bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Testing Adult Pacific Lamprey Performance at Structural Challenges in Fishways
Authors: Keefer Matthew L. , Daigle William R. , Peery Christopher A. , Pennington Howard T. , Lee Steven R. , Moser Mary L.
Published: February 2011

Adult Pacific lampreys Lampetra tridentata migrate through areas of difficult passage and high water velocity by attaching their oral discs to substrate and then releasing and bursting upstream. In fishways at dams, this burst-and-attach behavior can be ineffective, particularly where suitable attachment surfaces are unavailable. We used an experimental fishway to test performance of adult Pacific lampreys when confronted with a series of structural challenges. These included vertical steps near fishway weir orifices, squared versus rounded orifice entrances, and floor-mounted metal grates. All experimental challenges simulated common existing structures in weir-and-orifice fishways at Columbia and Snake River dams. Most experiments were paired with field evaluations of radio-tagged Pacific lampreys or video observations of untagged individuals in situ. Field and experimental results consistently indicated that the structural challenges reduced passage efficiency and lengthened passage times. Improving Pacific lamprey passage may be facilitated by removing or modifying vertical steps and other sharp-edged corners and by providing adequate attachment surfaces. Such accommodations should be especially beneficial in areas with high water velocity. The findings demonstrate how fish morphology and behavior should be explicitly considered in the design or retrofitting of fish passage structures.
Validation of Nonlethal Sex Determination for Black Crappies during Spring
Authors: Isermann Daniel A.
Published: February 2011

I evaluated the accuracy of using differences in body coloration, gamete stripping, and abdominal distension in females as a nonlethal method for determining the sex of black crappies Pomoxis nigromaculatus collected from two Minnesota lakes during spring (late April–early June). Sex assignments based on these three attributes were 93% accurate for all black crappies (211 of 227) and 98% accurate (174 of 177) for black crappies of 200 mm or more total length. The difference in body coloration between sexes was the most useful trait for identifying sex, but the distended abdomen of females and gamete stripping aided in identifying sex in some instances. Nonlethal sex assignment was less reliable for black crappies less than 200 mm (74% accurate; 37 of 50), largely because of the lack of dark coloration in males. The sex of black crappies of 200 mm or more can be identified accurately without killing the fish, but that of smaller crappies should be determined by means of visual inspection of the gonads.
Estimation and Modeling of Electrofishing Capture Efficiency for Fishes in Wadeable Warmwater Streams
Authors: Price Alison L. , Peterson James T.
Published: February 2011

Stream fish managers often use fish sample data to inform management decisions affecting fish populations. Fish sample data, however, can be biased by the same factors affecting fish populations. To minimize the effect of sample biases on decision making, biologists need information on the effectiveness of fish sampling methods. We evaluated single-pass backpack electrofishing and seining combined with electrofishing by following a dual-gear, mark–recapture approach in 61 blocknetted sample units within first- to third-order streams. We also estimated fish movement out of unblocked units during sampling. Capture efficiency and fish abundances were modeled for 50 fish species by use of conditional multinomial capture–recapture models. The best-approximating models indicated that capture efficiencies were generally low and differed among species groups based on family or genus. Efficiencies of single-pass electrofishing and seining combined with electrofishing were greatest for Catostomidae and lowest for Ictaluridae. Fish body length and stream habitat characteristics (mean cross-sectional area, wood density, mean current velocity, and turbidity) also were related to capture efficiency of both methods, but the effects differed among species groups. We estimated that, on average, 23% of fish left the unblocked sample units, but net movement varied among species. Our results suggest that (1) common warmwater stream fish sampling methods have low capture efficiency and (2) failure to adjust for incomplete capture may bias estimates of fish abundance. We suggest that managers minimize bias from incomplete capture by adjusting data for site- and species-specific capture efficiency and by choosing sampling gear that provide estimates with minimal bias and variance. Furthermore, if block nets are not used, we recommend that managers adjust the data based on unconditional capture efficiency.
The Importance of Validating the Duration of Fishing Trips: Are Harvest Rates from On-Site Recreational Fishing Surveys Unbiased?
Authors: Steffe Aldo S. , Murphy Jeffrey J.
Published: February 2011

Harvest rates are often used as indicators of fishing quality and in the estimation of total harvest in some on-site survey designs. The unbiased estimation of harvest and fishing effort is critical for calculating accurate harvest rates. On-site survey designs allow survey clerks to validate harvest data directly. This harvest validation assumes that the level of intentional deception by fishers is relatively small. Therefore, validating angler-generated estimates of trip duration is important because this can provide evidence that harvest rates and other variables derived from effort data are also unbiased. Also, one can partition effort and harvest within trips to calculate directed harvest rates for different target species or species groups, knowing that the angler-generated estimates of total trip length are not contributing systematically to any bias in the directed harvest rates. We examined the accuracy of trip duration estimates reported by trailer boat fishers in the marine waters of New South Wales, Australia. Comparing these angler-generated estimates with observed records of actual trip duration demonstrated that the angler-generated estimates were empirically unbiased both for estimates in terms of party-hours and those in terms of angler-hours. These findings have several implications for the interpretation and analysis of survey results. We therefore recommend that angler-generated estimates of trip duration be validated for different recreational fisheries; moreover, reliable reference points should be incorporated into all interview protocols because they can minimize the bias in self-reported estimates of fishing effort. The validation of trip duration and harvest rate data are vital for convincing fisheries managers and stakeholders that surveys can provide reliable information about a fishery.
The Economic Impact of Saltwater Sportfishing Harvest Restrictions in Alaska: An Empirical Analysis of Nonresident Anglers
Authors: Lew Daniel K. , Seung Chang K.
Published: February 2011

