bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Bullying among nurses and its effects
Authors: Yıldırım D.
Published: November 2009

Background:  The victims of bullying are subjected to being terrorized, annoyed, excluded, belittled, deprived of resources, isolated and prevented from claiming rights. The victims of bullying have decreased job satisfaction, work performance, motivation and productivity. Bullying also negatively affects victims' social relationships inside and outside the institution.

Objectives:  This study was conducted as a cross‐sectional and descriptive study for the purpose of assessing the workplace, bullying of nurses in Turkey and the effects it has on nursing practices.

Method:  The sample was composed of 286 nurses, and all of the respondents were female. The research instrument was a questionnaire in five parts. The first section included the participants' demographic information; the other variables were measured in four categories: psychologically violent behaviours, workload, organizational effects and depression.

Findings:  Thirty‐seven per cent of the nurses participating in the research had never or almost never encountered workplace bullying behaviour in the last 12 months, 21% of the nurses had been exposed to these behaviours. There were no differences between position and educational level in workplace bullying. Workplace bullying leads to depression, lowered work motivation, decreased ability to concentrate, poor productivity, lack of commitment to work, and poor relationships with patients, managers and colleagues.

Conclusion:  Workplace bullying is a measurable problem that negatively affects the psychology and performance of the nurses in this study.
Self‐reported gastrointestinal and cardiovascular symptoms in female Turkish nurses
Authors: Yıldız F.A. , Esin M.N.
Published: November 2009

Aim:  This study aimed to determine the prevalence of gastrointestinal and cardiovascular symptoms and to compare working conditions and lifestyle characteristics among nurses.

Background:  Gastrointestinal and cardiovascular disorders are important health problems in nurses. Although many epidemiologic studies have researched nurses' health problems, few have focused on their cardiovascular and gastrointestinal symptoms.

Methods:  A cross‐sectional design was used with a sample of 400 nurses from a medical faculty hospital in northwestern Turkey. Data were collected using the Physical Health Questionnaire of the Standard Shift Work Index.

Results:  The nurses worked different shifts and provided direct patient care in four different clinical areas in the hospital. There were statistically significant differences in age, educational status, marital status, work years, weekly working hours and type of work shift among nurses in different units. The mean gastrointestinal symptoms subscale score was 17.7 [standard deviation (SD) = 3.2] and the mean cardiovascular symptoms subscale score was 14.4 (SD = 3.7). Compared with results in similar studies, the nurses' gastrointestinal and cardiovascular symptoms scores in our study are quite high. The regression model shows that gastrointestinal symptoms are most prevalent in the 20–30‐year‐old age group [odds ratio (OR) = 13.90] and the cigarette‐smoking group (OR = 8.52). The most important factors affecting the prevalence of cardiovascular symptoms are marital status (OR = 2.41) and smoking (OR = 2.31).

Conclusion:  The findings might help occupational health nurses and other occupational health‐care personnel in assessing high‐risk nurses who could benefit from interventions aimed at minimizing gastrointestinal and cardiovascular disorders.
Plant genome sequencing: applications for crop improvement
Authors: Edwards David , Batley Jacqueline
Published: November 2009

DNA sequencing technology is undergoing a revolution with the commercialization of second generation technologies capable of sequencing thousands of millions of nucleotide bases in each run. The data explosion resulting from this technology is likely to continue to increase with the further development of second generation sequencing and the introduction of third generation single‐molecule sequencing methods over the coming years. The question is no longer whether we can sequence crop genomes which are often large and complex, but how soon can we sequence them? Even cereal genomes such as wheat and barley which were once considered intractable are coming under the spotlight of the new sequencing technologies and an array of new projects and approaches are being established. The increasing availability of DNA sequence information enables the discovery of genes and molecular markers associated with diverse agronomic traits creating new opportunities for crop improvement. However, the challenge remains to convert this mass of data into knowledge that can be applied in crop breeding programs.
New Labour and Pensions Reform: Security in Retirement?
Authors: Waine Barbara
Published: November 2009

New Labour has defined the problem of security in retirement as one of undersaving and has sought to resolve it both by measures which encourage saving and by improving financial literacy. The article discusses both of these approaches, arguing that each is flawed and that, in addition, New Labour's pension policy exhibits several tensions which threaten to undermine the objective of providing a secure income in retirement.
Modernization of Tax Administrations and Optimal Fiscal Policies
Authors: BESFAMILLE MARTIN , SIRITTO CECILIA PARLATORE
Published: November 2009

Since Sandmo (1981), many articles have analyzed optimal fiscal policies in economies with tax evasion. All share a feature: they assume that the cost of enforcing the tax law is exogenous. However, governments often invest resources to reduce these enforcement costs. In a very simple model, we incorporate such investments in the analysis of an optimal fiscal policy. We characterize their optimal level and we show numerically how they interact with the other dimensions of the optimal fiscal policy. Finally, we highlight the differences between our results and those obtained in a model without investment in the tax administration.
Bargaining over Public Goods
Authors: DÁVILA JULIO , EECKHOUT JAN , MARTINELLI CÉSAR
Published: November 2009

