bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Beyond lexicostatistics
Authors: Heggarty Paul
Published: October 2010

This article surveys various long-standing ambiguities and confusions that continue to dog lexicostatistics and glottochronology. I aim to offer some novel perspectives and clarifications, which also help map out how we might devise new, alternative methods to build upon the good in Swadesh’s troubled legacy. I challenge the recent trend towards honing down Swadesh’s original list to a minimal core. A richer signal on language relationships is to be had not by discarding the data in meanings considered ‘unstable’, but by exploring the revealing patterns that emerge only when those meanings are kept, and contrasted against their ‘core’ counterparts.
Performing Pasifika English in New Zealand
Authors: Gibson Andy , Bell Allan
Published: October 2010

bro’Town is a popular animated comedy whose language is that of stylized performance. It deals with the adventures of a group of five teenage Pasifika boys growing up in Auckland, New Zealand, and showcases performances of the Englishes spoken by Polynesian immigrants and their descendants. A range of varieties are performed on the show by a handful of actors. We analyzed several linguistic variables in the speech of three of the main characters — the 14-year-old twins Vale and Valea, and their father Pepelo. Pepelo produces high levels of the vernacular features of DH-stopping and TH-fronting, consistent with his biography as a second-language speaker whose pronunciation is influenced by his native language, Samoan. His sons, as second-generation speakers, have these features too but at lower frequencies. The twins also differ from each other, with the streetwise Valea, who is more aligned with Pasifika youth culture, producing higher levels of the variables than the studious Vale. Pepelo produces unaspirated initial /p/s, again a Pasifika language feature, while his sons do not. Linking-/r/, however, appears to index a youth identity but not adult immigrant status. We conclude that performed varieties can reflect the linguistic production of a community in their selection of specific features. The quantitative patterns can be quite variable, but here succeed in indexing salient identities for their audiences.
Intensifiers on Tyneside
Authors: Barnfield Katie , Buchstaller Isabelle
Published: October 2010

We report on longitudinal changes in the system of intensification in an innovative corpus that spans five decades of dialectal speech. Our analyses allow us — for the first time in a British context — to trace the quantitative development in the variable across four generations. Longitudinal analysis across real and apparent time determines the effect of extralinguistic and intralinguistic variables on intensification in Tyneside and tests to what extent real time data corroborates trends reported from previous apparent time analyses. Long-term competition within the variable manifests itself in distinctive developmental trajectories: expansion — both proportionally within the variable as well as across adjectival categories — tends to follow one of three types of patterns, exemplified, respectively, by really, so and dead. Variant retraction, however, follows only one schema. Importantly, numerical decline in the system does not necessarily go hand in hand with a reduction in breadth of application.
A comparative analysis of invariant tags in three varieties of English
Authors: Columbus Georgie
Published: October 2010

Discourse markers are a feature of everyday conversation — they signal attitudes and beliefs to their interlocutors beyond the base utterance. One particular type of discourse marker is the invariant tag (InT), for example New Zealand and Canadian English eh. Previous studies of InTs have clearly described InT uses in one language variety (e.g. Berland 1997, on London teenage talk; Stubbe and Holmes 1995, on NZ English; on sociolinguistic features e.g. Stubbe and Holmes 1995 and on single markers e.g. Avis 1972; Love 1973; Gibson 1977; Meyerhoff 1992 and 1994; Gold 2005, 2008 on eh). However, the class of InTs has not yet been fully described, and the variety of approaches taken (corpus- and survey-based) does not easily allow for cross-varietal or cross-linguistic comparison. This study investigates InTs in three varieties of English from a corpus-based approach. It lists the InTs available in New Zealand, British and Indian English through their occurrences in their respective International Corpus of English (ICE) corpora, and compares usages of four tags across the varieties. The description offers a clearer overview of the InT class for descriptive grammars, as well as more explicit definitions and usage guides for e.g. EFL/ESL pedagogy. An unambiguous description of several InTs and their meanings will also allow more thorough comparison in studies of other English varieties. Finally, the results offer another viewpoint on the issue of representativeness in corpora with respect to regional versus national varieties of the Englishes.
Register differentiation in East African English
Authors: van Rooy Bertus , Terblanche Lize , Haase Christoph , Schmied Josef J.
Published: October 2010

The article examines register variation in East African English by submitting the East African component of the International Corpus of English (ICE) to a complete multidimensional analysis (Biber 1988). A six-factor model was extracted using 67 linguistic features (Biber 1988). The results show that the extent of register variation is not less in ICE-East Africa than in Biber (1988). However, East African English displays unique stylistic features across registers. The overall effect is that East African English leans more towards the formal side (especially Dimensions 3, 5 and 6). There is a strong emphasis on the involvement of the addressee, more formal features for the encoding of information, and delineation of reference by textual rather than contextual means, even when the information is not very abstract. The paper establishes a baseline of the extent of register variation in East African English, and identifies certain typical features across all registers.
Reverberations of the Armenian Genocide
Authors: Azarian-Ceccato Natasha
Published: October 2010