Saltwater sportfishing is a popular activity for visitors to Alaska. In this paper, a stated-preference model of saltwater sportfishing participation is used to generate estimates of the changes in participation resulting from changes in harvest limits for three primary recreational target species in Alaska saltwater fisheries: Pacific halibut Hippoglossus stenolepis, Chinook salmon Oncorhynchus tshawytscha, and coho salmon O. kisutch. These estimates are then used in a state-level computable general equilibrium (CGE) model to generate estimates of the economic impacts of harvest policies. We find that the impacts of changes in nonresident anglers' expenditures are smaller than those from a social accounting matrix model and that many of the impacts from an increase in expenditures leak out of state owing to Alaska's heavy dependence on imports of goods and services from the rest of the United States. Moreover, changes to harvest limits appear to have a small effect on the Alaska economy, at least in comparison with the overall size of that economy.
Repair of Choanal Atresia and Oro-Nasal Fistula in One Sitting
Authors: El-Bosraty Hussam M. , Abdel-Aziz Mosaad M.
Published: February 2011

A seven month-old girl with bilateral choanal atresia presented to our institution with oro-nasal fistula secondary to a previous atresia repair. Examination revealed obstruction of both choanae and the presence of a fistula located in the hard palate. Endoscopic repair of the atresia and a two-layer closure of the fistula were carried out in one sitting. Follow-up of the patient for 6 months showed patent choanae and a healed palatal fistula.
Anxiety, Substance Use, and Their Co-Occurrence: Advances in Clinical Science
Authors: Zvolensky Michael J. , Buckner Julia D. , Norton Peter J. , Smits Jasper A. J.
Published: February 2011

Research and clinical literatures are replete with examples that psychological disorders are related to drug use, abuse, and dependence. The preponderance of scientific work addressing relations among psychopathological processes and drug use, abuse, and dependence has been focused primarily on psychotic disorders, major depression, antisocial personality disorder, and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. This corpus of empirical work has indicated that there are clinically meaningful relations among particular types of psychopathology and the onset and maintenance of substance use behaviors and disorders and, in turn, that substance use and use-related problems can impact vulnerability for psychopathology. Within this public health context, it is striking that despite the fact that anxiety disorders are one of the most common classes of psychological problems (Kessler et al., 2005), there has been limited programmatic study of the relations between anxiety vulnerability processes and substance use disorders.
Acute Effects of Marijuana Smoking on Negative and Positive Affect
Authors: Metrik Jane , Kahler Christopher W. , McGeary John E. , Monti Peter M. , Rohsenow Damaris J.
Published: February 2011

Human studies and animal experiments present a complex and often contradictory picture of the acute impact of marijuana on emotions. The few human studies specifically examining changes in negative affect find either increases or reductions following delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) administration. In a 2 × 2, instructional set (told THC vs. told no THC) by drug administration (smoked marijuana with 2.8% THC vs. placebo) between-subjects design, we examined the pharmacologic effect of marijuana on physiological and subjective stimulation, subjective intoxication, and self-reported negative and positive affect with 114 weekly marijuana smokers. Individuals were first tested under a baseline/no smoking condition and again under experimental condition. Relative to placebo, THC significantly increased arousal and confusion/bewilderment. However, the direction of effect on anxiety varied depending on instructional set: Anxiety increased after THC for those told placebo but decreased among other participants. Furthermore, marijuana users who expected more impairment from marijuana displayed more anxiety after smoking active marijuana, whereas those who did not expect the impairment became less anxious after marijuana. Both pharmacologic and stimulus expectancy main effects significantly increased positive affect. Frequent marijuana users were less anxious after smoking as compared to less frequent smokers. These findings show that expectancy instructions and pharmacology play independent roles in effects of marijuana on negative affect. Further studies examining how other individual difference factors impact marijuana’s effects on mood are needed.
Putting Thoughts Into Context: Alcohol Expectancies, Social Anxiety, and Hazardous Drinking
Authors: Ham Lindsay S. , Zamboanga Byron L. , Bacon Amy K.
Published: February 2011

Alcohol outcome expectancies (AOE), or beliefs about the effects of drinking, are believed to moderate the association between social anxiety and hazardous alcohol use. AOE can also vary depending on the drinking context. The current study tested whether AOE specific to three drinking contexts would moderate the association between social anxiety and hazardous use among undergraduates (N = 377; 70% women; Mage = 21.0). Results showed that AOE about convivial contexts (e.g., at a party), but not AOE about coping (e.g., when sad) or intimate (e.g., on a date) contexts, moderated the association between social anxiety and hazardous drinking. Specifically, social anxiety and hazardous drinking were related positively for those endorsing higher positive or lower negative AOE about convivial settings, and associated negatively for those reporting low positive or high negative AOE in these contexts. Thus, socially anxious young adults who endorse high positive or low negative AOE about convivial drinking contexts could be at elevated risk for alcohol-related problems.
The Role of Social Anxiety in a Brief Alcohol Intervention for Heavy-Drinking College Students
Authors: Terlecki Meredith A. , Buckner Julia D. , Larimer Mary E. , Copeland Amy L.
Published: February 2011

