate under a uniform applied load are presented. Further, results are presented of the calculation of zero Reynolds number flow in a driven cavity.
Noise activated transitions among periodic states of a pendulum with a vertically oscillating pivot, mediated by a chaotic attractor
Authors: Blackburn James A
Published: January 2006

It is well known that by harmonically displacing the point of suspension of a simple pendulum in a vertical direction, it is possible to produce a stable inverted state. Under certain conditions, this inverted state bifurcates into two distinct oscillations that mirror each other about the vertical. For some parameter values these two states, together with a third periodic oscillation that is symmetric about the downward direction, become embedded within a chaotic attractor. With added noise, the system dynamics can consist of endless patterns of escape from a given periodic attractor followed by capture by one of the three. After each escape and before the next capture, the system travels on the chaotic attractor. It is confirmed that the escape process is consistent with a picture of noise induced activation from the effective potential wells associated with each of the attractors.
Marsupials from space: fluctuating asymmetry, geographical information systems and animal conservation
Authors: Teixeira Camila Palhares , Hirsch André , Perini Henrique , Young Robert John
Published: January 2006

We report the development of a new quantitative method of assessing the effects of anthropogenic impacts on living beings; this method allows us to assess actual impacts and to travel backwards in time to assess impacts. In this method, we have crossed data on fluctuating asymmetry (FA, a measure of environmental or genetic stress), usingDidelphis albiventrisas a model, with geographical information systems data relating to environmental composition. Our results show that more impacted environments resulted in statistically higher levels of FA. Our method appears to be a useful and flexible conservation tool for assessing anthropogenic impacts.
Coevolution of slow–fast populations: evolutionary sliding, evolutionary pseudo-equilibria and complex Red Queen dynamics
Authors: Dercole F , Ferrière R , Gragnani A , Rinaldi S
Published: January 2006

We study the interplay of ecological and evolutionary dynamics in communities composed of populations with contrasting time-scales. In such communities, genetic variation of individual traits can cause population transitions between stationary and cyclic ecological regimes, hence abrupt variations in fitness. Such abrupt variations raise ridges in the adaptive landscape, where the populations are poised between equilibrium and cyclic coexistence and along which evolutionary trajectories can remain sliding for long times or halt at special points called evolutionary pseudo-equilibria. These novel phenomena should be generic to all systems in which ecological interactions cause fitness to vary discontinuously. They are demonstrated by the analysis of a predator–prey community, with one adaptive trait for each population. The eco-evolutionary dynamics of the system show a number of other distinctive features, including evolutionary extinction and two forms of Red Queen dynamics. One of them is characterized by intermittent bouts of cyclic oscillations of the two populations.
Small body size in an insect shifts development, prior to adult eclosion, towards early reproduction
Authors: Thorne Ashley D , Pexton John J , Dytham Calvin , Mayhew Peter J
Published: January 2006

Life-history theory has suggested that individual body size can strongly affect the allocation of resources to reproduction and away from other traits such as survival. In many insects, adults eclose with a proportion of their potential lifetime egg production that is already mature (the ovigeny index). We establish for the solitary parasitoid wasp
Aphaereta genevensis
that the ovigeny index decreases with adult body size, despite both initial egg load and potential lifetime fecundity increasing with body size. This outcome is predicted by adaptive models and is the first unequivocal intraspecific demonstration. Evidence suggests that a high ovigeny index carries a cost of reduced longevity in insects. Our results therefore contribute to the emerging evidence that small body size can favour a developmental shift in juveniles that favours early reproduction, but which has adverse late-life consequences. These findings are likely to have important implications for developmental biologists and population biologists.
Phosphorylation-dependent maturation of Neurospora circadian clock protein from a nuclear repressor toward a cytoplasmic activator
Authors: Schafmeier Tobias , Káldi Krisztina , Diernfellner Axel , Mohr Christian , Brunner Michael
Published: January 2006

Frequency (FRQ) is a central component of interconnected negative and positive limbs of feedback loops of the circadian clock of Neurospora. In the negative limb, FRQ inhibits its transcriptional activator White Collar Complex (WCC) and in the positive limb, FRQ supports accumulation of WCC. We show that these conflicting functions are confined to distinct subcellular compartments and coordinated in temporal fashion. Inactivation of the transcriptional activator WCC requires nuclear FRQ and occurs early after the onset of FRQ expression. Support of WCC accumulation requires cytosolic FRQ and occurs on a post-translational level, when high amounts of FRQ have accumulated. The transcriptional function of FRQ in the negative loop and its post-translational function in the positive loop are independent and associated with distinct regions of FRQ. Phosphorylation of FRQ at the PEST-2 region triggers its maturation from a nuclear repressor toward a cytoplasmic activator.
Epstein–Barr virus‐induced transformation of B cells for the diagnosis of genetic metabolic disorders – enumerative conditions for cryopreservation
Authors: Mello A. S. , Burin M. G. , Michellin K. , Viapiana M. , Giugliani R. , Coelho J. C. , Bauer M. E.
Published: January 2006

