bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Community-Wide Distribution of Long-Lasting Insecticidal Nets Can Halt Transmission of Lymphatic Filariasis in Southeastern Nigeria
Authors: Richards Frank O. , Emukah Emmanuel , Graves Patricia M. , Nkwocha Omeni , Nwankwo Lawrence , Rakers Lindsay , Mosher Aryc , Patterson Amy , Ozaki Masayo , Nwoke Bertram E. B. , Ukaga Chinyere N. , Njoku Chidiebere , Nwodu Kenrick , Obasi Andrew , Miri Emmanuel S.
Published: August 2013

Lymphatic filariasis (LF) in rural southeastern Nigeria is transmitted mainly by Anopheles spp. mosquitoes. Potential coinfection with Loa loa in this area has prevented use of ivermectin in the mass drug administration (MDA) strategy for LF elimination because of potential severe adverse L. loa-related reactions. This study determined if long-lasting insecticidal net (LLIN) distribution programs for malaria would interrupt LF transmission in such areas, without need for MDA. Monthly entomologic monitoring was conducted in sentinel villages before and after LLIN distribution to all households and all age groups (full coverage) in two districts, and to pregnant women and children less than five years of age in the other two districts. No change in human LF microfilaremia prevalence was observed, but mosquito studies showed a statistically significant decrease in LF infection and infectivity with full-coverage LLIN distribution. We conclude that LF transmission can be halted in southeastern Nigeria by full-coverage LLIN distribution, without MDA.
Local Concentration of Fast-Food Outlets is Associated with Poor Nutrition and Obesity
Authors: Kruger Daniel J. , Greenberg Emily , Murphy Jillian B. , DiFazio Lindsay A. , Youra Kathryn R.
Published: August 2013

Purpose.

We investigated the relationship of the local availability of fast-food restaurant locations with diet and obesity.

Design.

We geocoded addresses of survey respondents and fast-food restaurant locations to assess the association between the local concentration of fast-food outlets, BMI, and fruit and vegetable consumption.

Setting.

The survey was conducted in Genesee County, Michigan.

Subjects.

There were 1345 individuals included in this analysis, and the response rate was 25%.

Measures.

The Speak to Your Health! Community Survey included fruit and vegetable consumption items from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, height, weight, and demographics. We used ArcGIS to map fast-food outlets and survey respondents.

Analysis.

Stepwise linear regressions identified unique predictors of body mass index (BMI) and fruit and vegetable consumption.

Results.

Survey respondents had 8 ± 7 fast-food outlets within 2 miles of their home. Individuals living in close proximity to fast-food restaurants had higher BMIs t(1342) = 3.21, p < .001, and lower fruit and vegetable consumption, t(1342) = 2.67, p = .008.

Conclusion.

Individuals may be at greater risk for adverse consequences of poor nutrition because of the patterns in local food availability, which may constrain the success of nutrition promotion efforts. Efforts to decrease the local availability of unhealthy foods as well as programs to help consumers identify strategies for obtaining healthy meals at fast-food outlets may improve health outcomes.
Trust in Health Information Sources Differs between Young/Middle and Oldest Old
Authors: Le Thai , Chaudhuri Shomir , White Cathy , Thompson Hilaire , Demiris George
Published: August 2013

Purpose.

Examine differences in trust of health information sources between the oldest old and young/middle old.

Design.

Cross-sectional survey using convenience sampling.

Setting.

Eleven retirement communities.

Subjects.

Older adults ≥ 65 years (N = 353).

Measures.

Self rated trust in health information sources.

Analysis.

Mann-Whitney U-test or Fisher exact test to compare trust between age groups; multinomial ordered logistic regression analyses to model trust in Internet information sources.

Results.

The overall survey response rate was 26.6%. Differences in trust were identified between oldest old (n = 108) and young/middle old (n = 245) for pharmacist (p < .05), Internet (p < .001), television (p < .05), radio (p < .001), and newspaper (p < .05) sources. In the oldest old, we found associations between levels of trust in Internet sources and frequency of Internet use (β = 4.13, p < .001).

Conclusion.

Understanding where differences in trust arise can inform the design of resources to support the information-seeking process. When planning widespread distribution of health information to these distinct groups, program developers need to consider these differences.
Is the Dose-Response Relationship between Body Mass and Hip Bone Mineral Density in Women Influenced by Diet, Physical Activity, or Menopause?
Authors: Tucker Larry A. , Fosson Elizabeth , Bailey Bruce W. , LeCheminant James D.
Published: August 2013

Purpose.

Investigate the relationship between body mass and hip bone mineral density (BMD) and the extent to which this association is influenced by potential mediating factors.

Design.

Cross-sectional.

Setting.

Approximately 20 cities in Utah and Wyoming.

Subjects.

Subjects were 262 apparently healthy, nonsmoking females.

Measures.

Hip BMD was assessed using dual energy X-ray absorptiometry. Physical activity (PA) was measured objectively using accelerometers. Calcium and vitamin D were measured using the Block food frequency questionnaire. Menopause status and bone drug use were measured using a questionnaire.

Analysis.

General linear models and partial correlations.

Results.

With body mass divided into three categories, hip BMD differed significantly across the groups in a dose-response manner: low mass (mean ± standard deviation [SD]), .876 ± .085 g/cm2; moderate, .932 ± .109 g/cm2; and high mass, .995 ± .112 g/cm2 (F = 21.5, p < .0001). The relationship between mass and hip BMD was not affected by differences in age, height, menopause status, calcium or vitamin D intake, PA, or use of bone prescription drugs.