In a simple public good economy, we propose a natural bargaining procedure, the equilibria of which converge to Lindahl allocations as the cost of bargaining vanishes. The procedure splits the decision over the allocation in a decision about personalized prices and a decision about output levels for the public good. Since this procedure does not assume price‐taking behavior, it provides a strategic foundation for the personalized taxes inherent in the Lindahl solution to the public goods problem.
MONETARY POLICY WITH INVESTMENT–SAVING IMBALANCES
Authors: Tamborini Roberto
Published: November 2009

Financial instability is the new challenge for monetary policy. Most studies indicate that financial crises follow prolonged unwinding of investment–saving imbalances (ISI). These phenomena are not contemplated by the standard theoretical framework of continuous intertemporal equilibrium. This paper's aim is to take a first step into the analysis of monetary policy in the context of ISI. First, a dynamic model of a flex‐price, competitive economy is presented where ISI are allowed to develop. Second, upon introducing different types of Taylor rules, some indications for the conduct of monetary policy emerge, which are at variance with the standard view.
Regulation, rent‐seeking, and the Glorious Revolution in the English Atlantic economy
Authors: ZAHEDIEH NUALA
Published: November 2009

The rapid rise of England's colonial commerce in the late seventeenth century expanded the nation's resource base, stimulated efficiency improvements across the economy, and was important for long‐term growth. However, close examination of the interests at play in England's Atlantic world does not support the Whiggish view that the Glorious Revolution played a benign role in this story. In the decades after the Restoration, the cases of the Royal African Company and the Spanish slave trade in Jamaica are used to show that the competition between Crown and Parliament for control of regulation constrained interest groups on either side in their efforts to capture the profits of empire. Stuart ‘tyranny’ was not able to damage growth and relatively competitive (and peaceful) conditions underpinned very rapid increases in colonial output and trade. The resolution of the rules of the Atlantic game in 1689 allowed a consolidated state better to manipulate and manage the imperial economy in its own interests. More secure rent‐seeking enterprises and expensive wars damaged growth and European rivals began a process of catch‐up. The Glorious Revolution was not sufficient to permanently halt economic development but it was sufficient to slow progress towards industrial revolution.
Changing Perceptions of Non‐Consensual Sex Crime: The Mediation of a Local Newspaper
Authors: SOOTHILL KEITH
Published: November 2009

Abstract: This article aims to consider all cases of non‐consensual sex crime involving a court appearance that were reported in a local newspaper, the Lancaster Guardian, over a period of 120 years (1860–1979). Searching over 6,000 editions of a local newspaper, there are huge shifts in the outcome of non‐consensual cases over the 120 years. There is evidence of a lively direct interest from the local populace in some of the early cases, but it is only since the Second World War that more sustained coverage of cases are featured in the newspaper. There is a clear shift over time in the type of cases that receive more media attention.
Information and Communication Technologies and Policing: The Dynamics of Changing Police‐Public Communication in the East End of London
Authors: WESSELS BRIDGETTE
Published: November 2009

Abstract: One of the problems the police face is how to maintain or improve levels of public access and communication within limited resources and a range of policing priorities. Policing multi‐cultural areas with multiple deprivations, such as the East End of London, requires networked information and communication services. The development of information and communication technology (ICT) is potentially a new form of communication for community police services. To develop ICT for police work involves understanding and gaining knowledge about how these technologies fit into police services and with the needs of local residents.
Self‐learning digital modules in Dermatology: a pilot study
Authors: Kaliyadan F , Manoj J , Dharmaratnam AD , Sreekanth G
Published: November 2009

Background  Dermatological diseases are one of the most common problems in outpatient departments. Dermatology teaching unfortunately is facing two major issues: (i) a shortage of trained faculty and (ii) inadequate teaching time. Various methods utilizing modern information technology have been studied to overcome these problems.

Objectives  We attempted to evaluate the use of a digital self‐learning module in the teaching of dermatology.

Methods  We created digital modules of dermatology topics, which included power‐point presentations, instructive videos demonstrating signs in dermatological examination, interactive quizzes and images. The module was pilot tested on 48 third semester students, each posted for 2 weeks in dermatology. Evaluation was performed using a 5‐point Likert scale questionnaire for the students. Actual knowledge acquisition was evaluated using a post‐test with two components: section A comprising questions from the sections covered by the digital module and a section B comprising questions from topics taught only in the conventional method.

Results  The questionnaire analysis revealed that a majority of the students were comfortable using the module and felt that it encouraged them towards further in‐depth self‐learning on the concerned topics. The results from the post‐test were compared between the test and control sections, using the Student’s t‐test, which gave a P‐value of 0.084 (5% significance level) suggesting that the difference was not significant.

Conclusion  To conclude, we would like to suggest that the use of a ‘play area’ like concept coupled with an interactive information technology‐based self‐learning module might improve dermatology teaching.
CHILD syndrome: the NSDHL gene and its role in CHILD syndrome, a rare hereditary disorder
Authors: Avgerinou GP , Asvesti AP , Katsambas AD , Nikolaou VA , Christofidou EC , Grzeschik KH , Happle R
Published: November 2009

Background  CHILD syndrome, a rare hereditary disorder of keratinization (MIM 308050, 300275), is the acronym proposed by Happle to name a rare entity, characterized by congenital hemidysplasia, icthyosiform nevus and limb defects, ranging from digital hypoplasia to icthyosiform nevus and ipsilateral limb defects, ranging from digital hypoplasia to complete amelia.