Abstract.  Epstein–Barr virus (EBV) infection in vitro causes transformation of B cells and generates B lymphoblastoid cell lines (LCLs). These LCLs have been widely used for the diagnostic of several genetic metabolic disorders. However, up to now, efficiency of LCL generation has been based on misleading subjective analysis. In this study, quantitative analyses have been performed to indicate efficiency of B‐cell transformation to measuring human lysosomal acid hydrolases associated with: GM1‐gangliosidosis type I, Gaucher disease and mucopolysaccharidosis type I. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells were isolated from 13 subjects, and LCLs were produced by culturing them with EBV for 12 days. Activities of the enzymes β‐galactosidase, β‐glucosidase and α‐iduronidase were measured before and after cryopreservation in liquid nitrogen for 30 days. Efficiency of the B‐cell transformation was screened every 4 days by the enumeration of cell proliferation, cell counts and changes in granularity estimated by flow cytometry. We observed the generation of 13 LCLs. Cell transformation was confirmed by the gradual increase of cellular clusters, cell size and granularity. In addition, we determined that the activity of the enzymes mentioned above did not change following cryopreservation. These data suggest that our enumerative approach for screening of EBV–LCLs is efficient for the enzymatic determination of human lysosomal acid hydrolases and may thus replace misleading subjective analyses.
ATM activation and histone H2AX phosphorylation as indicators of DNA damage by DNA topoisomerase I inhibitor topotecan and during apoptosis
Authors: Tanaka T. , Kurose A. , Huang X. , Dai W. , Darzynkiewicz Z.
Published: January 2006

Abstract.  Damage that engenders DNA double‐strand breaks (DSBs) activates ataxia telangiectasia mutated (ATM) kinase through its auto‐ or trans‐phosphorylation on Ser1981 and activated ATM is one of the mediators of histone H2AX phosphorylation on Ser139. The present study was designed to explore: (i) whether measurement of ATM activation combined with H2AX phosphorylation provides a more sensitive indicator of DSBs than each of these events alone, and (ii) to reveal possible involvement of ATM activation in H2AX phosphorylation during apoptosis. Activation of ATM and/or H2AX phosphorylation in HL‐60 or Jurkat cells treated with topotecan (Tpt) was detected immunocytochemically in relation to cell cycle phase, by multiparameter cytometry. Exposure to Tpt led to concurrent phosphorylation of ATM and H2AX in S‐phase cells, whereas G1 cells were unaffected. Immunofluorescence (IF) of the S‐phase cells immunostained for ATM‐S1981P and γH2AX combined was distinctly stronger compared to that of the cells stained for each of these proteins alone. However, because of the relatively high ATM‐S1981P IF of G1 cells, the ratio of IF of S to G1 cells, that is, the factor that determines competence of the assay in distinction of cells with DSBs, was 2‐ to 3‐fold lower for ATM‐S1981P alone, or for ATM‐S1981P and γH2AX IF combined, than for γH2AX alone. ATM activation concurrent with H2AX phosphorylation, likely triggered by induction of DSBs during DNA fragmentation, occurred during apoptosis. The data suggest that frequency of activated ATM and phosphorylated H2AX molecules, per apoptotic cell, is comparable.
Influence of endogenous glutathione level on X‐ray induced cell cycle delay in human lymphocytes
Authors: Ray S. , Chatterjee A.
Published: January 2006

Abstract.  Here, induction of chromosomal aberration after X‐irradiation and the pattern of cell cycle kinetics have been investigated in human lymphocytes, after exogenous addition of reduced glutathione or by depleting levels of reduced glutathione endogenously. Involvement of cell cycle regulator proteins such as p53 and p21 has been investigated to elucidate their role in induction of delay in cell cycle progression after irradiation.
Mathematical model for the cancer stem cell hypothesis
Authors: Ganguly R. , Puri I. K.
Published: January 2006