Conclusion.

These findings suggest that women with low body mass tend to have low hip BMD and those with high mass tend to have high BMD. Controlling for the potential mediating variables did not influence the dose-response relationship between mass and BMD. It appears that lifestyle may not influence the body mass and BMD relationship, making it a challenge for women with low mass to avoid risk of low BMD.
Social Support May Protect against Development of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder: Findings from the Heart and Soul Study
Authors: Dinenberg Robert Eric , McCaslin Shannon E. , Bates Michael N. , Cohen Beth E.
Published: August 2013

Purpose.

No prospective studies have examined the association of poor social support and development of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in patients with chronic illness. This study addresses this knowledge gap.

Design.

This prospective study examines the relationship of social support to the subsequent development of PTSD during a 5-year period.

Setting.

San Francisco Veterans Affairs Medical Center.

Subjects.

A total of 579 participants with cardiovascular disease did not have PTSD at baseline and returned for the 5-year follow-up examination.

Measures.

PTSD measured by Computerized Diagnostic Interview Schedule for DSM-IV. Social support measured by Interpersonal Support Evaluation List (ISEL).

Analysis.

Unconditional ordered logistic regression analyses were performed to yield the odds ratio of developing PTSD for a one-standard-deviation change in ISEL score.

Results.

Of 579 participants who did not have PTSD at baseline, approximately 6.4% (n = 37) developed PTSD. Higher baseline perceived social support was strongly protective against development of PTSD (OR = .60, p = .001). Results remained significant after adjustment for age, sex, race, income, and depression (OR =.69, p =.04). Of social support types examined, the “tangible” and “belonging” domains were most strongly associated with future PTSD status.

Conclusion.

Social support may impact development of PTSD. Interventions that optimize social support may be part of a PTSD prevention program designed to help individuals at risk of developing PTSD.
Doppler Sonography in Obstetrics
Authors: Ertan A Kubilay , Taniverdi H Alper
Published: August 2013

Doppler sonographic applications in pregnancy are the widely accepted functional methods of evaluating fetal wellbeing. Flow velocity waveforms provide important information from the early stages of pregnancy to term. Doppler ultrasound is a noninvasive technique whereby the movement of blood is studied by detecting the change in frequency of reflected sound.

This method became an important tool for qualifying pregnancies in risk. Information obtained with Doppler sonography helps obstetricians managing patients in situations like pregnancies complicated by intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR), rhesus alloimmunization, multiple pregnancies and anamnestic risk factors. Examination of the uteroplacental and fetomaternal circulation by Doppler sonography in the early second trimester helps predicting pregnancy complications like preeclampsia, IUGR and perinatal death.

This chapter aims to discuss Doppler sonographic examinations in modern obstetrics. To date, randomized controlled trials were able to establish important clinical value of Doppler velocimetry in obstetrics to improve perinatal outcome in highrisk situations.

How to cite this article

Ertan AK, Taniverdi HA. Doppler Sonography in Obstetrics. Donald School J Ultrasound Obstet Gynecol 2013;7(2):128-148.
Modeling upper tropospheric and lower stratospheric water vapor anomalies
Authors: Schoeberl M. R. , Dessler A. E. , Wang T.
Published: August 2013

Abstract. The domain-filling, forward trajectory calculation model developed by Schoeberl and Dessler (2011) is used to further investigate processes that produce upper tropospheric and lower stratospheric water vapor anomalies. We examine the pathways parcels take from the base of the tropical tropopause layer (TTL) to the lower stratosphere. Most parcels found in the lower stratosphere arise from East Asia, the Tropical West Pacific (TWP) and Central/South America. The belt of TTL parcel origins is very wide compared to the final dehydration zones near the top of the TTL. This is due to the convergence of rising air due to the stronger diabatic heating near the tropopause relative to levels above and below. The observed water vapor anomalies – both wet and dry – correspond to regions where parcels have minimal displacement from their initialization. These minimum displacement regions include the winter TWP and the Asian and American monsoons. To better understand the stratospheric water vapor concentration we introduce the water vapor spectrum and investigate the source of the wettest and driest components of the spectrum. We find that the driest air parcels originate below the TWP, moving upward to dehydrate in the TWP cold upper troposphere. The wettest air parcels originate at the edges of the TWP as well as in the summer American and Asian monsoons. The wet air parcels are important since they skew the mean stratospheric water vapor distribution toward higher values. Both TWP cold temperatures that produce dry parcels as well as extra-TWP processes that control the wet parcels determine stratospheric water vapor.
The Airborne Multiangle SpectroPolarimetric Imager (AirMSPI): a new tool for aerosol and cloud remote sensing
Authors: Diner D. J. , Xu F. , Garay M. J. , Martonchik J. V. , Rheingans B. E. , Geier S. , Davis A. , Hancock B. R. , Jovanovic V. M. , Bull M. A. , Capraro K. , Chipman R. A. , McClain S. C.
Published: August 2013

