bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Health‐related quality of life in bipolar disorder
Authors: IsHak Waguih William , Brown Kimberly , Aye San San , Kahloon Maria , Mobaraki Shakiba , Hanna Rose
Published: February 2012

IsHak WW, Brown K, Aye SS, Kahloon M, Mobaraki S, Hanna R. Health‐related quality of life in bipolar disorder.  Bipolar Disord 2012: 14: 6–18. © 2012 The Authors.  Journal compilation © 2012 John Wiley & Sons A/S.

Objectives:  Health‐related quality of life (HRQOL) refers to an individual’s overall sense of wellbeing, and subjective physical, psychological, and social functioning. HRQOL is significantly affected in patients with bipolar disorder (BD), a chronic affective disorder characterized by mood fluctuations, sleep and cognitive impairment, and impact on inter‐personal relationships, all of which contribute to HRQOL impairment. This article reviews the relevant literature on the potential causes and magnitude of HRQOL impairment in BD and role of treatment interventions in restoring HRQOL in this patient population.

Methods:  A systematic database search was conducted using Medline, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, and PsycINFO from 1959 to 2010 with the key words: bipolar disorder, mania, quality of life, and wellbeing health‐related quality of life. A total of 52 studies were initially identified, leading to the selection of 30 studies that focused on measurement of quality of life in adult population.

Results:  While there is no one standard assessment of HRQOL, most measures incorporate a broad range of questions regarding the patient’s own valuation of their physical, psychological, and social wellbeing. Three main findings are highlighted: (i) BD results in impairment of HRQOL compared to healthy individuals and variable negative impact as compared to other chronic psychiatric and medical conditions; (ii) comorbidities of BD have a further multi‐factorial negative impact on HRQOL; and (iii) various pharmacological and non‐pharmacological treatment modalities have a positive or equivocal effect on HRQOL in BD.

Conclusions:  HRQOL is significantly adversely affected in BD patients. Additionally, the presence of comorbid conditions highly prevalent in BD further decreases HRQOL for these patients. In spite of these factors, this review offers renewed hope as several treatment regimens correlate with higher post‐intervention HRQOL scores.
Early antidepressant effect of memantine during augmentation of lamotrigine inadequate response in bipolar depression: a double‐blind, randomized, placebo‐controlled trial
Authors: Anand Amit , Gunn Abigail D , Barkay Gavriel , Karne Harish S , Nurnberger John I , Mathew Sanjay J , Ghosh Samiran
Published: February 2012

Anand A, Gunn AD, Barkay G, Karne HS, Nurnberger JI, Mathew SJ, Ghosh S. Early antidepressant effect of memantine during augmentation of lamotrigine inadequate response in bipolar depression: a double‐blind, randomized, placebo‐controlled trial.  Bipolar Disord 2012: 14: 64–70. © 2012 The Authors.  Journal compilation © 2012 John Wiley & Sons A/S.

Background:  Recent studies indicate that modulation of glutamate neurotransmission is associated with antidepressant response. Lamotrigine, an anticonvulsant which decreases presynaptic glutamate release, has been shown to be effective in the depressive phase of bipolar disorder (BD‐D); however, only 40–50% of patients have a full response. This pilot study investigated whether memantine, a low‐affinity N‐methyl‐D‐aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonist approved for Alzheimer’s disease, can augment the effects of lamotrigine.

Methods:  BD‐D outpatients in a major depressive episode on a stable dose of lamotrigine (100 mg or more) were randomized to either memantine (starting dose of 5 mg increased up to 20 mg over four weeks, then 20 mg stable dose from four to eight weeks) or matching pill placebo for eight weeks. Patients were rated on the 17‐item Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS) and other behavioral measures weekly.

Results:  The eight‐week repeated‐measures mixed‐effect model for HDRS was not significant for memantine (n = 14) versus placebo (n = 15). Exploratory mixed‐effect analyses for the first four weeks, while the memantine dose was being titrated up every week, revealed a significant decrease in HDRS scores from baseline (p = 0.007).

Conclusion:  This proof‐of‐concept study failed to show a statistically significant benefit of memantine augmentation of lamotrigine for patients with BD‐D over eight weeks. However, memantine had an antidepressant effect early on in the treatment while its dose was being titrated up. Larger placebo‐controlled studies are needed to ascertain optimal timing and dosing for memantine augmentation of lamotrigine in BD‐D.
A randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled clinical trial of acamprosate in alcohol‐dependent individuals with bipolar disorder: a preliminary report
Authors: Tolliver Bryan K , DeSantis Stacia M , Brown Delisa G , Prisciandaro James J , Brady Kathleen T
Published: February 2012

Tolliver BK, DeSantis SM, Brown DG, Prisciandaro JJ, Brady KT. A randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled clinical trial of acamprosate in alcohol‐dependent individuals with bipolar disorder: a preliminary report. Bipolar Disord 2012: 14: 54–63. © 2012 The Authors. Journal compilation © 2012 John Wiley & Sons A/S.