Abstract.  Recent research on the origin of brain cancer has implicated a subpopulation of self‐renewing brain cancer stem cells for malignant tumour growth. Various genes that regulate self‐renewal in normal stem cells are also found in cancer stem cells. This implies that cancers can occur because of mutations in normal stem cells and early progenitor cells. A predictive mathematical model based on the cell compartment method is presented here to pose and validate non‐intuitive scenarios proposed through the neural cancer stem cell hypothesis. The growths of abnormal (stem and early progenitor) cells from their normal counterparts are ascribed with separate mutation probabilities. Stem cell mutations are found to be more significant for the development of cancer than a similar mutation in the early progenitor cells. The model also predicts that, as previously hypothesized, repeated insult to mature cells increases the formation of abnormal progeny, and hence the risk of cancer.
Thyrotoxic periodic paralysis and polymorphisms of sodium–potassium ATPase genes
Authors: Kung Annie W. C. , Lau K. S. , Cheung William M. W. , Chan Vivian
Published: January 2006

Objective  Thyrotoxic periodic paralysis (TPP) is a complication of hyperthyroidism association with recurrent, reversible episodes of muscle weakness. Increased sodium–potassium ATPase (Na/K‐ATPase) pump activity is postulated to contribute to the hypokalaemic paralytic attacks in TPP. The aim of this study was to determine the genetic predisposition to TPP in relation to Na/K‐ATPase genes.

Design  A case–control association study.

Patients  Ninety‐nine male Chinese TPP patients were compared to 84 male Graves’ disease (GD) patients without TPP and 100 normal male controls.

Measurement  A total of 1500 base pairs upstream of the transcriptional start site of the five Na/K‐ATPase genes that are expressed in the skeletal muscles, namely ATP1A1, ATP1A2, ATP1B1, ATP1B2 and ATP1B4, were sequenced in all subjects for mutations or polymorphisms. The single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of the coding regions of the five genes were also studied for association with TPP.

Results  No mutations were detected in the 5′ regions of the five genes in any of the patients studied. There was no difference in the distribution of SNPs and SNP haplotypes in the upstream and coding region of these genes between the three groups of subjects.

Conclusion  No association between the polymorphisms of ATP1A1, ATP1A2, ATP1B1, ATP1B2 and ATP1B4 genes and TPP could be detected.
Lack of association between serum TSH or free T4 and body mass index in euthyroid subjects
Authors: Manji N. , Boelaert K. , Sheppard M. C. , Holder R. L. , Gough S. C. , Franklyn J. A.
Published: January 2006

Background  There is ongoing debate regarding the influence of minor changes in thyroid status within the normal range and body mass index (BMI). Overt thyroid dysfunction is well recognized to affect weight, but the influence of minor perturbations of thyroid function remains unclear.

Aim of the study  To examine in euthyroid subjects the association of serum concentrations of TSH and free T4 within the normal range and BMI. To compare serum TSH and free T4 concentrations in nonobese and obese subjects.

Subjects and methods  A cohort of 401 euthyroid subjects with normal serum TSH (361 females, 40 males, mean age 48·2 years) who had been referred to a Thyroid Clinic due to the presence of a thyroid nodule or goitre. Measurements of serum TSH and free T4 were recorded, together with BMI (calculated from weight and height). Associations between measures of TSH, free T4 and BMI were investigated.

Results  There was no association between either serum TSH or free T4 concentration when considered as a continuous variable and BMI, and no difference in BMI when subjects were categorized according to serum TSH or free T4. There was also no difference in serum TSH or free T4 between lean and obese euthyroid subjects. Evidence of thyroid autoimmunity indicated by the presence of antibodies to thyroid peroxidase was likewise not associated with a difference in BMI.

Conclusion  This study provides no evidence for an association between thyroid status within the normal range and BMI.
Risk for severe hypoglycaemia with unawareness in GH‐deficient patients during the insulin tolerance test
Authors: Holmer H. , Link K. , Erfurth E. M.
Published: January 2006

Objective  The insulin tolerance test (ITT) has been suggested as the gold standard for diagnosing GH deficiency (GHD). The ITT is, however, potentially hazardous. Glucose monitoring during the ITT varies between centres and there is surprisingly little information on the actual level of blood glucose nadir and the duration of hypoglycaemia in patients undergoing the ITT. The aim of the present study was to closely monitor the blood glucose level and to register the presence of symptoms and signs of hypoglycaemia during the ITT.

Design and patients  Sixteen patients (seven women), aged 22–59 years were consecutively recruited for an ITT, and showed GHD (peak GH < 3 µg/l).

Results  In five (31%) of the patients unawareness of hypoglycaemia was recorded, the median nadir blood glucose level was 1·4 mmol/l (range 1·1–1·9) and the duration of blood glucose < 2·2 mmol/l was 25 min (range 20–33). The remaining 11 patients were symptomatic, and tiredness (n = 6) and dizziness (n = 3) were the most frequent symptoms. In these symptomatic patients the median nadir blood glucose level was 1·3 mmol/l (range 1·0–1·6) and the duration of blood glucose < 2·2 mmol/l was 25 min (range 15–30).