The Brief Alcohol Screening and Intervention for College Students (BASICS) reduces alcohol use and alcohol-related problems among undergraduates, yet variability in outcomes exists. Identifying individual difference variables related to outcomes could inform efforts to improve treatment protocols. The current study evaluated the role of social anxiety during BASICS. High socially anxious (HSA; n = 26) and low socially anxious (LSA; n = 44) heavy-drinking undergraduates were randomly assigned to BASICS (n = 38) or an assessment-only control (n = 32). HSA patients reported higher baseline alcohol consumption (typical drinks, weekly quantity, and frequency). BASICS significantly decreased weekly alcohol consumption and alcohol-related problems relative to the control group. Social anxiety moderated outcomes such that in the BASICS condition; HSA patients reported heavier typical drinks at posttest, even after controlling for referral status, baseline typical drinks, and trait anxiety. This was not the case in the control group. HSA patients may benefit from social anxiety-specific interventions during BASICS.
The Effect of Mood, Anxiety, and Alcohol Use Disorders on Smoking Cessation in Cancer Patients
Authors: Blalock Janice A. , Lam Cho , Minnix Jennifer A. , Karam-Hage Maher , Gritz Ellen R. , Robinson Jason D. , Cinciripini Paul M.
Published: February 2011

Smoking is highly prevalent in individuals with psychiatric disorders. The relationship between smoking and anxiety disorders has received less attention than that of depression and substance use disorders, despite the fact that anxiety disorders are the most common of mental illnesses across the globe. In this study, we investigated the relationship between psychiatric disorders, including anxiety, depression, alcohol abuse, and comorbid combinations of these primary Axis I disorders and smoking cessation, in a cohort of 1,425 cancer patients who were participating in a smoking cessation clinical program. Patients were followed prospectively and assessed for abstinence status at the end of treatment and at 6-month posttreatment. Treatment involved six to eight behavioral smoking cessation counseling sessions over a 12- to 16-week period, and up to 12 weeks of smoking cessation pharmacotherapy. We hypothesized that patients with current anxiety disorders as well as other psychiatric disorders would have lower smoking cessation rates than those with no psychiatric disorders. There were no differences in abstinence rates between patients with anxiety disorders and those with no psychiatric disorders at end of treatment or 6 months. Patients with major depression or alcohol abuse had lower cessation rates than patients with no psychiatric disorders at 6 months. Findings suggest that both major depression and alcohol abuse may adversely affect treatment outcome in cancer patients. However, these findings should be considered within the limitations of observational studies that involve comparisons between nonrandomly assigned groups.
Presence and Attunement in Health Care: A View from Infancy Research
Authors: Trout Michael
Published: February 2011

In the nuanced exchange between mother and baby—with its exquisite attunement, which we now know creates neurobiological changes in both parties—we see a metaphor for the therapeutic relationship in health care. To the extent that the mother is fully present, the infant is not only regulated in the moment, but also learns to self-regulate. What is the power of the nurse's presence to heal and to increase the patient's participation in healing? And where does a nurse reach for this critical health care tool?

I did not know that I was allowed … to donate my presence, my attention, my regard.

(Charon, 2006, p. 34)
Who Am I in this Work?
Authors: Saltus Gary L
Published: February 2011

The process of helping individuals discover their purpose and explore its attunement with their work can be extended to groups. Individuals with disparate points of view can develop a group-self and become a truly unified caring collective. By engaging each other as human beings, physicians, nurses, and other care providers can develop an interresponsive connection that optimizes a caring and healing environment for all.
Change, Chaos, Adaptation: The Effects of Leadership on a Work Group
Authors: Otten Rebecca , Chen Tiffany
Published: February 2011

As nurses, we are very familiar with the environmental factors associated with change, the impact of chaos on working relationships, and the general milieu of a nursing unit. This story relates how a student in a leadership practicum was encouraged to look at change through an organizational lens when the leadership dynamics changed in a work group. The Roy Adaptation Model and chaos theory were applied as frameworks for this assessment as a way to organize and foster learning. Through this serendipitous opportunity, the student gained an insight into the dynamics of group process and an appreciation of the work it takes for leaders and managers to keep the work group in a healthy functional state.
Implementing a Caring Model
Authors: Mathes Sandra
Published: February 2011

Caring is the essence of nursing; however, caring behaviors may not be identifiable in the health care environment today. Relationship-Based Care (RBC) provides an avenue to promote a caring environment. This article describes the process one hospital used to implement RBC in their organization.
Effect of Non‐Surgical Treatment on Chronic and Aggressive Periodontitis: Clinical, Immunologic, and Microbiologic Findings
Authors: Rosalem W. , Rescala B. , Teles R.P. , Fischer R.G. , Gustafsson A. , Figueredo C.M.
Published: February 2011

Background: Our goal was to examine differences in clinical, microbiologic, and immunologic responses to non‐surgical mechanical therapy in patients with generalized chronic periodontitis (GCP) and generalized aggressive periodontitis (GAgP).