Patients and methods  A 9‐month‐old female infant presented with skin and limb defects involving the right side of her body. Clinical and laboratory evaluation was performed, including DNA sequence analysis of the NSDHL gene.

Results  Our patient presented with some of the typical clinical characteristics of CHILD syndrome, i.e. two large erythematous plaques with sharp borders, covered with yellow, wax‐like scaling, on the right axilla and on the right groin, dysplastic right hand and alopecia of the right occipital area. The diagnosis was confirmed by DNA screening analysis, that detected a missense mutation c.314C→T;p‐A105V, in the coding region of the NSDHL gene (exon4) of our patient.

Conclusions  This is the first report of CHILD syndrome ever reported in Greece. We suggest that the diagnosis of the syndrome is important for patient information and genetic counselling.
Entrapment of nutrients during cholesterol removal from cream by crosslinked β‐cyclodextrin
Authors: HA HYUN JEE , LEE JUNG EUN , CHANG YOON HYUK , KWAK HAE‐SOO
Published: November 2009

This study was designed to elucidate the quantities of nutrients entrapped during cholesterol removal from cream by crosslinked β‐cyclodextrin (β‐CD, 4–12%, w/v) and to evaluate the amounts of the residual β‐CD in cholesterol‐removed cream treated by crosslinked β‐CD. The content of lactose in the control cream (without the treatment by crosslinked β‐CD) was 2.74%, and the amounts of lactose entrapped by crosslinked β‐CD ranged from 0.00 to 0.03%. The total amounts of the entrapped short‐chain free fatty acid (FFA) and free amino acid (FAA) ranged from 0.04 to 0.12 ppm and from 0.37 to 0.48 μmol/mL, respectively. The amounts of the entrapped water‐soluble vitamins (L‐ascorbic acid, niacin, thiamine and riboflavin) ranged from 0.01 to 0.05 ppm, from 0.01 to 0.05 ppm, from 0.00 to 0.04 ppm and from 0.02 to 0.05 ppm, respectively. The entrapped amounts of nutrients mentioned above were not remarkably affected by the concentrations of crosslinked β‐CD (4–12%, w/v). The very small amounts of residual β‐CD in the cholesterol‐removed cream were measured (1.86–6.11 ppm). Based on the data obtained from the present study, it is concluded that the amounts of entrapped nutrients were negligible during cholesterol removal from cream by crosslinked β‐CD, and the amounts of residual β‐CD in cholesterol‐removed cream were trace.
Non‐competitive interaction between raclopride and spiperone on human D2L‐receptors in intact Chinese hamster ovary cells
Authors: Packeu Ann , De Backer Jean‐Paul , Vauquelin Georges
Published: November 2009

We recently investigated the binding properties of the antagonists [3H]‐raclopride and [3H]‐spiperone to intact Chinese hamster ovary cells expressing recombinant human D2long‐dopamine receptors (CHO‐D2Lcells). Compared with saturation binding with [3H]‐raclopride, raclopride reduced [3H]‐spiperone binding with to low potency in competition binding experiments. The present findings illustrate the ability of spiperone to inhibit [3H]‐raclopride binding non‐competitively. While raclopride only decreases the apparentKDof [3H]‐raclopride in saturation binding experiments, spiperone only decreases the number of sites to which [3H]‐raclopride binds with high affinity. Also, while the IC50of raclopride depends on the concentration of [3H]‐raclopride in competition experiments, this is not the case for spiperone. Kinetic studies reveal that the binding of raclopride at its high affinity sites does not affect the association of subsequently added [3H]‐spiperone nor the rebinding of freshly dissociated [3H]‐spiperone to the same or surrounding receptors. Yet, spiperone does not affect the dissociation rate of [3H]‐raclopride and raclopride does not affect the (genuine) dissociation rate of [3H]‐spiperone. The easiest way to interpret the present findings in molecular terms is to assume that D2L‐receptors or their dimeric complexes possess two distinct binding sites: one with high affinity/accessibility for [3H]‐raclopride and the other one with high affinity/accessibility for [3H]‐spiperone. The ability of bound spiperone to inhibit high affinity raclopride binding while the reverse is not the case suggests for the occurrence of non‐reciprocal allosteric interactions. These new findings could point at the occurrence of allosteric interactions between different classes of D2‐receptor antagonists.
Diagnostic performance of cardiac magnetic resonance imaging in coronary artery disease
Authors: Pärkkä Jussi P. , Koskenvuo Juha W. , Kervinen Helena , Poutanen Veli‐Pekka , Lohela Pentti , Järvinen Vesa
Published: November 2009

Background:  Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMR) is a promising method for detecting coronary artery disease (CAD). The first reports of new diagnostic techniques indicated generally unrealistic diagnostic performance relying on retrospectively observed cut‐off values of quantitative parameters. Although visual analysis of CMR is the most applicable method for clinical work, its diagnostic performance is not fully elucidated for study components such as wall motion, perfusion and late enhancement in patients with different severity of CAD.