Abstract. The Airborne Multiangle SpectroPolarimetric Imager (AirMSPI) is an eight-band (355, 380, 445, 470, 555, 660, 865, 935 nm) pushbroom camera, measuring polarization in the 470, 660, and 865 nm bands, mounted on a gimbal to acquire multiangular observations over a ±67° along-track range. The instrument has been flying aboard the NASA ER-2 high altitude aircraft since October 2010. AirMSPI employs a photoelastic modulator-based polarimetric imaging technique to enable accurate measurements of the degree and angle of linear polarization in addition to spectral intensity. A description of the AirMSPI instrument and ground data processing approach is presented. Example images of clear, hazy, and cloudy scenes over the Pacific Ocean and California land targets obtained during flights between 2010 and 2012 are shown, and quantitative interpretations of the data using vector radiative transfer theory and scene models are provided to highlight the instrument's capabilities for determining aerosol and cloud microphysical properties and cloud 3-D spatial distributions. Sensitivity to parameters such as aerosol particle size distribution, ocean surface wind speed and direction, cloud-top and cloud-base height, and cloud droplet size is discussed. AirMSPI represents a major step toward realization of the type of imaging polarimeter envisioned to fly on NASA's Aerosol-Cloud-Ecosystem (ACE) mission in the next decade.
Indigenous vegetation burning practices and their impact on the climate of the northern Australian monsoon region
Authors: Wyrwoll K.-H. , McRobie F. H. , Notaro M. , Chen G.
Published: August 2013

Abstract. Here we pose the question: was there a downturn in summer monsoon precipitation over northern Australia due to Aboriginal vegetation practices over prehistoric time scales? In answering this question we consider the results from a global climate model incorporating ocean, land, ice, atmosphere and vegetation interactions, reducing the total vegetation cover over northern Australia by 20% to simulate the effects of burning. The results suggest that burning forests and woodlands in the monsoon region of Australia led to a shift in the regional climate, with a delayed monsoon onset and reduced precipitation in the months preceding the "full" monsoon. We place these results in a global context, drawing on model results from five other monsoon regions, and note that although the precipitation response is highly varied, there is a general but region specific climate response to reduced vegetation cover in all cases. Our findings lead us to conclude that large-scale vegetation modification over millennial time-scales due to indigenous burning practices, would have had significant impacts on regional climates. With this conclusion comes the need to recognise that the Anthropocene saw the impact of humans on regional-scale climates and hydrologies at much earlier times than generally recognized.
Adesão ao tratamento anti-hipertensivo: análise pelo Teste de Morisky-Green
Authors: Eid Letícia Palota , Nogueira Maria Suely , Veiga Eugênia Veludo , Cesarino Evandro José , Alves Leila Maria Marchi
Published: August 2013

doi: 10.5216/ree.v15i2.15599 - http://dx.doi.org/10.5216/ree.v15i2.15599. RESUMO Considerando que a adesão ao tratamento é um desafio para o controle da hipertensão arterial sistêmica (HAS), este estudo teve como objetivo caracterizar os sujeitos da pesquisa segundo as variáveis sóciodemograficas e econômicas e avaliar o nível de adesão pelo Teste de Morisky-Green. Trata-se de estudo descritivo transversal de abordagem quantitativa, realizado com 90 hipertensos em um Centro de Saúde. O instrumento utilizado para coleta de dados foi o Teste de Morisky-Green (TMG). Os resultados mostraram que 63,0% da amostra eram mulheres e a média de idade foi de 66 anos, sendo que 72,2% não apresentaram adesão ao tratamento medicamentoso, corroborando pesquisas realizadas sobre adesão. Conclui-se que este estudo pode proporcionar subsídios para intervenções sobre a assistência aos pacientes com HAS, com a finalidade de aumentar as taxas de adesão e a qualidade de vida. Descritores: Hipertensão; Adesão ao Tratamento Medicamentoso; Enfermagem.
Familiares de pacientes em coma internados na Unidade de Terapia Intensiva: percepções e comportamentos
Authors: Santos Deise Godoes , Caregnato Rita Catalina Aquino
Published: August 2013

doi: 10.5216/ree.v15i2.16929 - http://dx.doi.org/10.5216/ree.v15i2.16929 RESUMO O objetivo desta pesquisa foi analisar as percepções e os comportamentos dos familiares frente ao paciente em estado de coma na Unidade de Terapia Intensiva (UTI). Estudo descritivo, realizado com 15 familiares de pacientes em coma internados em UTI, por meio de entrevista e observação participante, em agosto/setembro de 2011. Análise de conteúdo, segundo Minayo, evidenciou familiares satisfeitos com o atendimento e com a equipe, tendo consciência do estado de saúde do seu familiar internado, apresentando forte sentimento de impotência e sofrimento vivenciado pela situação, porém com esperança, encontrando conforto na espiritualidade. Manifestaram contato verbal e não verbal com o paciente e resgate do passado. A observação identificou os contatos não verbais mais manifestados pelo toque e carinho. Concluiu-se que a percepção mais evidenciada foi a satisfação com o atendimento e a equipe e o comportamento mais evidenciado a emoção. Os achados indicam uma assistência humanizada, atendendo à Política Nacional de Humanização. Descritores: Coma; Unidade de Terapia Intensiva; Família; Enfermagem.
Motivos do sucesso da amamentação exclusiva na perspectiva dos pais
Authors: Cabral Patrícia Pereira , Barros Camila Silva , Vasconcelos Maria Gorete , Javorski Marly , Pontes Cleide Maria
Published: August 2013

