bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Interobserver agreement in contrast harmonic endoscopic ultrasound
Authors: Fusaroli Pietro , Kypraios Dimitrios , Mancino Maria Grazia , Spada Alessia , Benini Maria Chiara , Bianchi Marco , Bocus Paolo , De Angelis Claudio , De Luca Leonardo , Fabbri Carlo , Grillo Antonino , Marzioni Marco , Reggio Dario , Togliani Thomas , Zanarini Stefano , Caletti Giancarlo
Published: March 2012

Background and Aim:  Contrast harmonic endoscopic ultrasound (CH‐EUS) was recently introduced to clinical practice; its reproducibility among endosonographers is unknown. Our aim was to assess the interobserver agreement (IA) in CH‐EUS.

Methods:  Fifteen endosonographers (eight experienced and seven non‐experienced) from 11 Italian EUS centers evaluated 80 video‐cases (40 solid pancreatic lesions, 20 pancreatic cystic lesions and 20 submucosal lesions) of CH‐EUS, according to the degree of enhancement, the pattern of distribution and the washout of the contrast agent. IA within each group and between the two groups of observers was assessed with the Fleiss kappa statistic.

Results:  Overall IA was moderate for the uptake and fair for the pattern of distribution and the washout. In solid pancreatic lesions, IA was moderate for the uptake and fair for the pattern and the washout. In cystic pancreatic lesions, IA was uniformly moderate for the assessment of uptake, slight for the pattern and fair for the washout. In submucosal tumors, IA was substantial for the uptake, slight for the pattern and fair for the washout. Non‐experienced endosonographers demonstrated, in most cases, comparable IA with the experienced ones.

Conclusions:  Interobserver agreement among endosonographers for CH EUS was satisfactory. In particular, overall IA varied from slight to substantial, being fair in the majority of cases. Inherent structural features of the lesions, as well as technical differences between the variables assessed, could have accounted for the fluctuation of the results. Outcomes of IA were reproducible between experienced and non‐experienced endosonographers.
Distribution trends of gastric polyps: An endoscopy database analysis of 24 121 northern Chinese patients
Authors: Cao Hailong , Wang Bangmao , Zhang Zhihua , Zhang Hui , Qu Rui
Published: March 2012

Background and Aim:  Traditionally the most common gastric polyps are hyperplastic polyps (HPs). However, in the last two decades, fundic gland polyps (FGPs) have greatly increased in Western countries. We aimed to re‐evaluate and compare the distribution of gastric polyps in a northern Chinese population in 2000 and 2010.

Methods:  Consecutive patients with gastric polyps detected in 2000 and 2010 were analyzed and biopsies were re‐evaluated. Data including patients' age, sex, symptoms and the number, size, location, Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection of polyps were recorded.

Results:  A total of 6784 and 17 337 patients underwent esophagogastroduodenoscopy in 2000 and 2010, 68 and 183 patients were diagnosed with gastric polyps, respectively. H. pylori infection decreased from 54.4% to 37.7% (P = 0.017). Overall, spectrum of gastric polyps changed (P < 0.001). HPs accounted for 28.3% and decreased from 48.5% to 20.8%, adenoma/carcinoma and inflammatory polyps also decreased. FGPs were present in 50.6% and increased from 8.8% to 66.1%. The location of polyps was also changed with an increase of polyps in gastric corpus. There was a high proportion of FGPs in females, while adenomas/adenocarcinomas were more common in males. The distribution pattern was similar in young and elderly patients.

Conclusions:  Spectrum change of gastric polyps was observed over the past 10 years in the northern Chinese population most likely due to the higher proportion of FGPs. Further studies are required to investigate the reasons and confirm whether it will lead to a different management strategy in China.
Development and evaluation of a modified Frequency Scale for the Symptoms of Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease to distinguish functional dyspepsia from non‐erosive reflux disease
Authors: Kusano Motoyasu , Hosaka Hiroko , Kawada Akiyo , Kuribayashi Shikou , Shimoyama Yasuyuki , Kawamura Osamu , Moki Fumitaka
Published: March 2012

Background and Aim:  The Frequency Scale for the Symptoms of Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (FSSG) is the standard questionnaire used in Japan for the diagnosis of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and assessment of the response to treatment. We modified the FSSG in order to assess dyspepsia symptoms, and evaluated the modified questionnaire.

Methods:  We modified the FSSG by adding two questions on interdigestive and postprandial epigastric pain. We then assessed the modified FSSG with 100 new untreated symptomatic patients presenting to hospital and in 200 subjects undergoing health checks. Endoscopic assessment of the esophagogastric junction was performed according to the modified Los Angeles classification with addition of Grade N (normal appearance) and Grade M (minimal change). Endoscopic images were assessed by five experienced endoscopists blinded to the questionnaire results.

Results:  The 100 new patients included 16 with erosive GERD (>Grade A), 12 with peptic ulcer, and two with gastric cancer. Among the 70 patients with no evidence of organic disease, the modified FSSG diagnosed functional dyspepsia (FD) in 41 and non‐erosive gastric disease (NERD) in 29. A significant difference was seen in the dyspepsia score between patients with FD and NERD. Subjects with endoscopic GERD undergoing health checks had significantly higher scores for all symptoms, reflux symptoms, and dyspeptic symptoms on the modified FSSG.

