bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Financial Development and Economic Growth: Empirical Evidence from Six MENA Countries
Authors: Abu‐Bader Suleiman , Abu‐Qarn Aamer S.
Published: April 2008

This paper examines the causal relationship between financial development and economic growth for six Middle Eastern and North African countries (Algeria, Egypt, Israel, Morocco, Syria, and Tunisia), within a quadvariate vector autoregressive framework. We employ four different measures of financial development and apply the augmented vector autoregression vector (VAR) methodology of Toda and Yamamoto to test for Granger causality. Our empirical results strongly support the hypothesis that finance leads to growth in five out of the six countries. Only in Israel could weak support be found for causality running from economic growth to financial development but no causality in the other direction. These findings suggest the need to accelerate the financial reforms that have been launched since the mid 1980s and to improve the efficiency of these countries’ financial systems to stimulate saving/investment and, consequently, long‐term economic growth.
Economic Growth and Convergence of EU Member States: An Empirical Investigation
Authors: Delgado‐Rodríguez Ma Jesús , Álvarez‐Ayuso Inmaculada
Published: April 2008

The aim of this article is to construct a European production frontier using deterministic methods, and to break down growth and convergence during the period 1980–2001. The results show that EU growth is primarily driven by physical and human capital accumulation, the contribution of which is essential for the cohesion of European countries. We find capital accumulation and efficiency change to be important convergence factors within the EU, while technical change has worked against it. The approach used has also enabled us to analyze the differences in growth performance of Member States and highlight the role of human and public capital, supporting the European cohesion and development policies carried out in this period.
What Determines Bilateral Aid Allocations? Evidence From Time Series Data
Authors: Feeny Simon , McGillivray Mark
Published: April 2008

This paper models the allocation of bilateral foreign development aid to developing countries. A simple theoretical framework is developed, in which aid is treated as a private good of a donor country bureaucratic group responsible for bilateral aid allocation. This model is applied to time series data for ten principal recipients of bilateral official development assistance. Features of this application are that it caters for the joint determination of aid allocations and for donor allocation behavior to differ among individual recipient countries. Results indicate that both recipient need and donor interest variables determine the amount of foreign aid to developing countries, and that donor allocation behavior often differs markedly among recipients.
SENCOs and the Code: A national survey
Authors: LEWIS ANN , NEILL SEAN , CAMPBELL JIM
Published: April 2008

In the August 1996 issue of Support for Learning (vol. 11:3) we reported the findings of a survey conducted by a team at the Roehampton Institute into placement and effects in five local authorities. A similar survey, conducted by Ann Lewis and her colleagues at Warwick University for the National Union of Teachers, appeared at roughly the same time. Here the Warwick team reproduce some of their findings and draw comparisons with the Roehampton investigation. Together, the two surveys comprise the most up‐to‐date and detailed picture of responses by both individual schools and local authorities to the Code of Practice.
Can dyslexic students be trained as teachers?
Authors: MORGAN ELLEN , ROONEY MARY
Published: April 2008

Increasing numbers of students with dyslexia are entering further and higher education. Those who go on to choose teaching as a career generate a certain amount of anxiety. Ellen Morgan and Mary Rooney show how student teachers with specific learning difficulties can overcome their problems. The strategies described here will be useful to others in similar circumstances.
Helping the disabled pupil select writing equipment
Authors: PASCOE JENNIFER , GORE SALLY , McLELLAN D. LINDSAY , BALLINGER CLAIRE , PAIN HELEN
Published: April 2008

Jennifer Pascoe and her colleagues at Southampton Hospital have made a study of the handwriting difficulties experienced by pupils with physical disabilities. They review the range of ideas and aids available that facilitate pencil grip and support the hand. Although these findings relate to identifiable physical problems, readers will be aware that such advice is useful in relation to some very young children and to others sometimes described as ‘clumsy’ or ‘uncoordinated’.
Reshaping learning support in a rapidly developing society
Authors: QUAH MAY LING , JONES KEVIN
Published: April 2008

Singapore is a sophisticated and rapidly developing society. May Ling Quah and Kevin Jones examine how support is given there to pupils with learning difficulties, illustrated with comments from learning support coordinators. The concerns and priorities identified will strike a cord with many professionals in similar circumstances in the UK and elsewhere.
Inspired by Statistics?
Authors: Carr Tracey
Published: April 2008

This article considers being inspired by statistics as both a learner and a teacher. It looks particularly at a task involving research of Minard's Map, a statistical representation, to create and present a statistical task for a learner. It describes how the use of imagery, and the enthusiasm that developed as the map and its context were explored by the teacher, were passed on to the learner.
Kiss High Blood Pressure Goodbye: The Relationship between Dark Chocolate and Hypertension
Authors: Nordmoe Eric D.
Published: April 2008

This article reports on a delicious finding from a recent study claiming a causal link between dark chocolate consumption and blood pressure reductions. In the article, I provide ideas for using this study to whet student appetites for a discussion of statistical ideas, including experimental design, measurement error and inference methods.
REVIEWING THE SUSTAINABILITY/STATIONARITY OF CURRENT ACCOUNT IMBALANCES WITH TESTS FOR BOUNDED INTEGRATION*
Authors: HERWARTZ HELMUT , XU FANG
Published: April 2008