Methods:  A total of 30 subjects including 20 patients with CAD and 10 healthy volunteers were selected for the study. Of the patients, ten had stable CAD, five confirmed myocardial infarction (MI) without Q‐waves in electrocardiogram (ECG) and five confirmed MI with Q‐waves in ECG. All patients underwent coronary angiography and CMR for evaluating resting wall motion, rest and stress perfusion and late enhancement.

Results:  Combining the data from the three CMR techniques, 12 out of 20 patients were correctly identified as having CAD, and all controls were found to be healthy. Sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, positive and negative predictive values were 60·0%, 100·0%, 73·0%, 100·0% and 55·6%, respectively. Of the CMR components, resting wall motion and late enhancement gave the most diagnostic yield.

Conclusions:  We conclude that evaluation of CAD is feasible in patients with different severity of CAD using visually analysed CMR, especially when available CMR methodologies are combined together.
Measuring Food Product Differentiation by Quality Ratings: A Cross‐Entropy Analysis of Specialty Coffee e‐Auctions
Authors: Donnet M. Laura , Weatherspoon Dave D. , Moss Charles B.
Published: November 2009

Food quality ratings can be used for product differentiation and strategic marketing. This article develops a differentiation measure based on the cross‐entropy of two distributions for speciality coffees. It examines whether quality ratings achieve their objectives for speciality coffee supply chains. The estimation, using e‐auctions data, indicates that the quality rating is more informative in the Cup of Excellence (CofE) relative to the Q auction. To determine significance, a statistical test for comparing the information measure across different e‐auctions and segments of the quality rating was developed. The significant difference between the two auctions is not a surprise as the auctions trade coffee lots of different volumes and the quality evaluation is more important in the case of the CofE, with its jury of renowned coffee experts. The total cross‐entropy measure of product differentiation shows that the 100‐point quality rating does not carry the same information content and meaning in the two different e‐auctions and their respective supply chains. The cross‐entropy measure of product differentiation is shown to be a good indicator of the information and the value created throughout the speciality food supply chain.
Comanagement Practices Enhance Fisheries in Marine Protected Areas
Authors: GUIDETTI PAOLO , CLAUDET JOACHIM
Published: November 2009

Abstract:  Fishing activities worldwide have dramatically affected marine fish stocks and ecosystems. Marine protected areas (MPAs) with no‐take zones may enhance fisheries, but empirical evidence of this is scant. We conducted a 4‐year survey of fish catches around and within an MPA that was previously fully closed to fishing and then partially reopened under regulated comanaged fishing. In collaboration with the fishers and the MPA authority, we set the fishing effort and selected the gear to limit fishing impact on key fish predators, juvenile fish stage, and benthic communities and habitats. Within an adaptive comanagement framework, fishers agreed to reduce fishing effort if symptoms of overfishing were detected. We analyzed the temporal trends of catch per unit of effort (CPUE) of the whole species assemblages and CPUE of the four most valuable and frequent species observed inside the opened buffer zone and outside the MPA investigated. After the comanaged opening, CPUE first declined and then stabilized at levels more than twice that of catches obtained outside the MPA. Our results suggest that working closely with fishers can result in greater fisheries catches. Partial protection of coastal areas together with adaptive comanagement involving fishers, scientists, and managers can effectively achieve conservation and fishery management goals and benefit fishing communities and alleviate overfishing.
Utility of the distal compound muscle action potential duration for diagnosis of demyelinating neuropathies
Authors: Isose Sagiri , Kuwabara Satoshi , Kokubun Norito , Sato Yasunori , Mori Masahiro , Shibuya Kazumoto , Sekiguchi Yukari , Nasu Saiko , Fujimaki Yumi , Noto Yuichi , Sawai Setsu , Kanai Kazuaki , Hirata Koichi , Misawa Sonoko ,   The Tokyo Metropolitan Neuromuscular Electrodiagnosis Study Group
Published: November 2009

To assess the significance of distal compound muscle action potential (CMAP) duration for diagnosis of demyelinating neuropathies, electrophysiologic data were reviewed from 471 subjects, including 145 normal controls, 60 patients with chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP), 205 with other neuropathy, and 61 with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). The duration of distally evoked CMAP was measured in the median, ulnar, tibial, and peroneal nerves. Optimal cut‐off values were calculated with receiver‐operating characteristic (ROC) curves. In comparison of normal controls and CIDP patients, ROC analyses showed the sufficient area under the curves (82‐93%). When the cut‐off values in the detection of demyelination were determined as the point with 98% specificity vs. normal on the ROC curves (median, 6.6 ms; ulnar, 6.7 ms; peroneal, 7.6 ms; tibial, 8.8 ms), the sensitivity was 77% for CIDP, with a specificity of 90% vs. ALS and 95% vs. diabetic neuropathy. The distal CMAP duration is a useful index for the detection of distal demyelination. We suggest the above cut‐off values for each nerve as one of the electrodiagnostic criteria for demyelinating neuropathies, preferentially affecting the distal nerve terminals, such as CIDP.
Autonomic skin responses in females with Fabry disease
Authors: Møller Anette T. , Bach Flemming W. , Feldt‐Rasmussen Ulla , Rasmussen Åse K. , Hasholt Lis , Sommer Claudia , Kølvraa Steen , Jensen Troels Staehelin
Published: November 2009

