bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Phytoplankton community during a coccolithophorid bloom in the Patagonian Shelf: microscopic and high-performance liquid chromatography pigment analyses
Authors: de Souza Márcio Silva , Mendes Carlos Rafael Borges , Garcia Virgínia Maria Tavano , Pollery Ricardo , Brotas Vanda
Published: May 2011

We describe the phytoplankton community and biomass during a summer coccolithophorid bloom sampled over the Patagonian shelf (48.5°S–50.5°S). Those phytoplankton species can contribute to the flux of calcium carbonate out of surface waters. Results from both microscope and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis are shown to complement information on the phytoplankton community. From CHEMTAX analysis of HPLC data, the most important organisms and groups identified were the coccolithophoridEmiliania huxleyi, the haptophytePhaeocystis antarctica, dinoflagellates, diatoms, cryptophytes, prasinophytes and cyanobacteria. Phytoplankton microscope counts were converted into phytoplankton group-specific biovolume estimates. Although some microscope-identified taxa could not be determined by CHEMTAX, e.g. the autotrophic ciliateMyrionecta rubra, cluster analyses from both techniques showed similar results for the main groups. BothEmiliania huxleyicell concentration and biomass, and the pigment 19′-hexanoyloxyfucoxanthin were the most important biological features during the sampling period. At surface, nitrate was moderately high (0.2–4.2 µM) in coccolithophorid-dominated samples, whereas phosphate (<0.33 µM) and silicate (<1.35 µM) concentrations were low. Among the environmental factors low Si:N ratios were mainly associated with the dominance ofE. huxleyi. Competition and probably differential grazing could also promote a coccolithophorid outgrowth over other photoautotrophs during the summer season in the Patagonian shelf.
Elephant crop-raiding and human–elephant conflict in Cambodia: crop selection and seasonal timings of raids
Authors: Webber C. Elizabeth , Sereivathana Tuy , Maltby Matthew P. , Lee Phyllis C.
Published: May 2011

Elephants are threatened globally by habitat loss, poaching and accelerating levels of human–elephant conflict. ForElephas maximusin Cambodia, crop raiding underlies this conflict. Understanding the timing of raids and selection of crops can help design locally appropriate mitigation and management strategies. This study, using a 4-year database of events, investigated the most frequently raided crops and patterns of raids, over time and seasons and by location. Damage frequency varied significantly by crop, with rice, banana, cassava, sugar cane and papaya most frequently raided. Considering raid events per unit crop area, banana, sugar cane and pineapple were raided more than would be expected based on their availability. There were differences in both crop-raiding events and crop-damage frequencies over study years and there was a peak raiding season in October–December. Nationally, significant differences were found among provinces but not between years. Rates of damage decreased after mitigation strategies such as observation towers, deterrents and fences were implemented. We suggest further mechanisms to improve human–elephant conflict monitoring in relation to crop choice and availability.
Historical and current range of the Near Threatened maned wolf Chrysocyon brachyurus in South America
Authors: Queirolo Diego , Moreira José Roberto , Soler Lucía , Emmons Louise H. , Rodrigues Flávio H.G. , Pautasso Andrés A. , Cartes José Luis , Salvatori Valéria
Published: May 2011

The Near Threatened maned wolf Chrysocyon brachyurus is a South American endemic canid occurring mainly in grassland-dominated regions. We compiled and mapped recent and historical data to compare the species’ present and historical distributions and propose hypotheses for range shifts. There has been recent range expansion in eastern Brazil associated with the deforestation of the Atlantic Forest and conversion of habitat to grasslands for cattle range. The northern, north-eastern and eastern sectors of the species’ range have not yet experienced significant modifications, and the species persists in central Brazil, northern and eastern Bolivia, and south-eastern Peru. The largest range contractions have occurred at the species’ southern limits but maned wolves are still present in north-eastern, central and eastern Argentina, and there are a few records of the species' occurence from Uruguay and north-eastern and southern Rio Grande do Sul, southern Brazil. Historically the species occupied nearly all of Rio Grande do Sul, Uruguay and south to at least the 38th parallel in Argentina. The probable causes of the southern range loss are intense anthropogenic pressure combined with limiting abiotic factors such as temperature and humidity. We highlight the need to revise the view of how habitat modifications are influencing the range of C. brachyurus so as to improve and coordinate range-wide conservation strategies.
Status assessment of raptors in Cape Verde confirms a major crisis for scavengers
Authors: Hille Sabine M. , Collar Nigel J.
Published: May 2011

Scavenging raptors have been postulated to be declining at a rate far higher than predatory raptors. To test this hypothesis we reviewed the historical and present status of the seven raptor species—three scavengers (two kites and a vulture), one partial scavenger (a buzzard) and three species (osprey and two falcons) that take live prey—that breed on the Cape Verde islands. Scavenging raptors have experienced steeper declines and more local extinctions than non-scavengers in Cape Verde, with the partial scavenger midway between the two groups. Causes of scavenger decline include incidental poisoning, direct persecution and declines in the availability of carcasses and other detritus. These findings, which highlight the conservation importance of the island of Santo Antão, indicate the priority that needs to be accorded to scavengers, particularly in Europe where many insular populations are reaching unsustainable levels.
Winter habitat selection by the Vulnerable black-necked craneGrus nigricollisin Yunnan, China: implications for determining effective conservation actions
Authors: De-Jun Kong , Xiao-Jun Yang , Qiang Liu , Xing-Yao Zhong , Jun-Xing Yang
Published: May 2011