We investigate for 26 OECD economies whether their current account imbalances to GDP are driven by stochastic trends. Regarding bounded stationarity as the more natural counterpart of sustainability, results from Phillips–Perron tests for unit root and bounded unit root processes are contrasted. While the former hint at stationarity of current account imbalances for 12 economies, the latter indicate bounded stationarity for only six economies. Through panel‐based test statistics, current account imbalances are diagnosed as bounded non‐stationary. Thus, (spurious) rejections of the unit root hypothesis might be due to the existence of bounds reflecting hidden policy controls or financial crises.
‘YOU MIGHT AS WELL BE HUNG FOR A SHEEP AS A LAMB’: THE LOSS FUNCTION OF AN AGENT*
Authors: BRAY MARGARET , GOODHART CHARLES
Published: April 2008

Most of those who take macro and monetary policy decisions are agents. The worst penalty which can be applied to these agents is to sack them. Agents thus have loss functions which are bounded above. We work with a bell loss function which has this property. With additive uncertainty the certainty equivalence which holds for a quadratic loss function breaks down with a bell loss function when there are two or more targets. With multiplicative (Brainard) uncertainty policy is more conservative than in the absence of multiplicative uncertainty, but less so with the bell than the quadratic loss function.
UK DEBT SUSTAINABILITY: SOME NONLINEAR EVIDENCE AND THEORETICAL IMPLICATIONS*
Authors: CONSIDINE JOHN , GALLAGHER LIAM A.
Published: April 2008

In this paper we assess whether the UK public finances were sustainable for the period 1919–2001. A robust test of sustainability is presented using a nonlinear representation of the debt–GDP ratio. Empirical evidence supports debt sustainability. Moreover, the exponential smooth transition autoregressive representation is evidence that sustainability is the result of active debt management rather than tax smoothing. The results strongly support the active debt management hypothesis for the UK.
Charcot‐Marie‐Tooth Disease: A Clinico‐genetic Confrontation
Authors: Barisic N. , Claeys K. G. , Sirotković‐Skerlev M. , Löfgren A. , Nelis E. , De Jonghe P. , Timmerman V.
Published: April 2008

Charcot‐Marie‐Tooth disease (CMT) is the most common neuromuscular disorder. It represents a group of clinically and genetically heterogeneous inherited neuropathies. Here, we review the results of molecular genetic investigations and the clinical and neurophysiological features of the different CMT subtypes. The products of genes associated with CMT phenotypes are important for the neuronal structure maintenance, axonal transport, nerve signal transduction and functions related to the cellular integrity. Identifying the molecular basis of CMT and studying the relevant genes and their functions is important to understand the pathophysiological mechanisms of these neurodegenerative disorders, and the processes involved in the normal development and function of the peripheral nervous system. The results of molecular genetic investigations have impact on the appropriate diagnosis, genetic counselling and possible new therapeutic options for CMT patients.
Optimal Two‐Stage Design for Case‐Control Association Analysis Incorporating Genotyping Errors
Authors: Zuo Y. , Zou G. , Wang J. , Zhao H. , Liang H.
Published: April 2008

Two‐stage design is a cost effective approach for identifying disease genes in genetic studies and it has received much attention recently. In general, there are two types of two‐stage designs that differ on the methods and samples used to measure allele frequencies in the first stage: (1) Individual genotyping is used in the first stage; (2) DNA pooling is used in the first stage. In this paper, we focus on the latter. Zuo et al. (2006) investigated statistical power of such a design, among other things, but the cost of the study was not taken into account. The purpose of this paper is to study the optimal design under the given overall cost. We investigate how to allocate the resources to the two stages. Note that in addition to the measurement errors associated with DNA pooling, genotyping errors are also unavoidable with individual genotyping. Therefore, we discuss the optimal design combining genotyping errors associated with individual genotyping. The joint statistical distributions of test statistics in the first and second stages are derived. For a fixed cost, our results show that the optimal design requires no additional samples in the second stage but only that the samples in the first stage be re‐used. When the second stage uses an entirely independent sample, however, the optimal design under a given cost depends on the population allele frequency and allele frequency difference between the case and control groups. For the current genotyping costs, we can roughly allocate 1/3 to 1/2 of the total sample size to the first stage for screening.
Three‐dimensional venous anatomy of the dermis observed using stereography
Authors: Imanishi Nobuaki , Kishi Kazuo , Chang Hak , Nakajima Hideo , Aiso Sadakazu
Published: April 2008

Veins of the dermis have been investigated mainly by histological methods in the fields of anatomy and histology, and a large number of schemata of the veins have been depicted in a variety of textbooks. However, the schemata are usually two‐dimensional and it is therefore difficult to envisage the actual vasculature of the dermal veins. In this study, we performed a stereographic study of the skin of three fresh cadavers that had been injected with radio‐opaque dye, which was dispersed throughout the entire body. A venous network consisting of venous polygons of various sizes existed just under the dermis or in the deep zone of the dermis, which is generally called the subdermal venous plexus. There were many small vessels towards the inside of each venous polygon, and most of them ascended, branching off stereoscopically. Those branches anastomosed with each other, and they formed the dermal and subpapillary venous plexuses. However, there was little vascular connection between dermal venous plexuses of different venous polygons. The characteristic structure of the dermal venous plexus has been considered to bring about venous congestion of the skin in various clinical situations.
Impaired meningeal development in association with apical expansion of calvarial bone osteogenesis in the Foxc1 mutant
Authors: Vivatbutsiri Philaiporn , Ichinose Shizuko , Hytönen Marjo , Sainio Kirsi , Eto Kazuhiro , Iseki Sachiko
Published: April 2008