Background:  Alcohol use disorders commonly co‐occur with bipolar disorder and are associated with a more severe course of bipolar illness, yet treatment research in this important clinical population is scarce. The current study assessed the effects of acamprosate on alcohol use and mood symptoms in subjects with co‐occurring bipolar disorder and active alcohol dependence.

Methods:  Thirty‐three adults meeting criteria for bipolar I or bipolar II disorder and current alcohol dependence were randomized to receive add‐on acamprosate (1998 mg/day) or placebo while concurrently maintained on mood stabilizing medications. Participants were assessed weekly for frequency and quantity of alcohol consumption and general clinical severity for eight weeks. Depressive symptoms, manic symptoms, and alcohol craving were assessed biweekly. Biomarkers of alcohol use were assessed at study baseline and endpoint.

Results:  Of the 33 subjects randomized, 23 (69.7%) completed all active phase visits. Over the trial as a whole, no statistically significant treatment differences were detected in drinking outcomes. Post‐hoc analysis revealed lower Clinical Global Impression scores of substance use severity in acamprosate‐treated participants in weeks 7–8 of the trial. No significant differences in depressive symptoms, manic symptoms, or adverse events were observed between groups.

Conclusions:  Acamprosate was well‐tolerated, with no worsening of depressive or manic symptoms, and appeared to confer some clinical benefit in study completers in the last two weeks of the trial. Larger studies of longer duration are required to fully explore the utility of acamprosate in this population.
Aripiprazole in combination with lamotrigine for the long‐term treatment of patients with bipolar I disorder (manic or mixed): a randomized, multicenter, double‐blind study (CN138‐392)
Authors: Carlson Berit X , Ketter Terence A , Sun Wei , Timko Karen , McQuade Robert D , Sanchez Raymond , Vester‐Blokland Estelle , Marcus Ronald
Published: February 2012

Carlson BX, Ketter TA, Sun W, Timko K, McQuade RD, Sanchez R, Vester‐Blokland E, Marcus R. Aripiprazole in combination with lamotrigine for the long‐term treatment of patients with bipolar I disorder (manic or mixed): a randomized, multicenter, double‐blind study (CN138‐392). Bipolar Disord 2012: 14: 41–53. © 2012 The Authors. Journal compilation © 2012 John Wiley & Sons A/S.

Objectives:  To evaluate the efficacy and safety of aripiprazole (ARI) plus lamotrigine (LTG) compared with placebo (PBO) plus LTG, for long‐term treatment in bipolar I disorder patients with a recent manic/mixed episode.

Methods:  After a 9–24 week stabilization phase receiving single‐blind ARI (10–30 mg/day) plus open‐label LTG (100 or 200 mg/day), patients maintaining stability (Young Mania Rating Scale/Montgomery–Åsberg Depression Rating Scale total scores ≤ 12) with ARI + LTG for eight consecutive weeks were randomized to continue on double‐blind ARI + LTG or to receive PBO + LTG, after removing ARI from ARI + LTG treatment, and followed up for 52 weeks. The primary outcome measure was time from randomization to relapse into a manic/mixed episode.

Results:  A total of 787 patients entered the stabilization phase, and 351 were randomized to ARI + LTG (n = 178) or PBO + LTG (n = 173). ARI + LTG yielded a numerically longer time to manic/mixed relapse than PBO + LTG, but it was not statistically significant [hazard ratio (HR) = 0.55; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.30–1.03; p = 0.058]. The estimated relapse rates at Week 52 were 11% for ARI + LTG and 23% for PBO + LTG, yielding a number needed‐to‐treat of nine (95% CI: 5–121). The three most common adverse events were akathisia [10.8%, 6.1% for ARI + LTG and PBO + LTG, respectively; number needed‐to‐harm (NNH) = 22], insomnia (7.4%, 11.5%), and anxiety (7.4%, 3.6%). Mean weight change was 0.43 kg and −1.81 kg, respectively (last observation carried forward, p = 0.001). Rates of ≥ 7% weight gain with ARI + LTG and PBO + LTG were 11.9% and 3.5%, respectively (NNH = 12).

Conclusions:  ARI + LTG delayed the time to manic/mixed relapse but did not reach statistical significance. Safety and tolerability results revealed no unexpected adverse events for ARI combination with LTG.
Cigarette smoking and its relationship to mood disorder symptoms and co‐occurring alcohol and cannabis use disorders following first hospitalization for bipolar disorder
Authors: Heffner Jaimee L , DelBello Melissa P , Anthenelli Robert M , Fleck David E , Adler Caleb M , Strakowski Stephen M
Published: February 2012

Heffner JL, DelBello MP, Anthenelli RM, Fleck DE, Adler CM, Strakowski SM. Cigarette smoking and its relationship to mood disorder symptoms and co‐occurring alcohol and cannabis use disorders following first hospitalization for bipolar disorder. Bipolar Disord 2012: 14: 99–108. © 2012 The Authors. Journal compilation © 2012 John Wiley & Sons A/S.