Habitat change has major effects on wildlife and it is important to understand how wild animals respond to changing habitats. Dashanbao National Nature Reserve, in north-east Yunnan, China, which was established for the protection of the black-necked craneGrus nigricollis, other wintering waterbirds and the upland wetland ecosystem, recently began converting farmland to grassland and woodland. With respect to this policy we studied habitat selection by black-necked cranes in the Reserve from November 2006 to April 2007. Farmland, grassland, marsh and water were used by black-necked cranes but no cranes occurred in man-made woodland. Black-necked cranes showed the least preference for grassland and no significant differences were detected in the species’ preference for the other three habitats. However, black-necked cranes exhibited different behavioural responses to the four habitats: farmland and grassland were their main foraging sites. Principle component analysis verified that a foraging-related component was the first factor determining habitat selection. Cranes used habitat close to their roosts with short grass, shallow water and less disturbance by human activity. Our results indicate that the policy of converting farmland and grassland to woodland is not beneficial for conservation of the crane. For effective conservation of the black-necked crane scientific habitat management that takes into account habitat selection by the species is required, with the retention of some farmland and restoration of wetlands.
Can the grey literature help us understand the decline and extinction of the Near Threatened Eurasian otter Lutra lutra in Latium, central Italy?
Authors: Battisti Corrado , Amori Giovanni , Angelici Francesco M. , Luiselli Luca , Zapparoli Marzio
Published: May 2011

To trace the local extinction of the Eurasian otter Lutra lutra in Latium, central Italy, and examine the causes of the species’ disappearance, we reviewed and classified information from both the scientific and grey literature according to the reliability and geographical accuracy of the records. The temporal and spatial patterns of 160 records from 23 geographical subunits from 1832 to 2006 suggest that the species collapsed between 1960 and 1975; two different extinction patterns were revealed by a set of multivariate analyses. In northern Latium the species collapsed because of several independent local threats. In central and southern Latium the species collapsed because of catastrophic habitat alteration (land reclamation during the 1930s) that negatively affected the source population. After this event the species went extinct in hilly and mountainous areas, where several population sinks occurred. We presume that this latter process drove the remnant otter subpopulations to extinction in central Italy, emphasizing the role of an extinction vortex in causing the collapse of this metapopulation rather than the classical threats recognized for this species. The value of the grey literature for a posteriori historical analysis of local extinction dynamics is highlighted by this research.
Neural response to angry and disgusted facial expressions in bulimia nervosa
Authors: Ashworth F. , Pringle A. , Norbury R. , Harmer C. J. , Cowen P. J. , Cooper M. J.
Published: May 2011

Background

Processing emotional facial expressions is of interest in eating disorders (EDs) as impairments in recognizing and understanding social cues might underlie the interpersonal difficulties experienced by these patients. Disgust and anger are of particular theoretical and clinical interest. The current study investigated the neural response to facial expressions of anger and disgust in bulimia nervosa (BN).

Method

Participants were 12 medication-free women with BN in an acute episode (mean age 24 years), and 16 age-, gender- and IQ-matched healthy volunteers (HVs). Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) was used to examine neural responses to angry and disgusted facial expressions.

Results

Compared with HVs, patients with BN had a decreased neural response in the precuneus to facial expressions of both anger and disgust and a decreased neural response to angry facial expressions in the right amygdala.

Conclusions

The neural response to emotional facial expressions in BN differs from that found in HVs. The precuneus response may be consistent with the application of mentalization theory to EDs, and the amygdala response with relevant ED theory. The findings are preliminary, but novel, and require replication in a larger sample.
The Saga of Verulamium Building XXVII 2
Authors: Frere Sheppard , Witts Patricia
Published: May 2011

Recent debate about the dating of Building XXVII 2 at Verulamium highlights a potential conflict between archaeological and stylistic dating of mosaics. The stratigraphic and artefactual, particularly the numismatic, evidence for the dating of the construction of Building XXVII 2 and subsequent phases of activity are examined in detail. The coin finds indicate a late date (after c. a.d. 380) for the initial construction of this building and its mosaics, with a sequence of development suggesting the continuation of urban life well into the fifth century. This dating has been challenged, however, and it has been suggested that the mosaics, stylistically, are significantly earlier. Comments are offered on the stylistic dating of the Verulamium mosaics in an Appendix by Patricia Witts. In conclusion, there would appear to be no compelling reason why the historically important sequence of structures, suggesting the continuation of urban life in Verulamium well into the fifth century, as originally proposed, has to be rewritten.
Intuitive calculation of the relativistic Rayleigh-Taylor instability linear growth rate
Authors: Bret Antoine
Published: May 2011