Conclusions  In patients with GHD subjected to the ITT, symptoms of hypoglycaemia were scarce and a third showed unawareness. Close blood glucose monitoring is recommended at the ITT as low nadir blood glucose levels and long duration of hypoglycaemia may be present irrespective of symptoms of hypoglycaemia. Recommendations for intervention with intravenous glucose, at unacceptable low blood glucose levels or at prolonged hypoglycaemia, are warranted.
Intravenous glucose intake independently related to intensive care unit and hospital mortality: an argument for glucose toxicity in critically ill patients
Authors: van Der Voort Peter H. J. , Feenstra Rieneke A. , Bakker Andries J. , de Heide Loek , Boerma E. Christiaan , van Der Horst Iwan C. C.
Published: January 2006

Objective It is assumed that the toxic effects of glucose play a role in the outcome of critically ill patients. We studied the impact of the amount of infused glucose as a determinant of mortality.

Design A retrospective cohort study design was used as blood glucose levels in critically ill patients are nowadays tightly controlled.

Patients Long‐stay critically ill patients (7–30 days).

Measurements The association between the mean amount of glucose infusion and both intensive care unit (ICU) and hospital mortality was determined. We corrected for the mean glucose serum concentration, the mean dosage of insulin and for severity of illness, using the acute physiology and chronic health evaluation (APACHE II) score.

Results Of the 2042 admitted patients, 273 met the inclusion criteria. The mean length of stay was 14·4 days [interquartile range (IQR) 9–18]. Hospital mortality was significantly lower for patients with a mean glucose level below 8 mmol/l (30/79; 38%) compared to patients with a level above 8 mmol/l (104/194; 54%, P = 0·023). Logistic stepwise multivariate regression analysis for both ICU and hospital mortality as dependent variables showed that APACHE II score and the mean daily amount of infused glucose were associated with mortality.

Conclusion In long‐stay ICU patients without blood glucose level control, the ICU and hospital mortality was independently related to the mean amount of infused glucose. In addition, mortality in patients with a mean glucose level above 8·0 mmol/l was higher. Both these determinants of mortality can exert their effects by insulin‐independent uptake of glucose with subsequent toxic intracellular effects.
Dietary intervention increases n‐3 long‐chain polyunsaturated fatty acids in skeletal muscle membrane phospholipids of obese subjects. Implications for insulin sensitivity
Authors: Haugaard Steen B. , Madsbad Sten , Høy Carl‐Erik , Vaag Allan
Published: January 2006

Objective  Cross‐sectional studies suggest that the fatty acid (FA) composition of phospholipids in skeletal muscle cell membrane may modulate insulin sensitivity in humans. We examined the impact of a hypocaloric low‐fat dietary intervention on membrane FA composition and insulin sensitivity.

Design  Muscle membrane FA profiles were determined in muscle (vastus lateralis) biopsies from 21 obese subjects before and after 6 months of dietary restriction. Diet instructions emphasized low intake of FA of marine origin by recommending lean fish and prohibiting fatty fish and fish oil supplements. Insulin resistance was estimated by the homeostasis model assessment (HOMA‐IR).

Results  The mean weight loss was 5·1 kg (range −15·3 to +1·3 kg). BMI decreased from 36·5 to 34·9 kg/m2 (P = 0·003). Saturated FA (SFA) decreased 11% (P = 0·0001). Polyunsaturated FA (PUFA)n‐6 increased 4% (P = 0·003). Long‐chain PUFAn‐3 increased 51% (P = 0·0001), mainly due to a 75% increase (P < 0·0001) in docosahexaenoic acid. Changes in HOMA‐IR correlated significantly with changes in long‐chain PUFAn‐3 (R = –0·57, P < 0·01), SFA (R = 0·58, P < 0·01) and waist circumference (R = 0·46, P < 0·05). A multivariate linear regression analysis that included changes in weight, fat mass, waist circumference, plasma lipids, PUFA, SFA and long‐chain PUFAn‐3 indicated that SFA and long‐chain PUFAn‐3 were independent predictors of HOMA‐IR (R2 = 0·33, P < 0·01).

Conclusions  A hypocaloric low‐fat dietary intervention programme increased incorporation of long‐chain PUFAn‐3 and reduced SFA in skeletal muscle membrane phospholipids of obese subjects, a setting that may impact on insulin action.
Sociodemographic and behavioural correlates of severe dental fluorosis
Authors: WONDWOSSEN F. , ÅSTRØM A. N. , BJORVATN K. , BÅRDSEN A.
Published: January 2006

Objectives.  The aim of this study was to identify sociodemographic and behavioural factors associated with the prevalence of severe dental fluorosis in moderate‐ and high‐fluoride areas of the Ethiopian Rift Valley.