Objectives:  Cigarette smoking is highly prevalent among individuals with bipolar disorder (BD) and may adversely affect symptoms of the disorder, as well as the co‐occurrence of other substance use disorders. However, anecdotal reports suggesting that smoking cessation caused a worsening of mood in smokers with BD have raised concerns about quitting. In the present study, we prospectively evaluated the course of BD, alcohol use disorders, and cannabis use disorders in relation to smoking and examined the relationship between smoking abstinence and changes in mood.

Methods:  Participants (N = 161) were adolescents (n = 80) and adults (n = 81) with bipolar I disorder who were hospitalized for their initial mixed or manic episode. Participants were followed up to eight years post‐hospitalization (median follow‐up = 122 weeks) as part of a naturalistic, observational study of the longitudinal course of BD and substance use.

Results:  The course of BD symptoms in the 12 months following index hospitalization did not differ by smoking status in either the adolescent or the adult subsample. Among adolescents, smoking was associated with an increased risk of having a cannabis or alcohol use disorder, almost all of which were new‐onset disorders, in the year following first hospitalization. Neither adolescents nor adults who were abstinent from smoking for at least two months experienced significant increases in depressive or manic symptoms.

Conclusions:  Although cigarette smoking did not predict a worse course of BD, smoking was associated with an increased risk of developing alcohol and cannabis use disorders in adolescents with BD. Importantly, these data provide no evidence to suggest that abstinence from smoking is associated with worsening symptoms of depression or mania in the short term.
Individual Variation in Male Size and Behavioral Repertoire in the Sailfin Molly Poecilia latipinna
Authors: Seda Jennifer B. , Childress Michael J. , Ptacek Margaret B.
Published: February 2012

Variation among individuals in the expression of behaviors and associations of behaviors in different contexts can lead to the maintenance of behavioral polymorphisms. Individual variation in morphology is often associated with behavioral polymorphism, yet the degree to which morphology predicts behavioral phenotype is not well understood. We measured individual variation in size and behaviors in the sailfin molly, Poecilia latipinna, by comparing the behavior of individual males of different sizes across four different contexts (mating, exploratory tendency, sociability, and predator inspection). We also investigated the degree to which male size, a fixed genetic trait, influenced the expression of each behavior and associations between behaviors. We found that male mollies show strong associations between certain behaviors and only some of these are predicted by male size. For example, size has a strong influence on the courtship‐boldness axis with larger males showing higher rates of courtship displays and being bolder in predator inspection. A positive association was found between exploratory tendency, sociability, and gonopodial thrusting rates, yet the expression of these behaviors was independent of male size. Thus, sailfin mollies, like many fish species, show associations of behaviors that contribute to differences among males in personality type. The fixed genetic effect of male size at maturity influences courtship and boldness, but individual variation in exploratory tendency, sociability, and sneak copulation attempts through gonopodial thrusts is independent of male size. Such variation among males in behavioral associations within and between different contexts may slow the rate at which populations of P. latipinna can diverge in individual behaviors.
Scaled correlation analysis: a better way to compute a cross‐correlogram
Authors: Nikolić Danko , Mureşan Raul C. , Feng Weijia , Singer Wolf
Published: February 2012

When computing a cross‐correlation histogram, slower signal components can hinder the detection of faster components, which are often in the research focus. For example, precise neuronal synchronization often co‐occurs with slow co‐variation in neuronal rate responses. Here we present a method – dubbed scaled correlation analysis – that enables the isolation of the cross‐correlation histogram of fast signal components. The method computes correlations only on small temporal scales (i.e. on short segments of signals such as 25 ms), resulting in the removal of correlation components slower than those defined by the scale. Scaled correlation analysis has several advantages over traditional filtering approaches based on computations in the frequency domain. Among its other applications, as we show on data from cat visual cortex, the method can assist the studies of precise neuronal synchronization.
Perceived information after surgery for colorectal cancer – an explorative study
Authors: Lithner M. , Johansson J. , Andersson E. , Jakobsson U. , Palmquist I. , Klefsgard R.
Published: February 2012

Aim  With fast track surgery and shorter hospital stay, discharge from hospital after cancer surgery is becoming more challenging for the individual patient. The aim of this study was to explore how patients perceive information after surgery for colorectal cancer, what their information needs are and to determine factors affecting received information.

Method  A hundred patients filled in the questionnaires QLQ‐C30, CR38 and INFO25 created by the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer, the Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) instrument and the SOC (sense of coherence) instrument and provided written comments within the first 2 weeks after discharge following surgery for colorectal cancer. The questionnaires were analysed using hierarchical cluster analysis and a multiple linear regression analysis. The written comments were analysed using content analysis.

Results  In all, 49% of the patients expressed a need for more information. In the written comments they specified these areas of information: they lacked information concerning their surgery, how to handle symptoms and problems at home, someone to contact after discharge and prognostic information about their future. Patients reported most received information in areas of medical tests and disease but less on other services and support in outpatient care. The variation in INFO25 was best explained by gender (P = 0.045) and preoperative health status (American Society of Anesthesiologists score 3, P = 0.022).