The Rayleigh-Taylor instability is a key process in many fields of Physics ranging from astrophysics to inertial confinement fusion. It is usually analyzed deriving the linearized fluid equations, but the physics behind the instability is not always clear. Recent works on this instability allow for an very intuitive understanding of the phenomenon and for a straightforward calculation of the linear growth rate. In this Letter, it is shown that the same reasoning allows for a direct derivation of the relativistic expression of the linear growth rate for an incompressible fluid.
Akashi series of Selmer groups
Authors: ZERBES SARAH LIVIA
Published: May 2011

We study the Selmer group of an elliptic curve over an admissiblep-adic Lie extension of a number fieldF. We give a formula for the Akashi series attached to this module, in terms of the corresponding objects for the cyclotomic ℤp-extension and certain correction terms. This extends our earlier work [16], in particular since it applies to elliptic curves having split multiplicative reduction at some primes abovep, in which case the Akashi series can have additional zeros.
Nonminimal bridge positions of torus knots are stabilized
Authors: OZAWA MAKOTO
Published: May 2011

We show that any nonminimal bridge decomposition of a torus knot is stabilized and that n-bridge decompositions of a torus knot are unique for any integer n. This implies that a knot in a bridge position is a torus knot if and only if there exists a torus containing the knot such that it intersects the bridge sphere in two essential loops.
Segregation of frontoparietal and cerebellar components within saccade and vergence networks using hierarchical independent component analysis of fMRI
Authors: ALKAN YELDA , BISWAL BHARAT B. , TAYLOR PAUL A. , ALVAREZ TARA L.
Published: May 2011

Purpose: Cortical and subcortical functional activity stimulatedviasaccade and vergence eye movements were investigated to examine the similarities and differences between networks and regions of interest (ROIs). Methods: Blood oxygenation level-dependent (BOLD) signals from stimulus-induced functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) experiments were analyzed studying 16 healthy subjects. Six types of oculomotor experiments were conducted using a block design to study both saccade and vergence circuits. The experiments included a simple eye movement task and a more cognitively demanding prediction task. A hierarchical independent component analysis (ICA) process began by analyzing individual subject data sets with spatial ICA to extract spatial independent components (sIC), which resulted in three ROIs. Using the time series from each of the three ROIs per subject, per oculomotor experiment, a temporal ICA was used to compute individual temporal independent components (tICs). For each of the three ROIs, the individual tICs from multiple subjects were entered into a second temporal ICA to compute group-level tICs for comparison. Results: Two independent spatial maps were observed for each subject (one sIC showing activity in the frontoparietal regions and another sIC in the cerebellum) during the six oculomotor tasks. Analysis of group-level tICs revealed an increased latency in the cerebellar region when compared to the frontoparietal region. Conclusion: Shared neuronal behavior has been reported in the frontal and parietal lobes, which may in part explain the segregation of frontoparietal functional activity into one sIC. The cerebellum uses multiple time scales for motor learning. This may result in an increased latency observed in the BOLD signal of the cerebellar group-level tIC when compared to the frontal and parietal group-level tICs. The increased latency offers a possible explanation to why ICA dissects the cerebellar activity into an sIC. The hierarchical ICA process used to calculate group-level tICs can yield insight into functional connectivity within complex neural networks.
DIAGNOSIS AND MANAGEMENT OF THROMBOCYTOPENIA IN PREGNANCY
Authors: MYERS BETHAN , TRUELOVE EDWARD
Published: May 2011

Platelets are an essential component of the first step in the process of haemostasis, plugging defects in the endothelium and providing a surface for secondary haemostasis to occur, via the coagulation pathway. Platelet aggregation and activation cause granule release of von Willebrand factor, ADP and serotonin, which, in turn, results in recruitment of more platelets to form the platelet plug. This serves to stop the bleeding, and also to activate the coagulation pathway on the surface of the activated platelets, leading to a firm fibrin clot.
CARDIAC ARRHYTHMIAS DURING PREGNANCY: A CLINICAL APPROACH
Authors: LAKSMAN ZACHARY , HARRIS LOUISE , SILVERSIDES CANDICE K
Published: May 2011

Physiologic changes in maternal haemodynamics, hormones and autonomic properties contribute to arrhythmias in pregnancy. While arrhythmias most commonly occur in pregnant women with structural heart disease or those with a history of cardiac arrhythmias, they can also occur de novo in women with no documented cardiac disease.
Germ cell differentiation and proliferation in the developing testis of the South American plains viscacha, Lagostomus maximus (Mammalia, Rodentia)
Authors: Gonzalez C.R. , Muscarsel Isla M.L. , Fraunhoffer N.A. , Leopardo N.P. , Vitullo A.D.
Published: May 2011

