bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Patterns of substance use among Hurricane Katrina evacuees in Houston, Texas
Authors: Cepeda Alice , Valdez Avelardo , Kaplan Charles , Hill Larry E.
Published: October 2009

This paper focuses on changing patterns of substance use among low income, African American drug users evacuated from New Orleans, Louisiana, during Hurricane Katrina of August 2005. It examines the relationship between increases and decreases in alcohol and tobacco (AT) use and illicit drug (ID) use after Katrina and pre‐disaster and within‐disaster factors. Data from structured interviews with 200 Katrina evacuees currently living in Houston were collected 8–14 months after the disaster. Multivariate analysis revealed that rises in AT use were positively associated with education. Females and younger evacuees were more likely to have increased AT use. ID use increase was positively associated with resource loss and leaving the city before Katrina. Decreases in AT and ID use were found to be associated with disaster‐related exposure. The paper discusses the specific consequences of disasters on disadvantaged minority substance users and the importance of developing public health disaster policies that target this population.
Positive Illusions, Perceived Control and the Free Will Debate
Authors: NADELHOFFER THOMAS , MATVEEVA TATYANA
Published: October 2009

It is a common assumption among both philosophers and psychologists that having accurate beliefs about ourselves and the world around us is always the epistemic gold standard. However, there is gathering data from social psychology that suggest that illusions are quite prevalent in our everyday thinking and that some of these illusions may even be conducive to our overall well being. In this paper, we explore the relevance of these so‐called ‘positive illusions' to the free will debate. More specifically, we use the literature on positive illusions as a springboard for examining Saul Smilansky's so‐called ‘free will illusionism’. At the end of the day, we will use data from both social and developmental psychology concerning perceived control to try to show that his view is on shaky empirical footing.
TIME‐INCONSISTENCY AND WELFARE PROGRAM PARTICIPATION: EVIDENCE FROM THE NLSY*
Authors: Fang Hanming , Silverman Dan
Published: October 2009

We empirically implement a dynamic structural model of labor supply and welfare program participation for agents with potentially time‐inconsistent preferences. Using panel data on the choices of single women with children from the National Longitudinal Surveys (NLSY) 1979, we provide estimates of the degree of time‐inconsistency, and of its influence on the welfare take‐up decision. With these estimates, we conduct counterfactual experiments to quantify a measure of the utility loss stemming from the inability to commit to future decisions, and the potential gains from commitment mechanisms such as welfare time limits and work requirements.
PPP EXCHANGE RATE RULES, MACROECONOMIC (IN)STABILITY, AND LEARNING*
Authors: Zanna Luis‐Felipe
Published: October 2009

In order to maintain competitiveness, governments in developing economies seem to have pursued purchasing power parity (PPP) exchange rate rules, by adjusting the nominal devaluation rate in response to real exchange rate deviations from an intermediate target. This article shows that these rules are likely to induce macroeconomic instability, as they generate sunspot‐driven fluctuations that are in fact learnable by agents in the Expectational‐Stability sense. It finds that the existence of these “learnable sunspots” depends, among others, on open economy features, including the degree of openness and the degree of exchange rate pass‐through to consumer's import prices.
A review of empirical research on dynamic competitive strategy
Authors: Hutzschenreuter Thomas , Israel Sascha
Published: October 2009

Beginning with Chandler's 1962 seminal work, researchers have emphasized that competitive strategy is not a static phenomenon, but rather a sequence of interconnected actions and reactions unfolding over time. This paper reviews the empirical research on dynamic competitive strategy published between 1986 and 2005 in nine leading strategic management journals. An integrated framework is used to showcase the research in terms of antecedents, strategic actions and outcomes. The literature review demonstrates that significant progress has been made in the field of dynamic competitive strategy, and yet that there are still many promising lines of inquiry for future theoretical and empirical research, particularly in the areas of strategic action timing and path dependency.
The Usefulness of Measures of Consistency of Discretionary Components of Accruals in the Detection of Earnings Management
Authors: Ibrahim Salma S.
Published: October 2009

Abstract:  Prior research has shown the prevalence of measurement error in models used to estimate aggregate discretionary accruals. In these models, the incremental information content of the various components of accruals is ignored. Limited prior research and data gathered from firms under Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) litigation indicate that managers use either one or more than one component of accruals simultaneously, in a consistent way to manipulate bottom‐line earnings in a given direction. I propose two measures that capture the consistency between the discretionary components of accruals and test their significance in earnings management (EM) detection in firms that have artificially added accrual manipulation and firms that were targeted by the SEC for accrual manipulation. There is evidence that this information is incrementally useful in detecting EM. This finding paves the way for improvements in the discretionary accruals measure by including consistency information from the components of aggregate accruals.
Changes in cholesterol biosynthetic and transport pathways after excitotoxicity
Authors: Kim Ji‐Hyun , Jittiwat Jinatta , Ong Wei‐Yi , Farooqui Akhlaq A. , Jenner Andrew M.
Published: October 2009