Conclusion  The results from this study indicate that women and patients with a poorer preoperative health status scored less on information received and would need more time and support to prepare for discharge. The patients expressed a desire for more information about the surgery, how to handle symptoms at home and prognostic information about their future.
Randomized sham‐controlled trial of acupuncture for postoperative pain control after stapled haemorrhoidopexy
Authors: Langenbach M. R. , Aydemir‐Dogruyol K. , Issel R. , Sauerland S.
Published: February 2012

Aim  Haemorrhoidectomy usually causes moderate to strong postoperative pain. Chinese studies have found that acupuncture may have an analgesic effect in posthaemorrhoidectomy patients. This is the first Western study aiming assess the efficacy of acupuncture as an adjunct analgesic therapy after stapled haemorrhoidopexy.

Method  In a randomized controlled trial, 50 patients were allocated to three groups. Conventional drug therapy (oral diclofenac and metamizol, local lidocaine) served as baseline analgesia. In the control group (n = 17) only this regimen was used. In addition to baseline analgesia, 17 patients received verum acupuncture. Sham acupuncture was performed on 16 patients. Being the primary outcome measure, pain was measured twice daily using the numerical rating scale (NRS) and compared statistically by repeated‐measures analysis of variance. The study was registered (DRKS00003116).

Results  After verum acupuncture, pain intensity was not significantly lower when compared with conventional analgesia (primary hypothesis, P = 0.057), but was when compared to sham acupuncture (P = 0.007). In the afternoon of postoperative day 1, for example, NRS was 2.7 (SD 1.5) in the verum group, but 4.0 (1.0) in the sham group and 4.1 (1.9) under conventional analgesia. Furthermore, significantly fewer rescue analgesics were necessary if verum acupuncture was applied. Cardiovascular parameters were stable in all three groups, and no complications were recorded.

Conclusions  In posthaemorrhoidectomy patients, acupuncture appears to be an effective adjunct to conventional analgesia. Further studies are necessary to confirm these observations and to refine the acupuncture technique.
Laparoscopic vs open resection for rectal cancer: a meta‐analysis of randomized clinical trials
Authors: Trastulli S. , Cirocchi R. , Listorti C. , Cavaliere D. , Avenia N. , Gullà N. , Giustozzi G. , Sciannameo F. , Noya G. , Boselli C.
Published: February 2012

Aim  Laparoscopic and open rectal resection for cancer were compared by analysing a total of 26 end points which included intraoperative and postoperative recovery, short‐term morbidity and mortality, late morbidity and long‐term oncological outcomes.

Method  We searched for published randomized clinical trials, presenting a comparison between laparoscopic and open rectal resection for cancer using the following electronic databases: PubMed, OVID, Medline, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, EBM Reviews, CINAHL and EMBASE.

Results  Nine randomized clinical trials (RCTs) were included in the meta‐analysis incorporating a total of 1544 patients, having laparoscopic (N = 841) and open rectal resection (N = 703) for cancer. Laparoscopic surgery for rectal cancer was associated with a statistically significant reduction in intraoperative blood loss and in the number of blood transfusions, earlier resuming solid diet, return of bowel function and a shorter duration of hospital stay. We also found a significant advantage for laparoscopy in the reduction of post‐operative abdominal bleeding, late intestinal adhesion obstruction and late morbidity. No differences were found in terms of intra‐operative and late oncological outcomes.

Conclusion  The meta‐analysis indicates that laparoscopy benefits patients with shorter hospital stay, earlier return of bowel function, reduced blood loss and number of blood transfusions and lower rates of abdominal postoperative bleeding, late intestinal adhesion obstruction and other late morbidities.
Habitat type mediates equilibrium with climatic conditions in the distribution of Iberian diving beetles
Authors: Sánchez‐Fernández David , Lobo Jorge M. , Millán Andrés , Ribera Ignacio
Published: February 2012

Aim The contrasting habitat permanence over geological time‐scales of lotic and lentic habitats may impose different constraints on the dispersal ability of their macroinvertebrate populations, and ultimately on the degree of equilibrium with current climate. We aim to test for differences between species typical of either habitat type in their potential versus realized distributions as a surrogate measure of degree of climate equilibrium, both in refuges and more recently deglaciated areas.

Location Western Europe.

Methods We focus on 99 Iberian diving beetles (family Dytiscidae). A multidimensional envelope procedure was used to estimate their potential distributions, which were projected for different spatial scales. At the continental scale we calculated the percentage of countries with climatically suitable conditions for each species over those actually occupied (range filling). At the regional scale, we estimated realized distributions using: (1) convex hull polygons for Sweden and the Iberian Peninsula; and (2) generalized linear models for the Iberian Peninsula.

Results In the Iberian Peninsula, differences in the degree of equilibrium with climatic conditions between lotic and lentic species were few, if any. However, at the continental scale we found significant differences, with lentic species closer to equilibrium than lotic species. In the recently deglaciated area (Sweden) the subset of species with ranges wide enough to encompass Iberia and Scandinavia were mostly lentic, and all were closer to climatic equilibrium without significant differences between habitat types.