Conclusion:  The modified FSSG can clearly distinguish FD from NERD, and is useful for the assessment of dyspeptic symptoms.
African fluid bolus study: Implications for practice
Authors: Brewster David
Published: March 2012

The Fluid Expansion as Supportive Therapy (FEAST) trial in an African setting without intensive care facilities found that bolus fluid therapy for severe infections (including malaria and viral infections) resulted in a significantly higher mortality than those not given a bolus. This was a high‐quality study of 3170 children with 48 h mortality as the primary outcome. Despite the different setting and diseases than in a developed country context, it could be argued that this study calls into question the wisdom of bolus fluid regimes for sepsis, and perhaps even the concept of ‘compensated shock’ in the Advanced Paediatric Life Support protocol. Some have tried to attack the ethics of the study, but this is unjustified. The implications for paediatric practice in Africa are that intravenous fluids need to be monitored more closely, and the practice of giving boluses to every ‘query septic infant and child’ needs to be examined more critically.
Perinatal outcome of monochorionic diamniotic twin pregnancies managed from early gestation at a single center
Authors: Nakayama Soichiro , Ishii Keisuke , Kawaguchi Haruna , Hayashi Shusaku , Hidaka Nobuhiro , Murakoshi Takeshi , Mitsuda Nobuaki
Published: March 2012

Aim:  The aim of this study was to evaluate the perinatal outcome of monochorionic diamniotic (MD) twin gestations managed from early gestation onward at a single center.

Material and Methods:  This was a retrospective single‐cohort study, spanning 6 years, of 219 MD twin pregnancies who received prenatal care before 14 weeks of gestation and delivered at our center. The subjects were all under the same perinatal management protocol. The incidence of fetal or neonatal death, major neurological complications at 28 days of age, twin–twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS), twin anemia‐polycythemia sequence, and discordant birth was evaluated. Laser surgery was offered for TTTS at less than 26 weeks; however, selective feticide was not performed.

Results:  Pregnancy termination was selected in two cases. Miscarriage occurred in two (1%) of the cases and preterm delivery occurred in 91 (42%). In regard to perinatal outcome at 28 days of age, 195 (89%) women possessed two live infants and 205 (94%) possessed at least one live infant. The overall survival rate was 92% (403/438). The prevalence of TTTS was 17 cases (8%), seven of whom underwent laser surgery. Four cases of twin anemia‐polycythemia sequence were diagnosed postnatally (2%); discordant birth was diagnosed in 24 (12%). Major neonatal neurological abnormalities were noted in six cases (2%).

Conclusions:  The incidence of perinatal complications in 219 sets of MD twins managed from early gestational age to the neonatal period in one perinatal center was demonstrated. The incidence of TTTS was 8%; the survival rate was 89% at 28 days of age.
Delayed presentation of intraperitoneal bladder rupture following domestic violence in pregnancy
Authors: Dorairaj Jayalakshmi , Sagili Haritha , Rani Reddi , Nanjundan Pramya , Rajendran Jisha , Ananthakrishnan Ramesh
Published: March 2012

Trauma during pregnancy can present a unique challenge because of care for the mother and the fetus. About 6–7% of all pregnant patients are exposed to some sort of trauma, especially during the third trimester, with 0.3–0.4% requiring hospitalization. Although mostly accidental, injuries are sometimes caused by intentional violence. There is no published report on bladder rupture following trauma in pregnancy. We report a case of bladder injury following abdominal trauma in a pregnant woman.
Discrepancy between human T‐cell lymphotropic virus type I screening test and confirmatory tests in non‐endemic areas
Authors: Hanaoka Masachi , Kubo Takahiko , Saitoh Akihiko
Published: March 2012

Aim:  The purpose of this study was to examine the seroprevalence of human T‐lymphotropic virus (HTLV)‐I among pregnant women at our institution in Tokyo, Japan, which is a non‐endemic area, and to investigate the results of Western blotting among pregnant women who had obtained positive results from a screening test.

Material and Methods:  The seroprevalence of HTLV‐I was retrospectively reviewed in 11 352 pregnant women who gave birth at the National Center for Child Health and Development in Tokyo, Japan, between 2002 and 2009. For the screening test, a chemiluminescent enzyme immunoassay was performed followed by a confirmatory Western blot test.

Results:  The overall positive rate for the screening test was 0.33% (37/11 352). Western blot testing was performed in 36 of these 37 cases. Only nine patients (25%) were positive for HTLV‐I by Western blot testing, seven patients (19%) were indeterminate, and 20 patients (56%) were negative.

Conclusions:  In this study (carried out in a non‐endemic area), the percentage of patients with a positive result from the screening test who were confirmed to be true carriers was significantly low, differing from endemic areas.
Hand‐assisted laparoscopic versus total laparoscopic right colectomy: a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Ng L. W. C. , Tung L. M. , Cheung H. Y. S. , Wong J. C. H. , Chung C. C. , Li M. K. W.
Published: March 2012

Aim  Laparoscopic colectomy for colorectal cancer is associated with definite short‐term benefits, and is increasingly practised worldwide. The limitations of a pure laparoscopic approach include a relative lack of tactile feedback and long procedural time. Hand‐assisted laparoscopic surgery was introduced in an attempt to facilitate operation by improving the tactile sensation. To date, there is no consensus as to which approach is better. Herein we conducted a randomized controlled trial comparing hand‐assisted laparoscopic colectomy (HALC) with total laparoscopic colectomy (TLC) in the management of right‐sided colonic cancer.