Methods: Twenty patients with GCP and 14 patients with GAgP were evaluated. Clinical data, gingival crevicular fluid (GCF), and subgingival plaque samples were collected at baseline and 3 months after non‐surgical periodontal treatment. Levels of 40 subgingival species were measured using checkerboard DNA‐DNA hybridization. GCF interleukin (IL)‐1β, ‐4, and ‐8 and interferon‐γ (IFN‐γ) were analyzed using a multiplexed bead immunoassay, and elastase activity was measured using an enzymatic assay. The significance of changes with time was examined using the Wilcoxon rank sum test. Changes in clinical, microbiologic, and immunologic parameters after therapy were compared between groups using the Mann‐Whitney U test.

Results: After periodontal therapy, we found significant improvements for all clinical parameters in both groups. We also observed significant reductions in elastase activity in shallow and deep sites from the GAgP group and in deep sites from the GCP group. Microbiologic data showed significant reductions in proportions of orange and red complexes and an increase in proportions of Actinomyces species in both clinical groups. When the clinical, microbiologic, and immunologic responses after therapy were compared between groups, only minor differences were found.

Conclusion: This study fails to show any significant differences between severe forms of GCP and GAgP in response to non‐surgical periodontal treatment.
Gingival Crevicular Fluid and Serum Visfatin Concentration: Their Relationship in Periodontal Health and Disease
Authors: Pradeep A.R. , Raghavendra N.M. , Prasad M.V. Ramchandra , Kathariya Rahul , Patel Swati Pradeep , Sharma Anuj
Published: February 2011

Background: Visfatin is a pleiotropic mediator that acts as growth factor, cytokine, and enzyme involved in energy including nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide metabolism and was recently demonstrated to exert several proinflammatory functions. The purpose of this study is to determine the presence of visfatin in gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) and serum samples and to find out their association, if any.

Methods: At the beginning of the study, 40 individuals (20 males and 20 females; age range: 23 to 53 years) were selected and divided into three groups based on the gingival index, probing depths, clinical attachment levels, and radiologic parameters (bone loss). Group 1 (10 patients with healthy periodontium; age range: 25‐36 years), group 2 (15 patients with gingivitis; age range: 25‐36 years), and group 3 (15 patients with chronic periodontitis; age range: 23‐53 years) GCF (by microcapillary pipettes) and serum (by venipuncture) samples were collected to estimate levels of visfatin using an enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay kit.

Results: Mean visfatin concentrations increased in GCF and serum with the severity of disease from healthy to gingivitis to periodontitis groups and differed significantly (P <0.05). However, it was found that GCF values were higher than serum values. The highest to lowest visfatin concentrations were found in groups 3 through 1, respectively. Visfatin in GCF and serum correlated positively with periodontal parameters in the chronic periodontitis group.

Conclusions: The results suggest that GCF and serum visfatin concentrations increase with the severity of periodontal disease. Hence, visfatin values were considered an inflammatory marker in periodontal disease in GCF and serum. Visfatin also deserves further consideration as a therapeutic target.
Effects of Luteolin on the Release of Nitric Oxide and Interleukin‐6 by Macrophages Stimulated With Lipopolysaccharide From Prevotella Intermedia
Authors: Choi Eun‐Young , Jin Ji‐Young , Choi Jeom‐Il , Choi In Soon , Kim Sung‐Jo
Published: February 2011

Background: Although a range of biologic and pharmacologic activities of luteolin has been reported, little is known about its potential as an agent to treat periodontal disease. In the present study, we investigated whether luteolin could downregulate the production of proinflammatory mediators in murine macrophage‐like RAW264.7 cells stimulated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) from Prevotella intermedia (Pi), a major cause of inflammatory periodontal disease, and we attempted to elucidate the possible mechanisms of action.

Methods: LPS was prepared from lyophilized Pi ATCC 25611 cells by the standard hot phenol‐water method. Culture supernatants were collected and assayed for nitric oxide (NO) and interleukin (IL)‐6. We used real‐time polymerase chain reaction to detect inducible NO synthase (iNOS) and IL‐6 mRNA expression. iNOS expression, phosphorylation of JNK and p38, IκB‐α degradation, nuclear translocation of nuclear factor‐kappaB (NF‐κB) subunits, and signal transducer and activator of transcription‐1 (STAT1) phosphorylation were characterized via immunoblotting. DNA‐binding of NF‐κB was also analyzed.

Results: Luteolin strongly suppressed the production of NO and IL‐6 at both gene transcription and translation levels in Pi LPS‐activated RAW264.7 cells. Mitogen‐activated protein kinase pathways were not involved in the inhibition of Pi LPS‐induced NO and IL‐6 release by luteolin. Luteolin did not reduce NF‐κB transcriptional activity at the level of IκB‐α degradation. Luteolin blocked NF‐κB signaling through inhibition of nuclear translocation and DNA binding activity of NF‐κB p50 subunit and suppressed STAT1 signaling.