Narrative research has not traditionally examined the intergenerational transmission and reverberation of narratives within ethnic communities, and yet it is through the chain of generations that voices of the past reverberate and testimonies endure which fuel and form present day notions of the past. This article is a call for and an example of the importance ethnographic investigation into communities of memories, for it is through community storytelling that records are set straight as a memorial for victims and survivors. This line of inquiry is pertinent to various communities throughout the world, as we come to see the role of language, and in particular, narrative in the formation of ideas and conflicts, as scholars such as Slyomovics, (1998) have pointed out. This research takes as its point of departure narrative renditions of the Armenian genocide recounted in both public and private venues by the great-grandchildren of genocide survivors in an ethnic enclave in Central California. In this diasporic community we see how communities of memory are formed in a space of mediation which links the new generation with the old, the present with its past as well as with its imagined communities (Anderson, 1983). Through examination of the linguistic reverberations of this historical and familial narrative, I ask what becomes of authorship when collected stories are salient enough to be included in one’s own personal history, and how these narrativizations contribute to one’s sense of self? These questions are answered both by linguistic analysis of pronouns and deixis, as well as through analysis of prevalent themes. The results of this research lend into the historical progression of memory through time by those who did not experience the trauma, but rather were witnesses by listening to the trauma of others.
Narrative inversion as a tactical framing device
Authors: Acevedo Gabriel A. , Ordner James , Thompson Miriam
Published: October 2010

This paper will draw from recent work in the study of counter-narratives and will apply a sociologically informed perspective to the empirical analysis of discourse. By focusing on the Black Nationalist group The Nation of Islam (NOI) this article will introduce the counter-narrative strategy of “narrative inversion.” Based on discursive analysis of textual materials from early NOI speeches, recordings, and writings, we hope to show how the NOI employed a specific framing tactic of inverting American and Judeo-Christian master narratives to create a powerful ideological schema for attracting potential members. Our analysis demonstrates that early organizers of the NOI created counter-narratives by positioning themselves in direct opposition to the pervasive master narrative of white superiority. We will compare the NOI’s countering strategy to that of Martin Luther King’s moderate civil rights movement and show how the NOI was also able to capitalize on the more restrained messages of racial integration, non-violent protest, and racial reconciliation emanating from the moderate civil rights movement. The discursive process of inverting more moderate messages explains, to a great extent, the movement’s early success as a radical alternative to the mainstream civil rights movement.
Incorporating recipient evaluations into stories
Authors: Norrick Neal R.
Published: October 2010

Evaluation constitutes a central feature of personal stories in conversation. Storytellers introduce evaluation into their narratives in various ways, including cases of appropriating assessments offered by their listeners. A storyteller may orient to the content of listener assessments and respond to them in various (positive or negative) ways, suspending the narrative in progress to comment or altering its direction. Shared assessments can lead to higher involvement and increased rapport with consequences for subsequent interaction between the participants. Rejections of listener assessments are much less frequent than ratifications: rejection of a listener assessment expresses the teller’s refusal to have it count as part of the overall evaluation of the story in progress.
Embodiment of motor skills when observing expert and novice athletes
Authors: Sinnett Scott , Hodges Nicola J. , Chua Romeo , Kingstone Alan
Published: October 2010

If people are shown a dynamic movie of an action such as kicking a soccer ball or hitting a tennis ball, they will respond to it faster if it requires the same effector. This standard congruency effect was reported to reverse when participants viewed static images of famous athletes not actually performing an action. It was suggested that the congruent response was inhibited because of a social contrast effect, based on an implied action, whereby responders viewed themselves as comparatively worse than the professional athlete. The present study recorded hand and foot responses when identifying static images of both famous and novice athletes in soccer and tennis. The action was either explicit or implied. In Experiment 1, a standard congruency effect was found for all images. In Experiment 2, when a response was based on the identity of the athlete rather than their expertise, the standard congruency effect was enhanced for images of novice athletes, but was eliminated for experts, suggesting a social contrast effect. Our study is the first to show that embodiment effects can be seen for implied and explicit action images of both novices and experts, and that static images are capable of eliciting priming effects associated with sport-relevant effector pairings.
The inter‐relationship of diabetes and left ventricular systolic function on outcome after high‐risk myocardial infarction
Authors: Shah Amil M. , Uno Hajime , Køber Lars , Velazquez Eric J. , Maggioni Aldo P. , MacDonald Michael R. , Petrie Mark C. , McMurray John J.V. , Califf Robert M. , Pfeffer Marc A. , Solomon Scott D.
Published: October 2010

Aims

Diabetes is a potent risk factor for death and heart failure (HF) hospitalization following myocardial infarction (MI). Whether diabetes modifies the relationship between left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and outcomes in the post‐MI population is unknown.