J. Neurochem. (2010) 112, 34–41.

The present study was carried out to elucidate changes in the gene expression and activity of cholesterol biosynthetic enzymes and transporters in the rat hippocampus after kainate excitotoxicity. Significantly increased cholesterol level was detected in the degenerating hippocampus, reaching double normal levels at 1 week after kainate injury. RT‐PCR analyses of hippocampal homogenates showed significantly decreased mRNA expression of the transcription factor controlling cholesterol biosynthesis SREBP‐2, and the rate‐controlling enzyme HMG‐CoA (3‐hydroxy‐3‐methyl‐glutaryl‐CoA) reductase at all time points after kainate injection; and decreased lanosterol synthase and CYP51 at 1 and 2 weeks post‐kainate injection respectively. GC‐MS analyses showed a significant increase in cholesterol biosynthetic precursors lanosterol, desmosterol and 7‐dehydrocholesterol at 1 day after kainate injection presumably reflecting biosysnthesis in injured neurons, and significant decreases in precursors at 1 and 2 weeks post‐kainate injection, at time of gliosis in the degenerating hippocampus. Levels of cholesterol autooxidation including 7 ketocholesterol and cholesterol epoxides were elevated in the kainate lesioned hippocampus. Furthermore, loss of expression of the cholesterol transporter, ABCA1 was detected in neurons, but increased expression in astrocytes was detected after kainate lesions. The results suggest that increased cholesterol biosynthesis and loss of ABCA1 expression in injured neurons might result in increase in cholesterol in the degenerating hippocampus. The increased cholesterol might predispose to increased formation of cholesterol oxidation products which have been shown to be toxic to neurons.
Nature and consequences of mammalian brain and CSF efflux transporters: four decades of progress
Authors: Spector Reynold
Published: October 2009

J. Neurochem.(2010)112, 13–23.

In the last 40 years, especially with the application of new neurochemical and molecular biological techniques, there has been explosive progress in understanding how certain ligands and drugs are transported across the blood‐brain barrier and choroid plexus out of brain and CSF. In the CNS, there are several separate efflux transporters with very broad specificity that are responsible for much of the efflux transport. This review focuses on three such transporters: organic acid transporter‐3, peptide transporter‐2 and P‐glycoprotein for which there is substantial new information including ‘knockout’ models in mice and, in one case, dogs. Moreover, the structural biology and transport mechanism of P‐glycoprotein at 3.8 angstroms is described. The overall objective is to show how this new knowledge provides a more thorough understanding (e.g., of molecular mechanisms) of efflux transport and in several cases leads to clinically relevant information that allows better treatment of certain CNS disorders (e.g., meningitis and brain cancer).
A novel role for calcium/calmodulin kinase II within the brainstem pedunculopontine tegmentum for the regulation of wakefulness and rapid eye movement sleep
Authors: Stack Edward C. , Desarnaud Frank , Siwek Donald F. , Datta Subimal
Published: October 2009

J. Neurochem. (2010) 112, 271–281.

Considerable evidence suggests that the brainstem pedunculopontine tegmentum (PPT) neurons are critically involved in the regulation of rapid eye movement (REM) sleep and wakefulness (W); however, the molecular mechanisms operating within the PPT to regulate these two behavioral states remain relatively unknown. Here we demonstrate that the levels of calcium/calmodulin kinase II (CaMKII) and phosphorylated CaMKII expression in the PPT decreased and increased with ‘low W with high REM sleep’ and ‘high W/low REM sleep’ periods, respectively. These state‐specific expression changes were not observed in the cortex, or in the immediately adjacent medial pontine reticular formation. Next, we demonstrate that CaMKII activity in the PPT is negatively and positively correlated with the ‘low W with high REM sleep’ and ‘high W/low REM sleep’ periods, respectively. These differences in correlations were not seen in the medial pontine reticular formation CaMKII activity. Finally, we demonstrate that with increased PPT CaMKII activity observed during high W/low REM sleep, there were marked shifts in the expression of genes that are involved in components of various signal transduction pathways. Collectively, these results for the first time suggest that the increased CaMKII activity within PPT neurons is associated with increased W at the expense of REM sleep, and this process is accomplished through the activation of a specific gene expression profile.
Combinatorial interaction between two human serotonin transporter gene variable number tandem repeats and their regulation by CTCF
Authors: Ali Fahad R. , Vasiliou Sylvia A. , Haddley Kate , Paredes Ursula M. , Roberts Julian C. , Miyajima Fabio , Klenova Elena , Bubb Vivien J. , Quinn John P.
Published: October 2009

J. Neurochem. (2010) 112, 296–306.

Two distinct variable number tandem repeats (VNTRs) within the human serotonin transporter gene (SLC6A4) have been implicated as predisposing factors for CNS disorders. The linked polymorphic region in the 5′‐promoter exists as short (s) and long (l) alleles of a 22 or 23 bp elements. The second within intron 2 (Stin2) exists as three variants containing 9, 10 or 12 copies of a 16 or 17 bp element. These VNTRs, individually or in combination, supported differential reporter gene expression in rat neonate prefrontal cortical cultures. The level of reporter gene activity from the dual VNTR constructs indicated combinatorial action between the two domains. Chromatin immunoprecipitation demonstrated that both these VNTR domains can bind the CCCTC‐binding factor and this correlated with the ability of exogenously supplied CCCTC‐binding factor to modulate the expression supported by these reporter gene constructs. We suggest that the potential for interaction between multiple polymorphic domains should be incorporated into genetic association studies.
The PDZ domain protein CAL interacts with mGluR5a and modulates receptor expression
Authors: Cheng Shan , Zhang Jiuqin , Zhu Ping , Ma Yanmei , Xiong Ying , Sun Licui , Xu Jianguo , Zhang Hong , He Junqi
Published: October 2009