Conclusions: Although further research is encouraged to clarify the detailed mechanism of action, flavonoid luteolin may contribute to blockade of the host‐destructive processes mediated by these two proinflammatory mediators and could have potential use in the treatment of inflammatory periodontal disease.
Retraction Notice: Solubilization and Amorphization of Non Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drug with Low Molecular Weight Chitosan for a New Guar-Based Colon Delivery Formulation
Authors: A. Elkhodairy Kadria , S. Barakat Nahla , K. Alanazi Fars
Published: February 2011

As per Bentham Science’s policy, the following article has been retracted at the request of the Editor-in-Chief and Authors
of the journal Letters in Drug Design & Discovery (LDDD).

Title

“Solubilization and Amorphization of Non Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drug with Low Molecular Weight Chitosan
for a New Guar-Based Colon Delivery Formulation; Letters in Drug Design & Discovery, vol. 8(3); pp. 292-301.”

Authors

Kadria A. Elkhodairy, Nahla S. Barakat and Fars K. Alanazi

The above article is a plagiarized version of another article entitled “Low molecular weight chitosan as a vehicle for
solubilization and amorphization of nonsteroid anti-inflammatory drug for a new guar gum based column drug delivery
formulation” International Journal of Current Research and Review, August 2010, Vol. 2, No. 8, Pp. 62-69 written by the same
authors and published in Letters in Drug Design & Discovery, March 2011, Vol. 8, No. 3, Pp 292-301. Bentham Science
apologizes to the readers of the journal for not detecting this omission during the publishing process. We thank Professor
Kadria A. Elkhodairy for bringing this breach of conduct to our attention.

BENTHAM SCIENCE DISCLAIMER

It is a condition of publication that manuscripts submitted to this journal have not been published and will not be
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copyright of their article is transferred to the publishers if and when the article is accepted for publication.
Interval Estimation of Familial Correlations from Pedigrees
Authors: Mathew George , Song Yeunjoo , Elston Robert
Published: February 2011

We study the estimation of familial correlations from pedigree data without the assumption of multivariate normality, using asymptotic results to obtain standard errors and confidence intervals. Two extreme weights that can be given to pairs of observations from relatives in pedigrees are pair-wise weights, in which each pair is given the same weight, and uniform weights, in which each pedigree is given the same weight. A best weighted average of these two estimates for a particular correlation as well as its standard error are derived using quadratic models for the estimates and their variances. Conclusions regarding the adequacy of the method in terms of bias, absolute bias, variance, and confidence interval coverage probabilities are presented on the basis of results from simulation studies. We determine under what circumstances the nominal 95 percent confidence intervals have excellent average coverage of the true values even for samples of small size and under what circumstances the results must be viewed with caution. We then describe a procedure by which, for both small family and large family structures, we find that the estimates we recommend provide accurate results.
Fenugreek Supplementation Imparts Erythrocyte Resistance to Cypermethrin Induced Oxidative Changes In Vivo
Authors: Navayath Sushma , Thiyagarajan Devasena
Published: February 2011

Erythrocytes are excellent model to study the xenobiotic induced oxidative changes. Pyrethroid pesticides are increasingly being used in insecticidal preparations from the simple mosquito coils to house hold aerosols to sophisticated ultra low volume foggers and sprays. Cypermethrin a Type II pyrethroid pesticide is used widely in pest control. Fenugreek is a potent antioxidant. We have evaluated the potential of aqueous extract of germinated fenugreek seeds in counteracting cypermethrin induced oxidative changes in erythrocytes of male Wistar rats. Male Wistar rats were treated with 1/10 LD50 (25mg/kg body weight) of cypermethrin and 10 percent aqueous extract of germinated fenugreek for 60 days. Cypermethrin treatment caused significant decrease in non enzymatic antioxidants, glutathione (GSH), vitamin E, vitamin C, increased methemoglobin formation in erythrocytes and increased their mechanical fragility. Treatment with fenugreek reversed the cypermethrin induced oxidative changes in erythrocytes and restored all the parameters to near normal levels. The overall results reveal the ameliorating effect of aqueous extract of germinated fenugreek on cypermethrin induced toxicity in erythrocytes.
Potent Hypoglycemic Effect of Nigerian Anti-Diabetic Medicinal Plants
Authors: Manosroi Jiradej , Zaruwa Moses Z , Manosroi Aranya
Published: February 2011

The objective of this paper was to investigate the phytochemistry and hypoglycemic activities of aqueous extracts of Anisopus mannii, Daniella olivieri, Detarium macrocarpum, Leptedenia hastate and Mimosa invisa, traditionally prescribed for diabetes mellitus. The aqueous extracts were tested for phytochemicals and free radical scavenging activity by the DPPH assay. The anti-diabetic tests were performed in normoglycemic and alloxan induced diabetic mice. High intensity of saponins, xanthones, tannins and glycosides were detected in A. mannii, D. macrocarpum and M. invisa, respectively. For the free radical scavenging activity, D. macrocarpum showed the highest activity with an IC50 of 0.027 mg/ml which was 2.1 folds of ascorbic acid. All extracts showed potent hypoglycemic effects in alloxan induced diabetic mice with the highest fasting blood glucose reduction of 70.39 percent in A. mannii which was 1.54 and 0.98 fold of glibenclamide and human insulin, respectively. A. mannii showed the potent hypoglycemic activity which was 1.54 and 0.98 fold of glibenclamide and insulin, respectively. This study confirmed the traditional use of these Nigerian medicinal plants in diabetes treatment. These plants showed high potential for further investigation to novel anti-diabetic drugs.
Association of Decreased Glomerular Filtration Rate with Racial Differences in Survival after Acute Myocardial Infarction
Authors: Wetmore James B. , Sankaran Sundar , Jones Philip G. , Reid Kimberly J. , Spertus John A.
Published: February 2011