Loss of function of the mouse forkhead/winged helix transcription factor Foxc1 induces congenital hydrocephalus and impaired skull bone development due to failure of apical expansion of the bone. In this study we investigated meningeal development in the congenital hydrocephalus (ch) mouse with spontaneous loss of function mutant of Foxc1, around the period of initiation of skull bone apical expansion. In situ hybridization of Runx2 revealed active apical expansion of the frontal bone begins between embryonic day 13.5 and embryonic day 14.5 in the wild type, whereas expansion was inhibited in the mutant. Ultrastructural analysis revealed that three layers of the meninges begin to develop at E13.5 in the basolateral site of the head and subsequently progress to the apex in wild type. In ch homozygotes, although three layers were recognized at first at the basolateral site, cell morphology and structure of the layers became abnormal except for the pia mater, and arachnoidal and dural cells never differentiated in the apex. We identified meningeal markers for each layer and found that their expression was down‐regulated in the mutant arachnoid and dura maters. These results suggest that there is a close association between meningeal development and the apical growth of the skull bones.
Mechanisms of plant survival and mortality during drought: why do some plants survive while others succumb to drought?
Authors: McDowell Nate , Pockman William T. , Allen Craig D. , Breshears David D. , Cobb Neil , Kolb Thomas , Plaut Jennifer , Sperry John , West Adam , Williams David G. , Yepez Enrico A.
Published: April 2008

Severe droughts have been associated with regional‐scale forest mortality worldwide. Climate change is expected to exacerbate regional mortality events; however, prediction remains difficult because the physiological mechanisms underlying drought survival and mortality are poorly understood. We developed a hydraulically based theory considering carbon balance and insect resistance that allowed development and examination of hypotheses regarding survival and mortality. Multiple mechanisms may cause mortality during drought. A common mechanism for plants with isohydric regulation of water status results from avoidance of drought‐induced hydraulic failure via stomatal closure, resulting in carbon starvation and a cascade of downstream effects such as reduced resistance to biotic agents. Mortality by hydraulic failure per se may occur for isohydric seedlings or trees near their maximum height. Although anisohydric plants are relatively drought‐tolerant, they are predisposed to hydraulic failure because they operate with narrower hydraulic safety margins during drought. Elevated temperatures should exacerbate carbon starvation and hydraulic failure. Biotic agents may amplify and be amplified by drought‐induced plant stress. Wet multidecadal climate oscillations may increase plant susceptibility to drought‐induced mortality by stimulating shifts in hydraulic architecture, effectively predisposing plants to water stress. Climate warming and increased frequency of extreme events will probably cause increased regional mortality episodes. Isohydric and anisohydric water potential regulation may partition species between survival and mortality, and, as such, incorporating this hydraulic framework may be effective for modeling plant survival and mortality under future climate conditions.

Contents

Summary
1

I.
Introduction
2

II. 
Consequences of vegetation mortality
3

III.
Global patterns of mortality
3

IV.
Hypotheses on mechanisms of drought‐related mortality
4

V.
Evidence for hypothesized mechanisms
5

VI.
Implications of future climate on hypothesized mortality mechanisms
13

VII.
Conclusions
15

Acknowledgements
15

References
15
Molecular networks regulating Arabidopsis seed maturation, after‐ripening, dormancy and germination
Authors: Holdsworth Michael J. , Bentsink Leónie , Soppe Wim J. J.
Published: April 2008

The transition between dormancy and germination represents a critical stage in the life cycle of higher plants and is an important ecological and commercial trait. In this review we present current knowledge of the molecular control of this trait in Arabidopsis thaliana, focussing on important components functioning during the developmental phases of seed maturation, after‐ripening and imbibition. Establishment of dormancy during seed maturation is regulated by networks of transcription factors with overlapping and discrete functions. Following desiccation, after‐ripening determines germination potential and, surprisingly, recent observations suggest that transcriptional and post‐transcriptional processes occur in the dry seed. The single‐cell endosperm layer that surrounds the embryo plays a crucial role in the maintenance of dormancy, and transcriptomics approaches are beginning to uncover endosperm‐specific genes and processes. Molecular genetic approaches have provided many new components of hormone signalling pathways, but also indicate the importance of hormone‐independent pathways and of natural variation in key regulatory loci. The influence of environmental signals (particularly light) following after‐ripening, and the effect of moist chilling (stratification) are increasingly being understood at the molecular level. Combined postgenomics, physiology and molecular genetics approaches are beginning to provide an unparalleled understanding of the molecular processes underlying dormancy and germination.