Methods  Adult patients with carcinoma of the caecum and ascending colon were recruited and randomized to undergo either HALC or TLC. Measured outcomes included operative time, blood loss, conversion rate, postoperative morbidities, postoperative pain, length of hospital stay, disease recurrence and patient survival.

Results  Sixty patients (HALC = 30, TLC = 30) were recruited. The two groups were comparable with regard to age, gender distribution, body mass index and final histopathological staging. No difference was observed between the groups in terms of operating time, conversion rate, operative blood loss, pain score and length of hospital stay. With a median follow‐up of 27 to 33 months, no difference was observed in terms of disease recurrence, and the 5‐year survival rates remained similar (83%vs 80%, P = 0.923).

Conclusion  HALC is safe and feasible, but it does not show any significant benefits over TLC in terms of operating time and conversion rate. Routine use of the hand‐assisted laparoscopic technique in right hemicolectomy is therefore not recommended.
Biomarker models as surrogates for the disposition index in the Insulin Resistance Atherosclerosis Study
Authors: Watkins S. M. , Rowe M. W. , Kolberg J. A. , Wagenknecht L. E. , Bergman R. N.
Published: March 2012

Aims  Insulin sensitivity and acute insulin response measure key components of Type 2 diabetes aetiology that contribute independently to risk in the Insulin Resistance Atherosclerosis Study. As insulin sensitivity and acute insulin response are not routinely measured in a clinical setting, we evaluated three fasting biomarker models, homeostasis model assessment of insulin sensitivity (HOMA‐%S), β‐cell function (HOMA‐%B) and a Diabetes Risk Score, as potential surrogates for risk associated with insulin sensitivity, acute insulin response and the interaction of these two measures, the disposition index.

Methods  Models were calculated from baseline plasma biomarker concentrations for 664 participants who underwent a frequently sampled intravenous glucose tolerance test. To assess relationships among biomarker models and test measures, we calculated improvement in risk estimation gained by combining each fasting measure with each frequently sampled intravenous glucose tolerance test measure using logistic regression.

Results  The strongest correlates of acute insulin response, insulin sensitivity and disposition index were HOMA‐%B (rs2 = 0.23), HOMA‐%S (rs2 = 0.48) and Diabetes Risk Score (rs2 = 0.34), respectively. Individual areas under the curves for prediction of diabetes were 0.549 (HOMA‐%B), 0.694 (HOMA‐%S), 0.700 (insulin sensitivity), 0.714 (acute insulin response), 0.756 (Diabetes Risk Score) and 0.817 (disposition index). Models combining acute insulin response with Diabetes Risk Score (area under the curve 0.798) or HOMA‐%S (area under the curve 0.805) nearly equalled disposition index, outperforming other individual measures (P < 0.05). Insulin sensitivity plus Diabetes Risk Score (area under the curve 0.760) was better than insulin sensitivity (P = 0.03), but not better than Diabetes Risk Score alone. HOMA‐%S plus insulin sensitivity (area under the curve 0.704) was not significantly better than either alone.

Conclusions  The Diabetes Risk Score and HOMA‐%S were excellent surrogates for insulin sensitivity, capturing the predictive power of insulin sensitivity. Diabetes Risk Score captured some of the additional predictive power of acute insulin response, but the HOMA models did not. No fasting model was as predictive as disposition index, but the Diabetes Risk Score was the best surrogate.
Accounting for Expenditure on Intangibles
Authors: HUNTER LAURIE , WEBSTER ELIZABETH , WYATT ANNE
Published: March 2012

In search of a unifying measurement feature on which to base a more systematic and potentially comprehensive analysis of intangibles, this paper first analyses the economic and accounting properties of intangibles, and second, empirically evaluates managerial practices for measuring and analysing expenditure on intangibles. We present evidence from a survey of 614 large Australian firms that suggests gaps in the extent with which firms plan, monitor, record, analyse, and report on intangibles. Third, we evaluate the implications of our analysis and survey for accounting practice. Our evidence suggests GAAP has a role to provide guidance that helps firms identify and classify their expenditure on intangibles in ways that elucidate the strategic implications of the different types of intangibles for future output. A secondary step for accountants, after identifying and classifying the expenditure on intangibles, is to apply a capitalization test to distinguish expenses from assets. The current asymmetric treatment of expenditure on purchased versus internally generated intangibles is not supportable on economic grounds. However, economists identify weak property rights as a major cause of uncertainty associated with the outcomes from expenditure on intangibles, suggesting verifiable property rights is a unifying measurement feature on which to base a capitalization test for intangible assets.
WHITHER GERMANY AND THE EMU IN A CHALLENGING ENVIRONMENT?*
Authors: TRUETT LILA J. , TRUETT DALE B.
Published: March 2012