Main conclusions Our results show that, at continental scales, climate equilibrium is not concordant between the habitat types across western Europe. We hypothesize that: (1) the differences between refuge areas in dispersal ability are erased probably due to long‐term climatic stability, allowing enough time to reach equilibrium, and (2) the species with wide geographical ranges able to recolonize recently deglaciated areas should have the highest dispersal abilities, and are closer to climatic equilibrium.
Reconstructing spatial vulnerability to forest loss by fire in pre‐historic New Zealand
Authors: Perry George L. W. , Wilmshurst Janet M. , McGlone Matt S. , Napier Aaron
Published: February 2012

Aim  Despite small and transient populations, early Māori transformed large areas of New Zealand's forest landscapes. We sought to isolate the biophysical predictors that explain forest loss in the pre‐historic (i.e. pre‐European) period in New Zealand.

Location  New Zealand.

Methods  We used resampled boosted regression trees to isolate the key predictors of forest loss from a suite of 19 topographic, climatic, soil‐related and archaeological predictors at a 1‐km spatial resolution across New Zealand.

Results  The key predictors of fire‐driven forest loss during New Zealand's pre‐history relate to moisture and elevation gradients, with sites characterized by low moisture levels and gentle slopes being most vulnerable. Proxies for human activity were important in the North Island, where Māori population densities were higher, but not the South Island. The predicted pattern of forest loss and its relationship with biophysical variables suggest that early Māori neither deliberately protected fire‐prone regions nor systematically burnt less fire‐prone ones.

Main conclusions  Before Māori settlement of New Zealand fire was naturally rare, despite biophysical conditions being conducive to fire spread. The introduction of an ignition source by humans made widespread forest loss inevitable, even in the absence of sustained and deliberate use of fire. Rapid forest loss at the time of human settlement is recurrent across eastern Polynesia, so understanding this dynamic in New Zealand has implications for the region as a whole.
Predictable changes in aboveground allometry of trees along gradients of temperature, aridity and competition
Authors: Lines Emily R. , Zavala Miguel A. , Purves Drew W. , Coomes David A.
Published: February 2012

Aim  Trees are often observed to get shorter and more narrowly crowned in dry regions and at high elevations. We explore how this pattern is driven by two opposing factors: competition for light makes it advantageous to extend branches to their biomechanical limit, whereas under cold or arid conditions it is advantageous to have shorter branches, thereby reducing the length of the hydraulic transport system and embolism risk. Using data from 700,000 trees of 26 species, we quantify how environmental conditions influence the scaling of height and crown diameter (CD) with stem diameter (d.b.h.). We compare our predictions with those of metabolic scaling theory (MST), which suggests that allometry is invariant of environment.

Location  48,000 inventory plots that systematically sample mainland Spain, a region in which climate varies strongly.

Methods  We fit d.b.h.–height and d.b.h.–CD functions using Bayesian methods, allowing comparison of within‐ and across‐species trends in allometry along gradients of temperature, precipitation, drought and competition for light (i.e. the basal area of taller trees).

Results  The competitive environment had a strong influence on aboveground allometry, but all trees were far shorter than predicted by biomechanical models, suggesting that factors other than biomechanics are important. Species that dominate in arid and cold habitats were much shorter (for a given diameter) than those from benign conditions; but within‐species heights did not vary strongly across climatic gradients.

Main conclusions  Our results do not support the MST prediction that d.b.h.–height and d.b.h.–CD allometries are invariant, or that biomechanical constraints determine height allometry. Rather, we highlight the role of hydraulic limitations in this region. The fact that intra‐specific adjustment in d.b.h.–CD – height allometry along environmental gradients was far weaker than across‐species changes may indicate genetic constraints on allometry which might contribute to niche differentiation among species.
Central European plant species from more productive habitats are more invasive at a global scale
Authors: Dostál Petr , Dawson Wayne , van Kleunen Mark , Keser Lidewij H. , Fischer Markus
Published: February 2012

Aim  Accumulating evidence indicates that species may be pre‐adapted for invasion success in new ranges. In the light of increasing global nutrient accumulation, an important candidate pre‐adaptation for invasiveness is the ability to grow in nutrient‐rich habitats. Therefore we tested whether globally invasive species originating from Central Europe have come from more productive rather than less productive habitats. A further important candidate pre‐adaptation for invasiveness is large niche width. Therefore, we also tested whether species able to grow across habitats with a wider range of productivity are more invasive.

Location  Global with respect to invasiveness, and Central European with respect to origin of study species.

Methods  We examined whether average habitat productivity and its width across habitats are significant predictors of the success of Central European species as aliens and as weeds elsewhere in the world based on data in the Global Compendium of Weeds. The two habitat productivity measures were derived from nutrient indicator values (after Ellenberg) of accompanying species present in vegetation records of the comprehensive Czech National Phytosociological Database. In the analyses, we accounted for phylogenetic relatedness among species and for size of the native distribution ranges.

Results  Species from more productive habitats and with a wider native habitat‐productivity niche in Central Europe have higher alien success elsewhere in the world. Weediness of species increased with mean habitat productivity. Niche width was also an important determinant of weediness for species with their main occurrence in nutrient‐poor habitats, but not for those from nutrient‐rich habitats.