Contents

Summary
1

I.
Introduction
2

II.
Molecular regulation of seed maturation
3

III.
After‐ripening, transcription and translation during dry seed storage
5

IV.
Regulation of germination potential following seed imbibition
6

V.
Other factors influencing dormancy and germination
12

VI.
Regulation of genome expression in relation to dormancy and germination
13

VII.
Conclusions
15

Acknowledgements
16

References
16
Ethanol mimics ligand‐mediated activation and endocytosis of IL‐1RI/TLR4 receptors via lipid rafts caveolae in astroglial cells
Authors: Blanco Ana M. , Perez‐Arago Amparo , Fernandez‐Lizarbe Sara , Guerri Consuelo
Published: April 2008

We have recently reported that ethanol‐induced inflammatory processes in the brain and glial cells are mediated via the activation of interleukin‐1 beta receptor type I (IL‐1RI)/toll‐like receptor type 4 (TLR4) signalling. The mechanism(s) by which ethanol activates these receptors in astroglial cells remains unknown. Recently, plasma membrane microdomains, lipid rafts, have been identified as platforms for receptor signalling and, in astrocytes, rafts/caveolae constitute an important integrators of signal events and trafficking. Here we show that stimulation of astrocytes with IL‐1β, lipopolysaccharide or ethanol (10 and 50 mM), triggers the translocation of IL‐1RI and/or TLR4 into lipid rafts caveolae‐enriched fractions, promoting the recruitment of signalling molecules (phospho‐IL‐1R‐associated kinase and phospho‐extracellular regulated‐kinase) into these microdomains. With confocal microscopy, we further demonstrate that IL‐1RI is internalized by caveolar endocytosis via enlarged caveosomes organelles upon IL‐1β or ethanol treatment, which sorted their IL‐1RI cargo into the endoplasmic reticulum–Golgi compartment and into the nucleus of astrocytes. In short, our findings demonstrate that rafts/caveolae are critical for IL‐1RI and TLR4 signalling in astrocytes, and reveal a novel mechanism by which ethanol, by interacting with lipid rafts caveolae, promotes IL‐1RI and TLR4 receptors recruitment, triggering their endocytosis via caveosomes and downstream signalling stimulation. These results suggest that TLRs receptors are important targets of ethanol‐induced inflammatory damage in the brain.
Myelin‐induced microglial neurotoxicity can be controlled by microglial metabotropic glutamate receptors
Authors: Pinteaux‐Jones Fleur , Sevastou Ioanna G. , Fry Victoria A. H. , Heales Simon , Baker David , Pocock Jennifer M.
Published: April 2008

Microglia are present in an activated state in multiple sclerosis lesions. Incubation of primary cultured rat microglia with rat‐brain derived myelin (0.1–1 μg/mL) for 24 h induced microglial activation; cells displayed enhanced ED1 staining, expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase, production and release of the cytokine tumour necrosis factor‐α and glutamate release. Exposure of microglia to myelin induced the expression of neuronal caspases and ultimately neuronal death in cultured cerebellar granule cell neurons; neurotoxicity was directly because of microglial‐derived soluble toxins. Co‐incubation of microglia with agonists or antagonists of different metabotropic glutamate receptor (mGluR) subtypes ameliorated microglial neurotoxicity by inhibiting soluble neurotoxin production. Activation of microglial mGluR2 exacerbated myelin‐evoked neurotoxicity whilst activation of mGluR3 was protective as was activation of group III mGluRs. These data show that myelin‐induced microglial neurotoxicity can be prevented by regulation of mGluRs and suggest these receptors on microglia may be promising targets for therapeutic intervention in multiple sclerosis.
Support for the nest mimicry hypothesis in Yellow‐rumped Thornbills Acanthiza chrysorrhoa
Authors: GALLIGAN TOBY HEATH , KLEINDORFER SONIA
Published: April 2008

The nest of the Yellow‐rumped Thornbill Acanthiza chrysorrhoa (endemic to Australia) consists of a lower domed nest where the young are cared for and an upper cup‐shaped structure, referred to as the false nest. Numerous hypotheses have been proposed to explain the primary function of the false nest, but their predictions remain largely untested. Here, we test predictions of the nest mimicry hypothesis (with artificial nests) whereby the empty false nest acts as a decoy, deflecting visual nest predators and/or brood parasites away from the true nest below, thereby increasing nesting success. Clear detection of the false nest by adversaries is an intrinsic aspect of nest mimicry; thus we also test whether conspicuous nests (natural) are favoured by natural selection. Specifically, (1) we compare predation level at artificial domed nests with and without a false nest; and (2) we analyse associations between nest site concealment and nesting outcome in natural nests in a wild population. Supporting the nest mimicry hypothesis, predation level was significantly lower for artificial domed nests with false nests, and for natural nests with lower levels of concealment.
HEAD STRUCTURE IN UPPER STEM‐GROUP EUARTHROPODS
Authors: BUDD GRAHAM E.
Published: April 2008

Abstract:  Continuing debate over the evolution and morphology of the arthropod head has led to considerable interest in the relevance of the evidence from the fossil record. However, dispute over homology and even presence of appendages and sclerites in Cambrian arthropods has resulted in widely differing views of their significance. The head structures of several important taxa, Fuxianhuia, Canadaspis, Odaraia, Chengjiangocaris and Branchiocaris are redescribed, revealing the essential similarity between them. In particular, all possessed an anterior sclerite, probably followed by a large posterior, ventral sclerite that is likely to be homologous to the hypostome of trilobites. The presence of a similar feature in Sanctacaris is also possible, but less well‐supported. An anterior sclerite, usually bearing eyes, as in Fuxianhuia, appears to be a widespread feature of basal arthropods. Whether or not this sclerite represents an original articulating protocerebral segment on its own is, however, open to debate.
EARLY–MIDDLE JURASSIC LYTOCERATID AMMONITES WITH CONSTRICTIONS FROM MOROCCO: PALAEOBIOGEOGRAPHICAL AND EVOLUTIONARY IMPLICATIONS
Authors: BOURILLOT RAPHAEL , NEIGE PASCAL , PIERRE AURELIEN , DURLET CHRISTOPHE
Published: April 2008