Methods and results

The Valsartan in Acute Myocardial Infarction trial (VALIANT) enrolled 14 703 patients with acute MI complicated by HF, systolic dysfunction, or both. We compared the risk of death, HF hospitalization, and/or recurrent MI among patients with and without diabetes using Cox proportional hazards models. To assess the relationship between diabetes, LVEF and outcomes, we assessed the relative influence of baseline LVEF on outcomes in diabetic and non‐diabetic patients. Totally, 11 325 subjects (3095 diabetics) with site‐reported LVEF and known diabetes status were included. At any given LVEF, diabetes was associated with a higher risk of all‐cause mortality [adjusted hazard ratio (HR) 1.37, 95% CI 1.25–1.51], death or HF hospitalization (adjusted HR 1.42, 95% CI 1.31–1.51), and death or recurrent MI (adjusted HR 1.36, 95% CI 1.24–1.48). Diabetes modified the relationship between LVEF and death or HF hospitalization (P for interaction = 0.0109), such that the association between diabetes and increased risk was greater in magnitude at higher LVEF. No interaction was noted between diabetes and LVEF on risk of all‐cause mortality or death or recurrent MI.

Conclusion

Diabetes is associated with a higher risk of death or HF hospitalization across the spectrum of LVEF in high‐risk post‐MI patients. The magnitude of reduction in risk of death or HF hospitalization associated with increasing LVEF is significantly attenuated among patients with diabetes when compared to patients without diabetes.
Prognostic impact of sleep disordered breathing and its treatment in heart failure: an observational study
Authors: Jilek Clemens , Krenn Marion , Sebah Daniela , Obermeier Ruth , Braune Astrid , Kehl Victoria , Schroll Stephan , Montalvan Sylvia , Riegger Günter A.J. , Pfeifer Michael , Arzt Michael
Published: October 2010

Aims

Sleep disordered breathing (SDB) may contribute to disease progression in patients with chronic heart failure (CHF). The objective of this observational study was to evaluate whether SDB is a risk factor for mortality in CHF patients and whether this risk can be attenuated by treatment with positive airway pressure (PAP).

Methods and results

We studied 296 CHF patients (median left ventricular ejection fraction 33%) who underwent in‐lab polysomnography between January 2002 and December 2009. We compared (i) mortality between patients with severe SDB [apnoea–hypopnoea index (AHI) ≥ 22.5 h−1] vs. those without severe SDB (AHI < 22.5 h−1) and (ii) evaluated the impact of PAP treatment on mortality in those with severe SDB. After accounting for significant confounding factors (age, NYHA class, cause of CHF, diabetes, and PAP treatment), patients with severe SDB (n= 176) had a 2.0‐fold increased hazard ratio for death compared with those without severe SDB [95% confidence interval (CI) 1.1–3.5, P= 0.023]. In an adjusted on‐treatment analysis of the group with severe SDB, mortality was significantly less in patients using PAP (18%) compared with those with untreated SDB (52%; hazard ratio 0.4, 95% CI 0.2–0.6, P= 0.001). Mortality in the PAP‐treated group was lower compared with the untreated group at any time‐point of the follow‐up period.

Conclusion

The presence of severe SDB in CHF patients constitutes a significantly increased risk for death, independent of established risk factors. In CHF patients with SDB, use of PAP therapy was associated with a decreased mortality rate at any time point of the follow‐up, suggesting that PAP can be safely used in such patients.
Clinical trials update from the European Society of Cardiology Meeting 2010: SHIFT, PEARL‐HF, STAR‐heart, and HEBE‐III
Authors: Cleland John G.F. , Coletta Alison P. , Torabi Azam , Ahmed Daniyal , Clark Andrew L.
Published: October 2010

This article provides information and a commentary on key trials relevant to the pathophysiology, prevention, and treatment of heart failure (HF) presented at the annual meeting of the European Society of Cardiology held in Stockholm in 2010. Unpublished reports should be considered as preliminary, since analyses may change in the final publication. The SHIFT study supports the use of ivabradine in patients with HF due to left ventricular systolic dysfunction and resting sinus rhythm rate ≥70 b.p.m. despite treatment with beta‐blockers or where beta‐blockers are contra‐indicated. Results from PEARL‐HF suggest that the potassium binding polymer RLY5016 may be useful for both prevention and treatment of hyperkalaemia in HF patients with or without concomitant chronic kidney disease. The STAR‐heart study provides encouraging observational data about the potential for intracoronary stem cell transplantation in patients with HF. Results from HEBE‐III showed no effect of erythropoietin on ejection fraction measured 6 weeks post‐MI; although there were fewer cardiovascular events in patients assigned to erythropoietin, the study was too small to provide conclusive evidence of effect.
Eating the competition speeds up invasions
Authors: Hall Richard J.
Published: October 2010