Methods.  Three hundred and six adolescents (12–15 years) and 233 mothers participated in the study. The children were examined for dental fluorosis according to the Thylstrup–Fejerskov Index (TFI). The children and their mothers were subsequently interviewed. Sixty mothers had more than one participating child. In order to perform a paired parent/child analysis, a total of 73 younger siblings had to be excluded.

Results.  Among the remaining 233 children, the prevalence of severe dental fluorosis (TFI ≥ 5) was 24·1% and 75·9% in the moderate‐ and high‐fluoride areas, respectively. According to bivariate as well as multivariate analyses, a number of sociodemographic and behavioural factors were related to severe fluorosis. The odds for having severe fluorosis varied according to the fluoride concentration of the drinking water, age, consumption of tea, length of breastfeeding and method of storing water. The adjusted odds ratios ranged from 2·6 to 26·1. Breastfeeding for > 18 months and the use of clay pots for storing drinking water helped protect against severe dental fluorosis. Bivariate analyses indicated that being male and consuming fish might be associated with higher TFI scores.

Conclusion.  In order to avoid dental fluorosis, low‐fluoride drinking water should be provided in the relevant villages. A prolonged period of breastfeeding, the use of clay pots for storing water, and possibly a reduced intake of tea and whole fish in infants might also help to avoid severe fluorosis in children growing up in traditionally fluoride‐endemic areas.
Dental follicle infection following a dog bite
Authors: WRIGHT G. , MUIR M. L. , BRYAN R. , SMITH A. J. , HOSEY M. T.
Published: January 2006

Animal bite wounds and their subsequent infection are relatively common. Incidence rates for dog bites are significantly higher among children aged 0–9 years, especially among boys. Although bite wounds may initially look innocuous, they frequently lead to serious infection with a potential for life‐threatening complications. The microbiology of dog bite wounds is usually polymicrobial, typically including anaerobes, Staphylococcus aureus and Pasteurella species. A case is described of a 22‐month‐old boy who, subsequent to a dog bite over the left maxilla, suffered infection of the dental follicle of the primary maxillary canine with Pasteurella multocida. The infection proved difficult to treat, requiring several attempts at incision and drainage of the abscess together with systemic antibiotics, and resulted in the eventual loss of the tooth.
Mixed dentition space analysis in a Jordanian population: comparison of two methods
Authors: ABU ALHAIJA E. S. J. , QUDEIMAT M. A.
Published: January 2006

Aims.  To test the reliability of the Moyers charts and the Tanaka and Johnston equations in Jordanians and to derive coefficients of correlation between the combined mesiodistal widths of the four permanent mandibular incisors and the combined widths of the canine and premolars of the maxillary and mandibular quadrants.

Methods.  The dental models of the dentition of 130 male and 96 female Jordanian subjects (age range is 14–16 years) with complete permanent dentition were randomly selected. The mesiodistal width of the four permanent mandibular incisors, maxillary and mandibular canines, and premolar teeth were measured using a vernier gauge caliper to the nearest 0·1 mm. The actual teeth measurements were then compared with the predicted values derived from the Tanaka and Johnston equations and Moyers probability tables. Correlation and linear regression analyses were performed between the predicted and actual tooth size for Jordanian children and standard regression equations were developed.

Results.  Except for the maxillary arch in male subjects, Tanaka and Johnston regression equations underestimated the mesiodistal widths of permanent canines and premolars. On the other hand, there were no statistically significant differences between actual mesiodistal widths of canines and premolars and the predicted widths from Moyers charts at the 65% and 75% level for the lower and upper arches in male subjects and at the 85% level for the upper and lower arches in female subjects. For the newly developed regression equations, the correlation coefficients between the sum of the mandibular four incisors and the sum of the canine and premolars were 0·60 (for lower) and 0·51 (for upper) in male subjects and 0·59 and 0·64, respectively, in female subjects.

Conclusions.  (1) Tanaka and Johnston prediction method was not accurate when applied to a Jordanian population. (2) Moyers method for prediction can be used for Jordanian children at different probability levels for male and female subjects.
A sociodental approach to assessing dental needs of children: concept and models
Authors: GHERUNPONG S. , TSAKOS G. , SHEIHAM A.
Published: January 2006

Objectives.  Traditional normative methods of assessing dental needs do not correspond to current concepts of ‘health’ and ‘need’. Although there is dental research on quality of life, evidence‐based practice, and oral behaviours, those concepts are rarely applied to dental needs estimation. Dental needs are usually calculated mainly from clinical data and are likely to be inaccurate. A structured comprehensive method for assessing dental needs is required. The objectives of this study are to develop and test a new sociodental system of needs assessment for overall dental needs of primary schoolchildren. Furthermore, normative and sociodental estimates of need are compared.