Fabry disease is a genetic lysosomal disorder with dysfunction of the lysosomal enzyme α‐galactosidase A causing accumulation of glycolipids in multiple organs including the nervous system and with neuropathy as a prominent manifestation. Neurological symptoms include pain and autonomic dysfunction. This study examined peripheral autonomic nerve function in 19 female patients with Fabry disease and 19 sex and age‐matched controls by measuring (1) sweat production following acetylcholine challenge; (2) the sympathetically mediated vasoconstrictor responses to inspiratory gasp, stress, and the cold pressor test; and (3) cutaneous blood flow following capsaicin. The vasoconstrictor response to inspiratory gasp was increased in Fabry patients compared to controls (p = 0.03), while the response to cold and mental stress did not change. Female patients with Fabry disease had a reduced sweat response to iontophoresis of acetylcholine (p = 0.04) and a smaller capsaicin‐induced flare compared to controls. These findings suggest that female patients both have an impaired C‐fiber function and local abnormalities in blood vessels and sweat glands.
Peripheral neuropathy in survivors of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia
Authors: Ramchandren Sindhu , Leonard Marcia , Mody Rajen J. , Donohue Janet E. , Moyer Judith , Hutchinson Raymond , Gurney James G.
Published: November 2009

Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is the most common form of cancer in children. Recent advances in treatment have led to dramatically improved survival rates. Standard ALL treatment includes multiple administrations of the chemotherapeutic drug vincristine, which is a known neurotoxic agent. Although peripheral neuropathy is a well‐known toxicity among children receiving vincristine acutely, the long‐term effects on the peripheral nervous system in these children are not clear. The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of neuropathy and its impact on motor function and quality of life (QOL) among children who survived ALL. Thirty‐seven survivors of childhood ALL aged 8–18 underwent evaluation for neuropathy through self‐reported symptoms, standardized examinations, and nerve conduction studies (NCS). Functional impact of neuropathy was assessed using the Bruininks‐Oseretsky test of Motor Proficiency (BOT‐2). QOL was assessed using the PedsQL. Nerve conduction study abnormalities were seen in 29.7% of children who were longer than 2 years off therapy for ALL. Most children with an abnormal examination or NCS did not have subjective symptoms. Although overall motor function was below population norms on the BOT‐2, presence of neuropathy did not significantly correlate with motor functional status or QOL.
Reverse Problem Formulation for Integrating Process Discharges with Watersheds and Drainage Systems
Authors: Lovelady Eva M. , El‐Baz Amro A. , El‐Monayeri Diaa , El‐Halwagi Mahmoud M.
Published: November 2009

This work introduces a new approach to integrating the discharges of industrial processes with macroscopic watershed systems. The key concept is that environmental quality models (such as material flow analysis) can be inverted and included in an optimization formulation that seeks to determine the maximum allowable target for the process discharges while meeting the overall environmental requirements of the watershed. Because of its holistic nature, this approach simultaneously considers the effects of the inputs and outputs to the watershed (e.g., agricultural, residential, wastewater treatment plants, industrial, and so on) and the various physical, chemical, and biological phenomena occurring within the watershed. An optimization formulation is developed to systematically represent the reverse problem formulation. To illustrate the effectiveness of this approach, a case study is solved to manage phosphorus in Bahr El‐Baqar drainage system leading to Lake Manzala in Egypt. The key environmental and economic aspects are addressed and used to screen plant location and discharges.
Results of Short‐Term and Long‐Term Pulmonary Vein Isolation for Paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation Using Duty‐Cycled Bipolar and Unipolar Radiofrequency Energy
Authors: WIECZOREK MARCUS , HOELTGEN REINHARD , AKIN ELVAN , SALILI ALI REZA , ORAL HAKAN , MORADY FRED
Published: November 2009

PV Isolation Using Bipolar/Unipolar RF Energy. Background: Electrical disconnection of the pulmonary veins (PV) plays an important role in the ablation of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (AF). Antral ablation using a conventional steerable ablation catheter often is technically challenging and time consuming.

Methods:
Eighty‐eight patients (mean age 58 ± 11 years) with symptomatic paroxysmal AF underwent ablation with a circular mapping/ablation decapolar catheter (PVAC). Ablation was performed in the antral region of the PVs with a power‐modulated bipolar/unipolar radiofrequency (RF) generator using 8–10 W delivered simultaneously through 2–10 electrodes, as selected by the operator. Seven‐day Holter monitor recordings were performed off antiarrhythmic drugs at 3‐, 6‐, and 12‐month follow‐up, and patients were requested to visit the hospital in the event of ongoing palpitations. All follow‐up patients were divided into 2 groups: Group 1 with a follow‐up of less than 1 year and group 2 patients completing a 1‐year follow‐up.

Results:
Overall, 338 of 339 targeted PVs (99%) were isolated with the PVAC with a mean of 24 ± 9 RF applications per patient, a mean total procedure time of 125 ± 28 minutes, and a mean fluoroscopy time of 21 ± 13 minutes. Freedom from AF off antiarrhythmic drugs was found in 82 and 79% of group 1 and group 2 patients, respectively. No procedure‐related complications were observed.