While the German economy may currently be a bright spot in Europe, it has faced substantial challenges in recent years. Moreover, tensions are rising regarding Germany's responsibilities and opportunities as a member of the European Monetary Union. Other studies have documented the difficulties that Germany has encountered as a result of the unification and further integration of Europe. This paper adds to that literature by using an aggregate translog cost function approach to examine the relationships among inputs of domestic capital and labour and imports. Our findings indicate that the input pairs of capital‐labour and labour‐imports are substitutes. The substitutes relationship between labour and imports, which has become stronger over time, suggests that increasing globalisation will add to Germany's unemployment woes. Capital and imports appear to be weak complements, but that relationship is not statistically significant. The results also suggest that imports are playing an increasingly important role in Germany's aggregate production, accentuating the role of the international environment.
The ‘Too Difficult Box’: Its Temptations and How to Avoid Them
Authors: CLARKE CHARLES
Published: March 2012

Within our democratic political system too many of the pressing and serious political, economic and social challenges of our times are delayed or put off, deposited in the ‘Too Difficult Box’. This happens for a variety of reasons which include failure correctly to identify the best solution, failure to understand obstructions in implementing the proposed solution, difficulties in placating or overcoming a range of vested interests, glitches in circumnavigating a range of legal constraints, lack of appreciation of the international dimension of the issue, succumbing to the vicissitudes of the political process and evaporation of the necessary political creativity and energy. It is a responsibility of democratic politics to find ways of dealing with these problems, through more collaborative or consensual politics if necessary. Otherwise citizens will lose confidence in the ability of democracy to solve the problems which concern them.
Scottish Independence, State Religion and the Monarchy
Authors: BONNEY NORMAN
Published: March 2012

The plans of the Scottish Executive/Government for the independence of Scotland, which are very sketchy, are explored in relation to desire to retain the monarchy. The Scottish Parliament has expressed support for the removal of religious discrimination from succession to the throne and instituted an alternative state religion—measures which suggest an alternative relationship between religion and the monarchy will be required in an independent Scotland. Repealing the Act of Union will require decisions as to whether the monarchy remains as Christian, Protestant and Presbyterian in Scotland or whether some alternative religious or secular arrangements will be developed. Accepting the existing religious settlement of the monarchy, or varying it, will generate challenging issues for a Scottish administration that is seeking to be more religiously inclusive.
The Cambusters: The Conservative European Union Referendum Rebellion of October 2011
Authors: COWLEY PHILIP , STUART MARK
Published: March 2012

The backbench rebellion that hit the Coalition government in October 2011 was one of the largest Commons revolts of the postwar era, on any issue. But it was not just its size that was noteworthy. This article outlines ten points about the origins of the vote, its timing, its composition, and the nature of the divisions it revealed. Facilitated by recent procedural innovations in the Commons, the rebellion was both evidence of a longer‐term rise in dissent amongst MPs of all parties, as well as other medium‐and short‐term factors within the Conservative party. It leaves the Prime Minister caught in an impossible triangle, attempting to satisfy his pro‐European Liberal Democrat partners in the Coalition, while keeping his Euro‐sceptic rebels happy, and yet retaining enough credibility in European capitals to negotiate successfully.
Unionism after Good Friday and St Andrews
Authors: PATTERSON HENRY
Published: March 2012

Unionism's response to the peace process and the Belfast Agreement was often characterised as incoherent, divided and reactive. This reflected the reality that the core of the peace process was the relationship between the British state and the IRA. Since the end of the IRA as a terrorist organisation and mainstream republicanism's embrace of a partitionist settlement, Unionism's political position appears stronger. However, although constitutionally secure it faces major ideological and strategic challenges
Republicanism Domesticated? All‐Ireland Politics in an Age of Austerity
Authors: DOCHARTAIGH NIALL Ó
Published: March 2012

This paper examines some of the key factors working in favour of mutual insulation between the two political jurisdictions in Ireland, factors that contribute to the ‘copper‐fastening’ of partition and that constitute a major obstacle to any Irish Republican project focused on the ending of partition. It outlines the powerful structural forces working for the naturalisation of Northern Ireland as a political unit. It argues that some of these factors are almost entirely independent of political unionism and in certain respects work to copperfasten partition despite the efforts of unionism. It goes on to outline a number of key elements that work against the mutual insulation of the jurisdictions and the domestication of Irish Republican and nationalist politics in a Northern Ireland context, factors that continue to pull the North back into an all‐Ireland context despite all of the powerful structural factors working to mutually insulate the politics of the two jurisdictions.
In Defence of Politics: Interpreting the Peace Process and the Future of Northern Ireland
Authors: DIXON PAUL
Published: March 2012

The interpretation of the Northern Ireland peace process is highly controversial because it not only has implications for the future of Northern Ireland but ‘lessons’ are also drawn for dealing with terrorism and insurgency globally. This article reviews and critiques key interpretations of the peace process. ‘The Militarists’, Republican Dissidents and Neoconservatives, offer a ‘fundamentalist idealist’ interpretation which leads them to reject political compromise and continue to pursue victory by military means. ‘The Enthusiasts’ are leading figures in the Labour government who champion the outcome of the peace process and recommend ‘talking to terrorists’. ‘The Sceptics’ argue in defence of politics and support the pragmatic realism used to negotiate accommodation. They are critical of ‘The Militarists’ for misinterpreting the peace process and threatening to go back to ‘war’. ‘Sceptics’ welcome powersharing but criticise the ‘Enthusiasts’ for mishandling the peace process and undermining the moderate parties. This has left Northern Ireland with high levels of segregation and economic inequality that prevent the consolidation of peace.
The Media in Northern Ireland: A Stormont Correspondent's View
Authors: DEVENPORT MARK
Published: March 2012