J. Neurochem. (2010) 112, 588–598.

In this study, we investigated the association of metabotropic glutamate receptor subtype‐5a (mGluR5a) with cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator‐associated ligand (CAL). Using glutathione‐S‐transferase pull‐down techniques, we found that mGluR5a directly interacted with CAL, with the C‐terminus of the receptor binding to the PSD95/Discslarge/ZO‐1 homology domain of CAL. The last four amino acids (S‐S‐S‐L) of the C‐terminus of the receptor were essential determinants for the interaction. Co‐immunoprecipitation experiments and immunofluorescence assays revealed that full‐length mGluR5a also associated with intact CAL in vivo, an observation consistent with the results from studies on fragment interactions in vitro. Functionally, upon co‐expression with mGluR5a, CAL profoundly inhibited the ubiquitination of mGluR5a and enhanced receptor expression at the protein level but not at the mRNA level. These findings reveal that mGluR5a protein expression is physiologically regulated via its interaction with CAL. These results also suggest a molecular mechanism by which mGluR5a protein expression may be regulated at the post‐translational level by the CAL protein, possibly by blocking ubiquitination‐dependent receptor degradation.
Soft X‐ray spectro‐tomography study of cyanobacterial biomineral nucleation
Authors: OBST M. , WANG J. , HITCHCOCK A. P.
Published: October 2009

Quantitative three‐dimensional (3D) chemical mapping using angle‐scan spectro‐tomography in a scanning transmission (soft) X‐ray microscope (STXM) has been used for the first time to characterize the early stages of CaCO3 biomineral nucleation on the surface of planktonic freshwater cyanobacterial cells of the strain Synechococcus leopoliensis PCC 7942. The apparatus for STXM angle‐scan tomography is described. Aspects of sample preparation, sample mounting and data acquisition and quantitative analysis and interpretation are discussed in detail. Angle‐scan tomography and chemically selective 3D imaging at multiple photon energies has been combined with a complete 2D spectromicroscopic characterization of the biochemical and mineralogical composition. This has provided detailed insights into the mechanisms of mineral nucleation, leading to development of a detailed model of CaCO3 nucleation by the cyanobacterial strain S. leopoliensis PCC 7942. It shows that Ca is absorbed by the extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) of the cyanobacteria and that CaCO3 with aragonite‐like short‐range order is precipitated rather homogeneously within the EPS. The precipitation of the thermodynamically more stable calcite polymorph then starts at Ca‐rich hot spots within the EPS and close to the cyanobacteria.
Release of ATP from rat urinary bladder mucosa: role of acid, vanilloids and stretch
Authors: Sadananda P , Shang F , Liu L , Mansfield KJ , Burcher E
Published: October 2009

Background and purpose:  ATP, released from urothelial cells, modulates afferent nerve firing from the urinary bladder. Here, we have characterized ATP release from the rat bladder mucosa in response to acid, capsaicin, electrical field stimulation (EFS) and stretch, using agonists and antagonists at transient receptor potential vanilloid receptor 1 (TRPV1) and acid‐sensing ion channels (ASICs).

Experimental approach:  Rat mucosal strips (containing urothelium and lamina propria) in Perspex microbaths were superfused with Krebs solution. ATP was measured after exposure of matched strips to acid (pH 6.6–5.0), capsaicin (0.1–10 µM), EFS or stretch (150% of original length).

Key results:  Median basal ATP release was 3.46 nmol·g−1. The mucosal strips responded to stimuli with potency order (median, IQR): acid (pH 5.6–6.0) 286 (103–555) > 10 µM capsaicin 188 (117–431) > 10 Hz EFS 63.0 (13.3–96.4) > stretch 24.4 (6.73–55.1) nmol ATP g−1. ATP release in response to acid was pH dependent (P < 0.05). Responses to capsaicin did not desensitize nor were they concentration dependent. TRPV1 antagonist, capsazepine (10 µM) abolished capsaicin‐evoked ATP release, and reduced acid‐evoked (pH 6.5) release to 30% (P < 0.001). The ASIC channel antagonists gadolinium (0.1 mM) and amiloride (0.3 µM) reduced (P < 0.05) the acid‐evoked (pH 6.5) release to 40 and 6.5% respectively. ASIC (ASIC1, ASIC2a, ASIC2b, ASIC3) and two TRPV1 gene products were detected in mucosal and detrusor extracts.

Conclusions and implications:  Capsaicin (at TRPV1) and acid (at both TRPV1 and ASIC) induce ATP release from the rat bladder mucosa. This ATP appears to be principally of urothelial origin. This study highlights the importance of ATP and acid as signalling molecules in modulating bladder function.
The Intersection of Sex, Marital Status, and Cardiovascular Risk Factors in Shaping Stroke Incidence: Results from the Health and Retirement Study
Authors: Maselko Joanna , Bates Lisa M. , Avendaño Mauricio , Glymour M. Maria
Published: October 2009

OBJECTIVES: To examine the role of sex and marital status in the distribution and consequences of cardiovascular risk factors for stroke.

DESIGN: Longitudinal cohort.

SETTING: U.S. national sample, community based.

PARTICIPANTS: U.S. adults aged 50 and older and their spouses.

MEASUREMENTS: Health and Retirement Study (HRS) participants born between 1900 and 1947 (N=22,818), aged 50 and older, and stroke‐free at baseline were followed an average of 9.4 years for self‐ or proxy‐reported stroke (2,372 events). Financial resources, behavioral risk factors, and cardiovascular conditions were used to predict incident stroke in Cox proportional hazard models stratified according to sex and marital status (married, widowed, divorced or separated, or never married).