Abstract:  The ammonite genus AlocolytocerasHyatt, 1900 is an uncommon lytoceratid with distinctive shell ornament. A set of 58 specimens, recently collected at Amellago in the central High Atlas (Morocco), has enabled us to trace a succession of three species over eight biozones from the Toarcian to the Aalenian. Two specimens from the Lusitanian Basin are added for comparison. Following a review of the genus, based on original specimens and data from the literature, seven species are considered valid. A palaeobiogeographical synthesis of 13 regions demonstrates irregular distribution patterns over time, with a constant presence in the south‐west Tethys and an instance of rapid diversification of an endemic fauna in north‐west Europe. Our data challenge the conventional view that lytoceratid ammonite evolution was ‘conservative’.
COMPARISONS BETWEEN PALAEOCENE–EOCENE PARATROPICAL SWAMP AND MARGINAL MARINE POLLEN FLORAS FROM ALABAMA AND MISSISSIPPI, USA
Authors: HARRINGTON GUY J.
Published: April 2008

Abstract:  Climate warming at the Palaeocene/Eocene boundary (c. 55.8 Ma) had significant permanent affects on paratropical and warm‐adapted vegetation types. Pollen and spore records which document vegetation turnover from the eastern US Gulf Coast have all been taken from sediments of marginal marine depositional environments. Pollen and spores (sporomorphs) are preserved excellently in these marginal marine depositional environments but these assemblages contain grains transported from many different vegetation types and over huge geographic distances. Currently it is unclear whether the turnover from important paratropical areas like the US Gulf Coast is a reflection on actual vegetation change in the local region or from source areas far away in the continental interior. Sporomorph data from 20 former swamps (lignites) from the Nanafalia, Tuscahoma and Hatchetigbee formations in Mississippi and Alabama, USA, are used to test the fidelity of the marine sporomorph record across the Palaeocene–Eocene transition. Data show that extinction is noted in the swamp record (≥7 per cent of Palaeocene taxa) and that swamps were susceptible to immigration in the Early Eocene with the first occurrences of Brosipollis spp. (Burseraceae), Dicolpopollis spp. (Palmae), Nuxpollenites psilatus (Loranthaceae) and Platycarya spp. (Juglandaceae). Swamps have higher within‐sample diversity in the Eocene but higher among‐sample diversity in latest Palaeocene–earliest Eocene samples, which parallels exactly diversity trends estimated from marine sporomorph assemblages. Palms also increase in abundance in the Eocene. The swamp data demonstrate that the flora growing in these ancient paratropical forests was diverse (c. 120 taxonomic groups) but incorporated an unusual admixture of plants with modern tropical affinities together with those that now live in modern temperate to subtropical North America.
PHYLOGENETIC ANALYSIS OF REPRODUCTIVE TRAITS OF MANIRAPTORAN THEROPODS AND ITS IMPLICATIONS FOR EGG PARATAXONOMY
Authors: ZELENITSKY DARLA K. , THERRIEN FRANÇOIS
Published: April 2008

Abstract:  A phylogenetic analysis of reproductive and oological (egg) traits of theropod taxa allows determination of the sequence in which these traits evolved in Theropoda. Our results indicate that several avian reproductive traits, such as adults sitting on eggs, asymmetrical eggs, unornamented eggshell surface, and complex eggshell ultrastructure, were already present in non‐avian maniraptorans, and could have evolved in more basal theropods. In addition, non‐avian maniraptorans laid two eggs at a time and orientated their eggs subvertically or subhorizontally in their nests, features not retained by neornithine birds. Based on our cladistic analysis it is also possible to infer the phylogenetic affinity of ootaxa of unknown parentage: Protoceratopsidovum was laid by a maniraptoran more derived than oviraptorids, and Parvoolithus probably belonged to a Cretaceous bird. Finally, our analysis reveals that many of the high‐level categories of egg parataxonomy (morphotypes and basic types) are unnatural groupings (i.e. non‐monophyletic). We recommend that these high‐level categories be abandoned because oofamilies are sufficient to categorize egg taxa.
THE ORIGIN OF AFRO‐ARABIAN ‘DIDELPHIMORPH’ MARSUPIALS
Authors: HOOKER JERRY J. , SÁNCHEZ‐VILLAGRA MARCELO R. , GOIN FRANCISCO J. , SIMONS ELWYN L. , ATTIA YOUSRY , SEIFFERT ERIK R.
Published: April 2008

Abstract:  New specimens of Peratherium africanum from Early Oligocene deposits of the Fayum, Egypt, provide key information on the relationships of the species. These include the first maxilla to be found and two additional dentaries. The maxilla can be demonstrated to belong to the same species as the holotype dentary by study of the occlusal relationships of upper and lower molars. It can be shown by several synapomorphies that P. africanum is the sister species to European Bartonian–Rupelian Peratherium lavergnense. P. africanum therefore belongs to the ‘didelphimorph’ family Herpetotheriidae, not to the peradectimorph family Peradectidae. The genus Qatranitherium, previously erected for this species alone, is here synonymized with Peratherium. Comparison with ‘didelphimorphian’ taxa from early Paleogene deposits of South America suggests more remote relationships, indicating an origin for P. africanum by dispersal from Europe as originally envisaged. The more precise relationships deduced here help to constrain the time interval for dispersal to Afro‐Arabia, probably during the earliest Oligocene sea‐level low.
THE RELATIVE IMPORTANCE OF WATER MOTION ON NITROGEN UPTAKE BY THE SUBTIDAL MACROALGA ADAMSIELLA CHAUVINII (RHODOPHYTA) IN WINTER AND SUMMER1
Authors: Kregting Louise T. , Hurd Catriona L. , Pilditch Conrad A. , Stevens Craig L.
Published: April 2008