Main conclusions  Our results indicate that Central European plant species from productive habitats and those species from nutrient‐poor habitat with wide productivity‐niche are pre‐adapted to become invasive. These results suggest that the world‐wide invasion success of many Central European species is likely to have been promoted by the global increase of resource‐rich habitats.
The shape of a species' spatial abundance distribution
Authors: Conlisk John , Conlisk Erin , Kassim Abd. Rahman , Billick Ian , Harte John
Published: February 2012

Aim  The shape of a species' spatial abundance distribution may change with spatial scale. We predict that the shape will typically change from strictly downward‐sloping (falling) to humped (rising then falling) as the spatial scale increases. The prediction, motivated in part by central limit reasoning, is intended for common or abundant species over reasonably homogeneous habitats. We test the prediction using data on 800+ tree species, one ant species, and 14 bird species.

Location  Tree data are for Malaysia and Central America; ant and bird data are for North America.

Methods  For each species, histograms and relative mode shape statistics are compared across multiple spatial scales.

Results  The predicted pattern is broadly confirmed.

Main conclusions  The emerging hump pattern is a candidate for listing among macroecological regularities. In appropriate contexts, spatial theories might be asked to predict the pattern.
The relationship between species replacement, dissimilarity derived from nestedness, and nestedness
Authors: Baselga Andrés
Published: February 2012

Aim  Beta diversity can be partitioned into two components: dissimilarity due to species replacement and dissimilarity due to nestedness (Baselga, 2010, Global Ecology and Biogeography, 19, 134–143). Several contributions have challenged this approach or proposed alternative frameworks. Here, I review the concepts and methods used in these recent contributions, with the aim of clarifying: (1) the rationale behind the partitioning of beta diversity into species replacement and nestedness‐resultant dissimilarity, (2) how, based on this rationale, numerators and denominators of indices have to match, and (3) how nestedness and nestedness‐resultant dissimilarity are related but different concepts.

Innovation  The rationale behind measures of species replacement (turnover) dictates that the number of species that are replaced between sites (numerator of the index) has to be relativized with respect to the total number of species that could potentially be replaced (denominator). However, a recently proposed partition of Jaccard dissimilarity fails to do this. In consequence, this partition underestimates the contribution of species replacement and overestimates the contribution of richness differences to total dissimilarity. I show how Jaccard dissimilarity can be partitioned into meaningful turnover and nestedness components, and extend these new indices to multiple‐site situations. Finally the concepts of nestedness and nestedness‐resultant dissimilarity are discussed.

Main conclusions  Nestedness should be assessed using consistent measures that depend both on paired overlap and matrix filling, e.g. NODF, whereas beta‐diversity patterns should be examined using measures that allow the total dissimilarity to be separated into the components of dissimilarity due to species replacement and dissimilarity due to nestedness. In the case of multiple‐site dissimilarity patterns, averaged pairwise indices should never be used because the mean of the pairwise values is unable to accurately reflect the multiple‐site attributes of dissimilarity.
The Paradox of In‐Group Love: Differentiating Collective Narcissism Advances Understanding of the Relationship Between In‐Group and Out‐Group Attitudes
Authors: de Zavala Agnieszka Golec , Cichocka Aleksandra , Bilewicz Michał
Published: February 2012

Objective

The present studies test the hypothesis that the overlap between collective narcissism and positive in‐group identification conceals the opposite relationships these variables have with out‐group derogation.

Method

Five surveys were conducted in different cultural and national contexts, using different samples and different intergroup contexts (Study 1, Polish student sample, N = 85; Study 2, British student sample, N = 81; Study 3, Polish representative sample, N = 979; Study 3, Polish student sample, N = 267 and Study 5, British student sample, N = 241).

Results

The results of suppression analyses systematically indicate that when the positive relationship between collective narcissism and in‐group positivity is controlled for, the non‐narcissistic in‐group positivity predicts less out‐group negativity, whereas collective narcissism predicts more out‐group derogation.

Conclusions

The results advance our understanding of constructive and destructive forms of in‐group positivity and their different consequences for intergroup attitudes.
Sex Differences in Variability in Personality: A Study in Four Samples
Authors: Borkenau Peter , Hřebíčková Martina , Kuppens Peter , Realo Anu , Allik Jüri
Published: February 2012

Objective

Men vary more than women in cognitive abilities and physical attributes, and we expected that men would vary more in personality too. That this has not been found previously may reflect that (a) personality was measured by self‐reports that confound target sex with informant sex, and (b) men actually vary more but accentuate personality differences less than women.

Method

We analyzed informant reports and self‐reports on the NEO Personality Inventory (NEO PI‐R or NEO PI‐3) collected for two community and two student samples from four countries: Czech Republic (N = 714; age M = 36.1, SD = 14.1; 58% women), Estonia (N = 1,685; age M = 42.6, SD = 13.4; 58% women), Belgium (N = 345; age M = 18.4, SD = 3.0; 78% women), and Germany (N = 302; age M = 23.4, SD = 2.7; 56% women).

Results

Higher male than female variability was found in each sample for informant reports of Extraversion, Openness to Experience, Agreeableness, and Conscientiousness. Men but not women were overrepresented in both tails of the distributions of several personality traits.