Background and objectives

African-American race and decreased kidney function have been associated with higher mortality after acute myocardial infarction (AMI). However, whether there are racial differences in the prevalence or prognostic importance of renal insufficiency in AMI is unknown.

Design, setting, participants & measurements

Among 1847 AMI patients enrolled in the multicenter Prospective Registry Evaluating Myocardial Infarction Event and Recovery (PREMIER) study, estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) was used to stratify prognosis and to examine potential interactions among eGFR, race, and mortality. Multivariable proportional hazards regression was used to examine the effect of race and eGFR on 3.5-year all-cause mortality.

Results

Race and eGFR were significantly associated with mortality. After adjustment for eGFR alone, differences in mortality by race were substantially attenuated (unadjusted hazard ratio [HR] for African Americans = 1.56 [95% confidence interval {CI}= 1.2 to 2.1]; eGFR-adjusted HR = 1.32 [95% CI = 0.99 to 1.75]). A similar magnitude of attenuation in racial differences in survival was observed after adjustment for all covariates except eGFR (HR = 1.29 [95% CI = 0.96 to 1.72]). A final model adjusting for all covariates only slightly attenuated the association further. No interaction between race and eGFR was detected.

Conclusions

Renal insufficiency, which may represent chronic kidney disease, is a prognostically important comorbidity in African Americans after AMI. However, the effect of decreased eGFR on mortality is comparable between races, suggesting that preventing renal insufficiency in African Americans could be an important target to reduce racial disparities in post-AMI survival.
Donor Phosphorus Levels and Recipient Outcomes in Living-Donor Kidney Transplantation
Authors: Chang Peter C. , Saha Sharmeela , Gomes Amanda M. , Padiyar Aparna , Bodziak Kenneth A. , Poggio Emilio D. , Hricik Donald E. , Augustine Joshua J.
Published: February 2011

Background and objectives

In living-donor kidney transplantation, various donor factors, including gender, age, and baseline kidney function, predict allograft function and recipient outcomes after transplantation. Because higher phosphorus is predictive of vascular injury in healthy adults, the effect of donor phosphorus levels on recipient renal function after transplantation was investigated.

Design, setting, participants, and measurements

Phosphorus levels in 241 living donors were analyzed from a 7-year period, and recipient renal function and acute rejection at 1 year posttransplantation were examined controlling for other influencing factors, including multiple donor variables, HLA matching, and acute rejection.

Results

Female and African-American donors had significantly higher phosphorus levels predonation. By multivariable analysis, higher donor phosphorus correlated with higher recipient serum creatinine (slope = 0.087, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.004 to 0.169, P = 0.041) and lower recipient estimated GFR (slope = −4.321, 95% CI: −8.165 to −0.476, P = 0.028) at 12 months. Higher donor phosphorus also displayed an independent correlation with biopsy-proven acute rejection and delayed or slow graft function after transplantation.

Conclusions

In a cohort of living kidney donors, higher donor phosphorus correlated with female gender and African-American ethnicity and was an independent risk factor for early allograft dysfunction after living-donor kidney transplantation.
Perceived versus Actual Cash Flow Implications of Deferred Taxes—An Analysis of Value Relevance and Reversal under IFRS
Authors: Chludek Astrid K.
Published: February 2011

ABSTRACT: This paper provides the first value relevance analysis of deferred tax disclosures under IFRS/IAS. The comprehensive analysis, taking into account the different deferred tax components, shows that investors generally do not consider deferred taxes to convey relevant information for assessing firm value, with the exception being large net deferred tax assets. In order to examine whether the general value irrelevance of deferred tax information may be due to lacking cash flow implications, the value relevance analysis is complemented by an analysis of deferred tax balance reversal. This supplemental analysis reveals that about 70 percent of the deferred tax balance persists over time, with increasing accounts dominating decreasing accounts over a four-year horizon, and that deferred tax assets are more reversing than deferred tax liabilities. Further, quantifications reveal that the majority of balance reversals have rather negligible cash flow implications.
Measuring and Reporting Income in Europe
Authors: Goncharov Igor , Hodgson Allan
Published: February 2011