doi: 10.5216/ree.v15i2.16996 - http://dx.doi.org/10.5216/ree.v15i2.16996 RESUMO Estudo descritivo, exploratório, qualitativo objetivou compreender os motivos atribuídos pelos pais para o sucesso da amamentação exclusiva do filho durante os seis meses de vida. As informações obtidas das entrevistas semiestruturadas com oito casais, cujos filhos foram amamentados exclusivamente até o sexto mês de vida, com idade entre sete e vinte meses, acompanhados no ambulatório de puericultura de um Hospital Escola, em Recife-PE, foram submetidas à análise de conteúdo temática e interpretadas à luz dos constructos da teoria das Representações Sociais. Desta análise emergiram quatro temas: enfrentamento dos obstáculos norteado pela persistência, satisfação e vantagens da amamentação; o querer amamentar; suporte Divino e da rede social; participação efetiva do pai. O leite materno foi representado como o melhor alimento durante os primeiros seis meses de vida da criança. O apoio positivo da rede social da mulher e o seu querer em amamentar direcionaram o sucesso da prática da amamentação exclusiva. Descritores: Aleitamento Materno; Pais; Pesquisa Qualitativa; Enfermagem.
Problemas adaptativos segundo Roy e diagnósticos fundamentados na CIPE® em hipertensos com doenças associadas
Authors: Moura Denizielle De Jesus Moreira , Freitas Maria Célia De , Guedes Maria Vilani Cavalcante , Lopes Marcos Venícius De Oliveira
Published: August 2013

doi: 10.5216/ree.v15i2.17758 - http://dx.doi.org/10.5216/ree.v15i2.17758. RESUMOO objetivo do presente estudo foi identificar os problemas adaptativos e estímulos fundamentados no modelo teórico de Roy, bem como os diagnósticos de enfermagem segundo a CIPE® Versão 1. Estudo de casos múltiplos, realizado com 45 hipertensos com doenças associadas assistidos em uma unidade de saúde da Secretaria Executiva Regional V - Fortaleza. Dentre os problemas adaptativos identificados o sedentarismo é o mais presente (84,4% dos indivíduos), seguido de sobrepeso/obesidade (57,8%) e distúrbios no padrão de sono (42,2%). 64,3% dos diagnósticos de enfermagem identificados encontram-se no âmbito biológico, sendo os de maior prevalência: Autocuidado Parcial (93,3%), Padrão de Exercício Diminuído (84,4%), Dentição Comprometida (82,2%), Aprendizagem Baixa (60,0%), Sobrepeso/Obesidade (57,7%). Concluiu-se que a identificação de problemas adaptativos auxiliam-nos na elaboração de diagnósticos, os quais, por sua vez, conferem uma linguagem própria à enfermagem além de maior autonomia profissional e qualidade na assistência.Descritores: Teoria de Enfermagem; Hipertensão; Classificação.
Competências essenciais de programas de assistência domiciliar para pacientes com acidente vascular cerebral
Authors: Oliveira Ana Railka De Souza , Costa Alice Gabrielle De Sousa , Araujo Thelma Leite de , Aquino Priscila De Souza , Pinheiro Ana Karina Bezerra , Ximenes Lorena Barbosa
Published: August 2013

doi: 10.5216/ree.v15i2.18046 - http://dx.doi.org/10.5216/ree.v15i2.18046. RESUMOO Programa de Atendimento Domiciliar agrega em suas atribuições inúmeras Competências Essenciais, tais como as propostas pela Agência de Saúde Pública do Canadá. Dessa forma, buscou-se avaliar a inserção dessas competências essenciais neste programa. Trata-se de um estudo transversal, realizado de janeiro a abril de 2010, com cuidadores e pacientes assistidos pelo programa. Utilizaram-se formulários e diário de campo para a coleta de dados e posteriormente buscou-se avaliar as atividades exercidas no âmbito das competências essenciais preconizadas. Assim, foi possível perceber que as atribuições exercidas pelo programa ainda se encontram aquém do que é almejado, haja vista a lógica biomédica empregada, que conduziu à implementação parcial de Competências Essenciais como: Políticas de Saúde Pública; Planejamento e Implementação; Parceria, Colaboração e Apoio e Liderança. Tal fato denota a necessidade de maiores esforços governamentais e por parte dos profissionais envolvidos no programa com vistas à melhoria da atenção oferecida.Descritores: Promoção da Saúde; Competência Profissional; Serviços de Assistência Domiciliar; Cuidadores; Acidente Cerebral Vascular.
Desafios de enfermeiros da Estratégia Saúde da Família na implantação do Programa Saúde do Adolescente
Authors: Duarte Sebastião Junior Henrique , Ferreira Sueli Francisca , Santos Neuci Cunhas dos
Published: August 2013

doi: 10.5216/ree.v15i2.18179 - http://dx.doi.org/10.5216/ree.v15i2.18179 RESUMO Objetivou-se conhecer a percepção de enfermeiros que atuam nas equipes em que se têm implantado o Projeto de Educação pelo Trabalho na área da Saúde da Família, quanto às ações desenvolvidas no Programa Saúde do Adolescente. Estudo qualitativo, realizado em Cuiabá, MT, com a participação de 17 enfermeiros. Os dados foram coletados por meio de questionário contendo variáveis descritivas e perguntas abertas a serem respondidas individualmente. Utilizou-se o Discurso do Sujeito Coletivo como método de análise das falas. Os resultados permitiram a construção de sete ideias centrais: ações de atenção à saúde; participação dos adolescentes; intersetorialidade; organização estrutural e da assistência ao adolescente; multidisciplinaridade e interdisciplinaridade; necessidade de capacitação sobre adolescência. Concluiu-se que as ações do Programa Saúde do Adolescente não são ofertadas por todas as equipes de Saúde da Família, devendo-se investir na educação permanente dos profissionais que assistem os adolescentes. Descritores: Atenção Primária à Saúde; Saúde do Adolescente; Enfermagem em Saúde Pública; Pesquisa Qualitativa.
Meta-Historical Transitions from Philology to Genealogy
Authors: Jensen Anthony K.
Published: August 2013