Many introduced species engage in intraguild predation (IGP), the consumption of species with which they compete for shared resources. While the factors influencing local persistence of IG predator and prey species are well-understood, using these factors to predict the invasion speed of an introduced IG predator has received less attention. Existing theory predicts that native competitors slow invasions via depletion of shared resources, but this fails to account for additional resources acquired when an invader consumes competitors. Here, I outline a general framework for understanding the effect of IGP on invasion speeds. I find that invaders that consume native competitors may be able to spread where invasion by pure competitors would fail, and that invasion speed increases with increasing levels of IGP. Notably, if the benefit from consuming competitors outweighs the loss of shared resources to competitors, invasion proceeds faster than invasion in the absence of competitors. This may explain empirical observations of rapid spread rates of invaders that feed at multiple trophic levels.
Resource availability affects the structure of a natural bacteria–bacteriophage community
Authors: Poisot Timothée , Lepennetier Gildas , Martinez Esteban , Ramsayer Johan , Hochberg Michael E.
Published: October 2010

Antagonistic networks are known to be structured in the wild, but knowledge on how this structure may change as a response to environmental perturbations is scarce. We describe a natural bipartite network between bacteria and lytic bacteriophages, and investigate how it is affected by environmental productivity in the form of different resource levels for the bacteria. We report that low amounts of resource decrease phage generality and lead to less robust and less stable communities. We discuss how resource levels in nature may alter the structure of complex communities.
Mushroom's spore size and time of fruiting are strongly related: is moisture important?
Authors: Kauserud Håvard , Heegaard Einar , Halvorsen Rune , Boddy Lynne , Høiland Klaus , Stenseth Nils Chr.
Published: October 2010

Most basidiomycete fungi produce annual short-lived sexual fruit bodies from which billions of microscopic spores are spread into the air during a short time period. However, little is known about the selective forces that have resulted in some species fruiting early and others later in the fruiting season. This study of relationships between morphological and ecological characteristics, climate factors and time of fruiting are based upon thorough statistical analyses of 66 520 mapped records from Norway, representing 271 species of autumnal fruiting mushroom species. We found a strong relationship between spore size and time of fruiting; on average, a doubling of spore size (volume) corresponded to 3 days earlier fruiting. Small-spored species dominate in the oceanic parts of Norway, whereas large-spored species are typical of more continental parts. In separate analyses, significant relationships were observed between spore size and climate factors. We hypothesize that these relationships are owing to water balance optimization, driven by water storage in spores as a critical factor for successful germination of primary mycelia in the drier micro-environments found earlier in the fruiting season and/or in continental climates.
Nano-mechanical properties of individual mineralized collagen fibrils from bone tissue
Authors: Hang Fei , Barber Asa H.
Published: October 2010

Mineralized collagen fibrils (MCFs) are distinct building blocks for bone material and perform an important mechanical function. A novel experimental technique using combined atomic force microscopy and scanning electron microscopy is used to manipulate and measure the mechanical properties of individual MCFs from antler, which is a representative bone tissue. The recorded stress–strain response of individual MCFs under tension shows an initial linear deformation region for all fibrils, followed by inhomogeneous deformation above a critical strain. This inhomogeneous deformation is indicative of fibrils exhibiting either yield or strain hardening and suggests possible mineral compositional changes within each fibril. A phenomenological model is used to describe the fibril nano-mechanical behaviour.
Strong seasonality produces spatial asynchrony in the outbreak of infectious diseases
Authors: Duke-Sylvester Scott M. , Bolzoni Luca , Real Leslie A.
Published: October 2010

Models for infectious diseases usually assume a fixed demographic structure. Yet, a disease can spread over a region encountering different local demographic variations that may significantly alter local dynamics. Spatial heterogeneity in the resulting dynamics can lead to important differences in the design of surveillance and control strategies. We illustrate this by exploring the north–south gradient in the seasonal demography of raccoon rabies over the eastern USA. We find that the greater variance in the timing of spring births characteristic of southern populations can lead to the spatial synchronization of southern epidemics, while the narrow birth-pulse associated with northern populations can lead to an irregular patchwork of epidemics. These results indicate that surveillance in the southern states can be reduced relative to northern locations without loss of detection ability. This approach could yield significant savings in vaccination programmes. The importance of seasonality in many widely distributed diseases indicates that our findings will find applications beyond raccoon rabies.
Uniform asymptotics of the coefficients of unitary moment polynomials
Authors: Hiary G. A. , Rubinstein M. O.
Published: October 2010

Keating and Snaith showed that the 2
k
th absolute moment of the characteristic polynomial of a random unitary matrix evaluated on the unit circle is given by a polynomial of degree
k
2
. In this article, uniform asymptotics for the coefficients of that polynomial are derived, and a maximal coefficient is located. Some of the asymptotics are given in an explicit form. Numerical data to support these calculations are presented. Some apparent connections between the random matrix theory and the Riemann zeta function are discussed.
Asynchrony adaptation reveals neural population code for audio-visual timing
Authors: Roach Neil W. , Heron James , Whitaker David , McGraw Paul V.
Published: October 2010