ABSTRACT: The IASB discussion paper, Preliminary Views on Financial Statement Presentation (IASB 2008), asks whether income should be aggregated and reported as a single comprehensive income figure, and how comprehensive income components should be reallocated. We extend prior empirical evidence by researching 16 European countries and by an extensive examination of impact metrics that include information, measurement, prediction, and conditional conservatism issues. A European setting that comprises substantial variation in markets, accounting rules, and business culture would, ceteris paribus, support differential reporting of comprehensive income. Results, however, consistently support the retention of operating net income as a general decision-relevant metric, with other comprehensive income reported individually and delineated by its unrealized nature. We found no compelling evidence that it should be reallocated into net income by function. Further, reported aggregated comprehensive income reverses the conservative attributes of income and has policy implications for providers of debt capital in a European setting. Results are robust to several firm-specific controls, nonlinearities, the impact of reporting incentives, and for early IFRS adopters.
Soft Adoption and Reporting Incentives: A Study of the Impact of IFRS on Financial Statements in Sweden
Authors: Hellman Niclas
Published: February 2011

ABSTRACT: This paper is based on the research opportunity created by the Swedish voluntary adoption of IFRS during 1991–2004. In connection with the mandatory EU adoption of IFRS in 2005, the preceding voluntary adoption made it possible to observe income statement and balance sheet numbers under two different accounting regimes for the same standards and the same firms during the same time period. The Swedish pre-2005 adoption was, arguably, soft, involving national deviations from IFRS and weak enforcement institutions. For a sample of the 132 largest Swedish-listed companies, the hard (EU-regulated) adoption caused material increases of both net profit and balance sheet numbers, but these increases were caused by standards not previously adopted via the Swedish standard setter. The increase in the valuation of net assets was attributed to the forces at the national level which, pre-2005, had worked in order to preserve the Swedish accounting tradition of balance sheet conservatism. With regard to the international standards voluntarily adopted before 2005, the results indicated that firms, on average, used the flexibility offered by the soft adoption regime to manage earnings and shareholders’ equity upwards. Sweden’s ambition to voluntarily move toward more capital market-oriented financial reporting was delayed and hindered by forces defending the conservative accounting tradition and, accordingly, a soft IFRS adoption policy was chosen. However, in line with recent research on standards and incentives, the empirical results of the current paper indicate that this gave firms discretion that was used for earnings management purposes.
The Effects of the Fair Value Option under IAS 39 on the Volatility of Bank Earnings
Authors: Fiechter Peter
Published: February 2011

ABSTRACT: Using an international sample of 222 banks from 41 countries, this study examines whether the fair value option (FVO) affects earnings volatility. Prior empirical studies associate higher levels of earnings volatility with fair value accounting (Barth et al. 1995; Hodder et al. 2006). In contrast, I find evidence that banks applying the FVO to reduce accounting mismatches exhibit lower earnings volatility than other banks. I assign this alternative outcome to the optional characteristic of the FVO. Banks can use the flexibility in accounting to reduce artificial earnings volatility. The cross-sectional results are robust against outliers and several model alterations, including controls for endogeneity bias. Furthermore, I predict and find that banks from countries with high regulatory quality are more likely to apply the FVO to reduce accounting mismatches. Overall, the findings confirm the IASB’s initial intention on introducing the FVO. Hence, the study contributes to the current debate on the use of fair values in financial reporting.
Independent prognostic factors in endometrial cancer: a single institution review
Authors: Uharček P. , Mlynček M. , Ravinger J. , Lajtman E. , Matejka M.
Published: February 2011

The purpose of this study was to conduct a clinical and pathologic review of endometrial cancers diagnosed and surgically treated in our institution to evaluate results of treatment in relation to current international recommendations. We retrospectively evaluated the clinical history, treatment and follow-up of patients with histologically confirmed endometrial cancer treated in Faculty Hospital Nitra, Slovakia from 1990 to 2005. Data were abstracted regarding tumor histology, grade, age, parity, stage, diabetes, use of oral contraceptives, BMI, survival and treatment modalities including surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, hormonal therapy, and combinations thereof. One hundred and thirty nine patients received surgical treatment for endometrial cancer: stage I -101 (72,6%), stage II - 9 (6,5%), stage III - 23 (16,6%) and stage IV - 6 (4,3%). Tumors were well differentiated in 87(62,6%), moderately differentiated in 32 (23%) and poorly differentiated in 20 (14,4%). There were 45 (32,4%) premenopausal patients and 94 (67,6%) postmenopausal. In multivariate statistical analysis we identified FIGO stage, tumor type, tumor grade, nodal status and depth of myometrial invasion as independent prognostic factors for overall survival, and FIGO stage, nodal status, and tumor grade as independent prognostic factors for recurrence-free interval.
Two new design concepts for snake robot locomotion in unstructured environments
Authors: Liljebäck Pål , Stavdahl Øyvind , Pettersen Kristin Y. , Gravdahl Jan Tommy
Published: February 2011

This communication presents and justifies ideas related to motion control of snake robots that are currently the subject of ongoing investigations by the authors. In particular, we highlight requirements for intelligent and effcient snake robot locomotion in unstructured environments, and subsequently we present two new design concepts for snake robots that comply with these requirements. The first design concept is an approach for sensing environment contact forces, which is based on measuring the joint constraint forces at the connection between the links of the snake robot. The second design concept involves allowing the cylindrical surface of each link of a snake robot to rotate by a motor inside the link in order to induce propulsive forces on the robot from its environments. The paper details the advantages of the proposed design concepts over previous snake robot designs.
Physiological and Biochemical Effect of Pyriproxyfen on Indian Meal Moth Plodia Interpunctella (Hübner) (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae)
Authors: Ghasemi Aida , Sendi Jalal , Ghadamyari Mohammad
Published: February 2011