Because Nietzsche rejects a temporally static ontology, his statements about values, customs, and beliefs typically involve a historical reconstruction of some kind. Given that his professional academic training was in philology, it is tempting to see a continuity between his early philological method and his later historiographical techniques, in particular, his genealogy. Two recent studies, by James I. Porter and Christian Benne, respectively, have argued that philology and genealogy share a consistent historiographical framework in their attempt to expose and undermine various textual traditions. I argue here that, on the contrary, there is an important shift in Nietzsche's meta-historical presuppositions between his earlier and later work. Whereas his early published philology is best characterized as a representational realism, the presentation of the genealogy should be considered representational antirealism.
Desdemona's Lie: Nihilism, Perfectionism, Historicism
Authors: Franks Paul
Published: August 2013

Does the eighteenth-century Spinozism debate, in which Jacobi popularized the term “nihilism,” illuminate Nietzsche's conceptions of nihilism and genealogy? Frederick Beiser interprets Jacobian nihilism as radicalized Cartesian skepticism, according to which even the subject of ideas is unknowable. Bernard Reginster distinguishes two senses of Nietzschean nihilism: a metaethical antirealism about our highest values and an ethical despair arising from the sense that our highest values are unrealizable. If both are correct, then juxtaposition is unilluminating. I argue that Jacobi and Nietzsche understand nihilism as a disruption of the formation of the subject capable of epistemic or ethical agency, operating in the dimension that Stanley Cavell calls moral perfectionism. Jacobi's alternative to nihilism is lived historicity. The young Nietzsche realizes that critical historiography undermines this alternative and celebrates the annihilation of personal subjecthood in his inaugural lecture. In the Genealogy, Nietzsche seeks to develop a historiography empowering his readers to avoid nihilism by actively forming personal subjects. Genealogy's effectiveness does not require truthfulness.
Nietzsche Was No Lamarckian
Authors: Clark Maudemarie
Published: August 2013

It is fast becoming the standard view that Nietzsche accepted Lamarck's now-discredited view concerning the inheritance of acquired characteristics. I examine passages that are cited by Richard Schacht as evidence of Nietzsche's Lamarckianism, including GS 99, BGE 262, BGE 264, and TI “Improvers” 2–5, and argue that they do not provide such evidence. I am mainly concerned to show that these passages provide insufficient evidence that Nietzsche embraced “Lamarck's idea,” but I also offer some support for a stronger view, a denial that he did so.
Philosophical Psychology as a Basis for Ethics
Authors: Katsafanas Paul
Published: August 2013

Nietzsche claims that “psychology is once again the path to the fundamental problems” (BGE 23). What are these “fundamental problems”? I provide a partial answer by focusing upon the way in which psychology informs Nietzsche's account of value. I argue that Nietzsche's ethical theory is based upon the idea that power has a privileged normative status: power is the one value in terms of which all others values are to be assessed. Yet how could power have this privileged status, given that Nietzsche denies that there are any objective facts about what is valuable? Nietzsche's account of psychology provides the answer: he grounds power's privileged status in facts about the nature of human motivation. In particular, Nietzsche's account of drives entails that human beings are ineluctably committed to valuing power. So Nietzsche's ethical theory follows from his philosophical psychology.
Biological Inheritance and Cultural Evolution in Nietzsche's Genealogy
Authors: Forber Patrick
Published: August 2013

Nietzsche's investigation into the origins of morality bears some striking similarities to contemporary investigations into human evolution. Here I investigate these similarities, using a comparison between Nietzsche's GM and Gould and Lewontin's influential “Spandrels” essay as a departure point. I argue that Nietzsche defends a proto-evolutionary psychology about morality, where the inheritance of enduring biological drives conflicts with our culturally evolved moral system. While Nietzsche's claims about the evolution of morality fit well within a Darwinian framework of natural selection, his claims about our underlying biology do not. Those claims cohere better with the non-Darwinian views found in nineteenth-century German biology and embryology.
Measurement of Circulating 25-Hydroxy Vitamin D Using Three Commercial Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay Kits with Comparison to Liquid Chromatography: Tandem Mass Spectrometry Method
Authors: He Cheng-Shiun , Gleeson Michael , Fraser William D.
Published: August 2013

Aim. The purpose of this study was to compare the accuracy and clinical implications of three commercial enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kits (Eagle Biosciences, Immundiagnostik, and MicroVue) with a validated liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) method for the measurement of serum 25(OH)D concentration. Methods. Blood samples were obtained from 225 healthy individuals who were recruited as subjects from Loughborough University, UK. Plasma samples were measured for 25(OH)D concentration by means of LC-MS/MS and ELISA kits from Eagle Biosciences, Immundiagnostik, and MicroVue. Results. The 25(OH)D concentration measured by the Eagle Biosciences, Immundiagnostik, and MicroVue ELISAs biased −50.9 ± 79.1 nmol/L, −14.2 ± 91.0 nmol/L, and −7.2 ± 18.9 nmol/L (bias ± SD) from the LC-MS/MS method, respectively. We found that 52% (Eagle Biosciences), 48% (Immundiagnostik), and 38% (MicroVue) of participants were misclassified, and the results showed the poor agreement (Kappa: −0.201~0.251) in classification of participants defined as vitamin D sufficiency and insufficiency between each method and LC-MS/MS. Conclusions. The present study demonstrated that there were negative biases and considerable misclassification of participants using the cut-off point (50 nmol/L) for vitamin D insufficiency and sufficiency using the Eagle Biosciences, Immundiagnostik, and MicroVue ELISAs compared with the LC-MS/MS assay.
Cultural Similarities and Differences in the Perception of Emotional Valence and Intensity: A Comparison of Americans and Hong Kong Chinese
Authors: Zhu Zhuoying , Ho Samuel M. Y. , Bonanno George A.
Published: August 2013