Cell proliferation and cell death are essential processes in the physiology of the developing testis that strongly influence the normal adult spermatogenesis. We analysed in this study the morphometry, the expression of the proliferation cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), cell pluripotency marker OCT-4, germ cell marker VASA and apoptosis in the developing testes of Lagostomus maximus, a rodent in which female germ line develops through abolished apoptosis and unrestricted proliferation. Morphometry revealed an increment in the size of the seminiferous cords with increasing developmental age, arising from a significant increase of PCNA-positive germ cells and a stable proportion of PCNA-positive Sertoli cells. VASA showed a widespread cytoplasmic distribution in a great proportion of proliferating gonocytes that increased significantly at late development. In the somatic compartment, Leydig cells increased at mid-development, whereas peritubular cells showed a stable rate of proliferation. In contrast to other mammals, OCT-4 positive gonocytes increased throughout development reaching 90% of germ cells in late-developing testis, associated with a conspicuous increase in circulating FSH from mid- to late-gestation. TUNEL analysis was remarkable negative, and only a few positive cells were detected in the somatic compartment. These results show that the South American plains viscacha displays a distinctive pattern of testis development characterized by a sustained proliferation of germ cells throughout development, with no signs of apoptosis cell demise, in a peculiar endocrine in utero ambiance that seems to promote the increase of spermatogonial number as a primary direct effect of FSH.
Blastocysts derived from adult fibroblasts of a rhesus monkey (Macaca mulatta) using interspecies somatic cell nuclear transfer
Authors: Kwon Dae Kee , Kang Jung Taek , Park Sol Ji , Gomez Ma Ninia Limas , Kim Su Jin , Atikuzzaman Mohammad , Koo Ok Jae , Jang Goo , Lee Byeong Chun
Published: May 2011

In non-human primates, it is difficult to collect sufficient numbers of oocytes for producing identical embryos by somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT). Because of this factor, inter-species SCNT (iSCNT) using heterospecific oocytes is an attractive alternative approach. The objective of this study was to produce iSCNT-derived blastocysts using enucleated cow (Bos taurus) metaphase II oocytes and adult rhesus monkey (Macaca mulatta) fibroblasts. Ear skin tissue from a 6-year-old male rhesus monkey was collected by biopsy and fibroblasts were isolated. Immature cumulus–oocyte complexes from cow ovaries were collected and matured in vitro in Medium 199. The enucleated oocytes were reconstructed with rhesus monkey fibroblasts and iSCNT embryos were cultured in modified synthetic oviduct fluid in an atmosphere of 5–5.5% CO2 under various conditions (37–39 °C and 5–20% O2) to examine the effects of in vitro culture conditions. Most embryos were arrested at the 8- or 16-cell stage and only three blastocysts were derived in this way using iSCNT from a total of 1153 cultured activated embryos (0.26% production rate). Two of the three blastocysts were used for counting nuclear numbers using bisbenzimide staining, which were 51 and 24. The other iSCNT-derived blastocyst was used to analyse mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) by PCR, and both rhesus monkey and cow mtDNA were detected. Although the development rate was extremely low, this study established that iSCNT using two phylogenetically distant species, including a primate, could produce blastocysts. With improvements in the development rate, it may be possible to produce rhesus monkey iSCNT-derived embryonic stem cell lines for studies on primate nucleus and cow mitochondria interaction mechanisms.
Information asymmetries and conflict of interest during the Baring crisis, 1880–1890
Authors: Flores Juan H.
Published: May 2011

This article examines the potential conflict of interest of underwriters in London's foreign sovereign debt markets prior to the Baring crisis of 1890. We describe the main sources of information for investors concerning Argentina, whose government debt default contributed to Baring's collapse, and compare them with those of the underwriters, particularly Baring's. We then present some empirical evidence using data on bond prices and underwriting fees that demonstrate that Baring did not exploit its information lead to the detriment of investors. Finally, we present historical evidence that shows that Baring foresaw default before markets did and consequently planned a bailout loan that could not be issued due to political instability in Buenos Aires.
The Culture of Time in Neuropsychological Assessment: Exploring the Effects of Culture-Specific Time Attitudes on Timed Test Performance in Russian and American Samples
Authors: Agranovich Anna V. , Panter A.T. , Puente Antonio E. , Touradji Pegah
Published: May 2011

Cultural differences in time attitudes and their effect on timed neuropsychological test performance were examined in matched non-clinical samples of 100 Russian and American adult volunteers using 8 tests that were previously reported to be relatively free of cultural bias: Color Trails Test (CTT); Ruff Figural Fluency Test (RFFT); Symbol Digit Modalities Test (SDMT); and Tower of London-Drexel Edition (ToLDx). A measure of time attitudes, the Culture of Time Inventory (COTI-33) was used to assess time attitudes potentially affecting time-limited testing. Americans significantly outscored Russians on CTT, SDMT, and ToLDx(p< .05) while differences in RFFT scores only approached statistical significance. Group differences also emerged in COTI-33 factor scores, which partially mediated differences in performance on CTT-1, SDMT, and ToLDxinitiation time, but did not account for the effect of culture on CTT-2. Significant effect of culture was revealed in ratings of familiarity with testing procedures that was negatively related to CTT, ToLDx, and SDMT scores. Current findings indicated that attitudes toward time may influence results of time limited testing and suggested that individuals who lack familiarity with timed testing procedures tend to obtain lower scores on timed tests. (JINS, 2011,17, 692–701)
Neuropsychological Effects of Sleep Loss: Implication for Neuropsychologists
Authors: Waters Flavie , Bucks Romola S.
Published: May 2011