Physiological and Biochemical Effect of Pyriproxyfen on Indian Meal MothPlodia Interpunctella(Hübner) (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae)

Insect growth regulators generally have a selective effect on the target insects and have practically no apparent side effect on non-target organisms especially vertebrates. Hence, insect growth regulators could be a suitable choice to control pests in stored products. Ten-day-old larvae of Indian meal mothPlodia interpunctella(Hübner) were expressed to the juvenile hormone analogue pyriproxyfen in order to have an effect on growth, metamorphosis, reproduction, lipid and protein contents of ovaries. The larvae were treated by 0.02, 0.04, 0.08, 0.16, and 0.3 ppm of JHA in an artificial diet where controls received acetone alone. The results indicated significant differences in duration of growth, mean longevity of hatched adults, percentage of emerged normal adults, abnormal pupae, hatched larvae and mean oviposition ratein addition to the lipid and protein of ovaries compared to the controls. An inhibition concentration of fifty (IF50) for prevention of emerging adults was recorded 0.134 ppm. Pyriproxyfen caused significant defects in the legs and wings of some adults and sever morphological changes in the ovaries of emerged adults. The results showed that pyriproxyfen may be applied as an insecticide to decrease the damage caused by Indian meal moth on stored products. Pyriproxyfen can be used with low side effects to humans.
Comparison of Disease Occurrence and Green Leaf Area (GLA) of Winter Wheat Depending on the Forecrop and Differentiated Fungicidal Protection Used
Authors: Wyczling Dariusz , Lenc Leszek , Sadowski Czesław
Published: February 2011

Comparison of Disease Occurrence and Green Leaf Area (GLA) of Winter Wheat Depending on the Forecrop and Differentiated Fungicidal Protection Used

The effect of the forecrop and differentiated chemical plant protection on the intensity of fungal leaf diseases of winter wheat were studied from 1999-2008. Five (I-V) separate experiments were conducted in Mazury (Szestno I,), Żuławy Wiślane (Lisewo II), and Powiśle (Wielgłowy III, IV and Radostowo V). The intensity of diseases varied. Powdery mildew (Blumeria graminis) was noted in relatively low or trace intensity. On the other hand, there was a large amount of necrotic leaf spot complexes caused byMycosphaerella graminicola, Stagonospora nodorum, Pyrenophora tritici-repentisandFusariumspp. In 2000, 2001 and 2003 brown rust (Puccinia recondita) was noted in high intensity. The applied treatments were very effective in reducing fungal disease on leaves. The surface of the upper leaves (Green leaf area - GLA) with no symptoms of infection and fungicide use were significantly higher than in the control. It was also found that the GLA of crops grown after oilseed rape was higher than the GLA of crops grown after wheat.
Studies on Cereal Soil-Borne Viruses in Poland
Authors: Jeżewska Małgorzata , Trzmiel Katarzyna
Published: February 2011

Studies on Cereal Soil-Borne Viruses in Poland

Four soil-borne cereal viruses have been identified in Poland, so far:Soil-borne cereal mosaic virus(SBCMV),Wheat spindle streak mosaic virus(WSSMV),Barley yellow mosaic virus(BaYMV) andBarley mild mosaic virus(BaMMV). SBCMV was identified in 1993 as a dangerous pathogen of winter cereals and became the object of special interest. Studies on the virus included its biological and molecular characterization, and investigations of the response of winter wheat and winter triticale cultivars on the SBCMV infection. Results of preliminary experiments aiming at the evaluation of the response of winter barley cultivars on barley yellow mosaic viruses were also presented.
First Record of Outdoor Occurrence of Stored-Product Coleopterans in Arable Landscape in Poland
Authors: Klejdysz Tomasz , Nawrot Jan
Published: February 2011

First Record of Outdoor Occurrence of Stored-Product Coleopterans in Arable Landscape in Poland

70 samples of insects caught in a Johnson suction trap were taken during the vegetative period in 2009. The trap was sited in the Experimental Station Institute of Plant Protection - National Research Institute in Winna Góra, Poland. The samples contained 2 869 beetles (Coleoptera) of which 393 (13.7%) are known as stored product pests. 63 specimens of beetleRhizopertha dominica(F.) were caught. It is the first recorded occurrence in Poland of such an economically important stored product pest isolated outside the storage environment.
An Optimized Tooth Zone for the Low-Speed Double-Fed Induction Generator
Authors: Dilevs G. , Levin N. , Pugachev V. , Jakobsons E.
Published: February 2011

An Optimized Tooth Zone for the Low-Speed Double-Fed Induction Generator

The authors present the results of tooth zone optimization for a double-fed induction generator able to operate at a low speed. The generator has a large number of pole pairs, all the windings are placed on the stator, with a winding-less toothed rotor. The optimization concerns the geometry of the tooth zone and is achieved by making the pole extension of trapezoidal shape instead of circular, which allows a 4% increase in the generated power.