The relative timing of auditory and visual stimuli is a critical cue for determining whether sensory signals relate to a common source and for making inferences about causality. However, the way in which the brain represents temporal relationships remains poorly understood. Recent studies indicate that our perception of multisensory timing is flexible—adaptation to a regular inter-modal delay alters the point at which subsequent stimuli are judged to be simultaneous. Here, we measure the effect of audio-visual asynchrony adaptation on the perception of a wide range of sub-second temporal relationships. We find distinctive patterns of induced biases that are inconsistent with the previous explanations based on changes in perceptual latency. Instead, our results can be well accounted for by a neural population coding model in which: (i) relative audio-visual timing is represented by the distributed activity across a relatively small number of neurons tuned to different delays; (ii) the algorithm for reading out this population code is efficient, but subject to biases owing to under-sampling; and (iii) the effect of adaptation is to modify neuronal response gain. These results suggest that multisensory timing information is represented by a dedicated population code and that shifts in perceived simultaneity following asynchrony adaptation arise from analogous neural processes to well-known perceptual after-effects.
Fish communities on the world's warmest reefs: what can they tell us about the effects of climate change in the future?
Authors: Feary D. A. , Burt J. A. , Bauman A. G. , Usseglio P. , Sale P. F. , Cavalcante G. H.
Published: October 2010

To examine the role of climatic extremes in structuring reef fish communities in the Arabian region, reef fish communities were visually surveyed at four sites within the southern Persian Gulf (also known as the Arabian Gulf and The Gulf), where sea‐surface temperatures are extreme (range: 12–35° C annually), and these were compared with communities at four latitudinally similar sites in the biogeographically connected Gulf of Oman, where conditions are more moderate (range: 22–31° C annually). Although sites were relatively similar in the cover and composition of coral communities, substantial differences in the structure and composition of associated fish assemblages were apparent. Fish assemblages in the southern Persian Gulf held significantly lower estimates of abundance, richness and biomass, with significantly higher abundances of smaller sized individuals than Gulf of Oman assemblages. Functionally, southern Persian Gulf sites held significantly lower abundances of nearly all the common fish trophic guilds found on Gulf of Oman sites, although higher abundances of herbivorous grazers were apparent. These results suggest the potential for substantial changes in the structure of reef‐associated fish communities, independent of changes in habitat within an environment of increasing fluctuations in oceanic climate.
Changes in Atlantic salmon Salmo salar mucus components following short‐ and long‐term handling stress
Authors: Easy R. H. , Ross N. W.
Published: October 2010

This study examined changes in Atlantic salmon Salmo salar epidermal mucus proteins following short‐ and long‐term handling stress. Short‐term stress consisted of a single removal of fish from water for 15 s with long‐term stress consisting of daily removal of fish from water for 15 s over 21 days. In the long‐term handling stress study, there was a high level of individual variability with respect to mucus alkaline phosphatase, cathepsin B and lysozyme activities, with no correlation to treatment group. There was limited or no positive correlation between lysozyme, cathepsin B or alkaline phosphatase activities and plasma cortisol. There was a significant difference in lysozyme activity for both control and stressed fish at day 21 compared to other sampling days. In the short‐term study, there was again high variability in mucus enzyme activities with no difference observed between groups. Immunoblotting also showed variability in mucus actin breakdown products in both short‐ and long‐term handling stress studies. There appeared, however, to be a shift towards a more thorough breakdown of actin at day 14 in the stressed group. This shift suggested changes in mucus proteases in response to long‐term handling stress. In summary, there were correlations of some mucus enzyme/protein profiles with stress or cortisol; however, the variability in S. salar mucus enzyme levels and actin fragmentation patterns suggested other triggers for inducing changes in mucus protein composition that need to be investigated further in order to better understand the role of mucus in the response of S. salar to external stressors.
Seasonal occurrence and population structure of the broadnose sevengill shark Notorynchus cepedianus in coastal habitats of south‐east Tasmania
Authors: Barnett A. , Stevens J. D. , Frusher S. D. , Semmens J. M.
Published: October 2010

Research longline sampling was conducted seasonally from December 2006 to February 2009 to investigate the occurrence and population structure of the broadnose sevengill shark Notorynchus cepedianus in coastal areas of south‐east Tasmania. Notorynchus cepedianus showed a consistent temporal trend in seasonal occurrence in Norfolk Bay characterized by high abundances in summer to near absence in winter. This pattern was less pronounced in the Derwent Estuary, where fish were still caught during winter. The absence of smaller total length (LT) classes (<80 cm) from the catches suggests that N. cepedianus are not using these coastal habitats as nursery areas. Of the 457 individuals tagged, 68 (15%) were recaptured. Time at liberty ranged from 6 days to almost 4 years and all but one of the recaptures were caught in its original tagging location, suggesting site fidelity. The large number of N. cepedianus in these coastal systems over summer indicates that these areas are important habitats for this species and that N. cepedianus may have a significant influence on community dynamics through both direct and indirect predator–prey interactions.
International Recongnition of Foreign Insolvency Proceedings: The Canadian Perspective
Authors: Tay Derrick C. , Strasler Pandora D.
Published: October 2010

The movement towards liberalization of world trade laws and the increasing economic interdependence between nations has increased the potential for international insolvencies. This article examines the extent to which Canadian courts recognize foreign insolvency proceedings and contrasts the Canadian approach with the approaches taken in the United Kingdom and the United States.