The influence of seawater velocity (1.5–12 cm · s−1) on inorganic nitrogen (N) uptake by the soft‐sediment perennial macroalga Adamsiella chauvinii (Harv.) L. E. Phillips et W. A. Nelson (Rhodophyta) was determined seasonally by measuring uptake rate in a laboratory flume. Regardless of N tissue content, water velocity had no influence on NO3− uptake in either winter or summer, indicating that NO3−‐uptake rate was biologically limited. However, when thalli were N limited, increasing water velocity increased NH4+ uptake, suggesting that mass‐transfer limitation of NH4+ is likely during summer for natural populations. Uptake kinetics (Vmax, Ks) were similar among three populations of A. chauvinii at sites with different mean flow speeds; however, uptake rates of NO3− and NH4+ were lower in summer (when N status was generally low) than in winter. Our results highlight how N uptake can be affected by seasonal changes in the physiology of a macroalga and that further investigation of N uptake of different macroalgae (red, brown, and green) during different seasons is important in determining the relative influence of water velocity on nutrient uptake.
PHYLOGENY OF THE CONJUGATING GREEN ALGAE BASED ON CHLOROPLAST AND MITOCHONDRIAL NUCLEOTIDE SEQUENCE DATA1
Authors: Hall John D. , Karol Kenneth G. , McCourt Richard M. , Delwiche Charles F.
Published: April 2008

The conjugating green algae represent a lineage of charophyte green algae known for their structural diversity and unusual mode of sexual reproduction, conjugation. These algae are ubiquitous in freshwater environments, where they are often important primary producers, but few studies have investigated evolutionary relationships in a molecular systematic context. A 109‐taxon data set consisting of three gene fragments (two from the chloroplast and one from the mitochondrial genome) was used to estimate the phylogeny of the genera of the conjugating green algae. Maximum likelihood (ML), maximum parsimony (MP), and Bayesian inference (BI) were used to estimate relationships from the 4,047 alignable nucleotides. This study confirmed the polyphyly of the Zygnemataceae and Mesotaeniaceae with respect to one another. The Peniaceae were determined to be paraphyletic, and two genera traditionally classified among the Zygnematales appear to belong to the lineage that gave rise to the Desmidiales. Six genera, Euastrum, Cosmarium, Cylindrocystis, Mesotaenium, Spondylosium, and Staurodesmus, were polyphyletic in this analysis. These findings have important implications for the evolution of structural characteristics in the group and will require some taxonomic changes. More work will be required to delineate lineages of Zygnematales in particular and to identify structural synapomorphies for some of the newly identified clades.
Does Increased Levetiracetam Clearance> during Pregnancy Require Planned Intervention?
Authors: Abou-Khalil Bassel W.
Published: April 2008

Pharmacokinetics of Levetiracetam During Pregnancy, Delivery, in the Neonatal Period, and Lactation. Tomson T, Palm R, Källén K, Ben-Menachem E, Söderfeldt B, Danielsson B, Johansson R, Luef G, Ohman I. Epilepsia 2007;48:1111–1116. PURPOSE: To study pharmacokinetics of levetiracetam (LEV) during pregnancy, delivery, lactation, and in the neonatal period. METHODS: Fourteen women with epilepsy receiving LEV treatment during pregnancy and lactation contributed with 15 pregnancies to this prospective study in which LEV concentrations in plasma and breast milk were determined. Trough maternal plasma samples were collected each trimester, and at baseline after delivery. Blood samples were obtained at delivery from mothers, from the umbilical cord, and from newborns during 2 days after delivery. LEV concentration was also determined in breast milk and in plasma collected from 11 of the mothers and their suckling infants after birth. RESULTS: The umbilical cord/maternal plasma concentration ratios ranged from 0.56 to 2.0 (mean 1.15, n = 13). LEV plasma concentrations in the neonates declined with an estimated half-life of 18 h (n = 13). The mean milk/maternal plasma concentration ratio was 1.05 (range, 0.78–1.55, n = 11). The infant dose of LEV was estimated to 2.4 mg/kg/day, equivalent to 7.9% of the weight-normalized maternal dose. Plasma concentrations in breastfed were approximately 13% of the mother's plasma levels. Maternal plasma concentrations during third trimester were only 40% of baseline concentrations outside pregnancy (p < 0.001, n = 7). CONCLUSIONS: Our observations suggest considerable transplacental transport of LEV and fairly slow elimination in the neonate. Plasma concentrations of LEV in nursed infants are low despite an extensive transfer of LEV into breast milk. Pregnancy appears to enhance the elimination of LEV resulting in marked decline in plasma concentration, which suggests that therapeutic monitoring may be of value.
Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor‐165 Gene Therapy Promotes Cardiomyogenesis in Reperfused Myocardial Infarction
Authors: GUERRERO MAYRA , ATHOTA KRISHNA , MOY JASON , MEHTA LAXMI S. , LAGUENS RUBEN , CROTTOGINI ALBERTO , BORRELLI MICHAEL , CORRY PETER , SCHOENHERR DIANE , GENTRY RALPH , BOURA JUDITH , GRINES CINDY L. , RAFF GILBERT L. , SHANLEY CHARLES J. , O'NEILL WILLIAM W.
Published: April 2008

Background: Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)‐165 promotes cardiomyogenesis in chronic myocardial ischemia and nonreperfused myocardial infarction (MI). It is unknown whether this effect is present in reperfused MI. We sought to investigate the effect of VEGF‐165 gene therapy on cardiomyogenesis after reperfused MI.