Design.  The study developed a theoretical framework and pathway algorithms of sociodental needs assessment and applied them to assessing overall dental needs. Normative dental needs were assessed using standard normative criteria. The child oral impacts on daily performances (Child‐OIDP) was used to assess oral impacts, and a self‐administered questionnaire was used to obtain information on demographic variables and oral behaviours. Data were analysed according to the developed algorithms.

Setting.  A cross‐sectional survey in Suphanburi Province, Thailand.

Participants.  All 1126 children aged 11–12 years in a town.

Main results.  The sociodental approach was acceptable and not costly. In all, 54·4% had normative need under the dental needs model for life‐threatening and progressive conditions, but only 16·6% had high propensity‐related need; the remaining 37·8% would require dental health education or oral health promotion (DHE/OHP) or both and appropriately adjusted clinical interventions. Under the basic model of dental needs, 45·1% had normative need. Two‐thirds of them (30·9%) had impact‐related need and the remaining 14·2% did not have oral impacts and therefore should only receive dental health education. Only one‐third of those with impact‐related need had high propensity and were suitable for evidence‐based conventional treatments; the remaining two‐thirds should receive DHE/OHP and alternative clinical interventions.

Conclusions.  A sociodental system of dental needs assessment was developed and tested on school children. It decreased the estimates of conventionally assessed dental treatment needs and introduced a broader approach to care.
The relationship between tree size and epiphyte species richness: testing four different hypotheses
Authors: Flores‐Palacios Alejandro , García‐Franco José G.
Published: January 2006

Aim For epiphytic plants trees are habitat units, and tree size determines epiphyte species richness. While growing, trees generate vertical microhabitats that are exploited by epiphytes. One would expect to find four different types of relationship between tree size and epiphyte species richness: positive linear (young trees), neutral (old trees), negative (old decaying trees) and positive asymptotic (trees of mixed size class in a mature forest). We tested these relationships in plots of colonizing sweetgum trees in pastureland, isolated remnant trees in pastureland (old oaks) and sweetgum and oaks in a pristine forest.

Location The study was carried out in a landscape shaped by the fragmentation of lower montane cloud forest in San Andrés Tlalnelhuayocan (19°30′56′′ N and 96°59′50′′ W; 1500–1600 m a.s.l.) in central Veracruz, Mexico.

Methods We measured the d.b.h. of all oaks and sweetgum trees (d.b.h. ≥ 5 cm) present in pastureland and in three 100 m2plots of a lower montane cloud forest. All trees were climbed and species richness of the epiphytes recorded.

Results As expected, colonizer trees in pastureland showed a linear positive relationship. Although we found evidence that remnant oaks in pastureland had a neutral relationship between tree size and epiphyte species richness, the low power of the test did not allow us to make conclusions about the kind of relationship. Mixed size‐class pristine forest trees showed a positive linear relationship between tree size and epiphyte species richness instead of a positive asymptotic one.

Main conclusions Our results suggest that in the study area epiphyte communities are unsaturated, as the number of species increases with tree size and does not reach a ceiling. This evidence supports the idea that the species–area relationship is not asymptotic. However, the epiphyte community on remnant pastureland oaks may be saturated as epiphyte species richness did not increase with tree size, but a larger sample size is needed to confirm the neutral pattern. Neutral, asymptotic and negative patterns in the relationship between tree size and epiphyte species richness depend on the saturation of the trees by epiphytes. Other studies have suggested tree saturation, but further research is necessary in order to confirm or rule out these patterns.
An evaluation of the influence of environment and biogeography on community structure: the case of Holarctic mammals
Authors: Rodríguez J. , Hortal J. , Nieto M.
Published: January 2006

Aim  To evaluate the influence of environment and biogeographical region, as a proxy for historical influence, on the ecological structure of Holarctic communities from similar environments. It is assumed that similarities among communities from similar environments in different realms are the result of convergence, whereas their differences are interpreted as being due to different historical processes.

Location  Holarctic realm, North America and Eurasia above 25° N.

Methods  Checklists of mammalian species occurring in 96 Holarctic localities were collected from published sources. Species were assigned to one of 20 functional groups defined by diet, body size and three‐dimensional use of space. The matrix composed of the frequencies of functional groups in the 96 localities is used as input data in a correspondence analysis (CA). The localities are classified into nine groups according to Bailey's ecoregions (used as a surrogate of regional climate), and the positions of the communities in the dimensions of the CA are compared in relation to ecoregion and realm. Partial regression was used to test for the relative influence of ecoregion and realm over each dimension and to evaluate the effect of biogeographical realm on the variation in the factor scores of the communities of the same ecoregion.