RESULTS: Women were less likely to be married than men. The distribution of risk factors differed according to sex and marital status. Men had higher incident stroke rates than women, even after full risk factor adjustment (hazard ratio (HR)=1.22, 95% confidence interval (CI)=1.11–1.34). For both sexes, being never married or widowed predicted greater risk, associations that were attenuated after adjustment for financial resources. Widowed men had the highest risk (HR=1.40, 95% CI=1.12–1.74 vs married women). Lower income and wealth were associated with similarly high risk across subgroups, although this risk factor especially affected unmarried women, with this group reporting the lowest income and wealth levels. Most other risk factors had similar HRs across subgroups, although moderate alcohol use did not predict lower stroke risk in unmarried women.

CONCLUSION: Stroke incidence and risk factors vary substantially according to sex and marital status. It is likely that gendered social experiences, such as marriage and socioeconomic disadvantage, mediate pathways linking sex and stroke.
Self‐Reported Adherence to Nonpharmacological Treatment and Association with Mortality over 6 Years: Population‐Based Study in Older Persons with Hypercholesterolemia
Authors: León‐Muñoz Luz M. , Guallar‐Castillón Pilar , Graciani Auxiliadora , Rodríguez‐Artalejo Fernando , Banegas José R.
Published: October 2009

OBJECTIVES: To determine the prevalence of self‐reported adherence of older persons with hypercholesterolemia to nonpharmacological treatment prescribed by a physician and to describe its association with mortality.

DESIGN: Population‐based prospective study.

SETTING: Home interview and physical examination at baseline.

PARTICIPANTS: Four thousand eight persons representative of the noninstitutionalized Spanish population aged 60 and older.

MEASUREMENTS: Primary exposure variable was self‐reported adherence to nonpharmacological treatment (weight control or loss, increased physical activity, and reduced saturated fat or cholesterol intake) in the 918 persons with known hypercholesterolemia in 2001. The outcome variable was mortality from all causes between 2001 and 2007. The association between self‐reported adherence to nonpharmacological treatment and total mortality was studied using Cox models adjusted for main confounders.

RESULTS: Most (83.8%) persons with known hypercholesterolemia reported adherence to at least one nonpharmacological measure, and 29.5% adhered to three measures. Those who reported increasing their physical activity had less mortality than those who did not (hazard ratio (HR)=0.68, 95% confidence interval (CI)=0.46–0.99; P<.05). Persons with hypercholesterolemia who reported adherence to one, two, or all three nonpharmacological measures had lower mortality than those who reported adherence to none of the measures (49%, 41%, and 60%, respectively, P for linear trend .002). No independent association with mortality was found for weight control or loss or dietary measures.

CONCLUSION: Most of this population with known hypercholesterolemia reported adherence to at least one physician‐prescribed nonpharmacological measure. Reported adherence to all three measures was associated with the lowest mortality.
Do Hierarchical Condition Category Model Scores Predict Hospitalization Risk in Newly Enrolled Medicare Advantage Participants as Well as Probability of Repeated Admission Scores?
Authors: Mosley David G. , Peterson Eileen , Martin David C.
Published: October 2009

OBJECTIVES: To compare how well hierarchical condition categories (HCC) and probability of repeated admission (PRA) scores predict hospitalization.

DESIGN: Longitudinal cohort study with 12‐month follow‐up.

SETTING: A Medicare Advantage (MA) plan.

PARTICIPANTS: Four thousand five hundred six newly enrolled beneficiaries.

MEASUREMENT: HCC scores were identified from enrollment files. The PRA tool was administered by mail and telephone. Inpatient admissions were based on notifications. The Mann‐Whitney test was used to compare HCC scores of PRA responders and nonresponders. The receiver operating characteristic curve provided the area under the curve (AUC) for each score. Admission risk in the top 5% of scores was evaluated using logistic regression.

RESULTS: Within 60 days of enrollment, 45.1% of the 3,954 beneficiaries with HCC scores completed the PRA tool. HCC scores were lower for the 1,783 PRA respondents than the 2,171 nonrespondents (0.71 vs 0.81, P<.001). AUCs predicting hospitalization with regard to HCC and PRA were similar (0.638, 95% confidence interval (CI)=0.603–0.674; 0.654, 95% CI=0.618–0.690). Individuals identified in the top 5% of scores using both tools, using HCC alone, or using PRA alone had higher risk for hospitalization than those below the 95th percentile (odds ratio (OR)=8.5, 95% CI=3.7–19.4, OR=3.8, 95% CI=2.3–6.3, and OR=3.9, 95% CI=2.3–6.4, respectively).

CONCLUSION: HCC scores provided to MA plans for risk adjustment of revenue can also be used to identify hospitalization risk. Additional studies are required to evaluate whether a hybrid approach incorporating administrative and self‐reported models would further optimize risk stratification efforts.
Ammonia accumulation in platelet concentrates during storage
Authors: Ukrainski C.T. , Goldfinger D. , Pomerance J.J. , Lee H.C. , Farber S. , Sanchez R.
Published: October 2009

Newly prepared platelet concentrates (PC) and platelet poor plasma (PPP) stored at either room temperature (RT) or 4 C were analyzed for ammonia content initially, and after storage at 24, 48, and 72 hours. These studies demonstrate that ammonia rapidly accumulates in PC stored at RT. This accumulation appears to be temperature dependent, as evidenced by the observed differences in ammonia accumulation in PC stored at 4 C and RT. Whether ammonia acts as a toxic metabolite in the inhibition of platelet function and the development of the “storage lesion,” which occurs in PC stored at RT, needs further clarification. Additional studies are also necessary to establish the clinical efficacy of transfusing ammonia‐containing platelet concentrates into premature neonates with immature functioning livers, and perhaps into adults with severe liver disease.
Function and morphology of platelets produced for transfusion by intermittent‐flow centrifugation plateletpheresis or combined platelet‐ leukapheresis
Authors: Maguire L.C. , Henriksen R.A. , Strauss R.G. , Stein M.N. , Goedken M.M. , Echternacht B. , Koepke J.A. , Thompson J.S.
Published: October 2009