Methods and Results: Twenty‐four Yucatan minipigs underwent thoracotomy and a vascular clamp was placed in the left circumflex artery. Reperfusion was reestablished after 90 minutes, and VEGF‐165 gene therapy or placebo was administered. A replication‐deficient recombinant human adenovirus serotype 5 was used for gene transfer (Ad5‐VEGF165). The same viral vector devoid of VEGF gene (Ad5‐β‐Galactosidase) was used as placebo. Two administration routes were tested, intramyocardial (IM) injection and circumflex intracoronary (IC) infusion. The pigs were assigned to one of the following groups: IM Ad5‐VEGF165 (n = 6), IM Ad5‐βGal (n = 6), IC Ad5‐VEGF165 (n = 6), and IC Ad5‐βGal (n = 6). All pigs received 5‐bromo‐2′‐deoxyuridine (BrdU) 250 mg IV twice a week to label cells undergoing DNA replication. The hearts were explanted at 4 weeks. BrdU‐labeled cardiomyocytes in the peri‐infarct area were counted by a pathologist blinded to group assignment. The number of BrdU‐labeled cardiomyocytes per million cells was 4‐fold higher in the group receiving IM VEGF‐165 (64 ± 11.4) vs. IM placebo (16 ± 10.6), P = 0.034. No difference in infarct size or ventricular function was observed between the groups.

Conclusions: IM VEGF‐165 gene therapy promotes cardiomyogenesis in reperfused MI. However, no benefit in infarct size or cardiac function was observed at 4 weeks. The origin of these cells remains unknown and needs to be determined.
Immediate and early non‐occlusal loading of Straumann implants with a chemically modified surface (SLActive) in the posterior mandible and maxilla: interim results from a prospective multicenter randomized‐controlled study
Authors: Zöllner Axel , Ganeles Jeffrey , Korostoff Jonathan , Guerra Fernando , Krafft Tim , Brägger Urs
Published: April 2008

Objective: Immediate and early loading of dental implants can simplify treatment and increase overall patient satisfaction. The purpose of this 3‐year prospective randomized‐controlled multicenter study was to assess the differences in survival rates and bone level changes between immediately and early‐loaded implants with a new chemically modified surface (SLActive). This investigation shows interim results obtained after 5 months.

Material and methods: Patients ≥18 years of age missing at least one tooth in the posterior maxilla or mandible were enrolled in the study. Following implant placement, patients received a temporary restoration either on the day of surgery (immediate loading) or 28–34 days after surgery (early loading); restorations consisted of single crowns or two to four unit fixed dental prostheses. Permanent restorations were placed 20–23 weeks following surgery. The primary efficacy variable was change in bone level (assessed by standardized radiographs) from baseline to 5 months; secondary variables included implant survival and success rates.

Results: A total of 266 patients were enrolled (118 males and 148 females), and a total of 383 implants were placed (197 and 186 in the immediate and early loading groups, respectively). Mean patient age was 46.3±12.8 years. After 5 months, implant survival rates were 98% in the immediate group and 97% in the early group. Mean bone level change from baseline was 0.81±0.89 mm in the immediate group and 0.56±0.73 mm in the early group (P<0.05). Statistical analysis revealed a significant center effect (P<0.0001) and a significant treatment × center interaction (P=0.008).

Conclusions: The results suggested that Straumann implants with an SLActive can be used predictably in time‐critical (early or immediate) loading treatment protocols when appropriate patient selection criteria are observed. The mean bone level changes observed from baseline to 5 months (0.56 and 0.81 mm) corresponded to physiological observations from other studies, i.e., were not clinically significant. The presence of a significant center effect and treatment × center interaction indicated that the differences in bone level changes between the two groups were center dependent.
A 2‐year community‐randomized controlled trial of fluoride varnish to prevent early childhood caries in Aboriginal children
Authors: Lawrence Herenia P. , Binguis Darlene , Douglas Jan , McKeown Lynda , Switzer Bonita , Figueiredo Rafael , Laporte Audrey
Published: April 2008

Abstract –  Objective:  To measure the effectiveness of fluoride varnish (FV) (Duraflor®, 5% sodium fluoride, Pharmascience Inc., Montréal, QC, Canada) and caregiver counseling in preventing early childhood caries (ECC) in Aboriginal children in a 2‐year community‐randomized controlled trial.

Methods:  Twenty First Nations communities in the Sioux Lookout Zone (SLZ), Northwest Ontario, Canada were randomized to two study groups. All caregivers received oral health counseling, while children in one group received FV twice per year and the controls received no varnish. A total of 1275, 6 months to 5‐year‐old children from the SLZ communities were enrolled. In addition, a convenience sample of 150 primarily non‐Aboriginal children of the same age were recruited from the neighboring community of Thunder Bay and used as comparisons. Longitudinal examinations for the dmft/s indices were conducted by calibrated hygienists in 2003, 2004 and 2005.