Results  In some cases, mammalian communities from areas with similar regional climates exhibit convergence in community structure, irrespective of the biogeographical realm where they are located. However, all of them are clearly subdivided into Nearctic and Palearctic subsets. Differences in the composition of the regional pools only partially explain differences in local communities between realms.

Main conclusions  Holarctic mammalian communities from regions with widely different climates differ in ecological structure irrespective of their biogeographical location. On the other hand, the structures of Nearctic and Palearctic communities from regions of similar climate radically differ in some features. Thus, although present climatic conditions influence community structure, contingent historic processes associated with each region also play a major role in determining community structure.
Parental longevity and mortality amongst Japanese men and women: the JACC Study
Authors: IKEDA A. , ISO H. , TOYOSHIMA H. , KONDO T. , MIZOUE T. , KOIZUMI A. , INABA Y. , TAMAKOSHI A. ,   JACC STUDY GROUP
Published: January 2006

Objectives.  To examine whether the risk of mortality varies according to parents’ age at death.

Design and subjects.  A large prospective study in Japanese men and women from 45 communities across Japan. A total of 51 485 men and women aged 40–79 years completed self‐administered questionnaires at baseline and followed up for 9.6 years.

Results.  The risk of mortality from stroke, cardiovascular disease, and all causes was 20–30% lower in men and women with fathers who died at age ≥80 years, compared with those with fathers whose age at death was <60 years. A similar reduction was found when the age at death of mothers was ≥85 years compared with <65 years. Furthermore, the risk reduction was more evident amongst persons with both parents being long‐lived parents compared with those with being short‐lived parents, especially for death from cardiovascular disease.

Conclusions.  Our findings indicate that parental longevity could be a predictor for reduced risk of mortality from stroke, cardiovascular disease, and all causes for both Japanese men and women.
Aggressive behaviour in the high‐secure forensic setting: the perceptions of patients
Authors: MEEHAN T. , McINTOSH W. , BERGEN H.
Published: January 2006

Twenty‐seven patients undergoing treatment in a high‐secure forensic facility participated in focus group interviews to elicit their perceptions of (1) the factors leading to aggressive behaviour; and (2) strategies to reduce the risk of such behaviour. The focus group interviews were audiotaped, transcribed and analysed using content analysis. The participants identified that a combination of patient, staff and environmental factors contributed to violence in the study wards. The cause of aggressive behaviour centred around five major themes: the environment; empty days; staff interactions; medication issues; and patient‐centred factors. Potential strategies identified by patients to reduce aggressive behaviour included: early intervention; the provision of meaningful activities to reduce boredom; separation of acutely disturbed patients; improved staff attitudes; implementation of effective justice procedures; and a patient advocate to mediate during times of conflict. Findings suggested that social and organizational factors need to be addressed to change the punitive subculture inherent in forensic psychiatric facilities, and to ensure a balance between security and effective therapy.
Conceptions of patients and personnel concerning the substance of post‐ward outpatient visits in psychiatric care
Authors: HAUTALA‐JYLHÄ P.‐L. , NIKKONEN M. , JYLHÄ J.
Published: January 2006

In post‐ward outpatient services patients discharged from hospital are provided further care by the same ward personnel. The aim of this study was to describe and analyse the conceptions concerning the substance of post‐ward outpatient visits (PWOV). A phenomenographic approach was used. The data were gathered by interviewing post‐ward outpatients, personnel at psychiatric wards and in outpatient care and administrative personnel in psychiatric units. Seven main categories of describing the PWOV were formed: natural interaction, continuous assessment, follow‐up of the implementation of pharmacotherapy, relapse prevention, search for coping methods, establishing motivation for treatment and family members’ participation in care. The patient's health, life situation and coping in everyday life were constantly evaluated and followed up in diverse ways during the PWOV. To make PWOV successful, treatment should be planned individually based on the patient's needs, and the patient should have a close and functional cooperative relationship with the nurse.
Service users and other stakeholders’ evaluation of a liaison mental health service in an accident and emergency department and a general hospital setting
Authors: EALES S. , CALLAGHAN P. , JOHNSON B.
Published: January 2006