The effects on platelet function of intermittent‐flow centrifugation pheresis were measured employing platelets collected from ten donors by combined platelet‐leukapheresis with hydroxyethyl starch (LP) and from ten by plateletpheresis (PP) by similar techniques except without starch. Greater numbers of platelets were produced by LP than by PP. Aggregation of platelets collected by both LP and PP was normal (did not differ from prepheresis baseline) to collagen and to 10−5M adenosine diphosphate (ADP). Slight impairment to aggregation with 2 × 10−6M ADP and 5.5 × 10−5M epinephrine occurred with both techniques. These abnormalities, however, were significantly less severe in platelets collected by LP. Platelet morphology by electron microscopy was nearly normal, although glycogen granules were absent in LP platelets. Thus, hydroxyethyl starch, at doses currently used during a single LP, does not enhance abnormalities of platelet aggregation over those expected to result from PP alone. Actually, LP platelets function better in vitro than those collected by PP. Large numbers of platelets can be harvested by LP, and their use as a component that is comparable to PP platelets may mean improved efficiency and reduced costs for pheresis centers.
Resources and responsibility for professional education in blood transfusion therapy
Authors: Hirsch R.L.
Published: October 2009

Two current problems in blood transfusion services are the widespread lack of information on this subject among practicing physicians, house staff, and medical students, and the dearth of broadly trained, full‐ time professionals in the field. Our most important and urgent responsibility is to train physicians who seek full‐time careers in any aspect of blood transfusion services, blood center management, hospital transfusion services, research, or combination thereof. Successful training programs require sufficient space, personnel, and funds. In addition, blood centers have a responsibility to educate practicing physicians and house staff by formal teaching sessions, or informally when problems arise. Medical school curricula usually contain little on blood banking; exposure to some basic immunohematology or a visit to a blood center will help sensitize students to the availability of blood. Hospital administrators, regional medical society officers, and corporate medical directors, informed of the blood centers'activities, can help improve relationships between center, hospital, and community.
“The Problem of Spatial Autocorrelation” and Local Spatial Statistics
Authors: Fotheringham A. Stewart
Published: October 2009

This article examines the relationship between spatial dependency and spatial heterogeneity, two properties unique to spatial data. The property of spatial dependence has led to a large body of research into spatial autocorrelation and also, largely independently, into geostatistics. The property of spatial heterogeneity has led to a growing awareness of the limitation of global statistics and the value of local statistics and local statistical models. The article concludes with a discussion of how the two properties can be accommodated within the same modelling framework.
What Problem? Spatial Autocorrelation and Geographic Information Science
Authors: Goodchild Michael F.
Published: October 2009

In retrospect it is the word “problem” in the title that seems most remarkable about the Cliff and Ord article. Spatial autocorrelation is indeed a problem in standard inferential statistics, which was developed to handle controlled experiments, when these methods are used to generalize from natural experiments. From the perspective of geographic information science, however, spatial dependence is a defining characteristic of geographic data that makes many of the functions of geographic information systems possible. The almost universal presence of spatial heterogeneity in such data also argues against generalization and is made explicit in the recent development of place‐based analytic techniques. The final section argues for a new approach to the teaching of quantitative methods in the environmental and social sciences that treats natural experiments, spatial dependence, and spatial heterogeneity as the norm.
Rook or Queen, But How About Some Other Royal Court Suite Members?
Authors: Paelinck Jean H. P.
Published: October 2009

The contribution to spatial econometrics of the Cliff–Ord publication is fully recognized, but it is also shown that it should be complemented by some important spatial econometrics features.
Surface and Intercalation Chemistry of Polycarboxylate Copolymers in Cementitious Systems
Authors: Giraudeau Claire , D'Espinose De Lacaillerie Jean‐Baptiste , Souguir Zied , Nonat André , Flatt Robert J.
Published: October 2009

The Ca–Al‐layered double hydroxide, the so‐called AFm phase, is a product of cement hydration. It is shown that the interaction of this phase with anionic polycarboxylate ether (PCE)‐based dispersant polymers is not a simple adsorption but a more complex intercalation phenomenon leading to the transient sequestration of the PCE within the AFm crystallites. As a result, part of the PCE is immobilized, forming a layered organo‐mineral composite, and does not play its role of a dispersing agent. This article presents, along general considerations on the links between cement chemistry and rheology, a detailed investigation of the formation, structure, and stability of a pure poly(methacrylate‐g‐PEO)/hydrocalumite composite obtained by coprecipitation. The predictions of scaling laws derived from models of conformation of comb copolymers in solution were tested against small‐angle X‐ray diffraction, transfer of populations by double‐resonance nuclear magnetic resonance, and small‐angle neutron scattering experimental results. A model of adsorbed polymers in a configuration of a flexible chain of hemispheric cores is proposed and appears to be compatible with the observed interlayer spacings in the range of several nanometers. Finally, these phases are shown to persist for several hours in the presence of sulfate ions.
Wheels in a land of camels: another look at the chariot in Arabia
Authors: Macdonald M.C.A.
Published: October 2009