Despite being challenged for their ecological validity, studies of emotion perception have often relied on static, posed expressions. One of the key reasons is that dynamic, spontaneous expressions are difficult to control because of the existence of display rules and frequent co-occurrence of non-emotion related facial movements. The present study investigated cross-cultural patterns in the perception of emotion using an expressive regulation paradigm for generating facial expressions. The paradigm largely balances out the competing concerns for ecological and internal validity. Americans and Hong Kong Chinese (expressors) were presented with positively and negatively valenced pictures and were asked to enhance, suppress, or naturally display their facial expressions according to their subjective emotions. Videos of naturalistic and dynamic expressions of emotions were rated by Americans and Hong Kong Chinese (judges) for valence and intensity. The 2 cultures agreed on the valence and relative intensity of emotion expressions, but cultural differences were observed in absolute intensity ratings. The differences varied between positive and negative expressions. With positive expressions, ratings were higher when there was a cultural match between the expressor and the judge and when the expression was enhanced by the expressor. With negative expressions, Chinese judges gave higher ratings than their American counterparts for Chinese expressions under all 3 expressive conditions, and the discrepancy increased with expression intensity; no cultural differences were observed when American expressions were judged. The results were discussed with respect to the "decoding rules" and "same-culture advantage" approaches of emotion perception and a negativity bias in the Chinese collective culture.
Bullets Versus Burgers: Is It Threat or Relevance That Captures Attention?
Authors: De Oca Beatrice M. , Black Alison A.
Published: August 2013

Previous studies have found that potentially dangerous stimuli are better at capturing attention than neutral stimuli, a finding sometimes called the threat superiority effect. However, nonthreatening stimuli also capture attention in many studies of visual attention. In Experiment 1, the relevance superiority effect was tested with a visual search task comparing detection times for threatening stimuli (guns), pleasant but motivationally relevant stimuli (food), and neutral stimuli (flowers and chairs). Gun targets were detected more rapidly than both types of neutral targets, whereas food targets were detected more quickly than the neutral chair targets only. Guns were detected more rapidly than food. In Experiment 2, threatening targets (guns and snakes), pleasant but motivationally relevant targets (money and food), and neutral targets (trees and couches) were all presented with the same neutral distractors (cactus and pots) in order to control for the valence of the distractor stimulus across the three categories of target stimuli. Threatening and pleasant target categories facilitated attention relative to neutral targets. The results support the view that both threatening and pleasant pictures can be detected more rapidly than neutral targets.
The Effects of Repeated Thought Suppression Attempts on Thought Occurrence
Authors: Hooper Nic , Mchugh Louise
Published: August 2013

In the thought suppression literature the completion of one suppression and one expression phase is called an indulgence cycle. The current study aimed to determine the effects on thought frequency of entering multiple indulgence cycles. Participants were assigned to one of two groups. The repeated suppression group was required to complete 3 suppression and 3 think free phases in alternating fashion. The suppress think free group was required to complete 1 suppression phase before entering 5 think free phases. Participants pressed a spacebar to report each unwanted target thought occurrence. Participants in the repeated suppression group experienced maintenance of the number of unwanted thought intrusions in both suppression and think free phases, whereas those in the suppress think free group experienced a significant decline in target thought occurrence. The maintenance effect of engaging in repeated suppression attempts is discussed.
The Global Democracy Community Gathers in Ulaanbaatar
Authors: Gansukh D
Published: August 2013

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5564/mjia.v0i18.65 Mongolian Journal of International Affairs No.18 2013: 6-10
The Current State of Democracy and Democratic Governance in Mongolia
Authors: Khatanbold O
Published: August 2013

The paper aimed to express that democracy development and promoting democratic governance in Mongolia brought specific changes; however, difficulties and challenges. These are the process to institutionalize democracy, mainly in creating a democratic mechanism within public institutions. Failed policies, emphasis in political parties, and the election process influence democratic institution building. While the Mongolia’s democratic governance indicators initiative was very much owned by national stakeholders, an important aspect of the process was to engage with key international partners who specialize on democracy assessments. The nationally owned democratic governance indicators express multifaceted and intricate manifestations of social life, it is difficult to fully assess, and using this simplified assessment method. The content of paper has categorized by the survey data and information such conducted by the 2009-2010 on the “Changes in the state of Mongolia’s democratic governance: 2009-2010” and other initial sources in related to the democratic governance and democracy changes in Mongolia in that years. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5564/mjia.v0i18.71 Mongolian Journal of International Affairs No.18 2013: 69-93
Role of Democracy Assessment Tools in Democracy Consolidation: Lessons Learned From Mongolia
Authors: Chuluunbaatar G , Landman Todd
Published: August 2013