Conclusions

According to liability‐threshold models of mental disorders, this may contribute to men's overrepresentation in some kinds of deviant groups.
Disaster risk reduction in developing countries: costs, benefits and institutions
Authors: Kenny Charles
Published: February 2012

Some 60,000 people worldwide die annually in natural disasters, mostly due to the collapse of buildings in earthquakes, and primarily in the developing world. This is despite the fact that engineering solutions exist that can eliminate almost completely the risk of such deaths. Why is this? The solutions are expensive and technically demanding, so their cost–benefit ratio often is unfavourable as compared to other interventions. Nonetheless, there are various public disaster risk reduction interventions that are highly cost‐effective. That such interventions frequently remain unimplemented or ineffectively executed points to a role for issues of political economy. Building regulations in developing countries appear to have limited impact in many cases, perhaps because of inadequate capacity and corruption. Public construction often is of low quality, perhaps for similar reasons. This suggests the need for approaches that emphasise simple and limited disaster risk regulation covering only the most at‐risk structures—and that, preferably, non‐experts can monitor—as well as numerous transparency and oversight mechanisms for public construction projects.
LÉVY PROCESSES INDUCED BY DIRICHLET (B‐)SPLINES: MODELING MULTIVARIATE ASSET PRICE DYNAMICS
Authors: Kaishev Vladimir K.
Published: February 2012

We consider a new class of processes, called LG processes, defined as linear combinations of independent gamma processes. Their distributional and path‐wise properties are explored by following their relation to polynomial and Dirichlet (B‐)splines. In particular, it is shown that the density of an LG process can be expressed in terms of Dirichlet (B‐)splines, introduced independently by Ignatov and Kaishev and Karlin, Micchelli, and Rinott. We further show that the well‐known variance gamma (VG) process, introduced by Madan and Seneta, and the bilateral gamma (BG) process, recently considered by Küchler and Tappe are special cases of an LG process. Following this LG interpretation, we derive new (alternative) expressions for the VG and BG densities and consider their numerical properties. The LG process has two sets of parameters, the B‐spline knots and their multiplicities, and offers further flexibility in controlling the shape of the Levy density, compared to the VG and the BG processes. Such flexibility is often desirable in practice, which makes LG processes interesting for financial and insurance applications. Multivariate LG processes are also introduced and their relation to multivariate Dirichlet and simplex splines is established. Expressions for their joint density, the underlying LG‐copula, the characteristic, moment and cumulant generating functions are given. A method for simulating LG sample paths is also proposed, based on the Dirichlet bridge sampling of gamma processes, due to Kaishev and Dimitriva. A method of moments for estimation of the LG parameters is also developed. Multivariate LG processes are shown to provide a competitive alternative in modeling dependence, compared to the various multivariate generalizations of the VG process, proposed in the literature. Application of multivariate LG processes in modeling the joint dynamics of multiple exchange rates is also considered.
FAST MONTE CARLO GREEKS FOR FINANCIAL PRODUCTS WITH DISCONTINUOUS PAY‐OFFS
Authors: Chan Jiun Hong , Joshi Mark
Published: February 2012

We introduce a new class of numerical schemes for discretizing processes driven by Brownian motions. These allow the rapid computation of sensitivities of discontinuous integrals using pathwise methods even when the underlying densities postdiscretization are singular. The two new methods presented in this paper allow Greeks for financial products with trigger features to be computed in the LIBOR market model with similar speed to that obtained by using the adjoint method for continuous pay‐offs. The methods are generic with the main constraint being that the discontinuities at each step must be determined by a one‐dimensional function: the proxy constraint. They are also generic with the sole interaction between the integrand and the scheme being the specification of this constraint.
PRICING CHAINED OPTIONS WITH CURVED BARRIERS
Authors: Jun Doobae , Ku Hyejin
Published: February 2012

This paper studies barrier options which are chained together, each with payoff contingent on curved barriers. When the underlying asset price hits a primary curved barrier, a secondary barrier option is given to a primary barrier option holder. Then if the asset price hits another curved barrier, a third barrier option is given, and so on. We provide explicit price formulas for these options when two or more barrier options with exponential barriers are chained together. We then extend the results to the options with general curved barriers.
Time‐Varying Liquidity Trading, Private Information and Insider Trading
Authors: Lei Qin , Wang Xuewu
Published: February 2012

This paper investigates the insider trading before scheduled versus unscheduled corporate announcements to explore how corporate insiders utilise their private information in response to the time‐varying liquidity trading. Using a comprehensive insider trading database, we show that: (1) the insider's propensity to trade increases in the amount of liquidity trading before both the scheduled and unscheduled announcements; (2) insiders buy (sell) more before positive (negative) announcements; and (3) insider purchases are more profitable before unscheduled announcements than before scheduled ones. They suggest that insiders time their trades around scheduled and unscheduled announcements to exploit the varying extent of liquidity trading.
Still in the Ghetto? Experiences of Secretarial Work in the 21st Century
Authors: Truss Catherine , Alfes Kerstin , Shantz Amanda , Rosewarne Amanda
Published: February 2012