La libéralisation des lois commerciales internationales et l'interdépendance économique croissante entre les pays ont augmenté les possibilités de faillites. Cet article examine dans quelle mesure les tribunaux candiens reconnaissent les procédures étrangères relatives à la faillite et contraste l'approche canadienne avec celles du Royaume‐Uni at des États‐Unis.
Some Awkward Questions about American Bankruptcy Law: An Agenda for Comparativists
Authors: Ayer John D.
Published: October 2010

The contemporary boom in bankruptcy activity has seen a corresponding explosion in bankruptcy scholarship and analysis in the United States. Much attention has been turned to the task of defining and clarifying the important issues in bankruptcy law, and in this article the author canvasses a number of the key questions which provide an agenda for scholars around the world.

Aux États‐Unis, la recrudescence de faillites a parallèelement engendré une multitude d'études et d'analyses sur l'insolvabilité. Une attention toute particulière a été à la définition et à la clarification des points principaux quant au droit de la faillite. Dans cet article, l'autuer examine un certain nombre de questions‐cles qui fournissent un programme d'étude aux chercheurs dans le monde entier.
United States Bankruptcy Code, Section 304(b)(3): “Other Appropriate Relif” for Multinational Bankruptcy
Authors: Lam Eric W.
Published: October 2010

Section 304 of the United States Bankruptcy Code was enacted to provide a statutory solution to the “murky and uncharted waters” of multinational bankruptcies. Part I of this article provides a brief background and analysis of section 304; Part II canvasses court decisions fashioning relief to multinational bankruptcies; and in Part III, the author attempts to synthesize the legislative goal of efficient multinational bankruptcy administration with examples of “appropriate relief” that American bankruptcy courts should consider.

L'article 304 du code américain sur l'insolvabilité a été passéafin de fournir une solution légale aux “eaux troubles et inconnues” des faillites multinationales. La première partie de cet article donne une brève histoire et analyse de l'article 304; la deuxieme partie couvre les décisions juridiques qui détermient comment assister les compagnies mutinationales en faillite; et dans la troisième partie, l'auteur essaye de synthétiser le but législatif d'une administration éfficace des faillites multinationales avec des exemples de “secours adéquats” que les tribunaux américains de faillite devraient prendre en compte.
BOOK REVIEW
Authors: Winship Peter
Published: October 2010

Book reviewed in this article:

European Bankruptcy Law, 2d ed.: David A. Botwinik & Kenneth W. Weinrib, eds

International Loan Workouts and Bankruptcies: Richard A. Gitlin & Rona R. Mears, eds
United States‐Canadian Bankruptcy Litigation: Is the Treaty the Way to Go?
Authors: Schechter Alan L.
Published: October 2010

At the end of the 1970s the Canadian and U.S. Governements negotiated, but did not sign, a draft bankurptcy. The two governments have since entered into a Free Trade Agreement. The author explores the questions have since entered into should consider reviving bankruptcy treaty negotiations. When answering this question the author condisers the economic and social policies underlying each nation's bankruptcy law and the possibility that reconciling the two lws obviates the need for a treaty. The author also provides a close reading of the Draft 1979 Bankruptcy Treaty Vers la fin des annees 1970 les gouvenrnements candadien et emericcain ont negocie un project d'accord en matiere de faillite, qui n'a cependent pas ete signe Depuis, les duux gouvernements ont conclu un accord de libre‐echange L'auteur souleve ici lopportunite por ces gouvernement de reprendre les pourparlers en vue d'un eventuel accord sur la faillite. Pour repondre a cette queston, l auteur examine les politiques economiques et sociales qui sour‐tendent les lois sur la faillite de change pays, de meme que la possibilite que la conciliation de deux lois pare a la necessite de conclure un tel accord. L'auteur soumet enfin une interpretation minutieuse du project a accord de 1979 sur la faillite.

Vers la fin des années 1970 les gouvenrnements candadien et eméricain ont négocié un project d'accord en matière de faillite, qui ňa cependent pas été signé Depuis, les deux gouvernements ont conclu un accord de libre‐échange Ľauteur soulève ici ľopportunite por ces gouvernement de reprendre les pourparlers en vue ďun &eAventuel accord sur la faillite. Pour répondre á cette queston, ľauteur examine les politiques économiques et sociales qui sour‐tendent les lois sur la faillite de change pays, de meme que la possibilite que la conciliation de deux lois pare a la necessite de conclure un tel accord. L'auteur soumet enfin une interpretation minutieuse du project a accord de 1979 sur la faillite.
The Rights and Risks of Creditors in Lending to Financially Troubled Corporatons: A Canadian Perspective
Authors: Tay Derrick C.
Published: October 2010

Creditors who rely on security interests in the property of a financially troubled debtor may discover that their security is vulnerable to legal attack. Examining this problem in the context of Canadian law, the cutrhor identifies both traditional and evolving bases for attack: preferences, froudulent conveyances, limitations on transactions between affiliated entities, oppression. limitations on the right to proceed upon default, and “lender liability.” The author concludes that creditors will be able to assess their risks only if they understand the evolving doctrines.