Results:  Aboriginal children living in the SLZ or in Thunder Bay had significantly higher caries prevalence and severity than non‐Aboriginal children in Thunder Bay. FV treatment conferred an 18% reduction in the 2‐year mean ‘net’ dmfs increment for Aboriginal children and a 25% reduction for all children, using cluster analysis to adjust for the intra‐cluster correlation among children in the same community. Adjusted odds ratio for caries incidence was 1.96 times higher in the controls than in the FV group (95% CI = 1.08–3.56; P = 0.027). For those caries‐free at baseline, the number (of children) needed to treat (NNT) equaled 7.4.

Conclusions:  Findings support the use of FV at least twice per year, in conjunction with caregiver counseling, to prevent ECC, reduce caries increment and oral health inequalities between young Aboriginal and non‐Aboriginal children.
Oral health equality during 30 years in Norway
Authors: Holst Dorthe
Published: April 2008

Abstract – Objectives: To study the relationship between income and edentulousness and having a functional dentition from 1975 to 2002, and to examine whether or not the findings can be characterized as a social gradient.

Methods: Four datasets were collected by personal interviews and precoded questionnaires by Statistics Norway in 1975, 1985, 1995 and 2002. The datasets were representative of the non‐institutionalized adult population in Norway. Each year, the sampled persons were distributed into five income quintiles. Four effects were examined of the relationship between income quintiles and edentulousness and functional dentition (1) the absolute equality effect, (2) the period effect, (3) the relative equality effect, and (4) the gradient effect.

Results: The main finding is that in absolute terms oral health is more equally distributed in 2002 than in 1975, and the lowest income groups benefited the most in oral health. Among the elderly, however, having a functional dentition was less equally distributed in 2002. The relative differences increased for the oldest for each new birth cohort; thus, the chances of being edentulous was 7.5 times higher in the lowest income group versus the highest group in 2002, whereas the chances were only two times higher in 1972. Having lost all natural teeth was infrequent in 2002, and inequality wiped out in the population below ≥60 years. A small social gradient was still in 2002.

Conclusions: The condition of edentulousness is a result of accumulated incidences of dental diseases and fragmented access to dental care. Economic barriers and unavailability of dental care postponed necessary restorative dental care and resulted in more drastic treatment solutions previously especially in the rural areas in Norway.
Testing responsiveness to change for the early childhood oral health impact scale (ECOHIS)
Authors: Li S. , Malkinson S. , Veronneau J. , Allison P. J.
Published: April 2008

Abstract –  Objectives:  The Early Childhood Oral Health Impact Scale (ECOHIS) is a recently developed oral health‐related quality of life instrument designed to assess the impact of oral health problems in 0–5‐year‐old children. It has previously been validated as discriminative instrument. The goal of this study was to investigate the responsiveness to change of the ECOHIS.

Methods:  Data were collected from a convenience sample of 101 parents of 0–5‐year‐old children attending a hospital dental clinic for dental treatment. The ECOHIS was completed by parents prior to dental treatment and 2 weeks later. Subjects were also asked a global transition judgement concerning change between the second and first completion of the ECOHIS instrument. Responsiveness to change of the ECOHIS was analysed through: (i) a comparison of ECOHIS change scores with a global transition judgment by study subjects; (ii) an assessment of the statistical significance of within‐group change in scores over time for groups reporting improvement, stability and deterioration; (iii) an estimation of the ECOHIS’s sensitivity; and (iv) an investigation the effect size of the ECOHIS.

Results:  Of the 101 subjects recruited, 94 had full datasets. Their data were used for the analyses reported in this paper. Pre‐ and post‐treatment distributions of ECOHIS scores were strongly distributed towards no oral health impacts. Among the 94 subjects, 51.1% reported improvement, 42.6% reported no change and 6.4% reported deterioration following treatment, using the global transition judgement. The mean ECOHIS change scores for these three groups were −0/9, +0.7 and +6.5 respectively, although none of the within‐group changes were statistically significant. The effect size for those reporting improvement was small (0.15) but for those reporting deterioration was moderate‐to‐large (0.69). Sensitivity ranged from 0.61–0.79 depending on the size of the cut‐off point, with a change of 3 points demonstrating the best sensitivity to false positive ratio (0.79 versus 0.41 respectively).

Conclusion:  In this sample with low levels of problems, the ECOHIS has demonstrated some limited ability to respond to change. Further work in a larger sample with higher levels of problems is needed to investigate the instrument’s ability to respond to change when it has occurred.
Occupational contact dermatitis due to essential oils
Authors: Trattner Akiva , David Michael , Lazarov Aneta
Published: April 2008

Background:  Allergic contact dermatitis induced by the occupational use of products containing essential oils has not been studied comprehensively.

Objectives:  The aim of the present report was to describe the characteristics, diagnosis, and outcome of 5 patients with occupational contact dermatitis because of essential oils attending our outpatient dermatology clinics over a 2‐year period.

Patients:  These patients are added to the 11 cases reported thus far in the literature.

Results:  The research shows that for proper diagnosis, patch tests with the standard series and the fragrance series should be performed, in addition to tests with the specific oils to which the patients were exposed.

Conclusions:  Patients should be instructed to avoid the allergens identified. Sensitization to essential oils has important implications for the occupational future of affected individuals.