There is rapidly accumulating evidence of a close relationship between sleep loss and cognition. Neuropsychologists need to become aware of this body of knowledge as the effects of sleep loss on brain functions are significant. The current study (a) outlines the extent to which insufficient sleep affects performance on cognitive tasks in otherwise healthy people, (b) discusses the relationship between sleep and neurocognitive disorders, and (c) highlights key issues that merit consideration for neuropsychologists. This review shows that sleep loss has a measurable impact on performance through decreases in cognitive functions and effects on biological pathways that support cognitive performance. Sleep loss reliably produces reductions in speed of processing and attention. Higher order cognitive functions are affected to a lesser extent, and there is sparing on tasks of crystallized abilities. Deficits worsen with increasing time awake, but may be overturned after normal sleep is resumed. The review also shows that sleep disorders are a major feature of neuropsychological conditions contributing to the pattern of cognitive impairment. Overall, neuropsychologists must be alert to sleep problems in their clients, so that sleep interventions, or referrals, are put in place in the rehabilitation plan of individuals with cognitive dysfunctions. Recommendations also include routine screening of sleep as part of cognitive assessment. (JINS, 2011,17, 571–586)
Changes in socio-economic differences in food habits over time
Authors: Seiluri Tina , Lahelma Eero , Rahkonen Ossi , Lallukka Tea
Published: May 2011

Objective

To examine absolute socio-economic differences in food habits and their changes over time.

Design

A longitudinal study using the cohort baseline mail surveys conducted in 2000–2002 (n 8960, response rate 67 %) and the follow-up in 2007 (n 7332, response rate 83 %), including data on seven food habits recommended in the national dietary guidelines, as well as socio-economic and sociodemographic variables.

Setting

Data from the Helsinki Health Study survey, followed up for 5–7 years.

Subjects

Municipal employees of the City of Helsinki, Finland.

Results

Apart from fish and vegetable-based margarine on bread, the proportions of the recommended food items were higher for women than for men. The consumption of the recommended food items either increased or remained stable over the follow-up period. On the basis of the slope index of inequality (SII) it was observed that socio-economic differences widened with regard to the consumption of fresh vegetables and fish and use of vegetable-based margarine or oil in cooking, with the upper classes consuming these foods more often. The largest differences were observed in the consumption of fresh vegetables, for which the SII value among women was 2·38 (95 % CI 1·93, 2·95) at baseline and 2·47 (95 % CI 2·01, 3·03) at follow-up, and 3·36 (95 % CI 1·80, 6·28) and 3·47 (95 % CI 1·95, 6·19) for men, respectively. Socio-economic differences were non-existent for milk, and the reverse was observed for dark bread and vegetable-based margarine on bread.

Conclusions

Consumption of the recommended food items increased in the examined cohort over time. This increase was mostly similar throughout the socio-economic groups and thus the socio-economic differences remained stable. The upper classes followed the guidelines better with regard to the consumption of vegetables and fish and in the use of vegetable-based margarine or oil in cooking.
Socio-economic variables influence the prevalence of inadequate nutrient intake in Brazilian adolescents: results from a population-based survey
Authors: Verly Junior Eliseu , Cesar Chester Luis Galvão , Fisberg Regina Mara , Marchioni Dirce Maria Lobo
Published: May 2011

Objective

To estimate the prevalence of inadequate nutrient intake among adolescents and the association between socio-economic variables and nutritional status.

Design

Cross-sectional study with a population-based sample.

Settings

The usual nutrient intake distribution was estimated using the Iowa State University method. The Estimated Average Requirement cut-off point method was used to determine the proportion of adolescents with inadequate intake for each nutrient, according to sex, income, parental educational level and nutritional status.

Subjects

Twenty-four-hour dietary recalls were applied in 525 male and female Brazilian adolescents aged 14–18 years.

Results

The highest prevalence of inadequate nutrient intake was observed for vitamin E (99 % in both sexes). For male and female adolescents, the prevalence of inadequate intake was: Mg, 89 % and 84 %; vitamin A, 78 % and 71 %; vitamin C, 79 % and 53 %; and vitamin B6, 21 % and 33 %, respectively. The prevalence of inadequate intake for niacin, thiamin, riboflavin, Se, Cu and vitamin B12 was <15 %. Individuals in the lower income and lower parental educational level strata had the highest risk of having inadequate intake for P, riboflavin and vitamins A, B6 and B12. Compared with non-overweight individuals, overweight individuals had a higher risk of inadequate intake for Mg, vitamin A, P, thiamin and riboflavin.