A rock drawing in north‐west Arabia shows a rider, a chariot and a foot soldier in battle. It is exceptional not only for its subject (at present unique) but for its use of a mixture of the artistic conventions employed in Arabian rock art and those used in Neo‐Assyrian and Egyptian art. The three different parts of the composition have ‘captions’ in the Thamudic B script identifying the artists and the subjects, including the first occurrence of an Ancient North Arabian word for chariot.
A Himyarite diplomatic mission to the Sasanian court of Bahram II depicted at Bishapur
Authors: Overlaet Bruno
Published: October 2009

Rock relief IV at Bishapur, Iran, depicts the Sasanian king Bahram II (AD 276–293) who meets an Arab diplomatic mission with horses and dromedaries. An inscription from the Mahram Bilqis temple near Marib mentions a diplomatic mission sent by Shammar Yuhar’ish to Ctesiphon and Seleucia. Based on the events mentioned in the inscription, this mission is now dated to the beginning of Bahram II’s reign. This date agrees with the stylistic dating that has been proposed for the relief, which suggests that Bishapur IV depicts the reception of this Himyarite diplomatic mission.
The settlement patterns of north‐eastern and south‐eastern Arabia in late antiquity
Authors: Mouton Michel
Published: October 2009

The east Arabian settlements in antiquity were never large urban sites. However, they were the main centres of the communities that inhabited that area, interfacing between the nomadic and sedentary societies. A study of the distribution and characteristics of these sites reveals different, complementary functions. They were organized in local networks forming the essential structure of the settlement pattern and delineating the territories of communities having their own political identity.
The agricultural basis of Umm an‐Nar society in the northern Oman peninsula (2500–2000 BC)
Authors: Al‐Jahwari Nasser Said
Published: October 2009

This paper argues that the agricultural aspect of the Umm an‐Nar economy has been largely ignored by researchers, due to an overemphasis on copper production and trade. This is true at the level of the smallest rural settlements, villages and settlements whose primary focus was agricultural production.

The key social developments of this period have often been explained by linking them to the exploitation of copper ore and its trade with surrounding regions such as Mesopotamia and the Indus. However, this paper will argue — based on quantified pottery analysis — that it is during this time that we see the development, for the first time in the Oman peninsula, of widespread sedentary occupation that was based on small agricultural villages where there is no evidence of copper ore exploitation, thus suggesting that the economic basis of Umm an‐Nar society was essentially agricultural.

Furthermore, it will be argued that, through the use of a new survey methodology, it is possible to locate such settlements, even where they have left no traces of monuments, such as tombs or round towers. The methodology allows preliminary comparisons to be made between the intensity of occupation in different periods. The paper also argues that the Umm an‐Nar period was one of the most intensive periods of occupation in pre‐Islamic history.
A new Nabataean inscription from Taymā’
Authors: Al‐Najem Mohammed , Macdonald M.C.A.
Published: October 2009

A new six‐line Nabataean inscription was recently discovered during building work in the centre of the oasis city of , north‐west Saudi Arabia. It is the epitaph of a ruler, or chief citizen, of the city and is dated by the era of the Roman Province of Arabia to AD 203. All but one of the names in the text are Jewish, and this is by far the earliest record of Jews in the oasis. The Nabataean script of the epitaph is also of great interest since it shows features which are normally associated with much later periods in the development of the Nabataean into the Arabic script.
Implementation of a multidisciplinary guideline‐driven approach to the care of the extremely premature infant improved hospital outcomes
Authors: Nankervis CA , Martin EM , Crane ML , Samson KS , Welty SE , Nelin LD
Published: October 2009

Aim:  To test the hypothesis that implementing guidelines for the standardized care of the extremely premature infant (<27 weeks) in the first week of life would improve patient outcomes in an all referral NICU.

Methods:  Data were collected on all infants <27 weeks gestational age and <7 days of age on admission cared for using these small baby guidelines (SBG), as well as on all age‐matched infants admitted the year prior (comparison).

Results:  Thirty‐seven patients were cared for utilizing the SBG and 40 patients were in the comparison group. There were no differences between the groups in gestational age, birthweight or age on admission. There was no difference in survival to discharge (73% SBG, 70% comparison). The mean length of stay for survivors was 112 ± 38 days SBG and 145 ± 76 days (p < 0.05) comparison group. Survival without BPD was greater in the SBG group (24%) than in the comparison group (9%; p < 0.05), and survival without severe IVH was greater in the SBG group (65%) than in the comparison group (38%; p < 0.01).

Conclusions:  These data demonstrate that applying a unified approach to the care of the extremely premature infant in the first week of life resulted in a decrease in the length of hospitalization and improved patient outcomes.
AN INNOVATIVE TECHNIQUE FOR DISPLAYING THREE DIMENSIONAL RADIOGRAPHIC ANATOMY OF SYNOVIAL STRUCTURES IN THE EQUINE DISTAL LIMB
Authors: SMITH ALEXANDER J. , FELSTEAD CHRISTOPHER W. , LAWSON JACK S. , WELLER RENATE
Published: October 2009