Les créanciers qui šen remettent aux garanties quitl détiennet sur les biens ďun débiteur qui connaît des diffeciltés financières risquent de constater que leur garantie n'est pas inattaquable du point de vue juridique. Examinant ce problème dans le contexte du droit canadien. ľauteur identifie cessions frauduleuses, restrictions aux opéder par défaut, et responsabilité du prêteur. Ľauteur conclut que les créanciers ne seront en mesure ďévalure les risques que s'ils acpuièrent une bonne compréhension des doctrines qui se développent.
Exploring the emergence of alcohol use disorder symptoms in the two years after onset of drinking: findings from the National Surveys on Drug Use and Health
Authors: McBride Orla , Cheng Hui G.
Published: October 2010

Aims  This study investigates the occurrence of clinical features of alcohol dependence and socially maladaptive drinking during the first 24 months after the onset of alcohol use.

Design  Data for this study are from the nationally representative 2004–07 National Surveys on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH).

Setting  General population of the United States, aged 12 years and older.

Participants  New‐onset alcohol users (NOAUs) were drinkers who started to drink alcohol within 24 months of the NSDUH assessment and consumed alcohol during the last 12 months.

Measurements  The NSDUH assessed for clinical features of alcohol dependence and socially maladaptive drinking, consistent with the DSM‐IV.

Findings  NOAUs frequently experienced problems relating to self‐reported tolerance, spending a great deal of time recovering from the effects of alcohol and unsuccessful attempts at cutting down on drinking. The likelihood of experiencing the clinical features increased steadily in the first 9 months after use, but appeared to plateau or only gradually increase thereafter. Strong evidence emerged that the clinical features measured a single latent dimensional of ‘alcohol use disorder’ (AUD) in this sample. The majority of the clinical features were good indicators of the underlying AUD continuum in the 2 years after first drinking onset.

Conclusions  There may be a period of time during the second year of alcohol use, when level of alcohol use disorder fluctuates rather than increases. Public health and safety efforts designed to target problematic alcohol use in the earliest stages of alcohol involvement could be useful in preventing the escalation of alcohol problems in this group of drinkers.
An Ecological Momentary Assessment analysis of relations among coping, affect and smoking during a quit attempt
Authors: Minami Haruka , McCarthy Danielle E. , Jorenby Douglas E. , Baker Timothy B.
Published: October 2010

Aims  This study used Ecological Momentary Assessment (EMA) data from smokers trying to quit to assess relations among coping, positive affect, negative affect and smoking. The effects of stress coping on affect and smoking were examined.

Design  Data from a randomized clinical trial of smoking cessation treatments were submitted to multi‐level modeling to test the effects of coping with stressful events on subsequent affect and smoking.

Setting  Center for Tobacco Research and Intervention, Madison, Wisconsin.

Participants  A total of 372 adult daily smokers who reported at least one stressful event and coping episode and provided post‐quit data.

Measurements  Participants' smoking, coping and affect were assessed in near real time with multiple EMA reports using electronic diaries pre‐ and post‐quit.

Findings  Multi‐level models indicated that a single coping episode did not predict a change in smoking risk over the next 4 or 48 hours, but coping in men was associated with concurrent reports of increased smoking. Coping predicted improved positive and negative affect reported within 4 hours of coping, but these affective gains did not predict reduced likelihood of later smoking. Pre‐quit coping frequency and gender moderated post‐quit stress coping relations with later positive affect. Men and those with greater pre‐quit coping frequency reported greater gains in positive affect following post‐quit coping.

Conclusions  Coping responses early in a quit attempt may help smokers trying to quit feel better, but may not help them stay smoke‐free.
Effect of compliance with nicotine gum dosing on weight gained during a quit attempt
Authors: Ferguson Stuart G. , Shiffman Saul , Rohay Jeffrey M. , Gitchell Joseph G. , Garvey Arthur J.
Published: October 2010

Aim  Using nicotine gum can reduce the amount of weight gained when quitting. Here we examine the relationship between weight gain and use of adequate amounts of gum. To mitigate the confounders associated with correlational analyses, we contrast the effects of active gum and placebo, and analyze outcomes prospectively.

Design and setting  Randomized double‐blind placebo‐controlled trial of nicotine gum. Participants were instructed to use nine to 15 pieces of gum/day for the first 2 months of treatment.

Participants  Participants (n = 103) were randomized to either active (2 mg or 4 mg) or placebo gum.

Measurements  We examined the effect on weight gain of the interaction between treatment (active versus placebo) and daily gum use [≥9 pieces/day (compliant use) versus < 9 pieces/day].