Conclusions

The present study found a high prevalence of inadequate intake of nutrients that are recognised as being protective against chronic diseases. Adolescents in the lower income and lower parental educational level strata were less likely to have their nutrient intake requirements met.
Attachment styles of Oregonians who request physician-assisted death
Authors: Oldham Robert L. , Dobscha Steven K. , Goy Elizabeth R. , Ganzini Linda
Published: May 2011

Objective:

Qualitative analyses suggest that requests for physician-assisted death (PAD) may often be the culmination of a person's lifelong pattern of concern with issues such as control, autonomy, self-sufficiency, distrust of others, and avoidance of intimacy. Such characteristics may be measured by attachment style. We compared family members’ reports of attachment style in Oregonians who did and did not request PAD.

Method:

Eighty-four family members of terminally ill patients who requested PAD before death and 63 members of a comparison group that included family members of terminally ill Oregonians who died without requesting PAD rated their loved ones' attachment style in a one-time survey.

Results:

Individuals who requested PAD were most often described as having dismissive personality styles (56%) compared to 41% of comparison individuals, and on continuous measures of relational style, the highest mean score among PAD requesters was for dismissive style. There were marginally significant differences in the proportions of each attachment style when comparing the two groups (p = 0.08).

Significance of results:

Patients’ attachment styles may be an important factor in requests for PAD. Recognition of a patient's attachment style may improve the ability of the physician to maintain a constructive relationship with the patient throughout the dying process.
Drug-induced akathisia as a cause of distress in spouse caregivers of cancer patients
Authors: Wada Mei , Ito Hiroshi , Wada Makoto , Wada Tomomi , Tada Yukio , Ishida Mayumi , Mizuno Keiko , Shioi Atsuko , Narabayashi Masaru , Iwamitsu Yumi , Onishi Hideki
Published: May 2011

Objective:

Family caregivers of cancer patients suffer from physical, psychological, and social distress and therefore are often referred to as second order patients. Akathisia is a common side effect of antipsychotics and antidepressants that causes great discomfort and even agitation and is often described by patients administered these drugs as the most distressing side effect of their treatment. Several studies of akathisia as a cause of distress in cancer patients have been reported. However, akathisia has not been reported as a cause of distress in family caregivers of cancer patients.

Method/Case report:

A 74-year-old spouse caregiver who was under treatment for major depressive disorder was not able to visit the hospital where her husband, a terminally ill cancer patient, was being treated. Initially, the spouse caregiver thought that she could not visit the hospital because of the symptoms of her depression and her grief about losing her husband. However, careful clinical examination revealed that she was suffering from akathisia in addition to her grief.

Results:

Discontinuation of her sulpiride treatment resulted in the disappearance of her akathisia symptoms, and therefore she became able to visit the hospital and care for her terminally ill husband.

Significance of results:

Drug induced akathisia is a cause of distress in spouse caregivers taking certain drugs. It is important for clinicians to realize that family caregivers might suffer from not only socioeconomic, physical, and psychological problems but also side effects of medication.
Communication contexts about illness, death and dying for people with intellectual disabilities and life-limiting illness
Authors: Ryan Karen , Guerin Suzanne , Dodd Philip , McEvoy John
Published: May 2011

Objective:

The general population has been involved in considerable debate about communication and awareness within the context of death and dying. However, there has been little research on how matters of communication on this topic are handled for people with life-limiting illness and intellectual disabilities. This qualitative study explored how staff managed communication about death and dying with people with intellectual disabilities in a Health Service Executive area in Ireland.

Method:

Ninety-one individuals took part in 16 focus groups. Interviews were analysed using framework analysis.

Results:

Participants infrequently discussed death and dying with people with intellectual disabilities. Participants operated most commonly in suspicious awareness environments with people with mild-to-moderate intellectual disabilities, and closed awareness environments with people with severe intellectual disabilities. The majority of participants did not hold absolute opinions that talking about illness, death, and dying with people with intellectual disabilities was “wrong.” Rather, they were concerned that their lack of skill and experience in the area would cause harm if they engaged in open conversations. Relatives had an influential role on the process of communication. Participants were strongly motivated to provide quality care and were willing to consider alternative approaches to communication if this would benefit people with intellectual disabilities.

Significance of results:

Although there has been a shift toward conditional open awareness of death and dying in Western society, people with intellectual disabilities have not been afforded the same opportunity to engage in open discussion of their mortality. This study points to the urgent need to engage in debate about this issue in order to ensure that people with intellectual disabilities receive high quality palliative care toward the end of life.
Protein disulphide isomerase family in bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.): genomic structure, synteny conservation and phylogenetic analysis
Authors: d'Aloisio E. , Paolacci A. R. , Dhanapal A. P. , Tanzarella O. A. , Porceddu E. , Ciaffi M.
Published: May 2011