Radiography is the most commonly applied imaging modality in equine practice and forms an essential part of the diagnostic work‐up of lame horses. Radiographic signs of musculoskeletal pathology are frequently localized at sites of soft tissue attachment, which are often not clearly visible on radiographs. Different lesions carry different prognoses and require a variety of treatments, and a good knowledge of the position of the synovial structures in the distal limb of the horse is essential for practitioners in the interpretation of radiographs. This study describes a new technique for creating three‐dimensional (3D) models of the synovial structures and superimposing them onto radiographs for the purpose of teaching radiographic anatomy. A set of standard radiographs was acquired of the metacarpophalangeal and the distal interphalangeal joints of a fresh cadaver leg while the leg was positioned in a material‐testing machine to mimic the weight‐bearing horse. Computed tomography of the same regions was performed after injection of negative contrast medium into the joints. 3D reconstructions of the joints were created using grayscale thresholding and polynomial surface meshing in Mimics. The resulting 3D reconstructions were superimposed on top of the radiographs using Adobe© Photoshop© CS3 Extended, thus allowing the visualization of the joint anatomy in relation to the bone on all projections. The main advantage of this technique is that it allows synovial structures to be visualized on radiographs where they are normally indistinct, which will serve as a teaching aid for anatomy.
MAGNETIC RESONANCE ANATOMY OF THE PROXIMAL METACARPAL REGION OF THE HORSE DESCRIBED FROM IMAGES ACQUIRED FROM LOW‐ AND HIGH‐FIELD MAGNETS
Authors: NAGY ANNAMARIA , DYSON SUE
Published: October 2009

While low‐field magnetic resonance (MR) images can provide useful information in the investigation of proximal metacarpal region pain, an in‐depth knowledge of anatomy and comparison with more detailed high‐field images are essential to understand the meaning of different signal intensities within tissues. This anatomic description is based on low‐field and high‐field MR examination of 30 cadaver metacarpal regions of mature horses with no history of carpal or proximal metacarpal pain. Normal MR anatomy is described and is illustrated by high‐field and low‐field MR images in transverse, sagittal and dorsal planes. Normal anatomic variations of soft tissue and osseous structures are discussed. Differences between the signal intensity and definition of tissues on high‐field and low‐field MR images and in different pulse sequences are highlighted. Several structures could be evaluated in both high‐field and low‐field images that cannot easily be imaged using radiography and ultrasonography, including the abaxial margins of the suspensory ligament, the interosseous ligaments between the metacarpal bones and the carpometacarpal ligaments. Structures that have previously not been described in detail were also identified.
MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING OF THE CANINE BRAIN AT 7 T
Authors: KANG BYEONG‐TECK , KO KI‐JIN , JANG DONG‐PYO , HAN JAE‐YONG , LIM CHAE‐YOUNG , PARK CHUL , YOO JONG‐HYUN , KIM JU‐WON , JUNG DONG‐IN , KIM YOUNG‐BO , WOO EUNG‐JE , CHO ZANG‐HEE , PARK HEE‐MYUNG
Published: October 2009

The purpose of this study was to describe relevant canine brain structures as seen on T2‐weighted images following magnetic resonance (MR) imaging at 7 T and to compare the results with imaging at 1.5 T. Imaging was performed on five healthy laboratory beagle dogs using 1.5 and 7 T clinical scanners. At 1.5 T, spin echo images were acquired, while gradient echo images were acquired at 3 T. Image quality and conspicuity of anatomic structures were evaluated qualitatively by direct comparison of the images obtained from the two different magnetic fields. The signal‐to‐nose ratio (SNR) and contrast‐to‐noise ratio (CNR) were calculated and compared between 1.5 and 7 T. The T2‐weighted images at 7 T provided good spatial and contrast resolution for the identification of clinically relevant brain anatomy; these images provided better delineation and conspicuity of the brain stem and cerebellar structures, which were difficult to unequivocally identify at 1.5 T. However, frontal and parietal lobe and the trigeminal nerve were difficult to identify at 7 T due to susceptibility artifact. The SNR and CNR of the images at 7 T were significantly increased up to 318% and 715% compared with the 1.5 T images. If some disadvantages of 7 T imaging, such as susceptibility artifacts, technical difficulties, and high cost, can be improved, 7 T clinical MR imaging could provide a good experimental and diagnostic tool for the evaluation of canine brain disorders.
THE EFFECT OF POSITIONING ON THE RADIOGRAPHIC APPEARANCE OF CAUDODORSAL MEDIASTINAL MASSES IN THE DOG
Authors: KIRBERGER ROBERT M. , DVIR ERAN , VAN DER MERWE LIESEL L.
Published: October 2009

In this prospective study, the effect of thoracic positioning on the visibility and size of caudal esophageal masses caused by spirocercosis was investigated. Dorsoventral (DV), ventrodorsal (VD) as well as left lateral recumbent (LLR) and right lateral recumbent (RLR) thoracic radiographs of 28 dogs, diagnosed endoscopically with spirocercosis, were evaluated. The radiographic findings were compared with those of esophageal endoscopy. Masses were seen equally well in left vs. right recumbency as well as in DV vs. VD positions but in DV/VD views 86% of masses were detected whereas in lateral views only 50% of masses were identified. In spirocercosis‐endemic areas DV and RLR views are advised as they also allow for better visualization of descending aorta aneurysms and to avoid interpreting the potentially normally visible esophagus in LLR in large dogs as a mass.
A TECHNIQUE FOR ULTRASOUND‐GUIDED PARAVERTEBRAL BRACHIAL PLEXUS INJECTIONS IN DOGS
Authors: BAGSHAW HADLEY S. , LARENZA M. PAULA , SEILER GABRIELA S.
Published: October 2009