Conclusion:
PV isolation by duty‐cycled unipolar/bipolar RF ablation can be effectively and safely performed with a circular, decapolar catheter. Twelve‐month follow‐up data compare favorably with early postablation results, indicating stable effects over time. (J Cardiovasc Electrophysiol, Vol. 21, pp. 399–405, April 2010)
Transseptal Dispersion of Repolarization and Its Role in the Development of Torsade de Pointes Arrhythmias
Authors: SICOURI SERGE , GLASS AARON , FERREIRO MARCELA , ANTZELEVITCH CHARLES
Published: November 2009

Transseptal Dispersion and TdP. Objective: This study was designed to quantitate transseptal dispersion of repolarization (DR) and delineate its role in arrhythmogenesis using the calcium agonist BayK 8644 to mimic the gain of function of calcium channel current responsible for Timothy syndrome.

Background:
Amplification of transmural dispersion of repolarization (TDR) has been shown to contribute to development of Torsade de Pointes (TdP) arrhythmias under long‐QT conditions.

Methods:
An arterially perfused septal wedge preparation was developed via cannulation of the septal artery. Action potentials (APs) were recorded using floating microelectrodes together with a transseptal electrocardiogram (ECG). These data were compared to those recorded from arterially perfused canine left ventricular (LV) wedge preparations.

Results:
Under control conditions, the shortest AP duration measured at 90% repolarization (APD90) was observed in right ventricular (RV) endocardium (181.8 ± 15 ms), APD90 peaked close to midseptum (278.0 ± 32 ms), and abbreviated again as LV endocardium was approached (207.3 ± 9 ms). Transseptal DR averaged 106 ± 24 ms and Tpeak–Tend 84 ± 7 ms (n = 6). TDR and Tpeak–Tend recorded from LV wedge were 36 ± 9 ms and 34 ± 19 ms, respectively (n = 30). BayK 8644 increased transseptal DR to 123.2 ± 35 ms (n = 5) and induced early and delayed afterdepolarizations (3/5), rate‐dependent ST‐T‐wave alternans (5/5), and TdP arrhythmias (3/5).

Conclusions:
Our data indicate that dispersion of repolarization across the interventricular septum is twice that of the LV free wall, predisposing to development of TdP under long‐QT conditions. Our findings suggest that the coronary‐perfused ventricular septal preparation may be a sensitive model in which to assess the potential arrhythmogenic effects of drugs and pathophysiological conditions. (J Cardiovasc Electrophysiol, Vol. 21, pp. 441–447, April 2010)
On the importance of estimating detection probabilities from at‐sea surveys of flying seabirds
Authors: Barbraud Christophe , Thiebot Jean‐Baptiste
Published: November 2009

The primary and accepted method used to estimate seabird densities at sea from ships is the strip transect method, designed to correct for the effect of random directional bird movement relative to that of the ship. However, this method relies on the critical assumption that all of the birds within the survey strip are detected. We used the distance sampling method from line‐transects to estimate detection probability of a number of species of flying seabirds, and to test whether distance from the ship and bird body size affected detectability. Detection probability decreased from 0.987 (SE=0.029) to 0.269 (SE=0.035) with increasing strip half‐width from 100 to 1400 m. Detection probability also varied between size‐groups of species with strip half‐width. For all size‐groups, this probability was close to 1 for strip half‐width of 100 m, but was 0.869 (SE=0.115), 0.725 (SE=0.096) and 0.693 (SE=0.091) for strip half‐width of 300 m, a typical strip width used in seabird surveys, for respectively large, medium and small size flying seabirds. For larger strip half‐width, detection probability was higher for large sized species, intermediate for medium sized species and lower for smaller sized species. For strip half‐width larger than 100 m we suggest that more attention should be paid to testing the assumption of perfect detectability, because abundance estimates may be underestimated when this assumption is violated. Finally, the effect of the speed of travel of flying seabird on the detection probability was estimated in a simulation study, which suggests that detection probability was underestimated with increasing flying speed.
Discrete evolutionary color changes in caciques suggest different modes of carotenoid evolution between closely related taxa
Authors: Kiere Lynna M. , Hofmann Christopher M. , Jordan Price J. , Cronin Thomas W. , Omland Kevin E.
Published: November 2009

Carotenoid‐based colors have signaling roles in a range of animal taxa, yet little is known about how carotenoids vary across species or whether overall patterns may vary across genera. The caciques (Cacicus, Clypicterus and Ocyalus; family Icteridae), a group of passerine birds from Central and South America, appear to visually divide into discrete yellow and red color groups. Reflectance spectrometry supported this observation, showing widely separated short and long‐wavelength groups corresponding with yellow and red‐feathered taxa. Ancestral state reconstructions inferred a yellow ancestral state with two independent changes to red, and no reversals back to yellow. This pattern contrasts with that of another closely related icterid clade, the New World orioles (Icterus), which exhibit a full range of carotenoid colors and have a pattern of evolution that is continuous and extremely labile. To our knowledge, this study is the first to highlight the possibility of different modes of color evolution even among closely related clades. This study also emphasizes the importance of the methods and assumptions of ancestral state reconstruction. In particular, although coloration and other characters can be measured along a continuous scale, they should be reconstructed using discrete methods when data from extant taxa and underlying mechanisms suggest discrete changes.
Evaluation of photodynamic therapy using topical aminolevulinic acid hydrochloride in the treatment of condylomata acuminata: a comparative, randomized clinical trial
Authors: Liang Jun , Lu Xiao Nian , Tang Hui , Zhang Zhen , Fan Jing , Xu Jin Hua
Published: November 2009

Objectives: To determine the safety and efficacy of photodynamic therapy (PDT) with topical application of 20% wt/vol aminolevulinic acid hydrochloride (ALA) in the treatment of condylomata acuminata (CA).