Liaison mental health care has been an emerging specialism of mental health nursing in the UK since the early 1990s. Studies have so far looked only briefly at service user evaluation. A qualitative study involving 47 interviews with service user and professional stakeholders was undertaken to determine what is important to stakeholders in a liaison mental health‐care service. The largest group of stakeholders interviewed were service users. Analysis of the data was undertaken using the service user interviews to guide the development of themes. The majority of the issues identified were raised by both service users and professionals. The three key themes were, the practicalities of the service including waiting time, the staffing profile and receiving the service, which included issues such as the opportunity to talk and outcomes. The findings provide new information regarding what service users and other stakeholders expect from a liaison mental health service and important areas to consider when offering a satisfactory service.
The role of the nurse practitioner in psychiatric/mental health nursing: exploring consumer satisfaction
Authors: WORTANS J. , HAPPELL B. , JOHNSTONE H.
Published: January 2006

There is a substantial body of literature pertaining to the role of the nurse practitioner. Research directed towards consumer satisfaction suggests that the care provided by nurse practitioners is perceived as at least equal to that provided by a medical practitioner. However, there is a paucity of literature examining the nurse practitioner role in the psychiatric/mental health field. An evaluation of a Nurse Practitioner demonstration model has recently been undertaken in the Crisis, Assessment and Treatment Team in Victoria, Australia. This article presents the findings of a qualitative, exploratory study. Individual interviews were conducted with consumers (n = 7) who had received care and treatment provided by the nurse practitioner candidate. Data analysis revealed two main themes: the quality of the service provided, and the unique role of the nurse. The findings supported the available literature in articulating the specific aspects of the nurse practitioner role that are favourably perceived by consumers of services. This study contributes to the limited body of knowledge in the psychiatric/mental health nursing field and specifically emphasizes the importance of the relationship between nurse practitioner and consumer in facilitating the provision of effective care and treatment.
Clinician perceptions of personal safety and confidence to manage inpatient aggression in a forensic psychiatric setting
Authors: MARTIN T. , DAFFERN M.
Published: January 2006

Inpatient mental health clinicians need to feel safe in the workplace. They also require confidence in their ability to work with aggressive patients, allowing the provision of therapeutic care while protecting themselves and other patients from psychological and physical harm. The authors initiated this study with the predetermined belief that a comprehensive and integrated organizational approach to inpatient aggression was required to support clinicians and that this approach increased confidence and staff perceptions of personal safety. To assess perceptions of personal safety and confidence, clinicians in a forensic psychiatric hospital were surveyed using an adapted version of the Confidence in Coping With Patient Aggression Instrument. In this study clinicians reported the hospital as safe. They reported confidence in their work with aggressive patients. The factors that most impacted on clinicians’ confidence to manage aggression were colleagues’ knowledge, experience and skill, management of aggression training, use of prevention and intervention strategies, teamwork and the staff profile. These results are considered with reference to an expanding literature on inpatient aggression. It is concluded that organizational resources, policies and frameworks support clinician perceptions of safety and confidence to manage inpatient aggression. However, how these are valued by clinicians and translated into practice at unit level needs ongoing attention.
Nutritional evaluation of commercial dry dog foods by near infrared reflectance spectroscopy
Authors: Alomar D. , Hodgkinson S. , Abarzúa D. , Fuchslocher R. , Alvarado C. , Rosales E.
Published: January 2006

Near infrared reflectance spectroscopy (NIRS) was used to predict the nutritional value of dog foods sold in Chile. Fifty‐nine dry foods for adult and growing dogs were collected, ground and scanned across the visible/NIR range and subsequently analysed for dry matter (DM), crude protein (CP), crude fibre (CF), total fat, linoleic acid, gross energy (GE), estimated metabolizable energy (ME) and several amino acids and minerals. Calibration equations were developed by modified partial least squares regression, and tested by cross‐validation. Standard error of cross validation (SECV) and coefficient of determination of cross validation () were used to select best equations. Equations with good predicting accuracy were obtained for DM, CF, CP, GE and fat. Corresponding values for and SECV were 0.96 and 1.7 g/kg, 0.91 and 3.1 g/kg, 0.99 and 5.0 g/kg, 0.93 and 0.26 MJ/kg, 0.89 and 12.4 g/kg. Several amino acids were also well predicted, such as arginine, leucine, isoleucine, phenylalanine–tyrosine (combined), threonine and valine, with values for and SECV (g/kg) of 0.89 and 0.9, 0.94 and 1.3, 0.91 and 0.5, 0.95 and 0.9, 0.91 and 0.5, 0.93 and 0.5. Intermediate values, appropriate for ranking purposes, were obtained for ME, histidine, lysine and methionine–cysteine. Tryptophan, minerals or linoleic acid were not acceptably predicted, irrespective of the mathematical treatment applied. It is concluded that NIR can be successfully used to predict important nutritional characteristics of commercial dog foods.