Using cadaveric dogs, we established the ultrasonographic landmarks for performing paravertebral injections around the brachial plexus nerve roots in the dog, and assessed the accuracy and regional spread of the aliquots. A mixture of methylene blue dye and an iodinated contrast medium was used as the injectate. A 0.3 ml volume was used to assess accuracy and a 3.0 ml volume was used to assess regional spread. Accuracy and regional spread were assessed from computed tomography (CT) images acquired after injection by measuring the distance from each foramen to the nearest edge of contrast medium, and the dimensions of spread of contrast medium in each anatomic plane, respectively. The mean distance of small volume injections from each foramen was 0.9 cm (standard deviation [SD] 0.56 cm). The mean spread of contrast medium for the small volume injections measured 1.7 cm (SD 0.6 cm) cranial‐to‐caudal, 1.2 cm (SD 0.4 cm) dorsal‐to‐ventral and 7.4 cm (SD 0.4 cm) medial‐to‐lateral. The mean spread of contrast medium for the combined three large volume injections measured 7.4 cm (SD 1.7 cm) cranial‐to‐caudal, 3.1 cm (SD 0.8 cm) medial‐to‐lateral, and 2.8 cm (SD 0.5 cm) dorsal‐to‐ventral. After the CT studies, staining of each nerve root and any other regional structure was assessed grossly. Based on our results, ultrasound can be used to guide injections around the nerve roots of the brachial plexus in dogs.
RADIOTHERAPY AND SURGERY FOR FELINE SOFT TISSUE SARCOMA
Authors: MAYER MONIQUE N. , TREUIL PHILIP L. , LARUE SUSAN M.
Published: October 2009

Medical records for 79 cats with soft tissue sarcomas treated with preoperative or postoperative curative intent radiation therapy between August 1994 and February 2004 were reviewed. The purpose was to assess the effectiveness of preoperative and postoperative radiation therapy, and to determine the association of patient and radiation treatment variables with survival. Gender, age, weight, anatomic tumor site, packed cell volume (PCV), computerized vs. manual treatment planning, radiation field length, preoperative vs. postoperative irradiation, total radiation dose, and biologically effective dose (BED) were assessed as prognostic factors for survival. Fifty‐six of 79 (71%) of cats were anemic within 2 weeks before or during radiation treatment. The median survival was 520 days for all cats, with a 1‐year survival rate of 61.6%, and a 2‐year survival rate of 41.6%. Only timing of radiation therapy relative to surgery and presence of a moderate or severe anemia were significantly related to survival. The median survival was 310 days for cats treated with preoperative radiation therapy, and 705 days for cats treated with postoperative radiation therapy (P=0.03). The median survival was 308 days for cats with a PCV<25%, and 760 days for cats with a PCV≥25% (P=0.017). Radiation therapy in combination with surgery results in relatively long‐term survival in cats with soft tissue sarcomas. Anemia is common in cats undergoing radiation therapy for soft tissue sarcomas, and is associated with decreased survival.
USE OF 3′‐DEOXY‐3′‐[18F]FLUOROTHYMIDINE PET/CT FOR EVALUATING RESPONSE TO CYTOTOXIC CHEMOTHERAPY IN DOGS WITH NON‐HODGKIN'S LYMPHOMA
Authors: LAWRENCE JESSICA , VANDERHOEK MATTHEW , BARBEE DAVID , JERAJ ROBERT , TUMAS DANIEL B. , VAIL DAVID M.
Published: October 2009

Imaging and measurement of proliferation with computed tomography (CT) and positron emission tomography (PET) provide a noninvasive method for improved staging and monitoring of response to cancer treatment. We evaluated prospectively the proliferation marker 3′‐deoxy‐3′[18F] fluorothymidine (FLT) in the context of FLT‐PET/CT for detection of early response, confirmation of posttreatment response, and prediction of relapse in dogs with non‐Hodgkin's lymphoma. Nine dogs with non‐Hodgkin's lymphoma who were scheduled to receive five cycles of an investigational cytotoxic chemotherapy agent were included. All dogs received baseline FLT‐PET/CT imaging immediately before chemotherapy. Intent was to repeat imaging with FLT‐PET/CT at various time points: group 1 (n=4), 5 days after initiation of chemotherapy and 3 weeks following the last chemotherapy administration; group 2 (n=5), before the fourth cycle of chemotherapy and 3 weeks following the last administration. Two dogs in group 2 did not undergo repeat PET/CT. Body mass standardized uptake values (SUV) for FLT were calculated for each dog. Eight dogs had initially increased FLT uptake (mean SUVmax=9.8 [2.6–22.3]). Mean SUV decreased significantly for the seven dogs that underwent follow‐up PET/CT following chemotherapy (mean SUVmax=3.5 [1.1–7.9], P<0.016). Increased uptake preceded clinical and cytological evidence of relapse in two dogs. Ki‐67 immunohistochemistry confirmed decreased proliferation corresponding to decreased SUV in three canine lymph node samples. FLT‐PET/CT functional and anatomical imaging shows promise for the evaluation of response to cytotoxic chemotherapy in dogs with non‐Hodgkin's lymphoma and for predicting relapse before standard clinical and clinicopathologic confirmation.
Does teaching complex sentences have to be complicated? Lessons from children's online writing
Authors: Kelly Alison , Safford Kimberly
Published: October 2009

This paper draws upon data from a research project, undertaken in 2 Year 6 classrooms during the 2006 World Cup, to analyse how children used complex sentence structures in their writing on a football web‐log. We explore how the confluence of a temporary, popular, global event and an online forum for communication created a moment of linguistic empowerment where pupils began to use high‐level forms of language, and we consider the implications of transience and interactivity for the teaching and learning of sentence grammar.