During the troubles, the role of a Northern Ireland correspondent evolved from ambulance chaser to peace process ‘Kremlinologist’, keeping an eye on the subtle shifts within the political negotiations. Now the interest of the international media has waned and reporters have to generate fresh stories relevant to the local audience, against the backdrop of an adverse economic climate. Some stories may be Northern Ireland specific, dealing with the legacy of the troubles. Others involve economic and social issues common to other areas of the UK or Ireland. Knowledge of the conflict remains a prerequisite for covering Stormont politics, dissident republican attacks, or loyalist violence. However journalists should be mindful of the concerns of a younger generation who increasingly regard the paramilitary ceasefires and peace deals as history.
Introducing the ‘Too Difficult Box’
Authors: CLARKE CHARLES , KASSIM HUSSEIN
Published: March 2012

Although governments intervene extensively across an ever‐increasing range of activities, there are some problems that they are loath to address. These issues vary in size, scale and complexity. Some are local; others are national. A number are international or global. The impediments to action also differ. They may be technical, institutional or political. In some cases, there is no agreement even that a problem exists. In a few, by contrast, expert consensus on diagnosis and prescription may have been long‐standing, even if yet to issue in concrete measures. What these issues share, however, is that their successful resolution would bring significant benefits to society, but that for whatever reason governments consider them too problematic to tackle. Hence they are consigned to the ‘too difficult box’. Where this happens the system of democracy is itself likely to be weakened. This article discusses these issues and introduces contemporary instances.
The Funding of Political Parties
Authors: PHILLIPS HAYDEN
Published: March 2012

Despite attempts over the last decade to bring an end to what has become an ‘arms race’ between political parties, party funding in the UK continues to defy resolution. Drawing on the experience of the committee charged by the last Labour administration to put party funding and electoral spending on a more sustainable footing, this article examines the issues and the main sticking points. It outlines the basis on which the negotiations were undertaken, and the main hurdles they sought to overcome. It highlights the disagreement between the parties on the definition of the central issue, the problems associated with the main funding sources for each of the parties, and the viability of state funding. It discusses why success proved elusive, but also why a solution is necessary, since in the absence of robust rules, parties and therefore the UK political system more broadly, are ‘a hostage to the next scandal’.
The structure of savant calendrical knowledge
Authors: HEAVEY LISA , HERMELIN BEATE , CRANE LAURA , PRING LINDA
Published: March 2012

Aim  We aimed to explore the organization of the calendar knowledge base underlying date calculation by assessing the ability of savant calendar calculators to free recall a series of date lists.

Method  Four experiments are reported that assessed recall of structural and non‐structural features of the calendar in eight savant calendar calculators (seven males; one female; median age 34y 6mo; age range 27–47y), five of whom had a diagnosis on the autism spectrum. The inclusion criterion was a genuine calculation ability rather than an interest in dates.

Results  Mean recall was facilitated for material organized according to the structural features of a calendar (leap years, dates falling on the same weekday, dates occurring at 28y intervals) but not for a non‐structural calendar feature (Easter Sunday).

Interpretation  Distinctions are drawn between two sources of savant calendar‐related knowledge, structural and event related. It has been suggested that structural knowledge plays a key role in the acquisition and operation of savant date calculation skills.
Gross motor development in children adopted from orphanage settings
Authors: ROEBER BARBARA J , TOBER CHRISTA L , BOLT DANIEL M , POLLAK SETH D
Published: March 2012

Aim  This study sought to examine the effect of environmental enrichment on the motor skills of children adopted from orphanage settings. We investigated balance and bilateral coordination skills in 33 internationally adopted postinstitutionalized children (16 males, 17 females; age range 8y 5mo–15y 10mo; mean age 10y 9mo; SD 2y 2mo) and compared them with 34 non‐institutionalized children (21 males, 13 females; age range 8y 3mo–14y 10mo; mean age 11y 2mo; SD 2y 1mo) being raised in their birth families.

Method  The children were individually administered the balance and bilateral coordination subtests of the Bruininks–Oseretsky Test of Motor Proficiency in a research laboratory. Parents completed questionnaires about developmental history, family environment, and orphanage care.

Results  Postinstitutionalized children showed motor system delays compared with the non‐institutionalized comparison children (postinstitutionalized balance mean 9.44, SD 5.92, comparison children balance mean 14.12, SD 4.39; postinstitutionalized bilateral coordination mean 11.97, SD 5.43, comparison children mean 19.97, SD 3.97). The length of time that children remained institutionalized before adoption predicted balance delays (b=−1.57, t=−2.33, p=0.027) and the severity of caregiving deprivation the children experienced correlated with bilateral coordination (r=−0.44, p=0.013).