Executive summary 1. Democracy assessment in Mongolia was a state-led exercise conducted as part of the follow-up activities to the 5th International Conference of New or Restored Democracies and involved the active participation of the Government, Parliament, and Civil Society. 2. The process of democracy assessment itself provided a unique opportunity for critical self-reflection within Mongolia about the quality of democracy, the performance of democratic institutions, and elite and mass perceptions of democracy. 3. The follow-up activities successfully generated methods for assessing democracy in the particular context of Mongolia using comparable concepts and measures employed in the measurement and assessment of democracy in other developed and developing democracies around the world, as well as a series of ‘satellite’ indicators that captured aspects of democracy particular to the Mongolian national context. 4. Mongolia has built on the assessment process by institutionalising a democratic reform agenda through the passage of the 9th Millennium Development Goal on democracy, human rights, and zero tolerance of corruption. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5564/mjia.v0i18.73 Mongolian Journal of International Affairs No.18 2013: 105-117
Identification of Calpain 10 Isoforms (b, d, e, f & h) Conserved Regions and Possible Functional Prophecy through Bioinformatics
Authors: Kausar Saboohi  , Samina Bano  , Bushra Chaudhry
Published: August 2013

Calpain 10 is an atypical calpain ubiquitously exist in all human tissues. It exhibits eight protein isoforms designated as “a-h” which play a vital role in glucose homeostasis but actual mechanism of action is yet to be ascertained. We have predicted the partial roles of Isoform a, c and g previously. They were envisaged to act partially as mu and m-calpain cysteine proteases. Here we predict the function of minor isoforms b, d, e, f and h. We have applied NCBI Blast and Conserved domain tool for nucleotide and protein alignments. Blast query indicated 87%, 84%, 87%, 94% and 34% identity of isoform b, d, e, f and h with canonical sequence of calpain 10 a isoform. Conserved domain analyses of protein sequences revealed significant structural similarities of their N-terminal domain I and II with catalytic domain of cysteine protease superfamily PC1 (e-value:CAPN10b, d, e = 2.41e-76, CAPN10f = 1.07e-43 and CAPN10h = 1.13e-17). Isoform b, d and e have one consecutive domain similar with C2 like subdomain III (e-value=2.92-32, 1.03e-35, 1.88e-14 respectively) and was classified in CAPN10 group of Palb subfamily. Isoform f and h were lacking this domain and had shorter sequences. Although structural similarities are not guaranteed for similar actions but domain homology predicted the existence of similar functions as of calpain I and II.
Composition minérale des biofilms épiphytiques développés sur l’espèce Phalaris
arundinacea et des substrats artificiels de bambous
Authors: De Nardi Frédéric , Pontié Maxime
Published: August 2013

Les éléments minéraux contenus dans les eaux jouent un rôle important dans la
croissance et la structure des biofilms élaborés en eaux douces. De plus, les concentrations
en minéraux contenus dans les biofilms dépendent de leurs concentrations dans les eaux et
sont susceptibles d'évoluer. Ces éléments minéraux peuvent être assimilés par les algues et
les microorganismes présents dans les biofilms. C’est pourquoi l'étude a porté sur la
répartition et le temps d'incorporation des principaux minéraux retrouvés au sein d'un
biofilm épiphytique élaboré en eau douce anthropisée. Deux types de supports à biofilms ont
été sélectionnés, dont Phalaris arundinaceae (baldingères) qui est très répandue au
sein de notre zone d’étude, et des substrats artificiels de bambous plantés afin de
connaître l’âge du biofilm. Les principaux paramètres physico-chimiques des eaux ont été
suivis au cours du temps (de mars à juillet 2007) au sein de trois stations situées sur le
bassin versant du Ribou (Cholet, France) notées TR, ZB et AV. Les résultats de l’étude ont
révélé que les éléments chimiques majoritairement retrouvés sont le Si, le Fe, le Mn, l'Al,
et dans une moindre mesure, le K, le Na, le Mg, le S, le P, et le Ca dont les proportions
sont variables selon les biofilms et le temps de colonisation. La présence de Si est
toujours majoritaire dans les biofilms étudiés (40 - 80 %) grâce à la présence de diatomées.
Certains éléments comme le Fe, le P, le Ca, le K sont présents sur l'ensemble de la surface
colonisée puisque toutes les cellules bactériennes ou algales contiennent ces éléments.
Enfin, des relations entre les paramètres physico-chimiques et biologiques dans les eaux et
les biofilms ont été mises en évidence par Analyses en Composantes Principales (ACP),
notamment les concentrations en Fe dans les eaux et les proportions atomiques dans les
biofilms en période estivale. Cette étude a apporté de nouvelles données de terrain sur la
dynamique de fonctionnement entre les eaux et les biofilms.
Origine de la salinité des eaux du bassin Chougafiya (Tunisie)
Authors: Farid Intissar , Zouari Kamel , Kallali Abderrahmen
Published: August 2013

L’exploitation intensive des ressources en eaux souterraines du bassin Chougafiya a largement influencé le fonctionnement hydrodynamique de la nappe phréatique. Elle a provoqué une inversion du gradient hydraulique et une invasion des eaux minéralisées en provenance de la nappe du Sabkhas El Batten. Afin de mettre en évidence l’effet de cette intrusion salée sur l’hydrodynamisme de la nappe phréatique, une étude multidisciplinaire basée sur les méthodes de l’hydrogéologie et la géochimie a été menée.