Eight genes encoding protein disulphide isomerase (PDI)-like proteins in bread wheat were cloned and characterized and their genomic structure was compared with that of homoeologous genes isolated from other plant species. Fourteen wheat cDNA sequences of PDI-like genes were amplified and cloned; eight of them were relative to distinct PDI-like genes, whereas six corresponded to homoeologous sequences. Also, the genomic sequences of the eight non-homoeologous genes were amplified and cloned. Phylogenetic analysis, which included eight genes encoding PDI-like proteins and the gene encoding the typical PDI, assigned at least one of them to each of the eight major clades identified in the phylogenetic tree of the PDI gene family of plants. The close chromosome synteny between wheat and rice was confirmed by the location of the homoeologous genes of the PDI family in syntenic regions of the two species. Within the same phylogenetic group, a high level of conservation, in terms of sequence homology, genomic structure and domain organization, was detected between wheat and the other plant species. The high level of conservation of sequence and genomic organization within the PDI gene family, even between distant plant species, might be ascribed to the key metabolic roles of their protein products.
Transnational Islamic networks
Authors: Gul Imtiaz
Published: May 2011

Besides a surge in terrorist activities, events following the 11 September terrorist attack on the United States have raised a new challenge for the world: the emergence of transnational Islamic networks, predominantly influenced by organizations such as Ikhwan al Muslimeen (the Muslim Brotherhood) and Al Qaeda, which are helping to spread a particular religious ideology across the globe and are also having an impact on pre-existing groups in Afghanistan and Pakistan. This article gives an overview of the role of Islamist networks and their influence, drawn from Al Qaeda and the Muslim Brotherhood, in South and South-west Asia and the Afghanistan–Pakistan region in particular. It also explains how local like-minded outfits have used Al Qaeda's anti-Western jargon to recruit foot soldiers and enlist support within their society, besides serving as financial conduits for the radical Wahabite/Salafi reformists.
The Psychometric Properties of the TCI-140 in Hebrew
Authors: Zohar Ada H. , Cloninger C. Robert
Published: May 2011

The internal reliability as well as structural, convergent, and divergent validity of the Temperament and Character Inventory, brief 140-item version (TCI-140) in Hebrew were examined. The TCI-140 was translated, independently backtranslated, and revised. A total of 1102 community volunteers, over the age of 40, completed the TCI-140 and measures of emotional function, smoking, physical and sexual activity, medical diagnoses, and medical family history. Structural validity and internal reliability were assessed by scale reliability and exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA); convergent and discriminant validity by correlation with measures of emotional function and health behavior. The temperament trait of Harm Avoidance correlated positively with negative emotion and Alexithymia; and negatively with positive affect, well-being, subjective health assessment, and social support, while the reverse was true for Reward Dependence. The TCI character traits of Self-Directedness and Cooperation were correlated with better subjective feeling and more health behavior. The CFA for Temperament did not support the theoretical and empirical structure found for the English version; the CFA for character gave strong confirmation to the theoretical and empirical structure. The TCI-140 in Hebrew will be useful in assessing normal personality, as well as issues of psychopathology and health.
Is Understanding Why Necessary for Treatment Choices?
Authors: Berens Chantal , Witteman Cilia L. M. , van de Ven Monique O. M.
Published: May 2011

Models of the psychodiagnostic process prescribe that clinicians should analyze explanations for their clients’ problems and subsequently use this information to decide upon the most appropriate treatment plan. However, studies of clinical practice suggest that the role of explanations is minimal, and that considering only symptoms gives clinicians enough information to plan treatment. In this experimental study we tested whether different explanations for the same problem are related to different treatment plans. Analyses of the responses given by 151 psychologists for cases of anorexia and conduct disorder in which the explanations were manipulated, suggest that explanations matter. Different explanations for the same constellation of symptoms were related to different treatment plans. This implies that clinical psychologists do not propose a treatment based on symptoms only. Implications of our findings are discussed.
Measuring Temporal Self-Regulation in Children With and Without Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
Authors: Houghton Stephen , Durkin Kevin , Ang Rebecca P. , Taylor Myra F. , Brandtman Mark
Published: May 2011

A new parent report measure entitled the Salience, Organization and Management of Time Scale (SOMTS) that assessed the temporal regulation of children with and without Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (AD/HD) in everyday contexts was developed over three phases (item generation, preliminary validation, and factorial structure). Items were compiled from related earlier instruments plus parental interviews, with final selection determined on the basis of item affectivity indices. The final study was, in part, an online study. Principal components analysis and confirmatory factor analyses from a sample of parents of children with (n = 194) and without (n = 142) AD/HD indicated a three factor structure of the new instrument (Verbalizing temporal structures, Temporal self-regulation, and Conceptualizing and sequencing time). Significant between-group differences revealed children with AD/HD performed worse on all three factors compared to children without AD/HD. The factors exhibited moderate discriminant validity when used individually and excellent discriminant validity when used in combination. The three distinct and reliable factors identified by the new instrument map well onto themes emphasized in a comprehensive theory of AD/HD and the between-group differences are consistent with the theory’s characterization of a developmental delay in sense of time in young people with the disorder.
Measuring Change With Multiple Visual Analog Scales
Authors: Vautier Stéphane
Published: May 2011