Interpretation  These findings suggest that institutionalized settings do not provide the early life experiences needed for the development of age‐level motor skills later in childhood and that simple environmental enrichment following adoption is not enough to remediate skills. Children who have experienced early institutional care may benefit from early identification and targeted intervention.
Chondrichthyan‐like scales from the Middle Ordovician of Australia
Authors: SANSOM IVAN J. , DAVIES NEIL S. , COATES MICHAEL I. , NICOLL ROBERT S. , RITCHIE ALEX
Published: March 2012

Abstract: Microvertebrate sampling of the Stairway Sandstone (Darriwilian, Middle Ordovician, central Australia) has yielded scales that are chondrichthyan‐like in their overall construction, andTantalepis gatehouseigen. et sp. nov. is erected here to describe these specimens.Tantalepis gatehouseigen. et sp. nov. is the stratigraphically oldest microsquamous taxon described thus far, and the ‘shark‐like’ appearance of the scales may extend the chondrichthyan lineage back into the Middle Ordovician. The presence of ‘shark‐like’ scales in the fossil record some 50 myr prior to the first articulated chondrichthyan body fossils and 44 myr before the first clearly identifiable chondrichthyan teeth suggests there is a considerable scope for the recovery of articulated specimens with which to document the early history of crown gnathostomes. Traditional hypotheses of phylogenetic relationships among early jawed vertebrates were recently challenged by the proposal of a radically different tree topology. However, the development of a new data set specifically addressing scale‐based characters is required before taxa such asTantalepis, that are based upon disarticulated remains alone, can be firmly placed within the emerging, revised, evolutionary narrative.
Frost peat mounds on Hermansenøya (Oscar II Land, NW Svalbard) – their genesis, age and terminology
Authors: Jaworski Tomasz , Niewiarowski Władysław
Published: March 2012

Here we present research on previously uninvestigated frost peat mounds occurring on a peat bog in the southern part of Hermansenøya, NW Svalbard. Detailed characteristics are given of the environmental conditions of the peat bog and of the morphological features and surface structure of the frost peat mounds, as well as an analysis of the internal structure of one mound. Three types of frost peat mounds have been distinguished: disc‐shaped mounds (low), mid‐sized mounds with gentle sides, and high mounds with steep sides. Radiocarbon dating of the peat within the frost peat mound performed for the first time on Svalbard and a detailed analysis of the deposits demonstrated that in the high mound (1.3 m) there is an ice‐peat core and peat cover without ice. There are three layers of peat of different ages separated by at least two hiatuses. A generalized history of the development of the peat bog from about 8 ka BP is established. The studied mound displays two development cycles unknown elsewhere. The older relict part of the peat mound was formed during a climatic cooling about 3.0–2.5 ka BP, while the younger part originated during the Little Ice Age (c. AD 1550–1850). Despite certain similarities of these mounds to some palsas, this term should not be applied to the mounds because they are smaller and their cores consist mostly of layers of massive injection ice, the presence of which indicates a pressurized system in their genesis.
Quantitative Trait Locus Mapping for Ethanol Teratogenesis in BXD Recombinant Inbred Mice
Authors: Downing Chris , Balderrama‐Durbin Christina , Kimball Alexi , Biers Jami , Wright Hali , Gilliam David , Johnson Thomas E.
Published: March 2012

Background

Individual differences in susceptibility to the detrimental effects of prenatal ethanol (EtOH) exposure have been demonstrated. Many factors, including genetics, play a role in susceptibility and resistance. We have previously shown that C57BL/6J (B6) mice display a number of morphological malformations following an acute dose of EtOH in utero, while DBA/2J (D2) mice are relatively resistant. Here, we present the results of quantitative trait locus (QTL) mapping for EtOH teratogenesis in recombinant inbred strains derived from a cross between B6 and D2 (BXD RIs).

Methods

Pregnant dams were intubated with either maltose‐dextrin or 5.8 g/kg EtOH on day 9 of gestation (GD9). On GD 18, dams were sacrificed and fetuses and placentae were removed. Placentae and fetuses were weighed; fetuses were sexed and examined for gross morphological malformations. Fetuses were then either placed in Bouin's fixative for subsequent soft‐tissue analyses or eviscerated and placed in EtOH for subsequent skeletal examinations. QTL mapping for maternal weight gain (MWG), prenatal mortality, fetal weight (FW) at c‐section, placental weight (PW), and several morphological malformations was performed using WebQTL.

Results

Heritability for our traits ranged from 0.06 for PW to 0.39 for MWG. We found suggestive QTLs mediating all phenotypes and significant QTLs for FW and digit and rib malformations. While most QTL regions are large, several intriguing candidate genes emerged based on polymorphisms between B6 and D2 and gene function.