Study design: Patients with CA were randomly allocated into the ALA‐PDT group and the CO2 laser group in an allocation ratio of 3 : 1. The treatment was repeated weekly if necessary, but no more than 3 times. The primary efficacy endpoint was the wart clearance rate 1 week after the last treatment. The recurrence rate was evaluated at weeks 4, 8 and 12 after the treatment ended. The clinical response to therapy and adverse effects were recorded.

Results: A total of 91 patients with CA were enrolled in the clinical trial. Of these 90 (98.9%) patients completed the trial (67 in the ALA‐PDT group, and 23 in CO2 laser group). By 1 week after the last treatment, the complete clearance rate was 95.93% in the ALA‐PDT group and 100% in CO2 laser group (P>0.05). The clearance rate of CA at male urethral orifice was100% in the ALA‐PDT group and 100% in the CO2 laser group (P>0.05). The overall recurrence rate calculated by the end of the entire follow‐up period was significantly lower in the ALA‐PDT group than that in the CO2 laser group (9.38% vs 17.39%, P<0.05). Moreover, there was no systemic adverse event in either group. The proportion of patients with adverse effects in the ALA‐PDT group (8.82%) was also significantly lower than that in the CO2 laser group (100%, P<0.05). The side‐effects in patients treated with ALA‐PDT mainly included mild burning and/or stinging restricted to the illuminated area.

Conclusion: The results confirmed that topical application of ALA‐PDT is a simpler and as effective therapy with a lower incidence of adverse effects in the treatment of CA compared with conventional CO2 laser therapy.
Correlates of physical activity in Portuguese adolescents from 10 to 18 years
Authors: Seabra A. F. , Mendonça D. M. , Thomis M. A. , Malina R. M. , Maia J. A.
Published: November 2009

This study examined the association between demographic [age, sex, socioeconomic status (SES)] and socio‐cultural [father, mother, sibling physical activity (PA); peers and physical education teacher influences] correlates and low, moderate and high levels of PA among Portuguese adolescents aged 10–18 years. A total of 3352 males and females attending basic and secondary schools, their parents and siblings were sampled across four regions of Portugal. PA was assessed with a psychometrically validated questionnaire. Multinomial logistic regression was used. Age was positively related with moderate and high PA. Boys and adolescents of high SES were more likely to participate in moderate and high PA. Adolescents were more likely to participate in high PA when theirs mother and sibling(s) also participated. Peers had a positive influence on participation in moderate and high PA, while physical education teachers did not have an influence. The results indicated that demographic and socio‐cultural correlates – in particular age, sex, SES, mother and sibling PA, and peer influence – were significantly associated with adolescent PA. These results also suggested that interventions should focus on girls and low SES adolescents who face higher risk of inactivity.
Stress fracture in combination with avulsion from the tibia in a marathon runner: a case report
Authors: Bargfeldt C. , Krogsgaard M. , Rasmussen S. W.
Published: November 2009

We report an exceptional case of a tibial stress fracture combined with a large avulsion from the posterior facet of the tibia at the level where the tibialis posterior and soleus muscles insert. This type of injury has not been reported previously. A young healthy male runner experienced a sudden “snap” in the right lower leg 25 km into a marathon and had to leave the race due to increasing pain. The fracture was immediately apparent on plain radiographs. The injury was treated conservatively with 9 weeks in an ROM knee cast and no weight bearing on the affected leg, followed by full recovery. We propose that prolonged muscle tension at the site of tendinous attachment to the bone can cause the development of a stress fracture type of avulsion.
Changes in the spatio‐temporal organization of the trapezius muscle activity in response to eccentric contractions
Authors: Madeleine P. , Samani A. , Binderup A. T. , Stensdotter A. K.
Published: November 2009

We hypothesized changes in the spatial organization of the trapezius muscle electromyographic (EMG) activity after a shoulder eccentric exercise. The rate of perceived exertion (RPE), the size of the soreness area, maximum force and, EMG from the upper, middle and lower trapezius were recorded. Root mean square (RMS), mean frequency (MNF) and normalized mutual information (a measure of functional connectivity between muscle sub‐divisions) were computed during submaximal dynamic and static contractions performed before, immediately after and 24 h after exercise. Immediately after exercise, RPE, soreness area, RMS from the upper and middle trapezius and normalized mutual information among upper–middle sub‐divisions increased while MNF decreased for the middle trapezius (P<0.05). After 24 h, the maximum force decreased. RMS from the upper trapezius and normalized mutual information among upper–middle trapezius sub‐divisions were higher than before exercise. MNF values increased from immediately after to 24 h after for the upper and lower trapezius (P<0.05). The current results underlined changes in the spatio‐temporal organization of the trapezius in response to shoulder eccentric exercise. The observed changes in EMG temporal and spectral contents and the enhanced sub‐division coupling underlined the functional role of spatial variations of the EMG activity during muscle fatigue and in the presence of delayed‐onset muscle soreness.
Myostatin expression during human muscle hypertrophy and subsequent atrophy: increased myostatin with detraining
Authors: Jespersen J. G. , Nedergaard A. , Andersen L. L. , Schjerling P. , Andersen J. L.
Published: November 2009