Although the visual analog scale (VAS) may be useful for measuring change on subjective and potentially transient phenomena, there is concern about the reliability and construct validity of the associated measurement variables. The present study reports evidence for tau-equivalence of change scores associated with VASs designed for assessing tense arousal with synonymous indicators. This psychometric property allows an estimation of the true-score structure of the cross-sectional measurement variables in a longitudinal SEM model, including method effects. Findings suggest that VASs associated with synonymous indicators may yield highly reliable measurement variables. However, imperfect dynamic bipolarity was observed when data based on antonymous indicators were introduced into the analyses, a rather puzzling effect that deserves further elaboration.
The German Version of the Satisfaction With Life Scale (SWLS)
Authors: Glaesmer Heide , Grande Gesine , Braehler Elmar , Roth Marcus
Published: May 2011

The Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS) is the most commonly used measure for life satisfaction. Although there are numerous studies confirming factorial validity, most studies on dimensionality are based on small samples. A controversial debate continues on the factorial invariance across different subgroups. The present study aimed to test psychometric properties, factorial structure, factorial invariance across age and gender, and to deliver population-based norms for the German general population from a large cross-sectional sample of 2519 subjects. Confirmatory factor analyses supported that the scale is one-factorial, even though indications of inhomogeneity of the scale have been detected. Both findings show invariance across the seven age groups and both genders. As indicators of the convergent validity, a positive correlation with social support and negative correlation with depressiveness was shown. Population-based norms are provided to support the application in the context of individual diagnostics.
Psychometric Properties of the Icelandic Version of the Beck Anxiety Inventory in a Clinical and a Student Population
Authors: Sæmundsson Bragi R. , Þórsdóttir Fanney , Kristjánsdóttir Hafrún , Ólason Daníel Þ. , Smári Jakob , Sigurðsson Jón F.
Published: May 2011

The Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI) is a widely used anxiety scale in clinical practice as well as in research. In the present study the objective was to assess the psychometric properties of the Icelandic version of the BAI in a patient and a student population. There was a total of 1674 participants, 607 outpatients and 1067 students. All participants completed the BAI and a subgroup of the students completed additional measures of anxiety and depression as well. A subgroup of the students also completed the BAI on a second occasion. Most of the patients completed the Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II). All patients were diagnosed with the Mini-International Neuropsychiatric Interview. Both internal consistency reliability and test-retest reliability were excellent. Convergent and divergent validity were supported. The BAI showed discriminant validity both with regard to discriminating anxiety disorder patients from other patients and panic disorder patients from other anxiety disorder patients. Confirmatory factor analyses revealed excellent support for a one-factor model in the student population, which was superior to the alternative two- and four-factor models. The four-factor model was, however, supported in the patient population whereas the one- and two-factor models were not. It is concluded that the psychometric properties of the Icelandic version of the BAI are satisfactory.
Integrative Tests of a Multidimensional Model of Organizational Identification
Authors: Boroş Smaranda , Curşeu Petru Lucian , Miclea Mircea
Published: May 2011

Organizational identification works on the cognitive, affective, and evaluative levels. The present study, like previous research, conceptualizes identification as a multidimensional concept. We test a model of identification developed in experimental settings using an empirical study carried out in three Romanian organizations. We investigate relevant antecedents and consequences of cognitive, affective, and evaluative identification for organizations. The findings shed light on the conditions in which the impact of cognitive identification on organizational outcomes is mediated by the affective attachment to the organization. They also indicate that evaluative identification has a smaller impact in organizational settings than experimental studies have previously shown, contradicting predictions of the self-enhancement hypothesis. Based on these findings, we draw out the practical implications for effective strategies targeting organizational identification enhancement.
Concentration and UV reactivity of total organic carbon in the upper layer in the oligotrophic subtropical western North Pacific
Authors: Lee Sangkyun , Hama Takeo , Ishii Masao , Saito Shu , Omori Yuko , Sasano Daisuke , Yanagi Katsumi
Published: May 2011

Characteristics of temporal variation in the vertical profile of total organic carbon (TOC) were investigated in the upper layer of the ocean at various latitudes (10–30°N) of 137°E in the western North Pacific subtropical gyre. Bulk TOC was divided into labile and stable fractions by the specific UV irradiation to evaluate their contributions to the temporal fluctuation of TOC. Authentic specimens and dissolved organic carbon collected from coastal waters were used to examine the correspondence between the photochemical reactivity to the specific UV irradiation and biological reactivity. The concentration of TOC in the upper layer was higher in summer when the surface layer is well stratified and was lower in winter when the mixed layer deepened. Although the winter mixed layer is shallower in lower latitudes, the amplitude of the seasonal variations in the top 50 m weighted mean TOC concentration (19.5–27.7 μM) did not vary considerably over the subtropical zones we studied. A major fraction (51.9–89.8%) of TOC was stable against specific UV irradiation and was thought to be mainly composed of biologically stable organic compounds, but the seasonal variation of TOC at each latitude was mainly attributable to the variation of UV labile fraction. This finding suggests that the seasonal variation of TOC in the upper layer is explained by the biological production of TOC in summer surface water and its vertical mixing with low UV, labile TOC in winter. Upward advection of subsurface water due to the passage of cyclonic eddies and changes in the geostrophic current are also likely to affect the temporal TOC variation, in particular, in the lower latitudes where winter mixed layer and permanent thermocline are shallower.