Conclusions

In this first mapping study for EtOH teratogenesis, several QTLs were identified. Future studies will further characterize these regions. Identification of genes and epigenetic modifications mediating susceptibility to the teratogenic effects of alcohol in mice will provide targets to examine in human populations.
Birther Nation: Political Conservatism is Associated with Explicit and Implicit Beliefs that President Barack Obama is Foreign
Authors: Crawford Jarret T. , Bhatia Anuschka
Published: March 2012

Despite an abundance of evidence to the contrary, a substantial number of Americans believed that President Barack Obama was not born in the United States, even almost two years into his administration (CNN, 2010, July). Both anecdotal and polling evidence at the time suggested that Republicans and political conservatives were more likely to hold these inaccurate beliefs. This study demonstrated that across a variety of operationalizations of political orientation, both explicit and implicit beliefs that President Obama was foreign were related to political conservatism. Potential sources of these beliefs are considered.
A Dynamic Analysis of the Demand for Life Insurance
Authors: Liebenberg Andre P. , Carson James M. , Dumm Randy E.
Published: March 2012

Abstract

Prior research suggests that neither the choice to own life insurance nor the amount purchased is consistently related to the presence of children in the household. While these perplexing findings are based on a static framework, we alternatively examine life insurance demand in a dynamic framework as a function of changes in household life cycle and financial condition. Our results indicate both a statistically and economically significant relation between life events, such as new parenthood, and the demand for life insurance. We also provide new evidence in support of the emergency fund hypothesis: households in which either spouse has become unemployed are more likely than other households to surrender their whole life insurance.
Understanding Delinquency with Friendship Group Religious Context*
Authors: Adamczyk Amy
Published: March 2012

Objective

While much research has examined the link between personal religious beliefs and practices and delinquency, little research attention has been given to the influence of friends’ religious beliefs for explaining teen delinquency. This study fills this gap in the literature by examining the role of individual and friends’ religious beliefs and born‐again identity for shaping delinquency.

Methods

Two waves of data from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health and measures taken from individuals and their friends are used to examine the influence of individual and friends’ religiosity and born‐again identity for violent and property offending.

Results

Friends’ private religiosity appears to strengthen the inverse relationship between individual private religiosity and stealing. Neither individual nor friends’ religiosity nor born‐again identity has any effect on violent offending.

Conclusions

Whereas friends’ delinquency has a consistently positive association with respondent delinquency, friends’ religiosity plays a supporting role, heightening the deterring influence of personal religiosity for stealing and shoplifting.
Where Do Parties Live? Electoral Institutions, Party Incentives, and the Dimensionality of Politics
Authors: Singh Shane P.
Published: March 2012

Objectives

This study examines how electoral systems shape the underlying dimensionality of political discourse by incentivizing certain strategies among parties.

Methods

Cross‐sectional linear regression is used to examine how electoral systems affect dimensionality. The study provides an original measure of dimensionality derived from an empirical estimation of a spatial model of voter preferences over political parties. Data are from the Comparative Study of Electoral Systems.

Results

The analysis indicates that electoral institutions strongly affect a nation's dimensionality, especially in socioethnically homogenous countries. Less proportional electoral systems engender a unidimensional political space. Results are robust across several model specifications.

Conclusions

Individuals and the media conceptualize government and ideology in dimensional terms. Moreover, much academic work assumes certain dimensional constructs. By testing theoretical predictions about electoral systems and political dimensionality, this study provides an empirical basis for such assumptions.
Treatment of Coronary Bifurcation Lesions with Drug‐Eluting Stents: Insights from the First Phase of the Prospective Multicenter German Drug‐Eluting Stent Registry
Authors: ABDEL‐WAHAB MOHAMED , NIENABER CHRISTOPH A. , MOSTAFA AHMAD E. , FERENC MIROSLAW , SILBER SIGMUND , SABIN GEORG , TEBBE ULRICH , AKIN IBRAHIM , HOCHADEL MATTHIAS , SENGES JOCHEN , KUCK KARL‐HEINZ , RICHARDT GERT ,   on behalf of the German Drug‐Eluting Stent (DES.DE) Registry
Published: March 2012

Background:

Controversy exists about the impact of treating bifurcations on overall outcome of coronary interventions using drug‐eluting stents (DES). We sought to investigate 1‐year outcome of the treatment of bifurcation lesions using DES in a large “real‐world” cohort.

Methods and Results:

Among 5,126 patients enrolled in phase I of the multicenter German Drug‐Eluting Stent Registry, 814 (16%) were treated for a bifurcation lesion. Patients with bifurcations were compared to those without bifurcations in terms of baseline characteristics, major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events (MACCE) and target vessel revascularization (TVR) at 1 year. Usage of sirolimus‐eluting stents (SES) versus paclitaxel‐eluting stents (PES) was also evaluated. In total, 1,021 and 5,189 stents were implanted in the bifurcation (1.25 stents/patient) and nonbifurcation (1.2 stents/patient) group, respectively, but 64.5% of bifurcation lesions were treated with a single stent. More complex lesion and procedural characteristics were observed in the bifurcation group. However, there was no difference in 1‐year MACCE rates (a composite of death, myocardial infarction, and stroke) between the bifurcation group and nonbifurcation group (8.1% vs. 8.3%, P = 0.85). Rates of TVR (11.2% vs. 10.8%, P = 0.75) and Academic Research Consoritum‐defined definite stent thrombosis (0.9% vs. 0.8%, P = 0.67) were also comparable. MACCE and TVR rates remained similar after adjustment for differences in baseline characteristics. MACCE and TVR in SES patients were 7.2% and 12.6% versus 8.7% and 10.2% in PES patients (P = 0.46 and P = 0.30, respectively).