Myostatin is a potent negative regulator of skeletal muscle mass, but its role in human skeletal muscle hypertrophy and atrophy is sparsely described. Muscle biopsies were obtained from young male subjects before and after 30 and 90 days of resistance training as well as after 3, 10, 30, 60 and 90 days of subsequent detraining. Myostatin mRNA increased significantly with detraining. We observed a 28 kDa myostatin immunoreactive protein, which, however, was also present in myostatin knock out mice skeletal muscle. As a novel finding we consistently detected a 10 kDa band, which may represent a mature myostatin monomer under reducing conditions or a novel, unknown myostatin form. Further, we observed a significant increase in this 10 kDa band after 3 days of detraining preceding the rapid type II fiber atrophy, in which almost half of the acquired fiber area was lost after only 10 days of detraining. Accordingly, an increase in the level of the 10 kDa protein is associated with rapid type II fiber atrophy, suggesting myostatin‐mediated specific type II fiber atrophy, which in combination with our mRNA data support a role for myostatin in the negative regulation of adult human skeletal muscle mass.
A genome‐wide association study identifies multiple loci associated with mathematics ability and disability
Authors: Docherty S. J. , Davis O. S. P. , Kovas Y. , Meaburn E. L. , Dale P. S. , Petrill S. A. , Schalkwyk L. C. , Plomin R.
Published: November 2009

Numeracy is as important as literacy and exhibits a similar frequency of disability. Although its etiology is relatively poorly understood, quantitative genetic research has demonstrated mathematical ability to be moderately heritable. In this first genome‐wide association study (GWAS) of mathematical ability and disability, 10 out of 43 single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) associations nominated from two high‐ vs. low‐ability (n = 600 10‐year‐olds each) scans of pooled DNA were validated (P < 0.05) in an individually genotyped sample of *2356 individuals spanning the entire distribution of mathematical ability, as assessed by teacher reports and online tests. Although the effects are of the modest sizes now expected for complex traits and require further replication, interesting candidate genes are implicated such as NRCAM which encodes a neuronal cell adhesion molecule. When combined into a set, the 10 SNPs account for 2.9% (F = 56.85; df = 1 and 1881; P = 7.277e–14) of the phenotypic variance. The association is linear across the distribution consistent with a quantitative trait locus (QTL) hypothesis; the third of children in our sample who harbour 10 or more of the 20 risk alleles identified are nearly twice as likely (OR = 1.96; df = 1; P = 3.696e–07) to be in the lowest performing 15% of the distribution. Our results correspond with those of quantitative genetic research in indicating that mathematical ability and disability are influenced by many genes generating small effects across the entire spectrum of ability, implying that more highly powered studies will be needed to detect and replicate these QTL associations.
A Prospective Study on the Accuracy of Mucosally Supported Stereolithographic Surgical Guides in Fully Edentulous Maxillae
Authors: D'haese Jan , Van De Velde Tommie , Elaut Lucien , De Bruyn Hugo
Published: November 2009

Background: Flapless implant placement using guided surgery is widespread, although clinical publications on the precision are lacking.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the accuracy of mucosal‐supported stereolithographic guides in the edentulous maxillae.

Materials and Methods: Seventy‐eight OsseoSpeed™ implants (Astra Tech AB, Mölndal, Sweden) of 3.5 to 5 mm width and 8 to 15 mm length were installed consecutively in 13 patients. Implants were functionally loaded on the day of surgery, and implant location was assessed with a computed tomography scan. Mimics 9.0 software (Materialise N.V., Leuven, Belgium) was used to fuse the images of the virtually planned and actually placed implants, and the locations, axes, and interimplant distances were compared.

Results: One implant was lost shortly after insertion because of abscess formation caused by remnants of impression material. Seventy‐seven implant locations were analyzed. The deviation at the entrance point ranged between 0.29 mm and 2.45 mm (SD: 0.44 mm), with a mean of 0.91 mm. Average angle deviation was 2.60° (range 0.16–8.86°; SD: 1.61°). At the apical point, the deviation ranged between 0.32 mm and 3.01 mm, with a mean of 1.13 mm (SD: 0.52 mm). The mean deviation of the coronal and apical interimplant distance was respectively 0.18 mm (range 0.07–0.32 mm; SD: 0.15) and 0.33 mm (range 0.12–0.69 mm; SD: 0.28). These deviations are lower than the global coronal and apical deviations.

Conclusion: The present study is the first to investigate the accuracy of stereolithographic, full, mucosally supported surgical guides in the treatment of fully edentulous maxillae. Clinicians should be warned that angular and linear deviations are to be expected. Short implants show significantly lower apical deviations compared with longer ones. Reasons for implant deviations are multifactorial; however, it is unlikely that the production process of the guide has a major impact on the total accuracy of a mucosal‐supported stereolithographic guide.