L’étude hydrochimique a montré que le faciès des eaux évolue entre un pôle chloruré sulfaté calcique et chloruré sodique. Les principaux phénomènes géochimiques intervenant dans l’acquisition de la charge saline sont liés à l'interaction eau-roche (dissolution des minéraux évaporitiques) et à l'échange cationique. Cependant, la composition chimique des eaux minéralisées situées dans les parties centrale et méridionale du bassin d'étude est nettement influencée par un processus de mélange avec l'eau de la nappe du Sabkhas.

Le traçage naturel des eaux au moyen des isotopes stables (18O, 2H) a permis d’identifier des eaux d’origine météorique et à caractère non évaporé, tandis que les eaux à caractère évaporé s’alignent selon une droite de mélange avec l’eau souterraine de la Sabkhas. L’évolution des teneurs en 3H et 14C témoigne d’une forte contribution des eaux récentes à la recharge de la nappe phréatique dans les secteurs nord et ouest, alors que les faibles activités enregistrées au centre et à l’est de la plaine reflètent la présence d’une lithologie peu perméable. L’étude des isotopes du carbone a permis de comprendre le schéma du fonctionnement de la nappe étudiée et d’estimer le temps de séjour des eaux. D’ailleurs, les âges calculés varient de l’actuel jusqu’à 7 814 ans BP. L’enrichissement isotopique en carbone-13 qui apparaît au fil de l’écoulement est révélateur de phénomènes d’échanges isotopiques avec la matrice carbonatée de l’aquifère.
Modélisation numérique du transport solide du système « barrage - cours d’eau, transport - déposition » : cas du barrage de Sidi Mohamed Ben Aouda (SMBA) sur l’oued Mina, en zone semi-aride
Authors: Bouheniche Salaheddine , Touaibia Bénina
Published: August 2013

Les besoins en eau, en perpétuelle croissance, nécessitent une mobilisation des eaux de surface. La construction de barrages, menacés par un envasement précoce, nécessite une exploitation rationnelle, moyennant des outils d’aide à la quantification et à la prédiction des dépôts de sédiments. Ainsi, le comblement des retenues peut être simulé pour différentes périodes d’exploitation. La maîtrise du processus transport-déposition des sédiments, constitue un centre d’intérêt vers lequel convergent plusieurs approches : prédiction, modélisation stochastique et modélisations mathématique et physique. De multiples interactions existent entre les matériaux solides formant le lit, ceux transportés à proximité du fond et ceux se trouvant en suspension, se traduisant par divers modes de transport. Cette contribution présente un modèle numérique qui se prête au calcul par ordinateur dont le comportement morphologique du lit d’un cours d’eau peut être facilement simulé. Les étapes de son élaboration sont décrites avec détail, le code de calcul ainsi produit est mis en valeur sur un site test de validation. Un tronçon de 17 km est étudié, entre un barrage en exploitation et une station hydrométrique, sise à l’amont de celui-ci avec une bathymétrie à l’appui. Le transport solide dans le cours d’eau naturel est représenté par un système d’équations unidimensionnelles décrivant un mélange Eau-Sédiment et traduisant les lois de conservation. La méthode utilisée aux différences finies est appliquée, avec un schéma implicite. Elle est du premier ordre en temps et du deuxième ordre en espace. Les équations des écoulements à surface libre, en régime non permanent et graduellement varié, sont utilisées qui, associées à l’équation de continuité solide, forment le système de Saint-Venant-Exner. Une formule de charriage est utilisée pour exprimer le débit solide. Les résultats obtenus expliquent la contribution du transport solide par charriage dans le comblement de la retenue d’un barrage étudié en zone semi-aride.
Modification du régime hydroclimatique dans le bassin de l’Oued Mina (nord-ouest d’Algérie)
Authors: Hallouz Faiza , Meddi Mohamed , Mahe Gil
Published: August 2013

Une modification des pluies va probablement entraîner une modification de la disponibilité des ressources en eau. Les impacts pour la population humaine devraient donc être importants. Les ressources en eau font aussi l’objet d’une pression anthropique qui ne cesse de croître : changement d’occupation des sols, construction de barrages, prélèvements d’eau souterraine. Le bassin versant de l’oued Mina, de 6 000 km2 environ, situé au nord-ouest d’Algérie et affluent de l’oued Cheliff, présente une variabilité spatiale et temporelle importante des pluies et des débits. Une régionalisation de la pluviométrie annuelle de ce bassin a été réalisée à partir des données de 26 stations pluviométriques ayant 77 années d’observation (1930-2007). Grâce aux tests statistiques de détection des ruptures sur les séries chronologiques, nous avons détecté une diminution des pluies annuelles de 19 à 20 % sur le bassin de l’oued Mina, vers 1976 le plus souvent, et une rupture dans les séries de débits mensuels et annuels de cinq postes hydrométriques, à partir du milieu des années 1970 et jusqu’au cours des années 1980. Sur l’ensemble du jeu de données de débits, tous les mois présentent des ruptures, et c’est durant les mois de février, mars et avril, de fin de saison humide, qu’elles sont les plus significatives. Durant les années récentes, aucun changement de tendance ne peut être observé sur les séries étudiées. À cette échelle, les pluies diminuent effectivement de manière importante et abrupte depuis 1960. Les changements climatiques qui affectent actuellement le bassin méditerranéen sont susceptibles d’avoir des conséquences importantes sur les régimes hydrologiques des fleuves côtiers.