Conclusion:

In this large multicenter registry, treatment of bifurcation lesions with DES appears effective and safe. The presence of bifurcations did not affect 1‐year outcomes after DES implantation. The outcomes for SES and PES were similar. (J Interven Cardiol 2012;25:344–352)
Experimental Approaches to the Thermodynamics of Ceramics Above 1500°C
Authors: Ushakov Sergey V. , Navrotsky Alexandra
Published: March 2012

Traditionally, the nuclear and aerospace industries have been the main drivers behind the development of high‐temperature materials. These applications demand a high degree of reliability and extensive characterization of every new material. There is a lack of experimental thermodynamic data above 1500°C even for HfO2, ZrO2, La2O3, Y2O3, and other constituents of widely used ceramic systems. Such data, as are available, were often obtained half a century ago using custom‐built instruments. We review classic experimental approaches for the measurement of formation enthalpies, high‐temperature enthalpy increments by the drop method, and also discuss more recent developments which include mass spectrometric measurements of vapor pressures, pulsed laser relaxation methods for heat capacity, and melting temperature determination and high‐temperature oxide melt solution calorimetry in application to refractory compounds. Approaches to the experimental determination of phase diagrams at high temperature are introduced using studies of liquid immiscibility in the Zr(O)–UO2 system as an example. Thermal analysis above 2000°C is now possible with commercially available instruments, as shown by the first experimental measurements of the phase transition and fusion enthalpies of La2O3. New results on a premelting phase transition in Y2O3 in oxygen are reported from in situ synchrotron X‐ray diffraction study on levitated samples.
Sampling and interpretation of psyllid nymph counts in potatoes
Authors: Martini Xavier , Seibert Shawn , Prager Sean M. , Nansen Christian
Published: March 2012

Development of effective management practices for insect pests relies heavily on sampling methods to accurately detect and quantify emerging populations. Herein we describe a novel method to extract and count nymphs of potato psyllid, Bactericera cockerelli (Šulc) (Hemiptera: Triozidae), from leaves in commercial fields of potato, Solanum tuberosum L. (Solanaceae). The proposed sampling method (referred to as the leaf washing method, LWM) consists of: (1) immersing samples of infested leaves in cold water to remove dust and sand; (2) immersing leaves in >85 °C water for 5 s; (3) extracting psyllid nymphs from heated water by passing it through a sampling unit composed of a funnel with a fine mesh‐organza fabric inside and attached to a vacuum pump; and (4) removing organza fabric and count psyllid nymphs under a stereoscope. With five sampling units operating simultaneously, one person is able to process and count immatures from about 400 leaf samples in two normal work days. As examples of applications, the LWM was used to characterize: (1) the vertical distribution of potato psyllid nymphs in the potato canopy; and (2) the spatio‐temporal distribution of potato psyllid nymphs in three potato varieties. Using LWM, we showed that psyllid nymphs were most predominant in the middle portion of the canopy and that spatio‐temporal distributions of nymphs varied among potato varieties.
Cleaning potential of glycine air‐flow application in an in vitro peri‐implantitis model
Authors: Sahrmann Philipp , Ronay Valerie , Sener Beatrice , Jung Ronald E. , Attin Thomas , Schmidlin Patrick R.
Published: March 2012

Objectives

The study aimed to assess the accessibility of a glycine powder blasting device to implant surfaces in models imitating different peri‐implantitis defects. The null hypothesis was that the device allows for complete surface decontamination in all defect types.

Materials and methods

Eighteen implants were dip‐coated and placed in resin blocks with different defect morphologies. Vertical bone angulations of 90°, 60°, 30° and 15° were chosen and the implants were treated for 10 s using an air‐flow device employing glycine powder. Once removed, photographs from the implants were taken in three directions: perpendicularly (90°) to the implant axis and with an angulation of 60° and 120°, the latter ones to assess the coronal and apical thread areas. The area with residual color represented areas, which were not accessible to the powder. This area was planimetrically assessed. Medians and inter‐quartile ranges (IQR) of the percentage of uncleaned surfaces were calculated and nonparametric paired and unpaired statistical analyses were performed.

Results

The median percentages (IQR in brackets) of uncleaned areas in the 90°, 60°, 30° and 15° defects were of 3%A (6), 8%A(4), 24%B (8), and 51%C (13), respectively (different superscript capital letters represent statistically significant differences; P < 0.0001). The upper aspects of the threads (coronal faces) were significantly better cleaned than the lower ones (P < 0.001). This finding was more pronounced in narrower defects.

Conclusion

Although a complete surface decontamination could not be performed in any of the defects, the biggest part of the surface could be cleaned in the larger defects. Especially in narrow defects and under the threads, residually stained areas remain on the implant surfaces.
Photodynamic therapy for the treatment of folliculitis decalvans
Authors: Castaño‐Suárez Esther , Romero‐Maté Alberto , Arias‐Palomo Dolores , Borbujo Jesús
Published: March 2012

Folliculitis decalvans is a chronic form of deep folliculitis that occurs on the scalp as patches of scarring alopecia at the expanding margins of which are follicular pustules. Treatment of folliculitis decalvans is extremely difficult with a resultant poor prognosis. Photodynamic therapy has been reported to be effective in disorders as acne or folliculitis. We report one patient with folliculitis decalvans who was successfully treated with photodynamic therapy.