Findings  After 30 days of abstinence, smokers treated with active gum had not gained significantly less weight than those on placebo (1.1 kg versus 1.6 kg, P = 0.175). However, a significant compliance–treatment interaction was observed (P = 0.005): active gum users who used ≥9 pieces/day during the first 14 days of treatment had gained less weight at follow‐up (0.6 kg versus 1.6 kg for those who used <9 pieces/day, P = 0.017), but participants randomized to the placebo group saw no such benefit from compliant use. A similar compliance–treatment interaction (P = 0.046) was also observed when the effect of compliance was examined within active treatment (2 mg versus 4 mg).

Conclusions  When smokers are quitting, those who use more pieces of nicotine gum experience less weight gain in the first 30 days. This relationship is not seen for smokers on placebo gum.
Inverse association of the obesity predisposingFTOrs9939609 genotype with alcohol consumption and risk for alcohol dependence
Authors: Sobczyk‐Kopciol Agnieszka , Broda Grazyna , Wojnar Marcin , Kurjata Pawel , Jakubczyk Andrzej , Klimkiewicz Anna , Ploski Rafal
Published: October 2010

Aims To investigate whether theFTOrs9939609 A allele (a risk factor for obesity) is associated with measures of alcohol consumption.

Design Population‐based cross‐sectional study and two case–control studies.

Setting Poland and the Warsaw area.

Participants A total of 6584 subjects from the WOBASZ survey and two cohorts of alcohol‐dependent patients (n = 145 andn = 148).

Measurements Questionnaire data analysis, rs9939609 typing.

Findings  Among individuals drinking alcohol, the obesity‐associated AA genotype was also associated with lower total ethanol consumption [sex‐, age‐ and body mass index (BMI)‐adjusted difference: 0.21 g/day,P = 0.012] and distinct drinking habits with relatively low frequency of drinks but larger volume consumed at a time as evidenced by (i) association between AA and frequency/amount of typical drinks (P = 0.023, multiple logistic regression analysis); (ii) inverse correlation between AA and drink frequency adjusted for drink size (P = 0.007 for distilled spirits,P = 0.018 for beer); (iii) decreased frequency of AA [odds ratio (OR) = 0.46,P = 0.0004] among those who drank small amounts of distilled spirits (≤100 ml at a time) but frequently (≥1–2 times/week). A decrease of AA was also found in both cohorts of alcohol‐dependent patients versus geographically matched subjects from WOBASZ yielding a pooled estimate of OR = 0.59, confidence interval (CI): 0.40–0.88,P = 0.008. Exploratory analysis showed that those with rs9939609 AA reported lower (by 1.22) mean number of cigarettes/day during a year of most intense smoking (P = 0.003) and were older at start of smoking by 0.44 years (P = 0.016).

Conclusions TheFTOAA genotype, independently from its effect on BMI, is associated with measures of ethanol consumption and possibly tobacco smoking.
An investigation into the effect of advice from the Scottish Medicines Consortium on the use of medicines in Scotland's Health Service
Authors: Bennie Marion , Dear James , Hems Sharon , Black Corri , McIver Laura , Webb David J.
Published: October 2010

WHAT IS ALREADY KNOWN ON THIS SUBJECT

Decisions on the clinical and cost effectiveness of new medicines are delivered by health technology assessment agencies such as SMC. The effect on medicine use of a decision from these agencies is unclear.

WHAT THIS STUDY ADDS

With regard to medicine use in primary care, the effect of a not recommended decision from SMC is variable. Key factors that contribute to this variability include the publication of conflicting advice by differing national bodies, failure to engage with relevant clinical experts early in the review process and a lack of alternative treatments for the indication in question. At the time of this study there were significant limitations to the data regarding medicine use within the NHS. New developments promise to improve data collection.

AIMS The aims of the study were to determine the effect of advice from the Scottish Medicines Consortium (SMC) on the use of medicines within Scotland's National Health Service (NHS) and generate hypotheses that may explain differences in the impact of advice on the use of individual medicines.

METHODS A retrospective analysis of medicine advice issued between January 2002 and December 2005 was performed. The inclusion criterion was medicines with a ‘not recommended for use’ decision (NRD) from the SMC (57 out of 207 medicines submitted). The exclusion criteria were medicines used predominately in secondary care and medicines with multiple indications. In total, 20 medicines fulfilled these criteria. The volume of prescribing was measured by each medicine's gross ingredient cost to the prescribing budget.

RESULTS Before the SMC published advice there was use, though limited, of all 20 medicines. After an NRD, the pattern of use was variable, with the use of some medicines stabilizing or declining but others increasing. We identified factors to help explain unexpected use in some cases. These included delays between medicine launch and initial SMC advice, the publication of conflicting advice from different national bodies and failure to engage with relevant clinical experts early in the medicine review process.

CONCLUSIONS This study demonstrates the complex relationship between advice following health technology assessment and change in clinical practice. When this study was done there were significant limitations in the collection of prescribing data within the NHS, which recent changes promise to improve.