Secretarial work has been described as one of the most persistently gendered of all occupations. Historically, it has been characterized as a ghetto occupation with three key features: low status and poor pay, narrow and feminized job content and poor promotion prospects. Twenty years ago, when a major study last took place in the UK, it was thought that new office technologies might transform the role, leading to a newly defined occupation equally appealing to both men and women. In this article, we report on the findings of a questionnaire survey involving 1011 secretaries. We found evidence of continuity and change. Secretaries are now better qualified and generally well‐paid. A minority is undertaking complex managerial tasks. However, most secretaries continue to perform traditional tasks and career prospects for all remain bleak. We conclude that processes of role gender‐typing are deeply entrenched and that secretarial work remains largely a ghetto occupation.
Engineering Identity: Gender and Professional Identity Negotiation among Women Engineers
Authors: Hatmaker Deneen M.
Published: February 2012

This article considers how women in a gendered profession, engineering, construct their professional identity in response to workplace interpersonal interactions that marginalize it. Using data from interviews with women engineers, it also explores how these interactions influence the engineers' sense of self and belonging in engineering. The interpersonal interactions place professional identity on the periphery and can overly validate gender identity. I discuss two types of identity construction strategies employed by the participants in response to these marginalizing interactions: impression management tactics and coping strategies. Although the data demonstrate that participants may be left feeling devalued or ambivalent towards their identity or fit in engineering, some interactions are more validating and offer a sense of belonging. This article also reflects on how the engineers' actions may, in fact, represent forces for change in the gendered culture of engineering.
Fragmented Sisters? The Implications of Flexible Working Policies for Professional Women's Workplace Relationships
Authors: Teasdale Nina
Published: February 2012

Much is being done by governments and organizations to help workers reconcile their family and employment responsibilities. One such measure has been the introduction of flexible working policies. While academic and policy debates focus on the barriers to flexible working, less consideration is paid to those who work alongside flexible workers. Through a gendered lens, this article focuses on professional women and explores the implications of UK flexible working policies for women's workplace relations in organizations that have traditionally been based on male models of working. Drawing on interviews conducted in three English organizations, it was found that the women's interests did not always coincide and that their social relationships, with respect to flexible working, involved both support and resentment. In particular, the women's interests were affected by organizational and job‐related factors and their stage in the life course. These findings illuminate the ways in which policies are negotiated at the level of daily workplace life and show that co‐workers are a pivotal part of the wider picture of flexible working.
Effect of tranexamic acid on melasma: a clinical trial with histological evaluation
Authors: Na J.I. , Choi S.Y. , Yang S.H. , Choi H.R. , Kang H.Y. , Park K.‐C.
Published: February 2012

Background  Melasma is associated with epidermal hyperpigmentation, weak basement membrane, vascular proliferation and increased numbers of mast cell. Tranexamic acid (TXA), a plasmin inhibitor, is reported to improve melasma when injected locally. However, the effects of oral and topical TXA on melasma have not been well studied and the underlying mechanism remains unclear.

Objectives  To elucidate the effects of oral and topical TXA on melasma.

Methods  A clinical study was conducted with 25 women for 8 weeks from March to July 2010. Volunteers were instructed to take two TXA tablets three times a day and apply a TXA topical agent twice a day for 8 weeks. Skin pigmentation and erythema was measured using a Mexameter® during each visit and skin biopsies were collected from eight subjects before and 8 weeks after treatment. Fontana‐Masson, anti‐CD31, antitryptase and antitype IV collagen staining was performed.

Results  Twenty‐two subjects completed the study and no serious adverse events occurred during the study period. The mean lesional melanin index (MI) scores decreased significantly. Interestingly, the MI scores for the perilesional skin increased. The erythema index scores of lesional and perilesional skin also showed a similar pattern. Histological analysis showed significant reduction of epidermal pigmentation, vessel numbers and mast cell counts. Type IV collagen staining was not observed in all specimens.

Conclusion  TXA decreased epidermal pigmentation associated with melasma and also reversed melasma‐related dermal changes, such as vessel number and increased numbers of mast cells.
The Identification of Children with, or at Significant Risk of, Intellectual Disabilities in Low‐ and Middle‐Income Countries: A Review
Authors: Robertson Janet , Hatton Chris , Emerson Eric , Yasamy M. Taghi
Published: February 2012

Background  Developmental monitoring of children is an important strategy for the early detection and management of intellectual disabilities (ID) in high‐income countries. This review summarizes the literature on identifying children with ID in low‐ and middle‐income (LAMI) countries.

Materials and methods  Electronic literature database searches were conducted to identify articles in the English language published since 1990 relating to the identification of children with, or at risk of, ID in LAMI countries. Requests for information were also sent to the membership of International Association for the Scientific Study of Intellectual Disabilities and relevant organizations in selected LAMI countries.

Results  A total of 37 articles were identified for inclusion in the review, the majority of which concerned validation of specific screening tools. Information is presented on sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value and reliability of identified screening tools.

Conclusion  Studies were mainly concerned with identifying child disability. Research and development should develop specific approaches to identifying ID among children in LAMI countries.